The first step in creating carved art is sourcing raw wood. In the case of Outdoor Custom Wood Signs, one doesn't look to lumberyards, specialty wood shops, or online retailers. Nor is it a search for high-quality wood like maple, cherry, or walnut. Consider the size and type of timber needed based on your artistic vision and the specific requirements of your carving project. Selecting the suitable wood is crucial as it will influence the final outcome of your carved art piece. 

Selecting the correct type of wood for your project is crucial to preparing wood for carving. Certain woods, like basswood or pine, are softer and ideal for beginners. Others, like oak or walnut, are harder and more suited for detailed carving, but not if the intent is to locate the project outdoors. After choosing, the wood must be cut into the desired size and shape using tools like saws and woodworking machines. Precision is critical following intricate carving process during this stage to ensure the wood is ready for the intricate carving process that follows.

Designing carved art involves sketching the design onto the wood, carefully carving out the intricate details with specialized tools, and adding finishing touches for a polished look. The design process requires creativity, precision, and patience to bring the vision to life on the raw wood material.

Carving wood requires specific tools like chisels, gouges, and mallets, which help shape the wood accurately. Important techniques for wood carving include chip carving, relief carving, and whittling. Chip carving involves cutting small chips from the wood's surface to create intricate designs, relief carving involves carving figures in a flat panel of wood, and whittling involves shaping a piece of wood with a knife. Learning these techniques and practicing with the right tools are essential for creating detailed and beautiful carved wood art.

During the detailed carving process, skilled craftsmen use various tools like chisels and gouges to meticulously shape the raw wood into intricate designs. They start by outlining the design on the wood and then carefully remove excess material, creating depth and texture. This process requires precision and patience to bring out the beauty of the wood grain and achieve the desired intricacy in the final carved art piece.

Once the wood carving is complete, the process of smoothening and adding finishing touches begins. This involves sanding the wood to remove any rough edges and create a smooth surface for the final touches. Staining or painting the wood may also be done at this stage to enhance its appearance and protect it from damage. Polishing the wood gives it a shiny and refined look, bringing out the beauty of the intricate carvings.

When adding intricate details to a piece of wood, skilled artisans use specialized tools like small chisels and carving knives. These tools allow them to create fine lines, curves, and textures on the wood surface with precision. The process requires patience and a steady hand to bring out the desired design. It's a meticulous craft that transforms plain wood into a work of art, showcasing the artisan's creativity and expertise.

Precision in carving is crucial to achieve intricate details and a refined final product. It requires careful attention to detail and accuracy in every cut and stroke. Even a small mistake can drastically alter the final outcome. Precision not only ensures the beauty and quality of the carved art but also reflects the skill and craftsmanship of the artist. Each precise movement contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal and determines the success of the carving process.

Drying and curing the carved wood is a crucial step in the process to ensure the wood is stable and ready for long-lasting beauty.

• Drying: After the carving is complete, the wood needs to dry slowly and evenly to prevent cracking or warping.
  
• Curing: Once dried, the wood is cured to remove any remaining moisture and strengthen its structure. This process can take several weeks to ensure the wood is fully ready for finishing touches.

To display and preserve your carved wood art, it's essential to keep it away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to prevent fading and warping. Consider placing the artwork in a location with stable humidity levels to maintain its integrity. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently dust the piece regularly and avoid using harsh cleaning products that could damage the wood. If you need to clean it more thoroughly, lightly dampen the cloth with water. To showcase your carved wood art, choose a spot that allows it to be the focal point of the room and complements its aesthetic.

This is a recent customer's request for one of our Lodge Rustic Engraved Signs. It's our Classic Formula for Lodge, Cabin, Lake Home, and Ranch. The name area is generous and boldly Front & Center. This one was large. When over 14" tall, we craft them from 1-1/2" thick Western Red Cedar laminated strips for sheer outdoor ruggedness. You can read more about this style of carved wood sign at 

http://www.cedarsign.com/LODGE-CABIN-RUSTIC-SIGN-p/lodg.htm

Here's a Good Sign

The most essential purpose of a sign is to deliver a message. It takes much more than throwing a bunch of letters on a panel and hoping folks will see it. A completed sign is really a composition. Whether it’s reasonable depends on four critical factors: Balance, Rhythm, Oneness, and Harmony.

A good sign must be “pleasing” to the eye for Balance. It is the weight distribution that is considered first. It’s not necessarily done symmetrically; instead, a well-balanced sign composition is optically effective and has stability of sorts in the arrangement of the copy concerning each of the other elements. A lot is involved in this judgment for the competent sign writer – the amount of copy, any illustrations or supporting images, letter styles, and what the sign is supposed to do; advertise, sell, welcome, etc. 

Also, how far will the sign be viewed from, and how fast will the viewer travel, if at all. When the customer brings the sign writer copy that looks like a newspaper ad and doesn’t allow any freedom for the professional to edit, believing every word is essential, there is often no hope for achieving a balance in the sign’s layout. Rhythm is what many signs lack due to the sign writer’s judgment in selecting too many letter styles in the same work. Aesthetically speaking, most signs look best when only one or two fonts are incorporated. Modest font variations can often be introduced to reduce rhythm interference when bringing impact and interest; however, too many lettering styles on one sign are visually distressing. 

Oneness is when signs have several groups of copies or messages, and the viewer’s eye smoothly follows the flow of the message from the primary message to the secondary and finally onto the most subordinate. It can be achieved or enhanced by dividing the three messages and creating emphasis using reverse panels, bolding, and other emphasis techniques. 

Harmony is nothing more than incorporating the first three elements with discipline – balance, rhythm, and oneness. Without being sensitive to copy grouping, letter styles, and things like coloring, no harmonious layout will be achieved. A perfect example of this is the use of borders. Often, borders on signs are entirely unnecessary and only distract the eye instead of supporting a particular letter style. This is especially true when the border is excessively strong or of solid color. In the case of borderless signs, the flow of the graphics, shapes, and lettering styles provides design and unity, balanced with uninterrupted harmony.

