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! 

 

CARVED WOOD SIGNS DELIVER A COMPELLING MESSAGE

Carved Wooden Signs Deliver Unique and Compelling Messages

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

Do you want a compelling welcome sign that will distinguish yours from all the others you've ever seen? Whether running a Country Inn, a Lodge with rustic cabins, an old family General Store, or simply a Lake Cabin, second home, or RV, a custom wood sign will provide you that unique distinction that will set you apart from others. It will also make a statement for those who visit your business, arrive at your home, or extend a Hello to those visiting. Everything about your sign speaks volumes about you and your uniqueness.

Because there are thousands of fonts and styles, a professionally designed wood sign becomes a composition. For instance, a casual font is often used to convey a rustic look deliberately; different, even simple, font choices of the exact text will profoundly change the balance and harmony of the sign. The right font can determine the overall look, which, in turn, can make the message on the sign more appealing. Remember, your overall goal is to grab the attention of potential customers, guests, visitors, or neighbors and give them something to remember. Since your sign will likely be one of the first impressions of your business, lake home, cabin, or house they will see, the way it appears is a crucial part of customer attraction, personification, and identification.

The message on your sign is just as important as its look. It's a statement you want to make to your audience - a way to express your warmth, personality, and affection. You want your sign to be something they will remember, something that defines you, or at least something unique about who you are and what you have. So, choose your words carefully because your sign reflects you.

If you are still only imagining how your sign ideas will look, consult the person who will create them. Consulting directly with the sign designer-craftsman is the most powerful tool for customizing or tailoring the right message for balance and harmony. Proofing with scale renderings and collaboration with a skilled sign designer bring your sign idea to life. Once you realize what you want, you can approve the custom carving of your sign design. You often don't know what you want, but you’ll know when you see it! I believe design collaboration with scale proofs is the most critical component of custom wood sign carving, and it should be without an additional fee because it is part of what you are paying for when hiring a sign design artist and wood carving professional.

Many designs can help present your message. The one you choose should complement the message on your sign. If the message is simple and rustic, go for that design. If you are going for something more complex, designs are also available to fit those types of signs. It's all in the presentation. Avoid vendors who have a page of images from which you must select. Or a few fonts you must use. Worse yet, how many letters per line are you restricted to? It requires much more than counting letters on a fixed shape and sized panel and then hoping folks will notice your message.


May the Forest be with you