James Sarelli Ottens

Experience

• 

  United States Marine Corps

  Jun 1978 - Jun 1999

  Dining Facility Manager

  Worked as a Cook, Chief Cook, Dining Facility Manager, Food Service Technician and 2 years as Guard.

• 

  Crystal Creations Ice Sculpturing

  Aug 1991 - now

  Owner

  James Ottens Joined The United States Marine Corps in 1978 and little did he know that when he retired 21 years later in 1999, he would have a full time Ice Sculpture business. I saw Ice Sculptures created from the first months in the Corps and was amazed at the art and beauty of it. All I had in the beginning was an ice pick and a chisel. I later went to Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts College in Rhode Island in 1981 to enhance my capabilities. No School taught me more than I learned from an old friend and mentor I met along the way named Gus Stempke From Long Beach, Ca. in 1991. He was a selfless, caring friend and taught me just by the way he was. I don't think I'll ever meet anyone like him again but I'll never forget what I learned from him. He always had a poem or story to tell. He passed away doing what he loved best, setting up an 8 foot ice bar in August of 2000. I also took an advanced Course by world Ice Sculpturing Champion Mark Daukas in 1994. With the Ice Carving Capabilities I taught myself while in the Marine Corps, I helped several Marine Corps Messhalls to win best Messhall worldwide including Marine Corps Air Stations El Toro and Tustin in 1986 through 1994. During one of these Award evaluations, I met a man named Joseph Amendola who was one of our VIPS. He saw an Iwo Jima Monument I had created and was so impressed he said I should start my own business. I scoffed it at first and than took him seriously and in 1991 established Crystal Creations. I later found out that Joseph Amendola was a distinguished Instructor in the Culinary arts field and has written a book on Ice Sculpturing and Pastry Preparation. Through these years, I also won many Trophies and awards in the Culinary Arts field and Ice Sculpturing field in Marine Corps and Civilian competitions. Upon my retirement from the Marine Corps, I went full steam into the Ice Sculpturing world and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Show less