In my work with customers at Cedar Sign Company, a retailer of personalized welcome signs carved from Western Red Cedar red, I often see them deliver copy and design expectations that are far from the proof we render for their approval. When folks let us exercise our signed in wood expertise by interpreting balance, rhythm, unity, and harmony with professionalism and style, their welcome signs and family name plaques deliver attractive and compelling compositions.

Top 10 Signs Your Family Is Stressed

10 Conversations often begin with “Put the gun down, and then we can talk.” 

9  The school principal has your number on the speed dial. 

8  The cat is on Valium. 

7  People have trouble understanding your kids because they learn to speak through clenched teeth.

6  You are trying to get your four-year-old to switch to decaffeinated. 

5  The number of jobs held down by family members exceeds the number of family members. 

4  No one has time to wait for microwave TV dinners. 

3  “Family meetings” are often mediated by law enforcement officials. 

2  You must check your kid’s day-timer to see if he can take out the trash. 

1  Maxwell House gives you industrial rates.

Apostrophological Anomalies and the Welcome Sign

Putting your apostrophes in the right places on those ubiquitous carved wooden Welcome Signs is easy once you know the rules. There is no greater motivation than having all those grammatical fuddy-duddies think better of you, either! But, before examining the rules for using apostrophes and how their literary status has earned its reputation, I want to clarify one thing really clear…I’m writing this to be helpful – that’s all. I couldn’t care less if you got your apostrophes wrong. There are many more essential things in life and nature to get on a soap box! Besides, this stuff (and the rules) is not written in granite!

The apostrophe has four primary uses: possession, omission (contractions), plurals, and phrases of time or measure; however, when it comes to knowing how best to create proper identification on Personalized Welcome Signs, we’ll focus on the mystery of the possessive and plurals business only—time and omissions wait for no man! 

At the most basic level, if you need to make a possessive, turn the phrase around and make it an "of the..." phrase. For example, the man’s hat = the hat of the man, or three days' trip = trip of three days. Once it’s been determined that you need to make a possessive, here are the rules to create one: add 's to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in -s), like the neighbor’s car or Louis's hat. Adds to the plural forms that do not end in –s, like the children's toys and the moose’s whistle. Add the ' to the end of plural nouns that end in –s, like houses' decks and three dogs’ tails. Add the 's to the end of compound words like my mother-in-law's comments. Finally, add the 's to the last compound nouns to show joint possession of an object like Thom & Elaine’s house.

And, of course, a few exceptions (as shocked as I am sure you are!): Some words sound awkward when an apostrophe 's' is added, like Jesus's disciples, so the accepted form is to just use the 's' apostrophe: Jesus' disciples. Interestingly, this only applies to Biblical or historical significance names, e.g., Jesus, Moses, Ramses…Moses' followers, Ramses' pyramid. Still, others don't have a clutsy sound, like the princess's bed. Just be consistent! 

Although it may be worth noting that some “experts will say something like, “…words ending with an s present a problem. There are two valid options in this case. It is either Jesus' teaching or Jesus's teaching. Elegance would seem to preclude the latter….”See what I mean about being consistent! The confusion arises when the apostrophe is used with a plural noun – The vipers’ den…more than one snake in that den, so the s’ – the den of the vipers! Generally speaking, if there's one owner, add an apostrophe and then 's,' and if there are two or more owners, add 's,' then add an apostrophe. For words that form their plural by changing internal letters (instead of adding 's'), like the children’s table…it’s already plural – we don’t pile it on! It’s the same with words people, women…and so on. When using names that end in S, you follow the same rules as with any other name and add apostrophe S: Thomas’s car. 

Plural names also follow the same rules: Thomases’ house (add -es to names that end in S to indicate plural form). You generally let your ear be your guide for anyone whose name ends in S. If Lars's house sounds awkward, feel free to omit the final S. The only rule in this case is that you must (MUST) be consistent. You can't have Lars' two-car garage other than Lars's property. 

On a Welcome Sign – it’s just not going to happen! This whole business of apostropheological anomalies (I can’t believe I used that again!) stirs passionately among some folks, and there have been whole sub-cultures formed to lobby for the universal observance of the mystery of the apostrophe. I am not of that belief set; I’m just a sign guy; however, I'm pretty sensitive about getting these things right. All you really have to ask yourself is, “Does my sign refer to the object it’s attached to, Larson’s Cabin?” And then, is it the whole gang’s cabin? Either way, I don’t think it’s grammatical. It's “Apostrophological!” 

Good Wood - My Person Favorite

The tree that never had to fight for sun, sky, air, and light stood out in the open plain and always got its share of rain. It never became a forest king but lived and died a scrubby thing. The man who never had to toil to gain and farm his patch of soil, Who never had to win his share of sun, sky, light, and air, never became a manly man. But he lived and died as he began. Good timber does not grow quickly; the stronger the wind, the more vigorous the trees; the further the sky, the greater the length; the more the storm, the more the strength. Suitable timbers grow in trees and men by sun and cold, rain and snow. Where thickest lies the forest growth. We find the patriarchs of both. And they hold counsel with the stars whose broken branches show the scars of many winds and much strife. This is the common law of life. 

Sterling W. Sill, Making the Most of Yourself

Images Enhance Carved Wood Signs

Custom Wood Signs as Personalized Welcome Signs reveal much about your business, home, cabin, camp, lodge, or RV. Aside from telling customers, visitors, and friends who you are, it will tell them a little about the business, your personality, and your sentiments. 

There are many important factors to consider when planning your sign's appearance. The font is an influential factor in determining how the text will appear. Text in one font can deliver a different message altogether than the exact text of another font choice. Font choice alone can deliver formality, whimsy, rusticity, and hundreds of themes, such as Western, Cartoon, Sailing, Hunting, Fishing, etc. The size of your sign can also make a difference, but the larger it is, the more it will cost. This is because it will take more materials to build it and, therefore, more labor. Often, larger signs require laminating many cedar members of greater thickness to create a plaque large enough to make a solid and stable sign panel. It’s not unlike a bowling alley or a chopping block. Those elements, however, aren’t the only ones that should be considered when planning to have a custom personalized outdoor welcome sign commissioned.

