INSIDE & OUT : Pop Art

Most posters just hang there, but Sculpture World’s acrylic poster art literally pops off the wall.

An acrylic bonding process and special equipment are used by Sculpture World artisans to give flat images dimension and depth.

“More people decorate their walls with posters than with any other kind of art,” said Joe Drago, president of Sculpture World, which is based near Buffalo, N.Y. “We can match the art and frame to your decor, or we can complement the colors in your room.”

Creating pop art is a three-point process, Drago said. After a poster has been selected--nearly anything will work--the image is embedded onto the surface of the acrylic.Next, pieces of the image are cut out and sculpted in layers, then reassembled to add shadows and depth.

The finished product is framed in material of the customer’s choice; acrylic, metal and wood are among materials available.

Drago, 39, and his partner, Kent Keating, 35, the founder of the company, starting popping out posters earlier this year. They began by sculpting photographs, then perfected their equipment for the posters. Since then, they have trained others in the technique.

The cost varies, depending upon the intricacy of the work, but most posters average between $100 to $1,000.

For more information, call (716) 691-1750.

Digital Tools

Seiko Inc. has gone digital in expanding its line of tools for home contractors. Its newest precision instrument is a digital tape measure. The ProTape, which works like a manual tape measure, presents information on a liquid crystal display and allows users to “freeze” the measurement. It also adds cumulative measurements in memory, meaning you can mark your spot and not worry if you forget what you marked.

There’s even a belt hook for easy toting.

“We believe this tool will eventually replace the manual tape measure used by do-it-yourself contractors and professionals alike,” said Larry Miller, general manager of the division, which is based in Torrance. “It is much easier to use and read than traditional tape measures.”

The ProTape (about $30) is powered by a 9-volt battery and has a durable 16-foot by three-quarter-inch steel blade that shows 16-inch stud centers, feet and inches, cumulative inches and metric units.

It is accurate to a sixteenth of an inch, and it automatically shuts off after 30 seconds of inactivity.

The ProTape also can help you draw circles and arcs. It has a retractable “pin-point anchor” to mark circle and arcs.

The ProTape is available at home improvement centers throughout the county.

Boxer Sheets

In the world of underwear, this collection is definitely worth a mention.

Joe Boxer, the San Francisco-based underwear company known for its wacky and witty prints on unmentionables, is putting its signature designs on home furnishings such as sheets, pillowcases, duvets and mattress pads.

Joe Boxer’s Underwear for Your Bed, which was introduced this spring and will be in stores this fall, includes not only bedding basics, but also bolsters, travel pillows and computer laptop pillows.

Four ensembles are planned, with themes ranging from log cabins, autumn leaves and Hudson Bay stripes. There also will be an “unbed,” which is an extension of Joe Boxer’s unbleached, undyed underwear and loungewear collection.

The bedding, all-cotton flannel and percale, will be available in twin to king sizes and is intended to coordinate with all the other lines in the collection.

Children’s comforters start around $35 for a twin, and sheet sets begin at $20. For adults, duvets start at $45 for twin, and sheet sets start at $35. The Joe Boxer collection will be available this fall at department stores throughout the county.