Jet-Engine Furniture Fires Up Holiday Giving
A Brief Guide to Cool and Useful Gifts
From Race Team Personnel
MELBOURNE, FLA. — Bet the person on your holiday shopping list who allegedly “has everything” doesn’t have what Shock Diamond Designs is offering.
The Palm Bay, Florida-based company makes furniture, household goods, jewelry and more out of old jet engines and race car parts. A unique amalgamation of DIY cool, adaptive reuse and steampunk artfulness, Shock Diamond Designs’ table, for example, uses a decommissioned General Electric J85 turbojet engine as its base.
The products are the brainchild of Brian Tocci, 25, who has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and later this month will receive his MBA from Florida Institute of Technology. His day job is director of operations at Larsen Motorsports, a Florida-based company operating four jet dragster race teams.
“I love building stuff, whether a race car or furniture,” Tocci said. “With these extra parts, we decided to reuse them and not scrap them. So this gives me another outlet to be creative while putting these items to good use.”
A table or clock, a business card holder or lamp, earrings or a necklace, there are unique items for all interests and price ranges. Find more at www.ShockDiamondDesigns.com.
Still have more people on your list? Florida Tech affiliate Larsen Motorsports co-founders Elaine and Chris Larsen have their own gift suggestions, and they are, not surprisingly, perfect for the automobile enthusiast in the family – or even just the drivers.
Consider updating or adding to the essentials: jumper cables, tire pressure gauge (doesn’t have to be the digital style), car care detail kit, flashlight for the glove box, a sunshield, or even a full-car cover.
Thinking about safety? Maybe a seatbelt cutter or emergency hammer for smashing out a window, or a first aid kit.
And there are always great deals this time of year on tools. Consider a basic tool kit that has screw drivers, socket wrenches, a hammer and other items.
“If you are a car owner, we recommend having these essential things,” said Chris Larsen, Larsen Motorsports’ head crew chief. “They will look great under your Christmas tree and even better in your car or garage.”
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