What’s behind door #1?

A while back, I started brainstorming what our entry way should look like. It was pretty drab and boring, so it was in need of a major upgrade. The first thing that popped into my head was some neat looking gear themed window sills. We followed that up with some gear / steampunk themed custom shelves.

img_8358

img_8377

This past week, we started carving a crazy door skin that screamed LOOK AT ME! in a very steampunk sort of way.

The door was carved from 30lb Precision Board plus from Coastal Enterprises. Our Multicam 3000 series router handled all of the machining duties flawlessly. EnRoute Pro 6 was tasked with creating the model for the door. We used some amazing bitmap wood textures from Dan Sawatzky’s Wood collection to create the wood planks in the recessed areas.

img_8487

After a quick test fit, we started the texture coat using Coastal Enterprises TSF45 coating. Its super thick and lets us do lots of fun things with it.

img_8498

We also cast 2 sizes of hot rivets using a silicone mold and Smooth On casting resins. The molds were created using real hot rivets. The resin copies were glued into the door and textured using the TSF45 and some HDU dust.

img_8488

The base coats were applied by hand. Here you see the skin based in a coat of dark brown.

img_8502

The next step involved various colors of black and dark red glaze. Once the glaze was dry, we applied the metallic paints from Modern Masters and Novacolor. One last coat of black glaze was added and wiped off once the metallics were dry.

img_8521

Here you see the finished product. All we have to do is finish the back side of the door and add some glass to finish it out.

img_8531

Stay tuned for progress on the rest of the entry way.

-Jim

Published with permission from Synergy Sign & Graphics. Source.

A Room fit for a Princess Pt.2

Today, we finished up the application on the plaque for my daughters room. Variegated copper and silver were the choices.

After looking at the finished product, there is no doubt that it’s the little things that make something special.

Check it out!

IMG_7873

IMG_7872

The little added touch of metal really brought the plaque alive. I hope she likes it!

-Jim

Published with permission from Synergy Sign & Graphics. Source.

T-Shirts, Get Your T-Shirts!

Listen Up!

Synergy has some giveaway shirts that we want to give out to the community in thanks for all the support you have given us all year!

IMG_1852 copy
If you want one of these awesome Synergy Sign & Graphics tees simply come down to the shop between 9am-5 pm and Aubrey will take your picture with your shirt to post on our social media with our hashtag #specializinginawesome.
Good luck folks, we are giving these out as first come first serve basis till the last shirt is gone!

Published with permission from Synergy Sign & Graphics. Source.

The Sign Invitational Retrospective ( Part 1 of 5 )

If you would have told me in September 2015 that this crazy idea Dan Sawatzky and myself hashed out in Denver would turn into this amazing event, I would not have believed you.

This past week, the Synergy crew spent the week in Orlando setting up, organizing, and tearing down what was one of the most exciting things we have ever been involved in. Over the next few days, Aubrey Gealsha ( recent hire and illustrator extraordinaire ) and myself will be writing a series of articles here on the blog showcasing what went down in Orlando at The Sign Invitational 2016.

For Now, I leave you with the results of the competition and pics of those entries.

Multicam USA

Coastal Enterprises

Enroute

Signcraft Magazine

1st Place – Peter Poanessa, Keene Signworx
2nd Place – Roger Cox, House of Signs
3rd Place – Jim Dawson, Synergy Sign & Graphics
4th Place – Phil Vanderkraats, Signs By Van
5th Place – Peter Sawatzky, Imagination Corporation

Peter Poanessa of Keene Signworx with his winning entry
IMG_0080

Roger Cox and Periandros Damoulis from House of Signs with the 2nd Place finish
IMG_0052

Jason Bair, Aubrey Gealsha, and Myself standing with our 3rd place entry.IMG_0088

Phil Vanderkraats and Donna Shriver from Signs by Van took 4th place
IMG_0062

Peter Sawatzky from Imagination Corporation took 5th place with his Artistic Android
IMG_0050

-Jim

Published with permission from Synergy Sign & Graphics. Source.

The Sign Invitational. Update

So, here it is. Our concept rendering for our entry into The Sign Invitational

Sign_Invitational_Entry

We are extremely excited to get started on the fabrication. 5 weeks out. I hope we can get it all done.

-Jim

Published with permission from Synergy Sign & Graphics. Source.