Choosing to place an image on your sign can significantly increase the sign's visibility and the aesthetic interest of potential customers, friends, and viewers. Sometimes, the image will grab a person’s attention before the actual words even come into view, thus making that person want to read the words because they were captivated by the picture they just saw. This is why you might consider adding an image to your carved wood sign.

Images also have a compelling impact on the message on your sign. One picture can make an exciting message even more convincing. An appropriate image, properly incorporated into a carved wood sign, can actually serve as a demonstration of who you are and what your sentiments intend, profoundly supplementing the message with something that will show the viewer as well as tell them. This visual leverage will enhance your sign and your message in a positive way.

While adding an image or multiple images will raise the cost with distinct predictability, it is always worth the investment. The higher price is due to the increased carving time and complexity necessary to engrave images into cedar sign panels. The costs will vary, depending on what you want on your sign, how large the image is, and how complex the image is to carve. A simple image will obviously be the least expensive, while a complex image will require more work and added cost. The most costly option is custom-designed, original art unique to the message, the owner, and the carving artist’s repertoire. Here, graphics can be added according to your specifications, imagination, or inspiration.

No matter which option you choose, remember that your sign will last you a long, long time, so you will see a return on your investment. It’s all about attracting attention, customers, and visitors. Images often make or break a fantastic sign. And that, after all, is the whole point of the investment 

Carved Custom Wood Signs Deliver Class

If you are looking for a compelling Welcome Sign that will distinguish yours from all the others you’ve seen, you should consider a custom made wooden sign. Whether you are running a Country Inn, a Lodge with rustic cabins, old family General Store; or, simply a Lake Cabin, second home or RV Camping Site…a custom carved wood sign will provide you that special distinction that will set you apart from others around you. It will also make a statement for those who visit your business, arrive at your home or extend a Howdy to those other campers at the sites you frequent. 

Everything about your Welcome Sign speaks volumes about you and your uniqueness. Because there are hundreds, indeed thousands, of fonts and varieties, a powerfully designed wooden sign becomes a composition. For instance, a simple font is often used to deliberately convey a rustic look. A different, even simple font choice of the same text will profoundly change the balance and harmony of the sign. The right font can determine the overall look, which, in turn, can serve to make the message on the sign more appealing. 

Remember, your overall goal is to grab the attention of potential customers, quests, visitors or neighbors and give them something to remember. Since your sign will likely be one of the first aspects of your business or abode they will see, the way it appears is a crucial part of customer attraction, personification and identification. The message itself is just as important as the look, as it will make a statement to the viewer - receiver - target. You want them to continue coming back; to tell others about your style; to express your warmth, personality and affections; so be sure it is something they will be likely to remember: the more distinctive the better. It may even serve to define you; or, at the very least, something about who you are and what you have that’s unique - so choose your words carefully. 

If you are still determining the sign's look, consult the person who will create it. Collaborating directly with the sign design artist is the most powerful tool for customizing or tailoring the right message, balance, and harmony. Once you have established exactly what you are going for, (sometimes you just don’t know what you are looking for but know it when you see it) you will have an easier time deciding just how it should look. There are many designs that can help present your message. The one you choose should compliment the message on your sign. If the message is simple and rustic, go for that type of design. If you are going for something more complex, there are designs available to fit those types of signs as well. 

It’s all in the presentation. Avoid vendors who have a page of images you may select from. Or, a page of fonts you must use. Or worse, how many letters per line that you are restricted to. It requires a great deal more than counting letters on a fixed shaped and sized panel and then hoping folks will notice your message. I love Western Red Cedar and have been using this amazing and legendary material for over 40 years in construction and my art of carving personalized outdoor welcome signs. Find us at www.cedarsign.com where we've been hand carving personalized cedar outdoor signs since 1965?

Naming Your Cabin or Summer Place with a Custom Wood Sign

Whatever you own, run, or visit, whether it is a lodge, cabin, or summer place, nothing welcomes people in the same way as a Custom Wood Sign does. Nothing beats the look and feel of an old-world style hand-carved wooden sign if you want a personalized welcome sign. This is primarily because you have no limitations with this type of sign. You can make your sign as creative as you can imagine regardless of what message you are trying to get across; whether it is your house number, family name, or a message used to create a decor piece to hang on a wall inside, you can achieve any or all of these things with the help of a carved wooden sign.

Why settle for a practical, standard run-of-the-mill sign for your lodge, cabin, or summer place when you could invest in a handcrafted wooden sign to say much more about your business, home, cabin, camp, and lodge. I say this because you can use this type of sign to convey a lot more than merely who you are or what number your cabin is. You can place text and images on these signs to convey traits about your business or personality. With this in mind, you have to consider the fact that there are so many factors to consider when you are planning how your sign will look. You need to consider font and images and the type of wood you are using for your sign.

Western Red Cedar is the best type of wood that can be used for these signs. Western Red Cedar will last for decades, even in the harshest environments, when this type of wood is finished correctly. This is thanks to the natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage, which makes it an excellent choice for a wooden sign that will be in the line of sun, rain, heat, and cold all year round. It has a natural durability, but it also has a natural beauty, and these two things combined make it perfect for use on a wooden sign.

Going back to the font used on the wooden sign, you need to put a lot of thought into it, as it is the first and most prominent thing people will see. One font can give out a completely different meaning than another, so you need to make sure that the font you use gives out the correct message you want. If you have a bold, stand-out, firmly structured font, then this will give out a serious message that generally informs people. This font is mainly used for warning messages. This helps you understand the sort of font you will want to be looking for. Text, however, isn’t your only option with a wooden sign!

You can place an image on your wooden sign; this can significantly increase your sign's visibility. In fact, in many cases, people are far more likely to notice and develop an interest in your sign if an image is featured on it. In many cases, people will often see this image before they notice its actual text. It is down to reasons you may wish to include an image on your sign. The images on your sign could be anything from an animal to a portrait or object. The main way in which these images are placed on wooden signs is through the use of photographs. If you have a photograph of the image that you want placed on the sign, then this image can be copied and carved into the wood.

