We love to test the features we create long before we deliver them to our customers. If it isn’t one of our crew, it is often the first child that comes through the door. Today, it was Noa, Matt’s daughter, who was the first to ride the sculpted horse that will soon be on Kraay’s Family Farm in Alberta. Once there, there will be hundreds of guests a day who will ride this trusty steed. The horse is now Noa approved!
Its a cow!
We were confident we could sculpt a nice Highland cow in concrete, but this was a first for us. The key was to get the mud on thick, let it set up perfectly and then sculpt in the hair. Three of us did the sculpting, Matt, Jay and I, as Laura art directed from above while she was applying wire to the upper portion of the giant skull rock base. The cow turned out really nice, and it will be ready for paint next week. Stay tuned…
Sign Invitational 2026
The Sign Invitational of 2026 was a wonderful and successful event! Creative sign makers from across Canada and the USA crafted nine outstanding pieces and brought them to Orlando to display at the International Sign Association EXPO. Our display was generously hosted in the Specialty Machinery booth, and also sponsored by IBEX Software, Coastal Enterprises and X-Edge Tools. During the three-day show, thousands of attendees toured the booth, ogling the super-creative display of dimensional signs. More than 800 people voted for their favourite sign. When the votes were counted, Dave Nolan, Studio Y from Alberta, Canada, garnered third place. Rusty and Amanda Gibbs, Gibbs Graphics from Washington, came in second. Jim Dawson of Synergy Signs in Ohio, after many years of trying, deservedly won first place.
We had a blast at the show and enjoyed talking with those fascinated by the displayed pieces. Interest was high, and many promised to join the fun next year. We hereby challenge you to enter! The theme for next year is as follows…. “ A suitcase-sized blade or hanging sign that is themed to DINOSAURS!”
