sams mugs both new and our maori mug

Let me clarify this whole buttcrack issue - I love the buttcrack as much as the next guy. Some of my favorite mugs are buttcrack mugs. Personally, when I see a female buttcrack above the waistline seam of a pair of low-rise jeans, it's like a little treat - a simple pleasure that breaks up a busy or monotonous day. If I had the power, the buttcrack would appear on coins and other official documents. I truly contemplated adding it to the design of this mug. I checked out other mugs - some had the buttcrack - some didn't. Meanwhile, I knew that the "hailing port" or town was to appear on the back. I did a little sketch with the buttcrack below the letters and without. Despite my adoration for the butt, design-wise, the overall "feel" was better without the crack. It seemed to somehow intermingle with the letters, but not in a good way. Tikiwahine is right about it interfering with the city and state. I also tried sketching a short little crack, but it looked like the tiki had a monkey ass - I didn't want that. Furthermore, as a vintage souvenir freak, I liked the look of the larger letters on the back - like some of the vintage souvenirs I've collected over the years. I use quite a bit of lettering and text in my artwork, so I had to weigh my love of the butt and my love of text, vintage souvenirs and lettering. Unfortunately, the butt had to take a backseat in this case.

....but you all just wait until my Harpo and Zeppo mugs come out! :)

http://www.samgambino.com

[ Edited by: sam gambino 2007-02-14 22:21 ]

Sam, it's really nice work! Congrats on the design!

I hope you were not offended by my comment. Just having some fun. :)

Me, I'm still dreaming of my mug. Too much wood carving getting in the way.

No harm at all, Lake Surfer- I don't offend too easily - by the way, you do some fine stuff yourself. You carving guys amaze me! If I tried it, I'd probably end up hacking a finger off. I was cutting some dried paint off of one of my stirrers 2 weeks ago and my finger is still healing. Looks like this one is going to leave a reminder on my finger that I'll be able to tell my grandkids about in 20 years or so.

Sam - that's a great mug, even without a buttcrack. And thanks for putting Huntington Beach in big raised letters on the back. I love that look, which unfortunately appears on far too few mugs - old or new.

One quibble - isn't Sam's actually in Sunset Beach? I know Sunset's a part of Huntington, and HB is surely better known than Sunset, but still. I assume that was a preference of the new owners.

Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing it in ceramic. Any previews on glaze colors, or will it be unglazed like a PMP peanut?

On 2007-02-14 19:24, Tikiwahine wrote:
err, I think those are the backs of the legs, the buttcrack would be higher. Or maybe his ass is just extreemely well defined? I guess a higher crack might interfere with the text spacial zone. (though I also think he needs crack)

One comment, he's really cute but the two-tone thing is sort of strange. The drawing looks great, I think all one colour might look better, with a semi-transparent glaze defining the detail.

Just my 2 lovely bunch of coconuts

I'm glad I'm not the only one with feeling about the buttcrack!?!

I Dig it! Glad Sam's is back!

On 2007-02-13 11:56, samsback wrote:
Hello everyone I just recieved our new sample of the tiki mug re want to do as our first run. PLEASE email me with your thought so that I get it right for all your tiki mug lovers. Holden from tiki farms is doing the mug. Email me as soon as you can so I can give the final approval.

Thanks for all your support and we are trying to have the opening close to mid march. Look foward to meeting you all. alan

[ Edited by: samsback 2007-02-13 11:59 ]

I think the notes on the sculpt ,if followed ,would improve the look of this sculpt and look like the drawings.The design is cool. My take on mug design is it should be a "tiki you can drink out of". Ofcourse, this is a high use and abuse mug, so concessions have to be made in the design.

This is too severe for restaurant use, but an example of what I am saying.

[ Edited by: Tiki Diablo 2007-02-15 09:24 ]

here is one that we found that will look like the old sams mug, this one will be larger in size. Let me know what you think. alan

[ Edited by: samsback 2007-02-15 10:28 ]

Looking good Alan...any further news on the grand opening date yet?

Yes Please.

It seems like everyone is doing those resin necklaces so good.

