I am AMPD

Many of you have noticed and asked about my rad new jeans I've been rocking everywhere from business meetings to art events and even the Price is Right, so I thought I'd give you the entire rundown on custom designer jeans by Tony Esparza. 

Tony launched American Made Premium Denim, AMPD a few years back.  He understood that we live in our jeans and felt that our jeans should better reflect ourselves, be fashionable, and be comfortable.  He started making one-of-a-kind jeans for his friends and local musicians and began to get orders.  He stepped up production, made a few patterns and got them sewn in the US.  Tony customizes each pair of jeans with custom washes, vintage fabrics, distressing, and sometimes cool vintage patches.

Its the details that make the jeans so rad.  Tony uses vintage fabrics to line his jeans.  He thinks its important that jeans look just as good on as they do thrown on the floor, so even the insides and pockets have stylish elements.

A few of the more savvy boutiques in the LA area now carry his jeans, including  Miso Fly and Live Lounge.  He works with the owner of each shop to use fabrics and washes for the customer.  There is nothing available as hot as AMPD! 

Tonight, there will be a party at Live Lounge and desinger Tony Esparza will be on hand to help fit you into a pair of jeans.  There will also be music and cool recycled surf resin jewelry by HSD co-owner Andrea Holeman.  Check it out if you are near Riverside tonight from 7-10pm.

Rad Girls Video Clip at the Old Shaping Shack

Got a few minutes and need a laugh?  Watch this Rad Girls video clip from Season 3 on MavTV.  Too much fun at the shaping shack... I love these girls.

Moving Shaping Rooms

For the past 3+ years JP has lived and shaped out of his home in Oceanside, until his wife, me, decided living anywhere other than a surfboard factory might be nice for change.  So JP rented a shaping room from Bill Johnson (still in Oceanside, don't worry) and shaped his last boards at home last Friday.

JP was a little sad to say goodbye, but also excited for the new opportunity with Bill Johnson, and his now happy, dust-free wife.

After the boards were shaped, we loaded up the Prius and headed over to the new shaping room to set things up.  Then we had the huge task of moving all of our stuff into storage while we embark on a CA road trip.

 We underestimated the amount of stuff 2 business and a couple can store in an 1100 sq. ft place, so we had to give the spillover away.  Here, our friend scores an entire living room set, a bag of assorted sundries from the fridge, and an ice cold bottle of Jagermeister.  Thanks for taking that of our hands.

The best scores were found in the alley.  Thats where we left all the surfboards that were dinged, old, or just had nowhere to go.  Here, the neighborhood paleontologist scores a surfboard on his rollerblades.  I will miss the alley and the local bums.  Gotta love Oceanside.

After the move out and clean-up we packed the car and the dog and hit the road.  When we get back to SoCal, we'll still be making surfboards in Oceanside, but we'll be living in San Diego, closer to our roots and family.  Change is good.  Thanks 310 for the good times.

"You have to go out on a limb to get the fruit."

HUGE THANKS TO DEREK, RON, AND DAVE FOR THE HELP!!!  YOU GUYS RULE!!

Slightly Stoopid Board

Yesterday, Daniel De La Cruz from Slightly Stoopid swung by the shaping bay to get a new board shaped.  The board is actually a Rad Girls Surfboard we're customizing for De La.  JP shaped the BFF to De La's specs and Andrea is going to paint Stoopid's Skull Kiss artwork on it.  So stoked to work on this board.

A lucky fan won 2 cd's yesterday on the Rad Girls Surfboard facebook fan page.  Congrats Spencer of PB.

HSD in Surfer's Journal

Just got the new Surfer's Journal in the mail and there was Taylor Dodge on an HSD!  I wasn't really expecting that!  Stoked!  Way to go, Taylor.

I will have to scan the page to post the article, but until then check out Surfer's Journal.

Page 16-  Higher Learning: Life’s Lessons at Black’s Beach

By Evan Slater
Naked old men, the Ho Chi Minh trail, and California’s best bathymetry. Evan Slater drops a four-year UC San Diego education into 3,000 words, and comes to find that the best thing about going to school in La Jolla isn’t being on campus, but scampering down the Goat Trail just in time for a Canyon Set.

Another Satisfied Customer

I had to post this... I love opening emails like this, even if I had to edit it a bit :)  Love the enthusiasm, Liz.  For those of you that don't know Liz Lantz, get to know her amazing work and photos.

HOLY SH*T.
JP, the board is so f**king awesome. I just got back from my first sesh on it and it was one of the best sessions I've had in a long time. I wish I could surf all day, and I also wish I had told you and Andrea I was going out on the off chance you could've met up with me- didn't think of it till I was in the water.
Seriously, you did an AMAZING job and it is exactly what I wanted. It's so responsive and maneuverable, easy to paddle and get into waves....it is PERFECT for me. I think the ultimate test will be when I take it out on a big day (the waves are pretty small today), but the surf today was my favorite conditions so that says a lot right there.
Anyway,

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!
Liz

Stone Brewing Fundraiser Board

This custom Cherry Bomb was especially made for Stone Brewing Co. The asked us to make a donation to thei fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clb of Escondido. Stone is a very generous company that also supports the Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter.

JP made the Cherry Bomb 6'0 x 19 3/4 x 2 1/2. I painted it to look like a stone that had been dipped in red. Pure Glass laminated it. It looks great, hope it makes a lot o money.