board#130: noserider for Ashley

Dimensions: 9'2 x 22 x 2 5/8
[completed in June 2016]
Model Velzy

The story: Ashley contacted me via email. No common friends. She was looking for her next board, tailored for her by a local female shaper. She found me and I was glad she did since shaping for surfer girls is why I got into that "business" for ! To share the stoke with my fellow surf mates !

The shape: A traditional noserider, square tail, single fin... perfect for her local californian breaks! It was the longest board I ever shaped in my shaping room : 9'2 !!! I had to use some energy to turn the board around to make sure the part I was shaping was always in the right lights. Some parts I had to shape the door opened!

The artwork: I had to challenge my poor drawing skills to pull off a hand painted ocean kelp design. A lot of work but it is so gratifying to hand off a board which was both hand-shaped AND hand-painted!

board#055: noserider for Michelle

a mermaid on a Mere-Made for mermaid Michelle!

Dimensions: 9'0  x 22 1/4 x 3
[completed in August 2014]
Model Velzy

The story: Michelle has been one of my very first supporter when I started shaping. We knew each other from Blogger and after we met for the first time, we became friends in real life. She ordered me board#008/"Mo" back in 2012 (click here for the story). Since then she has been so supportive that I often joke she is  my best sales rep! But I would hire her for real if I had the money!!!! She would do awesome as a Mere-Made representative! One day maybe…

Last year she texted me with a surfboard custom order: she wanted a "purple/deep blue/emerald noserider with a blond glittery mermaid on the deck". I was jumping up and down inside!!! Not only I was going to make my friend Michelle her second board but she was asking everything I would wish for on my own surfboard…

The shape: I naturally used the noserider template I made for a previous board (see here) which I adjusted for Michelle's dimension request. The shape was fastidious: a longboard is a lot of foam to deal with ;))) It barely fitted in my shaping room. I had to shape the tail with the door open! I worked a very pronounced spoon and smooth 50-50 rails for a single fin setting. I shaped this board before I left for vacation, keeping the hard work for when I come back.

The artwork: the artwork was the hard work. It took me  twice the hours I spent on the shaping (10-12 hours). Probably the most challenging piece I had to create so far. But I learnt a lot from this. Specially how to integrate glitter (which my glasser was not very fond of …). Anyway, the countless hours of work paid off, I think… When I went to pick it up at Global Glassing they said: "you can't put wax on this piece of art!!!" It means the world to me. By the way, a big shout out to Johnny, my glasser at Global Glassing, and all the folks who participated to the glass of this board. I know it was challenging but they did an amazing job. So thankful to have a great glass team behind all my boards… Thank you guys!

Testimonial (09/22/14_Facebook comment from Michelle"):
"AND she rides just as good as she looks.. I feel don't do her justice! I need to up my skill level! 
This board is also good therapy .. Made me get back in the water and now I want to go everyday.. Ha!"

I love those white logos printed by Boardlams

Michelle and "Esmeralda" (board#055)

Board#018: noserider for Stephanie

Dimensions: 8'8 x 22 1/2 x 3

[completed in january 2013]
Model Velzy

I know. This board looks very familiar. Indeed, the previous post was about my very custom Robert August board which was shaped by the Master but painted by me! At the very same time, my friend Stephanie asked me if I could make a nose rider to replace her beat up board. It was totally  a perfect timing: I shaped her a 8'8 board inspired by the Robert August WIR (What I Ride) model. The shaping itself was quite a challenge knowing that my shaping room is only 9 feet long... I had to shape with the door open most of the time!  Oh, and it was my first "spoon"! Good thing I got to attend Robert August training session at the Surf Expo!

For the artwork I had to infringe the Mère-Made law: my motto is "artwork uniqueness". I want each board to be the only one of its kind in the world... But I liked the Endless Summer theme so much on my new RA that I went for the same one but with diferent colors. Stephanie being a "pink & purple" lover I adapted the design to her preferences and I love the result !!! The board was glassed with a gorgeous polish finish by Global Glassing in Oceanside. Good job on placing the printed-out silhouette exactly where it was supposed to be. They also accommodate for a special wish from Stephanie: a GoPro plug for stoke recording purposes :)

PS: talking about recording, the pictures of me shaping on my welcome page were taken by Eri Morita while I was shaping this board. 

2+1 fin boxes but the fins are missing :(

Stephanie picking up Board#018

Stephanie, hubby and daughter: the cutest beach family ever!

My two version of Endless Summer:
a girly version on the right
and a VERY girly one on the left.

Update 02/26/13
Testimonial from Stephanie:
"Hi Val, I love this board! I caught my first wave today. It sliced into the wave nicely. I need to get out more. Thanks again! Steph"
Thanks Stephanie! keep slicing more waves and have fun on your new board! I'll see you soon in the water :)