Letterheads: Keepers of the Craft – 40th Anniversary

For generations, men and woman designed, carved, lettered and painted signs by hand. In today’s world, machinery is taking the lead in signage with its ability to mass produce or “set it and forget it”, but what about the flowing subtleties and unique touches that lead to a top-notch sign? Letterheads ‘Keepers of the Craft’ are all about keeping traditions alive and Coastal is proud to be a part of the 40th anniversary.

This special 40th anniversary will be held, appropriately, at the American Sign Museum in a few weeks on September 24th through the 27th. This four-day event will offer two days of formal workshops – aka, Letterhead University, and two days of informal sessions such as panel jams, murals, impromptu demonstrations, and more. The workshops offer a range of topics with an emphasis on traditional techniques and design.

Coastal Enterprises has sponsored the Letterhead Meets, with Precision Board HDU, since the early 90s, and still to this day, we are very honored to be part of it. Kellie Miller will be in attendance for all 4 days of Letterhead40, and besides having a table, she will be available at the workshop offered by Noella Cotnam and Shane Durnford, “Letter carving and Then Some”. She’ll be there to help with any and all questions regarding HDU and finishing products (Primers, adhesives, texture coatings, etc.). This is a 2-day class offered on the 24th and 25th among the 28+ classes available, but time is of the essence as these classes fill up quickly.

If you don’t have time for the workshops, stop by Coastals table for free samples and demonstrations.

Online Registration ends on September 10th so be sure to register ASAP!

Letterhead40 Registration

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Noella Cotnam, 2009. Don’t forget to sign up for her carving class co-taught with Shane Durnford.

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Cam Bortz – Callander, Scotland, 2006

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Stewart McLaren, Brenda Daley, Mike Meyer – Winter Muster, 2004

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Mozeppa Muster, 1999

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Terry Colley – Callander, Scotland, 2006

letterhead timeline

Bring a piece from a past letterhead meet to share with others and place on the 48ft display shelf!

Check out their website, www.letterhead40.com, or look for them on Facebook! You’ll find more details about the meet and see more pictures that will give you an even greater appreciation for the craft. Hope to see you there!

 

How to apply gold leaf – Solidified Sunshine

The December issue of Sign & Digital Graphics magazine has an excellent article on how to apply gold leaf. Gold leaf is considered to be one of the highest forms of sign artistry due to the use of gold, custom paper writing service and because it is accomplished entirely by hand.

There are several techniques used by those “in-the-know” to achieve a picture perfect finish. Learn about them all in the article written by signmaker Francis Lestingi, of Signs of Gold Inc., in Williamsville, NY on page 74 in the December issue of Sign & Digital Graphics, or view it on the web here.

Here is a picture of respected sign maker Cam Bortz of Finest Kind Signs in Pawcatuck, CT at a letterhead meet in Scotland applying gold leaf to Precision Board Plus:

Applying gold leaf at Dan Sawatzky’s sign workshop. Dan is the owner of The Imagination Corporation, headquartered in Chilliwack, Canada.