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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 15 matches

by Bill Riedel
Tue Jul 02, 2013 7:13 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A letter to Mike Jackson.
Replies: 5
Views: 5116

Re: A letter to Mike Jackson.

Hi Tony, it was with great pleasure for me to be asked to paint your portrait on the big mural, even though I was asked to make you look like you came from Pompae.(spelling) One other memory of that mural was when I asked if there was anything else that needed to be done, there was a lot of letterin...
by Bill Riedel
Tue Jun 18, 2013 6:38 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hi from Norway..
Replies: 10
Views: 6971

Re: Hi from Norway..

Marius, the book Gold Leaf Techniques is the best I know of. Kent Smith put a picture of one of my signs in it.
When dates are set for my next trip, I'll let you know.
Keep up the good work.
Bill Riedel
by Bill Riedel
Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:12 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hi from Norway..
Replies: 10
Views: 6971

Re: Hi from Norway..

Hi Marius, this may be much too late, but I haven't been here in a while. I have been in Oslo several times in the past 8 years and wish I knew where you are so I could stop in to say hi and maybe be of some help with the gold leaf. Been doing it for a long time and enjoy being helpful. Hand letteri...
by Bill Riedel
Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:46 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Current clients looking for Gold-leaf signs
Replies: 9
Views: 6746

Re: Current clients looking for Gold-leaf signs

I know that this is about 6 months late, but it is a case of money, there are many who would love to have gold leaf signs of any kind. The problem is that they have no idea of the cost and then they settle for a less expensive sign. I found no definite pattern, all types of business and people order...
by Bill Riedel
Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:14 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Question!
Replies: 6
Views: 5107

Re: Question!

Lee, I have been lettering for a very long time and was pleased to be one of the first in this area to get a computer to cut vinly letters. It was like having another business taking care of the work that took time away from the nice jobs. Now with so many other shops in the area, it is a necessity....
by Bill Riedel
Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:53 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Jameson Whiskey Limited Edition Bottle and glass
Replies: 11
Views: 9838

Re: Jameson Whiskey Limited Edition Bottle and glass

Ash Bishop said it all, my sentiments exactly.
I will never stop saying that Dave Smith deserves to be Knighted for all his most extra ordinary craftsmanship.
Bill Riedel
by Bill Riedel
Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:32 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A letter to Mike Jackson.
Replies: 5
Views: 5116

A letter to Mike Jackson.

It has been a long time since visiting the forum, but yesterday afternoon was spent viewing all the very interesting posts and masterpiece signs along with Dave Smith's video. Doug Bernhardt's great pictures. Sorry to have been away so long, but happy to be back. A special thanks to you Mike for mak...
by Bill Riedel
Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:03 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hand lettering in Broadway Shows.
Replies: 3
Views: 3967

Re: Hand lettering in Broadway Shows.

Mark, every once in a while it happens that a job goes out before having a chance to take pictures. It was interesting though, they supplied the canvas for banners and large boxes to make hand lettered logos on. To be able to sit in the theater and see my work on stage was a nice experience. Billy E...
by Bill Riedel
Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hand lettering in Broadway Shows.
Replies: 3
Views: 3967

Hand lettering in Broadway Shows.

I have not been here in a long time, but have missed a lot. I just finished reading all the comments on the movies, gold size, and Dave Smith. Maybe someone would be interested to know that a few years ago I was called because a Broadway show was looking for a sign painter who could still do hand le...
by Bill Riedel
Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:48 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Smith Tip
Replies: 9
Views: 6910

Re: New Smith Tip

I am the very proud owner of the new Dave Smith Tip, this is a high quality instrument. This is something that will make laying gold leaf a breeze. If you want to do quality work, this is the way to go.
Bill
by Bill Riedel
Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: How and where to sell gold leaf skewings?
Replies: 4
Views: 4161

How and where to sell gold leaf skewings?

With all the hype on selling gold jewelry which is 16 or 18kt, why can't we sell our 23kt gold leaf? The only place that I found will only take pounds, not ounces. Does anyone know of a place that will take ounces? If not, I have been saving gold for nothing.
Bill :?:
by Bill Riedel
Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Clear Coating on Western Red Cedar Sign
Replies: 3
Views: 3228

It is a shame that we cannot keep the beauty of the natural wood.
The hand carved mahogany sign over our shop has been finished with linseed oil and was done in the 70's. The only maintenance was another coat of linseed oil years ago. No problems whatsoever and the gold leaf still look great.
by Bill Riedel
Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:49 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Removing gold from unwanted areas
Replies: 7
Views: 4924

Removing unwanted gold from background

I have found success in using a little lemon oil (Old English furniture polish) on cotton. If it doesn't come off right away, leave it overnight and wipe it off with a dry cotton. The safest way is to cover the letter with either paper or card so you do not rub on the letter. This way you can clean ...
by Bill Riedel
Thu May 12, 2005 3:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Folded Paper Cup Pattern
Replies: 11
Views: 7738

The folded paper cups are made of 4" x 6" file cards. There are two types, the one with rag content is better. If you fold the card in three equal sections the 6" length and then three equal sections the 4" length. Next open the card out and fold the crease at the end where the f...
by Bill Riedel
Fri Jul 30, 2004 2:43 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Signmaking 101: Mahl Sticks
Replies: 15
Views: 13965

I just would like to share my experience with the mahl stick. I learned early to work with one, but you had to balance a palet with a cup of paint on the palet while lettering. This took alittle practice, but when working outside and a blast of wind would get under the palet and lift it enough to sp...