Studio 617 was started in 2009 as a way of surviving the 2007 and 2008 real estate crash and banking crisis. Combined, those  destroyed a 10 year property rehabbing business and almost 1 million in accumulated earnings from that work.  When assets were turned into liabilities within months due to gross banking mis-deeds, we turned to production Art to try to make ends meet while waiting for a recovery that never came.   

The CNC Plasma cut metal yard art idea came from my parents. They had seen a vendor in the Carolinas selling cool 3-D flowers,  and they thought it was something I might be good at and enjoy. 

Holly and I developed over 60 designs.  Some were only 2 dimensional silhouettes. Others were three dimensional assemblies. They ranged from $5 to $120. Some people built low cost sculpture gardens with our work.  Some people did all their holiday gift shopping with us. We were very active in the Arts and Crafts markets in the Baltimore MD and Washington DC area from 2009 to 2012.  During that time we went as far north as Philadelphia PA and down to Southwest Virginia. 

In 2012 we moved to California. We shipped some items out and engaged in a few markets but we didn't ship the CNC Plasma machine out. Eventually that machine was sold, but we still had some products and raw materials in moth balls in California. 

As of 7/17/2025 we are re-launching Studio 617.  At this time we have a small CNC Router and a small CNC Laser -- we have some unique address plaques we are preparing to introduce. We are working on a design to be dubbed,  "the worlds greatest insulated mail slot", and we are launching "Industrious Stands".  We are also going back into production on small 3-D metal sculptures (Hummingbirds and Fish) and we are going to burn through the rest of our metal art inventory via markets, online sales or wholesale.   If we can outsource CNC plasma work or decide to purchase a table the fuller line of metal are may continue. 

Thanks for your orders and word of mouth advertising.  It is greatly appreciated.