We have begun construction on the main Inn sign. Although our signs have a handmade look, we use modern software and robotic machines to help us build them. The machines do about half of the work. Once we have the basic pieces from the machine the magic can really begin. We are at that stage on the main sign for the inn and it is exciting! This sign is going to be a real head turner. Stay tuned as it comes together...

The very special signs for the three suites are nearing completion. Each sign is lavished with details from top to bottom. They share some design elements, characteristics, colours, and style - yet each is very unique. They give a little hint of what the suites will be like.

We've been working on the design for our main sign for a few months now. Every version has brought us closer but something was still missing. This is our latest version and I think we have are finally 'there' - I can hardly wait to start building it.

While we work hard behind the scenes putting the building plans together, there is another official process in the works as well. Our application for rezoning the property has been working its way through the city's planning department. That procedure took an exciting turn this past week as the city let us know we could put up the official public notification sign. Our friends over at Gidney Signs whipped us up an official sign in no time at all. The sign will remain in place until a public hearing. We've already contacted many of the surrounding neighbours and shown them our plans and recieved good reviews and dozens of letters of support. This is exciting!

Work has begun on the three suite signs and they are already looking fine. We do the work with a variety of tools and materials. Some of the preliminary tasks are done by high tech robots. Our robots are CNC routers and CNC plasma cutters. We design the cutting files on a computer and then send them to the machines. The tables are loaded with materials and let the machines automatically do the work. 

But the signs are far from finished when the robots are finished. We have many components which to be assembled, detailed and then painted by hand. Along the way we do a lot of hand sculpting and carving to create these one of a kind dimensional signs. It takes a lot of skill and practice to get the look we desire.

The sign below is for the Copper Crown. Once the basic sign is routed the real work begins. Jeff is using an air powered die grinder to do the final shaping and to add the texture. When he is finished, we will hand craft the end curls on the scroll with welded steel and sculpting epoxy.

While Jeff is working on the scroll for the sign, Peter is busy making the crown. He cut the many pieces on the CNC plasma cutter and then hand shaped them using rollers, benders and an old fashioned hammer. Once the components are the right shape he welds all of the pieces together.

In the other room of our shop, Hailey is busy adding texture to the Under Hill sign. Peter has already assembled the pieces and hand shaped the elements and welded up all of the steel components.

Once the primer is dry it is time to begin applying the base coats of paint - a minimum of three over every square inch of surface. As she applied the last base coat she also started the blending of the colours. 

The North Star sign is also well under way as well but we'll save those pictures for the another time. Stay tuned...