Blue sky

Blue sky is a term in the theme park industry that refers to projects very much in the development stage. Anything is possible at this point - there are no limits. Everyone likes this stage for it is all about dreaming big dreams!

As I dream of our new four axis CNC MultiCam router that is now being built in Texas I am starting  to think hard about the marvelous things we will be able to do with it. The very best way to learn is by doing test projects. The wilder the projects the better!

Since this is true blue sky territory I decided to resurrect a project I hadn't thought about for about ten years. It is a dirigible with a cute, powered gondola. Built in a small scale, it would make for a great project to learn and test the new software and machine. I dug up the old drawing and then set about redesigning it to suit our new found capabilities - making it fancier and more challenging in the process...

Then I welded up the frame in readiness for the sculpting process.

Now the fun work begins. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Building a style of work.

Back in the day I could tell which shop in town made any particular sign. Each shop's style was evident at a glance. In today's largely computerized generated world this is a lot less evident for signs and most shops. With each shop relying on the same fonts, and the similar sources for clip art, sameness has crept in. Further restricting our choices are standardized sign cabinets and cookie cutter architecture. Many shops I know don't even do much cutting of their substrates. What comes in the door, goes out the in pretty much the same shape and size, only with a layer of vinyl stuck to the surface. 

I sometimes wonder what people see when they say to me "I saw the new sign you just installed at ______________ and I knew it was one of yours."  Does it mean my work is too similar to the other work I've done recently - or is it merely so different from everyone else that it is instantly recognizable as coming from our shop. Is it because our work is not flat or rectangular in shape and very unlike the work everyone else does on a regular basis? I like to believe each piece we do is very different from the last. I know I don't like to repeat myself if I can avoid it. 

I believe in today's world it is easier than ever to do work that stands out from the rest. It's also pretty easy to separate our shop from all the others out there. We simply have to do what no one else does.

In doing so we also set our customer's signs and businesses apart from all the rest. And that is an effective sign.

-grampa dan

Finishing touch!

Every project needs a couple more brush strokes to finish it off. This project was no exception. Once the gold leaf was on the white lettering immediately needed a couple of brush stroked of white to brighten a couple of dull areas and balance the sign. 

Now at last the sign is done, It will need a couple of days of dry heat to cure before it goes out the door, later this week. I can hardly wait to see it hanging proudly on the brick building it was designed for.

Now it is on to the next project...

-grampa dan