So, what else do you have the option of with these signs? Well, the size, of course! The larger it is, the more detail you can include. These larger signs will cost more, but if you need the extra detail, then the extra cost is worth it. So whether you want a welcoming or just a fun message, nothing says it better than a wooden sign, so start picking out your font and images now!

World's Largest Western Red Cedar Tree

 It's called the World Champion Western Red Cedar!

Ready? It's 19.4 feet in diameter, 178 feet tall, and estimated to be 1000 years old!

This Grand Daddy Western Red Cedar is in Washington State. Jefferson County is Section 36, Township 26 North, Range 13 West, W.M. It's located on State School Trust land managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR manages over two million acres of forest land for the trust's benefit. 

These forest stands are harvested, literally like a crop. Older tree stands are replaced by new plantings that are weeded and thinned - These new areas are nurtured no differently than a garden until they can be harvested. The younger trees are typically thinned out around 18 to 20 years of age to be allowed to grow to maturity (well, not like this big fella of 1000 years. Actually, around 75 years, they are harvested again. This entire cycle of managed care and feeding is repeated indefinitely. It is the classic sustained management of a renewable resource. 

This giant cedar is on a very primitive site. There are no facilities available. It is about 4 miles off of Highway 101 at mile marker 170. The road is a single-lane, but there are turnouts. Such a turnout is 200 feet past Big Cedar Spur and the junction of N-1112.

Grab a backpack! Visit the Tree of Life! Give it a Hug!

 

WOOD SIGNS WITH IMAGES INCREASE POTENCY

Adding Images to your Carved Wooden Sign Dramatically increases Visibility

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

Custom made wood signs speak louder than words about your business, home, cabin, camp, lodge or RV site. Aside from telling customers, visitors, and friends who you are, they will tell them a little about the business, your personality, and your sentiments. There are many important factors to consider when planning your sign's appearance. The font determines the text's appearance, and its message is subliminal. Text in one font can deliver a different message altogether than the exact text of another font choice. Font choice alone can deliver formality, whimsy, rusticity, and hundreds of themes, such as Western, Cartoon, Sailing, Hunting, Fishing, etc. The size of your sign can also make a difference, but the larger it is, the more it will cost. This is because it will take more materials to build it and, therefore, more labor. Often, more prominent signs require laminating
cedar of greater thickness (not unlike a butcher block or bowling alley lane) to create a plaque large enough to be a solid and stable sign panel. Those elements, however, are just some of the ones that should be considered when planning to have a custom made wood welcome sign commissioned.

Choosing to place an image on your sign can significantly increase the sign's visibility and the aesthetic interest of potential customers, friends, and viewers. Sometimes, the image will grab a person's attention before the actual words even come into play, thus making that person want to read the words because they were captivated by the picture they just saw. This is why you might consider adding an image to your carved wood sign.

Images also have a potent impact on the message on your sign. One picture can make an important message even more compelling. An appropriate image, properly incorporated into a carved wood sign, can actually serve as a demonstration of who you are and what your sentiments intend, profoundly supplementing the message with something that will show the viewer as well as tell them. This visual leverage will enhance your sign and your message in a positive way.

While adding an image or multiple images will raise the cost with distinct predictability, it is always worth the investment. The higher price is due to the increased carving time and complexity necessary to engrave images into cedar sign panels. The costs will vary, depending on what you want on your sign, how large the image is, and how complex the image is to carve. A simple image will obviously be the least expensive, while a complex image will require more work and added cost. The most costly option is custom-designed, original art unique to the message, the owner, and the carving artist's repertoire. Here, graphics can be added according to your specifications, imagination, or inspiration.

No matter which option you choose, remember that your sign will last you a long, long time, so you will see a return on your investment. It's all about attracting attention, customers, and visitors. Images often make or break a fantastic sign. And that, after all, is the whole point of the investment


May the Forest be with You!

 

WHY WESTERN RED CEDAR?

Real Western Red Cedar is Beautiful, Self-Preserving, and Carbon-Neutral

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman carving custom wood signs for 60 years

Western Red Cedar is the most beautiful, warmly colorful, self-preserving wood. You should insist on using this fantastic wood when considering your custom wooden sign project. It's omnipotent. It has warm colors and tones. It has a beautiful tactile texture. It smells great (even intoxicating to those "Green" sensitive). Western Red Cedar has no pitch. It has no resin. It has no sap. The more significant problem is that a lot of wood is called "Cedar." There are as many as 13 varieties of cedar wood. Many are Junipers, or pine, Yellow Cedar, White Cedar, Spanish Cedar, and on and on. Eastern Red Cedar is an incense-like variety for closet linings and hope chests. There's the rub...False cedars. Real Western Red Cedar is THE material for an outdoor custom wood sign.

Western Red Cedar does contain natural oils that help preserve it against insect attack and decay. This is a huge reason it is used outdoors for custom wood signs. Most welcome signs are placed outdoors and will be asked to withstand various weather conditions, from extreme cold to very hot, wet, warm, and everything in between. Because Western Red Cedar can weather these conditions so well, it is the only choice for carved sign making. Cedar has literally been the outdoor construction material of choice for centuries. These natural oils make carved cedar signs incredibly durable, maintaining your outdoor signs' great appearance for a long, long time.

Cedar is, remarkably, dimensionally stable. This means it will tend to lay flat and remain straight. When Western Red Cedar is appropriately treated and finished, it will gracefully age and last for a long, long time.

Western Red Cedar also adds appeal to your landscape. Since your welcome sign will likely be placed on or near a landscaped area, the carved sign will serve as a focal point and augment the environment for potential customers, visitors, and guests. Quite simply, they see your lush landscape and your aesthetically pleasing cedar, personalized outdoor welcome sign.

