Friday, August 1, 2014

My Imperfect Coffee Sign & Embracing Imperfection

Earlier in the week I shared a blogger's secret about staging pictures.  

Today, the confessions continue: bloggers do not have perfect handwriting to perfectly letter signs.  Nope, most of us are just a sloppy mess, including our handwriting.

We use vinyl and stencils to letter signs.  Or, if we really live outside the box we might use the transfer method I shared HERE.  But, in my recent quest to keep it real, keep it authentic I have decided to start doing some hand lettering, free of stencils and transfers.
coffee sign, embracing imperfection http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-imperfect-coffee-sign-just-keeping.html

As more and more stores are recreating what we have been doing for years, I am more and more into keeping it real and authentic and imperfect.  The stores can have their perfectly lettered subway art that they sell at a mass produced made in China price that I can never compete with.  I am embracing imperfection--in myself, my home, my parenting, my work.  

Now don't get me wrong, I continue to strive to be the best version of me I can be--an imperfect mess at best.  I work hard to be a mom and a wife that I can be proud of.  I strive to create beautiful, quality work.

I am just not trying to be perfect, and that includes my work.  I like the quality of handmade, the variances and imperfections that make the piece unique and one of a kind.  And with this newly found love of the imperfection I am trying my hand at completely hand-lettered signs.  
coffee sign, embracing imperfection http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-imperfect-coffee-sign-just-keeping.html
This one is painted on some lovely, HEAVY, reclaimed oak.  I loosely letter it out in chalk first and then paint it with a gloss latex paint.  The gloss paint resists the stain so it stays white.
coffee sign, embracing imperfection http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-imperfect-coffee-sign-just-keeping.html
And while my coffee sign may be imperfect, my morning cup of java this morning was perfectly wonderful.
coffee sign, embracing imperfection http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-imperfect-coffee-sign-just-keeping.html

9 comments:

  1. This post sure resonates with me, Becky. It can be a bit frustrating to find personal creations from our blog posts cheaply copied and shoddily mass produced on store shelves a year later. I've always appreciated the handmade quality and signature paint patina of your creations, and I can spot your style instantly. (I've also seen it copied in many furniture stores these days.) We blog our projects to share and give others inspiration and ideas to work with, but it's still startling to see our ideas mass produced in the marketplace. I applaud your endeavor to keep it real and artistically one of a kind, and I love your hand lettered coffee sign. :)

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  2. You did a mahvelous job dahling!! It came out perfect! :)

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  3. I must say your handwriting is very neat! I've seen some hand made signs that are really poorly done, crooked, not spaced out well and poorly painted. I use the carbon transfer method and use different computer fonts. I am also frustrated to see that cheap made in China signs are out there. I even see them in decor type stores that make it appear as if they (or a crafter) have made them. Some here have no "made in" sticker on the back, which I think must be there by law. It's so discouraging. Your work is great and I hope people are smart enough to see the work and ability that goes in to a handmade piece.

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  4. Hello Becky, To me it is so obvious when a sign is mass produced and not handmade. I choose handmade over the cheaply "Made in China", any day! Your handmade sign looks fab. You'll never get that gorgeous patina or texture on your wood, if it is even real wood, at the big box stores. Your signs are made with heart and soul and they can't mass-produce that, no matter how hard they try. Also, I rarely leave a store, felling awestruck or inspired, like I do after seeing your gorgeous projects. Thank you for always being perfectly imperfect!

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  5. I love it, just perfect!

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  6. I agree so much with your post, absolutely adore your posts and love to "copy" your ideas for my home ONLY (well, maybe for a gift to a loved one but never for sale). You show people how to create a "home" for themselves even if they don't have unlimited resources. Keep up your wonderful talent!!

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  7. Love this sign!! It's so perfect!! :) Have a lovely week!! xo Holly

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  8. Your handwriting turned out perfect. I always do my on paper first to get it spaced evenly then I transfer it with carbon paper. I have loved your work since day one when I ran across your blog.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate your kind words!