http://paulmusgrove.com/paul-blog

Santa Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Paul — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:54:57 +0000

It was a labor of love. Good thing too, because they took up my shop for a month and a half. That may sound like a long time to the MTV set, but everything was made by hand. My hands.
Okay, I didn’t make the blue tile, but I did set it. Looking at the sign you’ll think it is sand blasted to show the wood grain. But I used my super duper, top secret, thick acrylic modeling technique.
The reason I do that instead of sandblasting is because it resists the hungary termites that are the great destroyers of all things wood. I custom cut and molded each and every letter. Gilded them with 23K gold leaf. If you aren’t a member of the Church it’s worth the ride up San Antonio Creek Road to see my creation and the beautiful Church.

More than just pretty faces, signs sell!

Paul — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:16:09 +0000

It’s like the good old days again. Back the 80’s and 90’s in historic Mount Holly, NJ, my brother Steve and I produced mind blowing wooden signs like this “Cafe Luna” sign. The new Cafe Luna, on the main drag in Summerland, CA, was just purchased by Dan Van Hirtum. He saw the great write up on my sign making in the Newspress. He called, drawings were approved and voila.

This sign features hand molded 23K gold leaf stars, a curved sign face and a kitschy grouping of kitchen wares. All intended to invite you in for a treats and coffee. (Baked treats are from Renaud’s Patisserie)

My signs signs are one of a kind, crafted by hand and are more than just a pretty face. They SELL!

Please be sure to stop in, have something yummy and tell them with that beautiful and happy sign, you just couldn’t resist coming in.

Pub Signs

Paul — Fri, 14 May 2010 23:10:37 +0000

Pub signs are one of my favorite projects. Here is my latest for Russian Bear Vodka. All the oak moldings were hand made. 23 K Gold Leaf lettering, lettered and painted by hand.
Hand painted “Springbok Rugby” logo and a digital print of the vodka bottle and drink. Why do I keep mentioning “by hand”? Because it’s a dying art that can’t be replicated by machine.

This sign has got it all! It’s new home will be in a pub in San Francisco. Thanks to Gavin Brown from Russian Bear Vodka that had the good taste to have a hand crafted one of kind sign commissioned.

Signage~A customer’s first impression

Paul — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:06:11 +0000

Does your sign drive people to your business? Walk outside right now and look at your sign. Would you want to come inside, based on the sign? Is it nice looking or worn out? Is it inviting? Is it unique and creative? Is it current or outdated? Is it in the proper scale to the location. Is it branding your business? Is it easy to read? Is it safe?

What are you selling? Are you low, middle or high end? The look and make of the sign will tell all the above. If it’s cookie cutter, your business will probably appeal to a lower budget client, if it’s custom, the middle to high end client will be interested.

It’s not enough to just have an informational sign. There is too much competition for the consumer’s dollar. Your sign is the first impression someone will have of your shop, office or restaurant. One can tell by your sign whether you are successful or not. At least that will be their impression. Your sign is a barometer of your business’s health. An old or outdated sign may give the impression that the business is not doing well or that the business owner is lazy.

Now that you’ve looked at your sign, are you confident that is the impression you want to make? If so, congratulations. If not, give me a call for your complimentary consultation.

Welcome to my Blog

Paul — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:31:19 +0000

Goodness knows, I come to it kicking and screaming. I’m just not a computer kind of guy. I’m all about tradition. I’m a craftsmen. Heck, I still hand draw all my sign work and proposals. I like it that way. I like to think it sets me apart. Tradition, tradition, TRADITION. (couldn’t help myself, years of following my daughter’s musical theater career)

My wife tells me a blog is just another way of connecting with people. I guess I don’t have to tell you I prefer connecting over a glass of red table wine and
something to eat. But I do like to write, and she said if I write, she’ll type. So here I go.

Today is a good day to start, because I have something news worthy to say. The Santa Barbara Newspress did a story on me. A good one too. I made sure to plug my wife, Melissa Musgrove Photography and my son, Ian’s business, Santa Barbara Groovy Grooms. I’d give my daughter Dana a shout out too, but she doesn’t have a web site. She’s a super talented musical theater actress.

Thank you for reading. And if you want to connect, please leave a comment. Or better yet, give me a call at 805-252-3356.