Black Frog
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2011
- Messages
- 134
The "big tools" thread someone mentioned the big anvil I restored as a showpiece or centerpiece for a room or shop. I love old tools and equipment, I do a lot of blacksmithing and I'm especially captivated by old anvils and their history.
As an idea for other people here to make some kick-*** shop decorations, here's what I did.
I happened to come across a hand-painted ACME Anvil Co. sign that an artist did, and then he "aged" the sign to make it look old. Wonderful, and I couldn't resist it knowing that I had an actual ACME anvil in my garage. The shop that made the ACME sign had no idea there actually was a real ACME anvil! They did that sign just because they were big Road Runner cartoon fans as kids. Of course I couldn't be without that sign.
I got in touch with the artist and shop that did that ACME sign, and sent them the pic of their sign with a pristine (real) ACME anvil. They thought that was the coolest thing....
Then I had a bright idea, and I asked if they would have any interest in doing some real anvil signs that are more authentic to the time period the anvil companies were in business. They LOVED the idea, and were all for it. We talked about different compositions and layout ideas, this is what we ended up with. They do a masterful job at "aging" the signs.
I went through old advertisements, getting all sorts of ideas of fonts, layouts, compositions, artwork, etc and gave my artist the ideas and layout I had for each sign.
I'm thrilled with what we came up with. I've had so many people WANT these signs, they are the coolest. Hanging in a nice shop they are awesome. Here's some of the ones I did, actual anvil companies that were in business 100 years ago or more....
I've got a couple more in the works, hopefully done in a few months. You could easily do a similar idea with old tool company signs for your garage or shop. They get a ton of attention by all who enter!
As an idea for other people here to make some kick-*** shop decorations, here's what I did.
I happened to come across a hand-painted ACME Anvil Co. sign that an artist did, and then he "aged" the sign to make it look old. Wonderful, and I couldn't resist it knowing that I had an actual ACME anvil in my garage. The shop that made the ACME sign had no idea there actually was a real ACME anvil! They did that sign just because they were big Road Runner cartoon fans as kids. Of course I couldn't be without that sign.
I got in touch with the artist and shop that did that ACME sign, and sent them the pic of their sign with a pristine (real) ACME anvil. They thought that was the coolest thing....
Then I had a bright idea, and I asked if they would have any interest in doing some real anvil signs that are more authentic to the time period the anvil companies were in business. They LOVED the idea, and were all for it. We talked about different compositions and layout ideas, this is what we ended up with. They do a masterful job at "aging" the signs.
I went through old advertisements, getting all sorts of ideas of fonts, layouts, compositions, artwork, etc and gave my artist the ideas and layout I had for each sign.
I'm thrilled with what we came up with. I've had so many people WANT these signs, they are the coolest. Hanging in a nice shop they are awesome. Here's some of the ones I did, actual anvil companies that were in business 100 years ago or more....
I've got a couple more in the works, hopefully done in a few months. You could easily do a similar idea with old tool company signs for your garage or shop. They get a ton of attention by all who enter!
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