The current challenge in the shop is to build a giant rolling pin sign. It will measure more than thirteen feet wide from handle to handle with the rolling part being eight feet wide. Twelve inch tall letters will be fastened along its front advertising The Pie Barn. Custom brackets will hold it securely on the roof of the building. I did up the designs and kept the plasma cutter busy today while Matt started welding the many pieces together. By tomorrow the armature will be ready to attach the wire lath. Stay tuned for more progress shots tomorrow.
A little more progress
It’s been a while since I’ve reported on the progress of my Sign Invitational entry. I’m concentrating on the base initially, working from the bottom of the road around to the front of the truck. Our name plaque is now in place. Next up I’ll build a hidden spot for the battery packs, install the wiring for the lights and sound system, and finish off the theme work of the scenery. The work can then begin on the body of the truck and the myriad of details throughout.
Staying true to the story
As we did the design for the many signs at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch it was our intent to not disrupt the original feel of the farm. They have a 35 year history and it is an awesome operation. Most of the attractions and buildings are fashioned from old barn wood and salvaged parts. It’s authentic to what they are doing there. The new signs will continue this proud tradition, adding a splash of colour and a bit of fun in the process. Many of the farm’s restaurants and attractions are named after family members. Sometime after we did the design for ‘The’ Cookie Coop sign, a family meeting was held and they decided to name the little bakery Bob’s Cookie Coop. They contacted us, requesting the change, hoping we hadn’t gotten into production quite yet. It was too late for I had already created the sign faces. But no worry and no extra charge for the change. I ground off the letters of ‘The’ and routed a couple of new pieces with ‘Bob’s’ on them. These were then fastened into place in a haphazard fashion as they would have been by Bob the farmer. They’ll be painted up to look like old weathered barn wood. Although not planned in the original design the addition looks great and helps tell the story of this farm in an authentic manner.