Western Red Cedar, however, is no longer a particularly affordable wood. Forest fires and weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest have constrained forestation. Cedar and other wood products comprise almost 50% of all raw materials manufactured in the United States. Yet, its share of energy consumption during manufacturing is less than 5%. Western Red Cedar is a renewable building material that is recyclable and regenerated. "Green Building" and rating systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) recognize the environmental impact of using woods like Western Red Cedar. Because cedar is so durable, it lasts a long time and doesn't need replacement. The durability of western red cedar is a principal reason why North American and Canadian forests are still abundant after 150 years of harvesting. It's natural, biodegradable, recyclable, and originates from sustainably managed forests.

This Green Building Initiative's fundamental proposition deals with the environment's health. Cedar is a natural material with centuries of proven performance. Green building rating systems are being applied increasingly, and Cedar excels under the scrutiny of green building review. Western Red Cedar meets the requirements and is the winner in all aspects compared to other materials. Creating signs from Western Red Cedar is natural - the ultimate green material. It produces fewer greenhouse gases, requires less energy than alternatives, and comes from a profoundly renewable, sustainable resource. Equally important, Western Red Cedar is carbon neutral! That's just plain smart.


May the Forest be with you!

 

PROPER FINISHING OF CUSTOM WOOD SIGNS

Properly Finished & Refreshed, Western Red Cedar will Gracefully Weather a Lifetime

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

Western Red Cedar is one of the few wood species that are just naturally at home outdoors. When properly finished, Western Red Cedar will gracefully weather for decades, even in the harshest environments. Its natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage makes it the ideal choice for a surface exposed to sun, rain, heat, and cold all year round. For centuries, aboriginals have used cedar bark along British Columbia's Pacific coast to make rope, clothing, and baskets. The logs were used for canoes, totem poles, masks, and long houses. The hallmark characteristic of Western Red Cedar, its natural durability, has preserved examples of native culture for more than 200 years. For centuries, builders and artisans have valued Western Red Cedar for its natural beauty and durability. Cedar's unique aroma comes from naturally occurring thujaplicins in its heartwood. This is separate from the incense quality of Eastern Red Cedar, which is an entirely different species of Cedar altogether. It is used for closet linings and the interior of hope chests.

As many homeowners are too well aware, readying their deck for summer is all about tending to their "thujaplicins." These aren't exotic plants or endangered species. They are the fragrant natural compounds that give western red its pleasant aroma and protect the wood from deterioration. These compounds resist moisture, are toxic to decay-causing fungi and insects, and preserve the wood to give it long-lasting appeal. Unfinished cedar has richly textured grain with colors ranging from mellow ambers, reddish cinnamon, and rich sienna browns. Western Red Cedar's uniform, fine-grained texture with a satin-like luster complements its warm coloring. It is virtually pitch and resin-free, so the wood readily accepts oil-based finishes, tinted, stained, or solid coating like paint.

While cedar naturally weathers to an attractive silver-gray patina over time, it's crucial to understand that some protective finish is strongly recommended to prevent surface degradation. Weathered surfaces provide a poor substrate for solid finishes; even a few weeks of exposure can decrease cedar's ability to hold a finish. Once the finish-wood interface fails, the coating will debond, blister, crack, flake, or peel. The longer the period of weathering, the more rapidly the finish may fail. It's essential to understand that transparent, non-flexible, film-forming finishes such as lacquer, shellac, polyurethane, or varnish are not recommended for exterior use on cedar and should be avoided altogether. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, these finishes will degrade the wood due to a greenhouse effect. Regardless of the number of coats, the finish will eventually become brittle, develop severe cracks, and fail. Applying finishes that contain ultraviolet blockers can most appropriately retain the natural coloration of newly milled cedar. Finishes containing both an effective mildewcide and ultraviolet protection are recommended. Which, of course, brings us to our proprietary outdoor FINISH REFRESHER. Use it at least every other summer, and your Carved Cedar Signs will "Gracefully Weather a Lifetime!"™


May the Forest be with you

 

CARVED WOOD SIGNS - REDWOOD VS CEDAR?

Western Red Cedar is Superior in Attractiveness and Resistance to Weather

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

There has been a lot of talk about how California Redwood can make a better signboard. Some signs people suggest using only "Clear All Heart" Redwood, most of which are old growth. Well, I'm sorry, I don't care how well managed or thoughtful - old-growth Redwood forests are NOT a sustainable resource. These same folks often suggest that Redwood takes and holds paint better than Cedar - that Western Red Cedar doesn't even come close. I'm afraid these folks have it all backward!

First of all, Western Red Cedar and California Redwood are really from the same genus (an organism's taxonomic hierarchy, e.g., species, genus, family, order, class, etc.) and have a lot of similarities. The most significant difference is that Western Red Cedar has much greater structural integrity for two fundamental reasons. Firstly, Western Red Cedar has far greater flexural strength (the ability to flex without shattering or splintering) than California Redwood. Hydroelectric poles are often made of Western Red Cedar rather than California Redwood because vibrations in the environment around the dam would cause California Redwood to crack. Secondly, California Redwood has a greater density than Western Red Cedar and contains more oils. For these reasons, Redwood is more difficult to glue, does not retain stains and paints well, and splits when screws fasten Redwood together.

Speaking of oils, Western Red Cedar also contains natural oils. Cedar's unique aroma comes from naturally occurring thujaplicins in its heartwood. These compounds resist moisture and are toxic to decay-causing fungi and insects. They preserve the wood against decay to give it long-lasting appeal. Properly finished with natural water-repellent preservatives and refreshed, Western Red Cedar will deliver decades of trouble-free service. The hallmark characteristic of Western Red Cedar, its profound natural durability, has preserved examples of native cultures for more than 200 years.

Western Red Cedar's lower density enhances its insulation value and makes it an easy wood to transport and handle. It's also more stable dimensionally. Western Red Cedar is hygroscopic, absorbing or releasing moisture and maintaining atmospheric equilibrium. It shrinks very little and is superior to all other coniferous woods in its resistance to warping, twisting, and checking. Western Red Cedar's exceptional dimensional stability makes it suitable for high moisture areas.