Alan, the mug concepts look great. Hopefully by the weekend of march 17 you'll be full throttle. I look forward to the new drink menu.

Sweet!!!

Great mug design Sam (Gambino)!! It's a beauty!

WOW - that is sweet. I grew up in Orange County and have been to Sam's many times. I'm thrilled to hear it's going to reopen, and that you're producing a mug with the OLD LOGO!!! The new Sam's will be a must-see next time I'm down there, and in the meantime I'm sending a friend over to pick me up a mug as soon as you open. Mucho mahalo and hope to see you soon!

here is one that we found that will look like the old sams mug, this one will be larger in size. Let me know what you think. alan

CAn you elaborate a little on this?

Thanks for the very kind words, Aaron and Capt. Scully. I'm flattered to have been asked to design the mug.

What I understand from Holden is they may do a future mug based on the menu/logo Tiki. That will be up to Alan and TikiFarm.
That is the pendant I got at the Sam's farewell bash, executed by the talented Polynesiac. Alan.....did you get the disc of scans I sent you?

The two-tone, if that is what it is,looks like a wrestler mask

Curiously, Sam's already has a tiki that looks like it's wearing a wrestler mask.

Looking forward to drinking out of this mug at Sams!

T-Bird

very cool

Change the glaze and you got one killer mug!! I agree with most that the design is awesome though. I also agree that Sunset Beach is more PC, but you'd probably then have to identify that it's in Ca. (not up country Oahu!) Can't wait to go to Sams again for pupus and Lapus!!
"Okole Maluna!!"

The mug looks great. I too, think it should say Sunset Beach, CA. Also, I don't know if it was already posted, but when will these be available for purchase?

Very cool mug. I can't wait to use one. I also think it should say "Sunset Beach."

Yes, yes! When are they going to be available? When is Sam's reopening?

Well here is the first of the mugs with 3 color choices, please let me know what you think about it and what color you would like to see. Opening will be sometime in May. Thanks for your support, Alan

[ Edited by: samsback 2007-04-02 08:50 ]

If I had to pick just one maybe the green one, but honestly they all look good. Maybe do a run of each color over time.

Green is the colour.

My pick is the Blue one - for sure - the color of the ocean :wink:

The middle, earthier green looks more old-school and the best to me. Nice mug.
-Duke

I actually like the aquamarine color (#3). To me that looks like the ocean.

A-V-O-C-A-D-O...retro Cali green and screams Poly-POP! :D Definitely a keeper...

Flip-flOp-fLipPp...

I vote for the middle color. It just looks right.
So, an opening in May, huh!? Sweet! I can't wait! Can we get some shots posted of the progress, or are you trying to keep it under wraps?
Also, I'd just like to say "Thanks!" for actually saving Sam's from the wrecking ball AND for your willingness to make tiki mugs for such an awesome place!

I vote for the middle as well

All 3....personally. It would let everyone have their favorite.

I like the one on the right.

guaaaacamole!

The Middle Mug!

The Blue! Matches Sam's Famous Blue Sign!

I like both the blue and the green one, but a guacamole colored swordfish just doesn't seem right...so I guess I have to pick blue. Unless... we could have a guacamole tiki with a blue fish on the back?

I agree that the blue looks best, closest to the sign and it stands out best. Nice work!

all are good but to pick one it would be blue.

Middle

Olive Green,

Dark Brown,

...and a hint of Orange.

( new colors on exterior of building. looks real good!)

or, all 3.

I like all three. If you made all three colors I'd buy 3 mugs. Now if I had to pick a favorite color I'd pick the middle one.

I'm with the Rev,

I like darker colors and really like the new paint on the Sam's Seafood Building. Dark brown would be nice. Maybe it's the camera but the mugs look a little bright and more pastel to me.

p.s. if you added Mauve.......

they would be dead on Southwest 80's Decor!

How bout RED!?

No comments on the colors, but the sculpt looks like this mug is gonna RULE!!! Beeeeeeeaaaaaaauuuuuuuutiiiiiiiiifuuuuuuul!