It always makes my day/week/month to be able to see your amazing work.

Thank You Dave!

Joe

For "burnishing" the gold, I've always used a red sabol artist brush about 3/4" wide. It's stiffer than the powderpuff (I did try it) but the brush allows me to put a little more pressure on the gold for better adhesion to the size (I really don't know for sure that this is true but I...

I agree with Bruce. But as there is no magic clear, I have found one that can work in your situation. I've used Minwax "Helmsmans Spar Urethane" for many years. I'd apply a thin first coat and after dry, sand with 220 sandpaper. Now you can apply two more heavy coats......sanding in betwee...

Here is my latest ornament (with mold and casting) and the knife that I used to make it.......the knife is also the tool that I use to carve all the numbers and letters up to 4" high.

You don't need a big investment in tools to get er done!

Joe

Doug, Thanks for the compliment. I think doing small house markers might be a prudent way to start. First, there are a lot more people with houses than with businesses and most are willing to spend good money for a high end sign because it is for THEIR home......they just gotta have something nice! ...

"I've only thought about signs in the reverse glass style" "I've decided to add wood to the mix. Or is that a dead end?" It seems to me that the first thing you might want to do is focus on one thing at a time. Each different type of sign has it's own process and different tools ...

Anthony, The back plates serve two purposses. First thay display the ornaments and they also show the different colors available to choose from......double duty! They are made from pine. They are held on with "Poster putty"......the stuff kids use to put up posters in their rooms. I use th...

Mark, I make them too but from hand carved models. I have a selection of 25 different designs that I sell with my small house markers. Most are about 3" high but larger molds are no problem. Here is a shot of my collection as well as a larger school crest ......8"x11", made from 3 mol...

Welcome Chris!

Like your sign.....the fruit came out great.

I just carve a little and can't really use a computer much either. But I always felt welcome here.

Joe

Robare, Although I'm willing, (but probably not able), to take advantage of your guidance in this project. Here's my story and why........ My website was designed and made for me as a gift....... a surprise gift from my daughter-in-law who lives on the west coast. They came for a visit and she snuck...

Robarge,

I did wht you told me and it then shoed up when you click on "profile" at the bottom of my posts.

What I did now was the same thing but I edited my "signature" and it now shows up with my name at the bottom of my posts.

Thanks, I'm getting there slowly.

Joe

Done

Hope the rest of this is that easy!

Joe,

Lookie here at the stats on my great website.....(NOT!) http://www.showsiteinfo.org/sites/ctwoodcarvers.com Just thought I'd show an example of what doesn't work for me as well as a fine example of what not to do. Hmmmmmmmm, I think I should start paying attention........as soon as I get all this pe...

Thanks Robare!

I have a very weak and outdated site that generates very little activity. I've gota feeling your little, informative posts just get me off my butt and begin to take advantage of the WWW.

Looking froward to your next post.

Thanks,

Joe

There is only one US meet listed for this year and it's a walldog meet. I guess you could say it is a "themed" meet like you conducted. Check this link to past meets and you'll see, as you scroll down, that the further back you go, the more meets were held. http://www.letterville.com/meets...

Loved seeing those shots from Mike of meets past.

Where have they all gone?? The meets, that is.

Fred Self ended his meet do to a lack of interest.......is that the situation?

Just wondering .......
Joe

You may not believe this but my first teaching job in 1969 was in the graphic arts shop in a public high school where we were still teaching this letterpress method. My how time flies!!!!

Joe,

Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!

Pat,

That's a great looking sign!!!

I especially like to see raised prismatics done right. The distortions done to raised prismatics by CNC's really set me off.

Very nice job.

Joe

Doug,

As always, the varity of skills that you exhibit are amazing.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us.

Joe,

John,

Could you give us some more information?

Joe

Yup,

Upside down IS the trick!

BTW, my son & family live in Bend. If I get a chance, I'd love to look you up when we get out there.....looks like it would be a great ride thru the mountains.

Joe

I use fast size a lot on my small house numbers and property markers. I'll make a couple of hundred signs from a 1/2 pint and I always get all the way to the bottom of the can.....always! When it's new, I insert a sheet metal screw in the lid. To use the size, shake the can for a minute to stir the ...

Welcome Kevin,

Didn't we meet at "Mass Mayhem" a couple of years ago?

Joe,

Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!

Thanks every one!

I posted a step by step for this on another site.........

Here it is.. http://signs101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77250

Why do it twice?

Glad you all liked it.

Joe

Bagging, carving and gilding slide show sxs:

https://handletteringforum.com/forum ... ging#p8785

Joe

Molding and casting:

http://www.letterville.com/steps/joechips/index.htm

patent leaf application:

http://www.letterville.com/steps/joechips/patent.htm

Hand carved ribbon:

http://signs101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77250

and many more here:

http://www.letterville.com/steps/

Joe

I guess I'm in a similar boat as Doug......without his great web site.

I really have just always billed myself (my business) as a carver. That IS all I do.

I just carve holes (all different kinds) in boards and then............... sell the hole!

Joe

Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!

Roderic, Titebond III is very good for sealing the edges......just use your finger.....it dries very fast and sand. (Don't forget to round the edges.) I'm a Ben Moore Primer fan too......they have a new one....100% acrylic..."Superior Primer". They say it has better sanding qualities. Reco...

Welcome Mike! Pierre's class is just the thing for folks like you starting out. His brush and paint skills are excellent......plus he's a real hoot!!! I'm pretty sure Kent Smith has gilding classes and a video. You should be able to get his info from this site. This is a book that covers all the bas...

I make one of these every few years. Just doesn't seem to be a lot of call for them? This is all HDU, about 4' long. Painted with latex and gold leafed. The ends are made in two layers.....each is 1" thick. http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll131/jmakinchips/004-6.jpg http://i287.photobucket.c...