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This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 324 matches

by Dan Seese
Fri May 30, 2008 11:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: shellac back-up
Replies: 4
Views: 3160

I've used shellac as a backup to matte reverse gild in the past. I would add a bit of gold bronze powder to the shellac and then back it up. Seemed to work great because, as Kent mentions, it creates a barrior that doesn't rewet what is underneath and because it dries so quickly you can move along q...
by Dan Seese
Sat May 24, 2008 11:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Window Gilding Failure
Replies: 14
Views: 8688

Mr. Black: There were several tornados in the area - the big one that caused so much devastation was in Windsor which isn't far from us. About halfway between us in Fort Collins and Kent Smith in Greeley. This is more the type of thing you see in the midwest so it was a shock to see it here. But we...
by Dan Seese
Fri May 09, 2008 11:23 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Norm Dobbins
Replies: 5
Views: 4439

Just by way of update, I received this email from the folks at Professional Glass Consultants: http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s203/Dan_73373/050808_massemail_clip_image002.jpg It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Norm. Norm left us unexpectedly on May 6th, 2008. We still...
by Dan Seese
Wed May 07, 2008 8:30 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Norm Dobbins
Replies: 5
Views: 4439

Norm Dobbins

I got a call from Bill Hueg earlier today (May 7) who told me that Norm Dobbins died unexpectedly yesterday. Many of us who work with glass have been greatly helped by him and his knowledge of all forms of sandblasting glass. He authored the definitive book on the subject of etching and carving glas...
by Dan Seese
Fri May 02, 2008 12:35 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1st meeting of the International Society of Glass Gilders!
Replies: 22
Views: 16914

Gentlemen, I'm sure you are all busy cleaning your glass, screen-printing, gilding, painting and catching up with each other right now. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to the inaugural meeting of the International Society of Glass Gilders. However, in honor of this august event and the venera...
by Dan Seese
Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:10 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Font Management
Replies: 3
Views: 2180

Thanks Mike. I figured you would have some helpful input. I'm on a PC. I belive there is now a "Suitcase for Windows" version. I don't think it's been available for more than about a year or so. Maybe they're still working out the bugs if it's that new. You mention that on your PC you do i...
by Dan Seese
Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:23 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Font Management
Replies: 3
Views: 2180

Font Management

Since this is the Handlettering Forum and all any of us do is handlettering, I probably won't get any answers here, but I thought it'd be worth asking: What is a good Font Management program? I've honestly never used one and am sure that my system is overloaded because of the number of fonts I have ...
by Dan Seese
Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:56 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: damar varnish
Replies: 9
Views: 5169

Having re-read your post, I see I answered the wrong question. Guess you're looking for how to MAKE damar varnish, not use it. - I have no idea.
Better luck from others.
Dan
by Dan Seese
Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: damar varnish
Replies: 9
Views: 5169

Dave, I always carried my notebook with me and wrote stuff down. I'm sure I have it somewhere but don't know where my notes are at the moment. A lot of good that does! Assuming what Rick wrote in the Esoteric Sign Supply catalogue is that same as what Rick said, here is a quote from page 16: "D...
by Dan Seese
Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glass Panels for van
Replies: 15
Views: 8213

Dave,
I agree with Wayne:

Absolutely stunning!

Thanks for posting these. I'm looking forward to seeing the updates.
by Dan Seese
Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Red Bell Glass Panel
Replies: 16
Views: 9782

A few years ago I was working on a chipped glass project that was about 6' x 6'. It was 1/2" laminated glass - cost me about $600 for the raw glass. Most of it had chipped beatutifully but there was a small area that had not chipped yet. I placed a utility heater close to it and headed to the a...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:47 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Finished Glass Picture
Replies: 13
Views: 8086

Thanks for posting this, Kelly.
I always like to see someone take and do something a little different with glass. It inspires all of us to try something new.
Superb work.
A brief explanation of the process would be nice.
Dan
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:40 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letterhead's History - Ken Burns style
Replies: 13
Views: 7362

Raymond, I just sent you an email with Tom's contact info. I recall a few years ago that Noel saw Ken Burns in an airport. He introduced himself and described to him the nature of the letterhead movement and the potential for a great documentary, thinking surely he would be ignited with the passion ...
by Dan Seese
Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Wall behind a sandblasted mirror
Replies: 10
Views: 5274

Mike, The second mirror behind it is a nice choice. Trying it in my shop, it does reflect light back through the frosted glass and it also, because of the thickness of the second mirror, creates that off-set effect that Danny & Larry were referring to. Thus, instead of "reading the newspape...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Wall behind a sandblasted mirror
Replies: 10
Views: 5274

William Blake, Your straight shootin' is makin' this marshall feel low and mean. I'm scratchin my bald head askin why I can't fit a square peg in a round hole? Truth be told, this is just what the doc ordered as I'm fixin' to do this right first time. Now I think I'll git back to readin' my newspape...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Wall behind a sandblasted mirror
Replies: 10
Views: 5274

