Signs Never Sleep

Sign photo by blogger Jon Armstrong (blurbomat)

photo courtesy of Jon Armstong

This photo was taken by Jon Armstrong (blurbomat.com) in Austin, TX, and he was kind enough to let me use it for a blog post.  I love it when people outside the sign industry care enough to snap a picture of a sign, let alone take a terrific picture of a sign.

In addition to being a very talented photographer and IT manager, Jon also happens to be the husband of Heather Armstrong (Dooce.com).  I read both of their blogs on a daily basis.  "Good luck with the new baby!"

"Jon, is it OK for me to post the other, terrific neon sign photos you have?"

Now if I could just get Maggie Mason to get back to me about those sign pictures she has...

~Contributed by J.D. Iles

Sign Works: Creative Custom Signage in Pittsburgh, PA

Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Sign Works has been in operation since 2005.  The company is run by a husband and wife team (Chris and Nat Chamberlin), who both share an interest and passion for sign making.

Their work ranges from vehicle lettering to carved, dimensional signs, and everything in between.  They are able to provide their customers with the simplest vinyl sign, or help a business re-vamp their image from the ground up.   Link

~contributed by Christine Baker

Classic Neon Signs: The Atlantic Neon Company in Greater Portsmouth, NH

The Atlantic Neon Company is located in Greater Portsmouth, NH and specializes in custom neon signs, as well as neon art.  Neon is used in signs primarily for its "attention grabbing" ability, but sadly it is an art form that has become less prevalent in the last few decades.  The artists that practice this craft are becoming fewer, but fortunately for the New England area, Jake Rosenfield is a neon master-craftsman.

Neon is a fantastic medium, and is currently under-utilized.  It is such a unique look, and it is a powerful medium, not only because it grabs attention so readily, but also for the feelings it evokes and the mood it can set around a business.  Neon signs, having come of age during the 20's and 30's, are heavily associated with nostalgia and are important touch-stone's for the baby-boomers.  They can also suggest dynamic action with their flashing, glowing tubes, and there tends to be an aura of magic and mystery around the whole process.

For a quick education on what a neon sign is, please take a look at this article in Wikipedia.  Link

I hope to talk to Jake in the near future about Neon, and will share the details of the interview here at Signs Never Sleep.

~ contributed by J.D. Iles