Winter 2024

138 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 to holding together as a building material. The sand he uses comes from a quarry in Felton. “When sand is cleaned for use in con- struction, companies separate the dust and dirt from the sand,” he says. “We use the byproduct of that process called ‘cyclone sand.’” He says the structure of the grains is akin to “pizza boxes, allowing it to fit tightly together.” Beach sand is more like tiny tennis balls and, as a result, can’t be as effectively compacted. “We mix it with water and after it dries it’s like a rock.” That doesn’t mean these sculptures are permanent, however. Like adobe, rain will erode the carvings, returning the material to the earth, perhaps to be sculpted another day. In addition to large-scale public works, Croft conducts corporate team-building exercises, in many cases for Silicon Valley companies such as eBay, Amazon, Google and Yahoo. “Since the pandemic, these companies are trying to get their employees back to interacting in person.” Taking place either in a parking lot or at the beach, Croft hands out buckets and shovels, cre- ates a demonstration piece and sets the employees loose. It’s an effect approach to building team cohesion—one the participants thoroughly enjoy. “Who doesn’t love playing in the sand?” he asks. For more information, visit www.rusty- croft.com or sand_ guys on Instagram. (Above) This life-sized horse is crafted of steel plates and wire. (Below) Working with sand for a living has not dimmed the enthusiasm and the sheer sense of fun Croft has while playing at the beach. Photo: Courtesy of Rusty Croft