Lysdexik Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Looking through the "Chrismas Presents" post, Divermike listed a new sign for his shop, that got me thinking (a big job these days) about my new shop. I don't have the imagination for an "Original Masterpiece" and you guys are realy artistic about this kind of stuff. Post some shop signs for me to plagiarize (now you know why Lysdexic). Have a great Chrismas. And a really spark layden new year! Paul. It's not over... Until we Win!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jymm Hoffman Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 (edited) I made the sign brace in 1981, and made a wooden sign similar to this metal one. The sign brace is based off a sign brace my first blacksmith instructor made for the entrance to the Masonic Lodge at Ohio Village, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus,Ohio. A neighbor in the industrial park bought and operates a computer controlled plasma cutting table that made this sign with my initials in it (which are also my mark.) The company is Country Fab, email: country_fab@msn.com The gray on the brick behind the sign is not from painting the sign but over spary when the roof was coated, prior to putting up the sign. The sign was located near the front corner of my shop next to the "allowed sign." I have not been told to take this one down, going onto 2 years. Property managers must think it is not too outstanding and good for advertising 2 businesses in the park. Edited December 12, 2008 by Jymm Hoffman design credit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 The sign brace speaks volumes about the quality of your work. I can think of no better advertising than that. Nice sign too. My son's school just bought a plasma cutter. I think I might be having him make a sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysdexik Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share Posted December 11, 2008 If the property managers have their clients interests at heart they will get you to make signs for the whole park! I love it. I come from the Welsh borders of the UK, the oldest ironworks in the land is in my home county. I grew up around "traditional iron". Good design is never just "in fashion", and consequently never goes out of fashion, right is right. Great work! Paul. It's not over...Untill we Win!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ornametalsmith Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 (edited) here's mine, (the one on the left). Shop signs are a great way to make a "first impression". and here's another "shop sign"(right image) that I just finished with some welding students at the local community college. They did the "lion's share" of the work. Edited January 1, 2009 by ornametalsmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lumpkins Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 those are some cool signs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 My step daughter and my good smithing friend Winslow are "lysdexik." They both tell me that the condition DOES NOT affect their design sense. They say that while the printed page bothers them to a degree, they have an easy time seeing an overall design in their mind's eye. Of course, it takes practice to execute, whether you're dyslexic or non. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Masuk Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I decided I needed a sign as well Its not done yet I made my extra heavy duty lol I am going to add a few things it doesnt look entirely finished to me and polish the welds and such Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old South Creations Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I'm not a professional smith but here are a couple of signs I made for my shop at home.... The first is my first attempt at scrolls and the second is a silhouette cut from old barn boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 here's mine, this is in copper, I've also got a flame cut version out of 1/4 inch plate that needs a hanger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 I think you should go for the traditional anvil for sure. What ever way you decide to do it, the anvil was an unmistakable sign for anyone needing a blacksmith, even if they could not read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaylan veater Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Jedsdad05, I like your signs thanks for the pics. My on my shop has a anvil in the center. I will need to get some pics and post. Gaylan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 These are my shop signs. The anvil hangs beside the overhead door, and the plain one is above the door. Shop Sign - Blacksmith Photo GalleryShop Sign - Blacksmith Photo Gallery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaylan veater Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Here is some pictures of my sign on my shop. Gaylan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Gaylan, that is a neat design. Good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old South Creations Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I second that! Gaylan, that's a cool sign...love the design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Y Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Great sign Gaylan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Gaylan, That is a really nice looking sign. Very appealing and attractive with good detail, yet simple and not too busy. I like it a lot. Very much like other pieces of yours that I have seen. You are a very good craftsman. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Hill Forge Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Nice sign Gaylan, but you HAVE to turn your horseshoe over ...... you are dumping out all your good luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaylan veater Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Let me explain my horseshoe. I was told by a blacksmith that he should put the horseshoe as to dump all the good luck into his shop. Everyone else should put the horseshoe up to hold all the good luck in. I have enjoyed all the good luck falling into my shop!!! Gaylan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf's Den Armoury Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Let me explain my horseshoe. I was told by a blacksmith that he should put the horseshoe as to dump all the good luck into his shop. Everyone else should put the horseshoe up to hold all the good luck in. I have enjoyed all the good luck falling into my shop!!! Gaylan Thread Resurrection! I've always heard this as well. That because the Blacksmith is the only one who uses all four elements, and because he *makes* the horseshoe, that he's the one who put the luck there in the first place. Because of all this, the Smith should place his horseshoes toe up, and allow the luck to flow back into the forge. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsiler Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Never heard this before. Thanks for sharing this information with us. Am going to hang one in my shop tomorrow (today!). Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avadon Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 The anvil sign is pretty iconic but also pretty common. I kinda like the crossed hammers or hammer with the anvil or even just a huge boquet of flower and vines with the letter "blacksmith" underneath. I definitely agree that the more artistic and ornate it is the more confidence your customers will have in your abilities. But also simple things like having the front of your business clean and inviting, free of scrap or debris, goes a long way. You have to ask yourself "if I had never been to a blacksmith would this make me feel invited or feel intimidated or unwelcome" because I think the average person feels intimidated or at the very least outmatched in understanding this process. For them it's just loud and dangerous even if they do admire the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 I finally found some letters that I can live with, now all I have to do is decide on the mount and frame, but let's not rush things, after all, it's only been a year since I started!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 If you're looking for some sign ideas, get the "Catalog of Drawing for Wrought Ironwork". You can download it free from the Countryside Agency in the U.K. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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