Samples are defnitely our biggst asset in our shop when it comes to selling imaginative work. They let our customers know the marvelous things we can create for them. I don't believe we can have too many samples.

And yet many sign professionals I run into often tell me they couldn't possibly find the time to create samples. They are simply too busy. In my talks and workshops I explain just how easy it is to find that time. The secret is to spend a few spare minutes working on a project each day- a little at a time. Before long a lot can be accomplished for those spare minutes quickly add up.

This evening I managed to sneak in one hour on my mechanical fish project. An hour goes by pretty quick, especially when we are doing something we love. I did a little sculpting work on the back side of the fish, bringing it almost as complete as the front side. Then it was time for something even more fun. I formed and fit some translucent plastic into the fish's mouth and then sculpted some teeth over this in such a way to allow the red light to spill through. It's a very cool effect! I was looking to make this fish just a little menacing but not terribly scary. Just enough to frighten my fellow competitors. :)

I can hear the 'competition' whimpering for mercy already. :)

-grampa dan