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I don't seem to get by Letterville as often as I used too, but from time to time I drop by and cruise the old neighborhood a little. I grew up in a very small rural town of 501 in the ozark hills of Arkansas and it is the same kinda feeling when I visit there... I recognize some of the old timers, and find out a few has left us way too early- tonights visit I learned about Dave Grundy (who I got to visit with from time to time back in the day) It is good to see some are still plugging away, a little bittersweet to hear that some have retired or moved on to other things- the amount of talent, knowledge and just pure craftsmanship around here has always made me proud (and a little humbled) to be a part of the community- I still find myself sharing stories or tips/techniques of people on here like I would family or classmates (although most I have never actually met in person)
I became a grandpa this past year at the ripe old age of 56- that has been an incredible part of life. About a year and half ago, I shifted my main area of work from the apparel industry (over 33 years of slingin' ink) to the paper industry- designing for a paper printing company (brochures, cards etc- as well as lots of digital signs) I still pull out the design skills and ideas of "mastering Layout", countless Signcraft issues, as well as the hands on skills from a few of the early letterhead meets i was so fortunate to attend. I pull from a vast collection of resources from each and every one of you that I encountered at the beautiful community of Letterville.
My newest toy is a new laser engraver, so I have been playing around with it for the past couple of days- it has a steep learning curve that reminds me so much of the early days around here- where everyone was trying new stuff and eager to pass on tips and tricks from a wide variety of topics...
Its good to see the few faithful that still haunt this place, and I remember the many many good people who have slowly faded away over time- you still have a big part of my heart.
Its good to be back home.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1744 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I still check in here a few times a week, only to find few comments ever made and not all that much sign related. Seems there are few new situations that haven't been discussed and few that want to learn and few that want to share humerus memories.
When we get together with old friends it seems that the stuff flows still face to face.
As I get older, I'm requiring more time to rest than it took to get tired. There was a fellow I once heard interviewed that pitched in an over eighty baseball league and he said "I'm throwing just as hard as I ever did, it's just not getting there as fast."
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 7097 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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There are still a few of us hanging around.
We're keeping good and busy with dimensional work.
I was lucky enough to be invited to help on a couple of wall murals that were designed by Loraine Lamb Lalonde and Elaine Wallis. The murals were in Lancaster Ontario, not far from Noella's shop.
Jeff Lang came up from Pittsburgh. We had a great week.
I just became a grandparent for the 6th time a couple weeks ago, so life is moving fast!
posted
Just got back from a trip to London. It was amazing. Still working part time out of the house. We’re going to sell the business in the winter. Life is good.
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Duncan, how do you sell a business without a location? What are you selling and how do you market this? Also, do you live near Donna and do you ever see her?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 7097 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Rick, I’ll get back to you about your other questions. As for Donna, no, I don’t live close to her. Dan S. lives in the small town where she lives. Donna isn’t in the sign business. She is very creative at repurposing materials into wonderful new uses. Here’s a link to her site. She is a very successful FaceBook creator. https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/christmas-porch-signs/
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I am recovering from open heart surgery (quad bypass) 3 months ago. Doing very well there. I keep busy with woodworking forums as moderator and administrator on www.lumberjocks.com and www.woodworkingtalk.com as well as www.artistforum.com. @ 76 years young, I'm doing quite well just piddling around. Good to see all of you good folks here from time to time. John
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 841 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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John, I hope your recovery goes well! I got a six bypass a year and a half ago and now feel better than ever.
I bump into Donna out on the streets of Yarrow occasionally and she is doing well.
We keep busy in our shop with a very large project underway that will keep us going full blast into spring. At the design board I am working on some very fun projects that will go all the way into 2026 and beyond. Our crew numbers 7 great folks who do amazing work each day.
We still push the boundaries of what is possible with each project in the shop and that keeps things interesting and exciting!
Our three grandkids continue to grow like weeds with the oldest being 18 and the youngest now almost 7. We get to see them almost every day which is a lot of fun.
Our son Peter owns our business (seven years) and is doing awesome. That allows me to still fully participate in the shop/studio daily but not have to worry about the business side of things. I still love coming to work each day and have no plans to retire.
Our side project, Hazelnut Inn is doing well. One suite is open and the second is coming along fabulously and will be opening in late spring 2025. www.hazelnutinn.com There is nothing quite like it in the world and features the most creative and extensively detailed work we have ever done. That project has been six years in progress and will extend another year and a half before it is finished.
Life is good!
-Dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8789 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 7097 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I can't count how many years it's been since I was here last...
Not because I can't count - but maybe because I'm too old to remember.
Hello to all the other remaining originals and a brand new hello to anyone who has no clue who I am.
Currently having some health issues that I thought I was over with 4 years ago but seem to have re visited me.
So this is probably the time for me to unload my rare and collectible sign books and my collection of brand new old stock sign painting brushes. By old stock, I'm talking about 1960s to 1970s as far as I can tell.
Not sure where to offer this treasure trove - piece-meal through Ebay or maybe putting them on consignment through a trusted sign supply business?
Unfortunately it appears there's not enough traffic on the classifieds here.
Anyways, anyone interested stay tuned and hopefully I will figure out what I'm doing before treatments make me unmotivated.
Incidentally, my signature is incorrect for location. I'm now in San Tan Valley Arizona.
-------------------- EmpY Mayo Pardo #138 San Tan Valley, AZ Posts: 437 | From: San Tan Valley, AZ | Registered: Nov 1998
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Glad you checked in Mayo! Selling sign books one by one on ebay sounds like a lot if work. If it was me, I'd try to sell the collection and let someone else break it down. Brushes might work the same way. Is your health good enough to transport it all to a big letterhead event?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 7097 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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