Western Red Cedar is lightweight, achieves fine joinery, accepts finishes with ease, and possesses outstanding dimensional stability and legendary durability. It is the superior wood for nearly all purposes where attractive appearance and resistance to weather are important.


May the Forest be with You!

 

CARVED WOODEN SIGNS AND THE HEALING TREE

The Western Red Cedar has been Revered for Thousands of Years

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

Not to get too corny here, but did you know the cedar tree represents life's visible and invisible forces? Western red cedar has been revered for thousands of years. Its versatility made the tree essential to the Indigenous People, prompting them to place it as a central part of their lives. They recognized the tree fed with the help of fungi from nutrients in the soil. The tree drank water from underground streams that once were oceans - which were clouds. They understood the leaves feed on sunlight. They recognized the freshness of the forest air as oxygen and water vapor. They watched quietly as birds, wind, and rain spread the tree's seeds, insects and the wind-pollinated the tree's flowers, and creatures broke down the fallen leaves into topsoil.

The great cedar tree became a metaphor for great wisdom. The cedar's giving spirit provided people with food, shelter, and medicine, literally from the wooden cradle to the wooden coffin. Working with stone, bone, or shell tools, craftsmen carved canoes, totem poles, storage boxes, and ceremonial masks from the generous wood. Mats, baskets, and water-repellent clothing were shaped and woven from the inner bark.

Perhaps most importantly, western red cedar was employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes. They principally utilized two fundamental techniques for extracting the cedar's elixirs. Some extracts were obtained by boiling the parts in water and straining the liquor, or parts were steeped as tea for infusion. These elixirs from powdered leaves were used externally to treat various internal pains, including rheumatism. The leaf buds have been chewed in the treatment of toothaches, while an elixir of the buds has been used as a gargle.

A weak infusion has been drunk in the treatment of painful joints caused by rheumatism or arthritis, and a poultice of the crushed bough tips and oil has been applied to the back and chest in the treatment of bronchitis, rheumatism, and stomach pains. The boiled concoction of the boughs has been used as an anti-dandruff shampoo. A poultice of the inner bark has been used as a counter-irritant for the skin, and a poultice of the inner bark has been applied to carbuncles. Even the bark, when pounded until it is as soft as cotton, can be used to rub the face to bind wounds and as a cover for wound dressings. Shredded bark can be used to cauterize sores.

Martin Luther said it best almost 500 years ago when asked what he would do on the last day of his life. He simply stated, "I would plant a tree."


May the Forest be with You!

OUT ON THE PORCH

The sound of those words alone can shift your mood

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

The sound of those words alone can shift my mood, shape my posture, awaken my memory, and conjure images of rocking chairs and porch swings. I can almost feel the cool breezes on warm afternoons. Can you? Simply thinking about the porch of the house I grew up in lowers my blood pressure and reduces my stress. It was my place for reading, rocking, storytelling, and sharing with family, neighbors, and friends. It was a fort, a rocket ship, a safe harbor, and a sanctuary.

The porches of our lives hold fond and vivid memories for families. All of our greetings and partings of family and friends take place there. For most, the porch became the outdoor living room - a place to spend hours sitting and talking with family and friends. Folks didn't used to think much about their porches - most people had them and used them. It was just there, open and social, an unincorporated part of the house that belonged to everyone and no one. It was the heart and soul of home where family and friends pass the time.

I would venture to say that more of life's issues were resolved on the front porches of my childhood than in any other place. Today, televisions, computers, cell phones, air conditioners, and privacy fences have usurped the porch for stairs and stoops. I mark the disappearance of the porch with the declining popularity of Halloween, the appearance of the ATM, and our fascination with drive-up windows.

With so many things pulling us away, it may take some special effort to get back "out on the porch." We've become accustomed to watching the kids whack the waffle ball, chase the dog, and celebrate birthdays - out on the deck. Don't get me wrong, it can be nice out there, but in all these years, I've not come to know my neighbors like I did when I lived in the house with the big front porch. The best we can muster is a wave when we enter our cars.

This is all quite contrary to the human spirit, and in my experience, folks find ways to balance the ledger. Which brings me to my point...Does your porch say Welcome? Do you have a cheerful porch? The front door gives a glimpse of the personality of a home and its owner. The entrance to the place you call home speaks volumes about who lives beyond the door. No matter how big or small your porch is, it can bring guests a warm welcome with some creativity. Dress it up on holidays and get one of our ubiquitous custom wood signs for an outdoor welcome carved into Real Western Red Cedar, which offers a friendly hello! Remember, it is your front porch where you welcome others into your life.

May the Forest be with You! 

 

DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, BUT WILL WHEN YOU SEE IT?

You feel that way because everybody does

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

Don't know what you want, but you will when you see it? You feel that way because everybody does. The problem is that you often never find the means to gather enough information, samples, or insights to find what you want. Magazines, TV shows, and catalogs offer a lot of stimulating information that often will help you identify what you are imagining: "There's a Whichamacallit that might just work for that Thingy you need." Usually, you stumble upon things you aren't looking for or have been trying to find, but Glomb onto them as if they were one of those just the ticket items. These are probably what merchandisers call impulse items.

The internet is the granddaddy look-about tool of all time because it has many ideas. Those ideas don't necessarily fill your niche, fit your needs, or satisfy your longing because you don't know what you want - remember? While looking about, you can often be distracted by the funnies (shiny things), like YouTube or Google Video. Anybody can donate their silliness, but sometimes natural talent bubbles up. Most of those videos are just guys crashing one way or another or directly into their groin, but some are nearly brilliant. A couple of things make this enlightenment possible. The first is the large number of contributions. The other one is absolute altruism. Many folks will graciously donate their time and talent to make the world better—free-for-nothing.

If you use the internet, like browsing a magazine at the dentist's office, you will never find your whatchamacallit because you need to use keywords. Ask for precisely what you want or are looking for: Carved Rustic Welcome Signs, Stainless Steel Bird Cage, Paper that doesn't tear - anything. You need to Google (that's become techno-speak for "Ask") what you want, and Google will deliver to you! Among all those responses you will receive will be listed, in order of relevance, the sources and suppliers of the keywords you used.

