The Beast of Bento
Artwork By Mandy Miller, Carpe Amorem
Where art, love, and sustainability come together in unexpected ways.
This incredible piece is brought to life using upcycled cardboard, a mix of woods, and colorful paper, resulting in an intricate design in an array of coastal colors. With 52 layers meticulously assembled over 20+ hours, it's a testament to patience and passion. I’ve nestled this creation into a locally made shadowbox crafted from solid walnut, with rich bloodwood jointing (close-ups below 👇 ). I am immensely grateful to have this “Beast” showcased at Bento Box, a place close to my heart since I moved to Wilmington 10 years ago.
Let’s celebrate art, sustainability, and the beauty found in everyday materials while you enjoy the best sushi in town 🍱 !
Layers of Love
Meet the Artist - Mandy Miller
We are born with some gifts, and we evolve to discover new ones. These gifts are our tools, and we can only do the best we can with the tools that we’ve got, right? For me, art is my tool—a medium that reminds people that they are cherished and loved. Through layers of color and thoughtful compositions, I can spread light. More About Mandy
Woodwork by Craig Wies
Craig is a local Wilmington woodworker whose work can be found in restaurants, bars, and homes all over town. When Chef Lee said he wanted to display this artwork in Bento Box, I knew I had to take the framing up a notch. I hand-picked the solid walnut, and he used a beautiful bloodwood for the precision mitered jointing. If you need some above-and-beyond woodwork, Craig is your guy. Check Out His Work!
What’s Lurking in those Layers?
Behind the Scenes
Made with 52 layers of recycled cardboard boxes, cardstock, and various kinds of wood. Each layer is glued together by hand - a true labor of love.
Gallery
Commission Inquiries
Need a little art for that wall? Or an incredibly thoughtful gift?
If you see a piece that you like or have a vision of your own,
let’s bring it to life!
These unique pieces are made from up-cycled shipping boxes (thanks Amazon!), combinations of colored card stock, and various wood inserts. I love how the cardboard adds depth and dimension. This art is a labor of love, taking anywhere from 3 to 20 hours to create. I do this with the help of a diode laser and a lot of patience. I would love to design one for you!
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In short, you can expect to invest anywhere from $100 to $400+ for your one-of-a-kind piece. Each piece is made custom just for you, and the price will vary based on the intricacy of the design, the materials, and the dimensions. We can also discuss how you would prefer to mount your art. You’ll see examples of rustic wooden boards, vinyl records, simple frames, or fancy shadow boxes. Of course, this will also influence the pricing. If you have questions about the cost, I’m happy to answer any questions. Once you submit the form below, I’ll respond with a summary of your project and a few pricing options.
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These unique pieces are made from up-cycled shipping boxes (thanks Amazon!), combinations of colored card stock, and various wood inserts. I love how the cardboard adds depth and dimension. This art is a labor of love, taking anywhere from 3 to 12 hours to create. I do this with the help of a diode laser and a lot of patience. I would love to design one for you! If you see a piece below that you like, share your vision, and let’s bring it to life.
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The current production time is about two weeks from when the design is approved. Rush orders can be arranged for a fee that we’ll agree upon based on the project. Available to be hand delivered here in Wilmington, or we can arrange for shipping.
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I have lots of little ocean treasures and sand from Wrightsville Beach available to use in most pieces. Or, if you have special shells, shark teeth, etc., I’m happy to incorporate those into your piece.
“There is no such thing as ‘away,’ When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.”
