We were absolutely thrilled to receive an invitation back to the beautiful Sandringham Estate with our live ice carving this winter for Mark and Marge’s spectacular annual event!
Our master carvers, Jamie and Peter, had the immense privilege of going and creating live-carved ice sculptures designed to last over the event’s entire three-day run. As you know, ice is a fragile, changing material, so we usually stick to one or two-day events.
Durability for Your Event: How We Make our Ice Carving
The success of the three-day installation at Sandringham proves a vital point for potential clients: your ice sculpture centrepiece can last the duration of a multi-day event!
Here are the conditions necessary for maximum longevity:
- Covered Space: The sculpture must be protected from direct sunlight and rain/snow.
- Outdoor or Refrigerated Environment: The area must maintain consistently cool temperatures.
- Ideal Temperature Range: Temperatures should remain below 10°C.
By meeting these requirements, we can ensure your piece endures and gives all your guests maximum time to enjoy the artwork.
Day 1: The Children’s Postbox
The carving began on day one with a heartwarming creation: an intricate ice postbox. Jamie took the lead, transforming a solid block of crystal-clear ice into a beautiful, classic postbox design, complete with a slot ready to accept letters. The goal was simple—to let children post their letters to Santa and feel the genuine magic of the event over all three days. The postbox held up perfectly throughout the weekend with just minor touch-ups needed.
Peter, meanwhile, was asked to embrace the festive spirit by donning an elf outfit! Though he initially had reservations not quite feeling festive, all doubt vanished the moment a very excited child approached and posted their letter. Seeing that pure, delighted reaction—the child’s eyes wide with wonder—was an instant reminder of why dressing up is such an important part of bringing the event to life.
Day 2: The Magnificent Polar Bear
Day two saw the creation of the largest sculpture of the event: a breathtaking, glistening polar bear. Jamie describes this as his favourite carving of the weekend. As the chainsaws whirred and the ice chips flew, the elegant, massive form of the bear emerged, its fur textured and its eyes catching the light. The crowds gathered, watching on in genuine awe and amazement as the magnificent creature took shape. It truly captured the crisp, untamed beauty of a winter wonderland!
Day 3: A Throne Fit for Royalty (and Rock!)
The final day brought the last sculpture: a majestic ice throne. The block of ice was expertly shaped into a dramatic, high-backed chair, perfect for photo opportunities. Our carvers were joined nearby by the incredibly talented Rock Choir, who were performing their incredible set. They had one request for Peter and Jamie—to incorporate their band’s star symbol into the throne! Our team happily obliged, delicately carving the star whilst the choir sang loudly and beautifully, creating a brilliant, joyful competition for who could be loudest—the powerful chainsaws or the soaring vocalists!
After the final cut, both Jamie and Peter put on their elf costumes and welcomed people to interact with the sculptures, creating those perfect, “magic ice pictures” for their guests, who were delighted to sit on the clear, frozen seat.
The Calm After the Carve
Ice carving is a physically demanding and labour-intensive job! So, every evening, Peter and Jamie took well-deserved breaks, retreating to sample the delights of the charming local pubs and warming their cold, weary bones by a crackling fire.
Staying within the enchanting Sandringham Woods among the tall trees was a magical experience, especially getting to admire a massive, ancient oak tree. On quiet nights, they even caught glimpses of deer running silently through the grounds—a truly beautiful, serene sight!
We absolutely adore this event and are already crossing our fingers and hoping to be invited back next year for more ice-carving adventures!