Now the work begins because you have to sort out which of the returns/results is the "golf ball to the groin" or the gratuitous unselfishness of the few who will magnanimously help you find what you want by letting you see it. There will be plenty of near misses. There will be sites with pictures of what looks to be what you want. There will even be sites dedicated to creating what you want. The problem becomes finding the site, company, person, or team that will assist you by understanding that you don't necessarily know what you want but will when you see it.

Most of the "Hits" you receive will be relevant if you use specific keywords. What will be included, however, are all of the things that are just products by the keyword name. You will find a few precious vendors who will collaborate with you - even before placing an order! For instance, paper that doesn't tear might very well be available in 100-foot rolls in white and brown. Your problem will become being able to collaborate with anyone there to see if they can furnish you with 25 feet of black paper that won't tear.

Take heart! Aside from having been Carving Custom Wood Signs for almost 60 years, our carved wood signs are only the "When You See It" side of our business! Our product solves your "Don't Know What You Want" problem! When you order one of our products, your Credit Card is only authorized because you haven't made a purchase yet. Using your description of what text and images you want, we send you a full-color, initial, scale rendering of what we understand you want. Then, the fun begins! Our sign design professionals start collaborating with you by exchanging emails with additional attachments of proofs to consider. In that way, you are designing your sign project. The magic is, "You'll Know It When You See It"! Funds will be collected once you approve the design you want to be carved. That is what we sell. The design collaboration and proofing are included in the cost of the sign.


May the Forest be with You!

 

CABIN NAME IDEAS FROM 60 YEARS OF CARVING

Are you stuck with coming up with an idea for your cabin name?

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

Nothing welcomes people like a creative name on a carved, custom wooden sign if you have a cabin or summer place. If you are looking for a custom sign, nothing matches the look and feel of an old-world, deeply carved wooden sign. Here's some help creating a great name. A creative name for your special place and wooden sign requires considerable thought: it is the first and most prominent thing people will see. Text, however, isn't your only option with a wooden sign! You have the freedom of being able to place an image on your wooden sign; choosing to do this can significantly increase your sign's visibility; in a lot of cases, people are far more likely to notice and develop an interest in your sign if an image is featured on it. In many cases, people will see this image before they notice its actual text.

Here are some ideas for your custom wood welcome, cabin, or RV signs to shake loose your imagination. Have some fun with your custom wood cabin sign: Chipmunk Hill, Chipmunk Field, Boulder Ridge, Raccoon Ridge, Salmon Trail, Bluebell Estates, Tree Land, Eagle Cliffs, Cardinal Valley, Sunrise Pines, Tree Bluff, Salmon Valley, Birch Hutch, Huckleberry Run, Summer Bunker, Bush Hearth, Breezy Basin, Hank Peak, Wildflower Edge, Skyline Retreat, Rainbow Inlet, Grassy Willows, Deer Beach, Sage Peak, Sunshine Greens, Log Manor, Hare Lake, Soggy Banks, Caribou Chalet, Juniper Lands, Whistling Yards, Black Bear Loft, Bass Villa, Sun Rapids, Moose Crest, Foggy Forest, Trout Shores, Spring Bay, South Firs, Timber Mound, Summer Sands, Winter Beach, Sunflower Pond, Huckleberry Bunker, Eagle Pastures, Walnut Cove, Black Bear Hill, Trout Shire, Wood Pecker Hideaway, Sunflower Stream, Huckleberry Yard, Blue jay Banks, Sunflower Woods, Sunrise Ridge, Rainy Mountain, Turtle Pond, Shady Chalet, Buck Rapids, Breezy Acres, Trout Pines, Sighing Home, Bass Mesa, Mountain Land, Autumn Park, Birch Bluff, Hawk Wood, Raccoon Bluffs, Log Vista, Buck Crest, Buck Greens, Cottonwood Cascades, Frog Pond, Leafy Run, Eden Cove, Whitetail Edge, Grouse Vail, Coyote Mound, Sunflower Cottage, Grassy Harbor, Cardinal Banks, Elk Summit, Canoe Resort, Tree Field, Crappy Glades, Cedar Acres, Boulder Den, Perch Garden, Leafy Lake, Cougar Mountain, Sage Creek, Elk Lodge, Hillside Courtyard, Cedar Hillside, Raccoon Shanty, Leech Greens, Mushroom Inlet, Rainy Banks, Rocky Nest, Still Waters, Pine Manor, Sun Cascades, Trout Falls, Rainbow Ridge, Haven Loft, Hillside Cottage.

Did you think we were done with ideas for Carved Wood Cabin Signs? The Rose Cottage, Plum Cottage, The Rose Rabbit, Echoes Echos, Echo Lane, Critter Cottage, Heartland Gardens, La Casa De (last name), Chez (last name), Home for Wayward Animals, Penny Cottage, Ward 81, Electric Garden, Teacup Cottage, The Happy Farm, Fuchsia Villa, Tulip Villa, Dragons Den, Penny Wort Cottage, Country Cottage, Wildflower Cottage, Country Estate, Wildflower Estate, Poverty Gulch, Fern Cottage, Cookie Cutter Cottage, My Starter House, 70 Mile Beach, Morning Glory Farm, Paid Off, Peaceful Oasis, The Sunflower House, Midnight Farm, The Clarkarosa (you get the idea), Firefly Cottage, Hillside Cottage Gardens, Barefoot Cottage, Barefoot Manor, Barefoot Gardens, Moon-dome cottage, Cincinnati Cape Cod, Even-side Cottage, Daisy Cottage, Lemonade Cottage, Garden of Weedin', Citrus Grove, Yellow Hill, The cottage, Permanent Vacation, The Egg Place, Belly Acres, Even Shade, Crazy, Skye View, Skye Garden, Skye Grounds, The Dollhouse, Weathering Heights, Thrush-Cross Grange, Amy's Garden (thus), Sycamore Cottage, Angel Feathers and Critters Cottage, No Vue, Mantis Manor (thus), Windy Hill, Crow Hill, Fox Run Quail's Nest, In Over My Head Acres, I can Chew Meadow, Nine Acre Hill, CaliforniaTropiCottage, Lakeview Acres, Meadow-Crest Farms, The Cabin (simple enough), A-Frame, Turkey Run, Almond Joy (Brown house with a nut inside), Heavenly Pines, Spruce Spread, Martins Grove (thus), Grove Cottage, Cranberry Cottage, Cricket Hill, Maple Hill Cottage, Journeys End, Frog Holler, Cottage Cheese, Star Wood, Dancing with Weeds', Hundred Roses, Deer Salad Bar, Foxes Earth, Work in Progress House, High Elven, Weathering Heights, Mockingbird Cottage, Frogs Haven, Mount (last name), Rosemount, A House of Happiness, Angel Lane, Meditation Retreat, Peaceful Path, Enchanted Forrest, Secret Home of (name), Dunmovin, The Flower Bin, Last Nickel Farm, Lake Louise, Tumbleweed Cottage, (Last Name) Hotel, Massive Disaster, Heaven on Earth, Ladybug House, The Morning Glory House, No More Tears, 5th Acre Farm, Section 8 Station.

