i’ve been busy painting! yay. it’s actually been so much fun. and it’s amazing how destressifying (is that a word) it is.
this first sign may look familiar. if you follow miss mustard seed, then you’ve seen it. i’m actually hoping to enter this in her and donna’s copy me challenge.
the challenge is going to begin when mms reaches 4000 followers. and she’s almost there! i’d say tomorrow or friday at the latest. you can read more about it here:
anyway here’s my take on her sign. and for those who don’t know what an apiary is… it’s a place where bees and beehives are kept. (i knew it had to do with bees … but i wasn’t positive. just keepin’ it real)
the wood is from an old shed that was torn down in lovely pennsylvania that i’ve used for other signs. i really worked this wood to get a nice golden color.
i love all the knots and beautiful texture. isn’t old wood incredible. so much character.
it almost tells it’s own story. love that!
the next sign was inspired by an image i printed off the internet a couple months ago. again, i don’t have a source so i do apologize. i’ve just started using pinterest thanks to my friend kim, so hopefully that will allow me to keep better track of these things.
i just love this quote. especially for us bloggers … even though we are technically not using pens. but you get it.
this sign was painted on a shelf from an antique cabinet. i painted the whole thing black and ‘beat it up’ and sanded it a bit to add some vintage character and texture. the little groves on the bottom would have been used to hold plates or platters.
they created the perfect spot for an extra special line of text. don’t ya think?
this is probably one of my favorites so far. and probably the most time intensive.
thanks to all your kind words and encouragement, i have decided to list all my signs on etsy. they’ll be up early next week. i’ll give you more information about all of that on friday. i’m excited … but a bit nervous.
Michael:
Love your blog and can’t wait to see more.
I love this sign so much I just bought it in your etsy shop. Can’t wait to hang it It really sipoke to me.
So “charmed” to be one of your newest followers,
Best,
Cori
Starview Sonnet
hi michael! L.O.V.E. the ‘story of your life’ sign.. seriously might have to consider ‘borrowing’ that quote for my home office! 😉 i’m your newest fan! 🙂
blessings,
-tracie
It is amazing how much your inspired pieces look like mine!! Seriously. You did a great job on both signs.
So Cute! Would love for you to add to my Thursday Treasure Party:
http://thetreasurista.blogspot.com/p/treasuristas-thursday-treasures-come.html
I absolutely love these signs. They are both gorgeous!!
Ruth
Hello Michael,
New follower of your blog! Love it! I found you via Donna at Funky Junk. ADORE your signs, and actually I’m with Jen (glad I’m not the first to say it!) — I think MMS is amazing of course, huge fan of hers, but I sense that you are a bit of a perfectionist which explains why your Apiary sign is virtually flawless.
I have a huge Etsy shopping addiction (I’m serious, is there a 12-step program for that? EtsyAnonymous?), so cannot wait for you to open your shop so I can add you to my favorites and hopefully get my grubby little mitts on one of your fabulous signs! Will you also be selling your spindled baker’s twine? What about your jams and jellies?
Best to you,
Kimberly
Love both your signs, but since I have thing for bees, I particularly love the apiary sign. Beautiful work!
Hi Michael! I’m a sucker for hand lettering because I know how tedious it can be. But the 1st one – on rough wood? Kudos to you! It’s lovely.
Would love for you to link up to Passion for Paint this weekend.
http://MuralMaker1.blogspot.com
Hi Michael,
I found your site through Funky Junk Interiors too and I love your signs… so much that I borrowed your bee.
I linked back to you… I hope you liked that you were my inspiration on this one!
Thanks,
Susabn
Hi Michael, What a wonderful blog you have! I’m stopping over from Funky Junk Interiors, where I noticed your sign. I come from a family of Sign Painters/Makers and Artists and this is just fantastic. Did you hand letter it? It looks like you did, or was it a stencil? Very nice lettering styles. I love the choice of wood too. I have a sign I made I used very old wood and it’s nothing special but I do love it, they’re a fun project. I keep a few signs around the house as they’re part of my history so to speak, I’m following your blog now, don’t want to miss a thing, tami
Fantastic Michael!
Michael, I just love the sign and love your blog!! I’m so glad I found you and can’t wait to look through your past posts! Thank you so much for sharing!
Cheers!
Cyndy
That sign just STEALS MY HEART! My parents own an apiary here in Colorado and we get fresh honey all the time. My 9yr old even has his own hives he tends to. I really need to make one of these for them. I would be delighted if you would link this up to my VIP party =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/01/vip-party-2.html
Love the apiary sign!
So glad that you found a hobby to release some stress! What a beautiful piece and very inspirational. Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a wonderful idea to post your signs on Etsy. Now I will have the opportunity to buy them all up. Mine, ALL MINE!