Thanks guys. I think Roderick is referring to where I am (Northern Colorado) as opposed to where he is (Southern California.) The mirror is 10' x 4' so I don't think I'll hold it up against my wall. Taking a sample to the job site is a good idea. Someone else is mounting it so I'll discuss it with t...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Wall behind a sandblasted mirror
Replies: 10
Views: 5274

Wall behind a sandblasted mirror

I have a mirror I'm going to be sandblasting that will go behind a bar. (second-surface) I've done this on mirrors before where I've painted or gilded the sandblasted areas. On this particular job, I am merely sandblasting the areas with the graphics and then leaving that as a frosted effect. The mi...
by Dan Seese
Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lola
Replies: 16
Views: 9526

I was just thinking of Lola this weekend. I called & wrote her fairly regularly after Rick died but then had not contacted her for a long time and was thinking I needed to get in touch again.
Thanks for letting us know, Kent.
by Dan Seese
Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:42 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Measuring "standards"?
Replies: 12
Views: 7591

I recently ordered some Pella replacement windows. They told me that the standard for referring to window dimensions is always width by height (confiming Larry's point.) Possibly your salesperson was frustrated because he saw his ccmmission going out the window. It's snowing today. Gotta get those n...
by Dan Seese
Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:11 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative English Acid Panels
Replies: 12
Views: 6799

Dave, Thanks for sharing your find with us! How incredible that we can find this stuff tucked away in a little book shop and then spread the treasure to our friends across the world. Did you notice the text on the second pic you posted? "Special Designs Prepared Without Charge" OK, now whe...
by Dan Seese
Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:41 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Looking for a vector file....
Replies: 15
Views: 8706

Larry, Regarding the price you quoted: I probably would have quoted more like $1573.47, but I guess we're pretty close. What size is it? It looks like about 24" x 48"? Of course, that's not terribly relevant. Kind of like charging by the letter for a sign. If, as Pat stated, they are depth...
by Dan Seese
Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Smith Tip Video's youtube Demonstrations
Replies: 33
Views: 21414

Don't let these guys fool you.
They're acting like they're upset but obviously they're using the Smith Tip themselves to lay their gold leaf.
Otherwise, they'd never have the time to post all this banter.
'specially that William Blake fellow. Used to be slow as molasses.
by Dan Seese
Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:55 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glass at the Crown Bar Belfast
Replies: 28
Views: 20136

It seems like there is no end to the creative possibilities on glass. I love to see work that takes a new twist and is not simply parroting what others have done, depending on the bent of a particular artist. The subtle lace design on the background is really unique. Looks somewhat like a William Mo...
by Dan Seese
Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:04 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Gilders Tip for Laying Full leaves
Replies: 45
Views: 38288

Where Are the Holidays?

"Where are the holidays?" That summarizes my main problem with Dave's new tip. Everyone loves a holiday and I'm accustomed to having plenty of them when I water gild on glass. But after my first use of the tip, the need for a second gild was greatly diminished. I searched in vain and thank...
by Dan Seese
Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blistering Paint Outlines on Glass Gilding
Replies: 10
Views: 10401

Hi Bruce, I don't have an answer for you but I have run into this myself on a couple of occasions. I think your assesment that it is tied to the One Shot may have some merit since, if I understand correctly, enamel paint dries with a slick film, not only on the air side but also on the glass side so...
by Dan Seese
Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:11 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Just to let you see...
Replies: 7
Views: 5243

Hedley, Mike Stevens, in his landmark book "Mastering Layout" speaks of the fact that if you have a strong layout and your basic letter construction is sound, you can have mistakes, roughness and imperfections in the lettering. The most important thing is the layout - having good negative ...
by Dan Seese
Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Whitetail Deer relief carving...step by step (Finished)
Replies: 15
Views: 11757

A work of art

Joe, Let me be the first to congratulate you on an absolutely beautiful piece. I love the use of color, the action, the texture, all the elements that draw you in and make this not just a "sign" but a unique piece of art. I'll be watching your posts as to how you did this. Though I've love...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Window Gilding Failure
Replies: 14
Views: 8688

Thanks Larry, I gave David Trujillo a call and discussed this with him. (Isn't it great to have friends who share our passion and will take their time to hash these things out together.) Anyway, he was reading to me out of an old book "The Expert Sign Painter" where it talks about the impo...
by Dan Seese
Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Window Gilding Failure
Replies: 14
Views: 8688

OK, I followed Dave Smith's advice and opened a photobucket account. That's pretty easy. So here are a couple of pictures of the project. The first one shows the window itself which I did about 2 years ago. (I used Gary Godby's beautiful font - Tyler - available from Letterhead Fonts. Also a nice de...
by Dan Seese
Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Window Gilding Failure
Replies: 14
Views: 8688

Window Gilding Failure

A couple of years ago I did some gilding on a couple of storefront windows in a high-mountian town. One of the windows is still in good shape however the drop shadows and some outlines are beginning to lift off the glass in the other window. The lifting has not yet reached the gold area but I'm thin...