We've seen 'em all...been making custom wood cabin and lodge signs for 60 years! Procrastination Place, Book and Blossom Bungalow, The Bunny Buffet, The Deer Diner, Fog Hollow, Peace Palace, "Grin'Inn Bear It", "Gone With the Win Inn", Sanctuary Much, Smokey Haven, Dream Come True, My Little Heaven, Smokytop, Pine Forest Lodge, Misty Point Lodge, Blueridge Inn, Trails End Lodge, Sleepy Hollow Inn, Bear Run Hill, Wind-walker Landing, Whispering Pines, Cherokee Point, Journeys End, Mount Hushmore, Smokey's Playpen, Logirythyms, Whisk-a-way, Camp Carefree, Le dulce vie (The Sweet Life), Hidaway House, Smokey Lodge, Falling Leaf Retreat, Totem Pole Paradise, Whiskey Mountain Lodge, Magistic Manor, Bear Claw Trails, White Cloud Retreat, Nature's Lullaby, A Bend in the Road, Misty Mountainside, Home Away, Rustic Paradise, Living the Dream, Mountain Getaway, Log Tranquility, Happy Cabin Times, Spectacular Views, Country Charm, Deer Walk, Pine Top Dream, Permanent Vacation, Crown Ridge, Serenity, Crest Mount, Crest Wood, Harmony Haven, Furthest Point, Barefoot Gardens, Critter Cottage, Sandy Rock, Shady Cottage, Sunflower Estate, Log Spring, Caribou Lands, Kitty-Wampus, Seldom Inn, Fogged Inn, Frogg Hollar.

Consider these terms when thinking about the carved wooden cabin or summer home sign: Bluff, Ranch, Run, Knoll, Beach, Estates, Gulch, Ranch, Fields, Shores, Courtyard, Vale, Glen, Draw, Bridge, Resort, Grove, Springs, Shores, Bluff, Haven, Camp, Shanty, Inn, Park, Grounds, Lea, Sands, Rapids, Yards, Valley, Manor, Willows, Hearth, Grounds, Inlet, Place, Camp, Hut, Court, Point, Rock, Perch, Peak, Crest, Den, Mound, Forest, Pond, Firs, Basin, Pastures, Shire, Hideaway, Rapids, Getaway, Chateau. Gotta Go, Gotta Go, Gotta Rodeo!


May the Forest be with you!

CARE & FEEDING YOUR CUSTOM WOOD SIGN

A Fallen Cedar Tree Remains Sound for 100 Years or More

by Thom Inman - Master Craftsman Carving Custom Wood Signs for 60 years

It's true... a fallen Cedar tree will remain sound for 100 years and more! Resistance to decay is due to powerful fungicides in the wood that occur naturally. Real Western Red Cedar has a rich texture and warm, mellow tones when unfinished. The grain is tactile, and the tones range from light amber to deep honey brown. Its natural luster cannot be duplicated by any man-made material, making Western Red Cedar unique. It is used for greenhouses, siding, shingles, and fences because it is an amazingly resilient building material. Western Red cedar has a wonderfully distinctive fragrance and is characteristically very pleasing. This adds another dimension to the universal appeal of this truly unique gift of Nature. Yet another reason Cedar lends itself to carved cedar signs.

Cedar is often used naturally; however, most wood scientists encourage a finish treatment. Treating it can help preserve it, which is optional even if your sign will be located in a place, making it susceptible to varying weather conditions. Because weather conditions don't affect cedar, you do not require it to be treated for it to keep its natural structure. Over time, however, the color of cedar will slowly weather to a silver-grey, and the grain will become raised. While this appeals to some applications, finishing the wood and sustaining a cycle of applications for custom wooden signs is prudent.

Spar Varnish, Poly-Urethanes, and other marine finishes are not satisfactory - indeed, harmful. There is a better solution to durability than these old-fashioned approaches. A modern green finish system that releases zero VOC and is formulated to enhance and enrich the natural durability and appearance of Western Red Cedar, which is cedar oil-based, can protect and preserve graying for three years and provide a rich finish, enhancing cedar's natural beauty thanks to its unique sun-blocking, UV protection. This formula also contains antimicrobials that resist the growth of mildew and algae.

The easiest way to maintain your welcome and custom wood signs for home, camp, ranch, and RV is to apply a refresher coat of these specialty wood finish products each summer. Our Proprietary Formula outdoor FINISH REFRESHER. Use it at least every other summer, and your Carved Cedar Signs will "Gracefully Weather a Lifetime!"™Finish Refresher contains Cedar Oil essence (thuja plicata), the natural and organic antimicrobial (mildew prevention), penetrating preservatives, water-repellents, wood preservatives, sealants, and most importantly, a powerful UV Sun Blocker that prevents graying. Spray apply like glass cleaner. 4 oz spray bottle with extra spray heads. Use it at least every other summer - it only takes minutes. Ships FREE. Arrives separately.

May the Forest be with You!