Author Archives: AtlasSigns

The Perfect Address Plaque for a San Francisco Painted Lady

It was, after all, the colorful Victorian homes of San Francisco that inspired the phrase “Painted Ladies”. So why are the address numbers on these beautiful homes so lame?

Ben and Jerry's at Haight Ashbury, How sad

Ben and Jerry's. How sad is this?

A recent trip to SF led us to visit the Haight Ashbury District, once famous for “trips” of another kind. While Hippies (many old enough to require walkers), and a few “head shops” can easily be found, the complexion of the neighborhood has changed so much that a Ben and Jerry’s now occupies the fabled intersection.

As I marveled at the fairytale exteriors and harmonious colors, one thing that caught my [sign makers] eye was that all but one Victorian Home had the most outlandish, cheap, inappropriate, big box store, address numbers identifying the home (and that address plaque was inappropriately simple). All of that restoration work and continuing maintenance expense, and the finishing touch was missing. How sad!

San Francisco Victorian Address Plaque

The only address plaque in Haight Ashbury?

While thousands of Victorian homes have been destroyed by earthquake and the wrecking ball, many of these fairytale dwellings still grace parts of San Francisco, including the Haight Ashbury District. Constructed primarily during the last half of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, they have most always been a colorful addition to the San Francisco urban scape. While some call the colorful exteriors “garish” and “clown-like”, we think their colors are an important part of the beautiful diversity that defines San Francisco.

A gorgeous example of a San Francisco Victorian

A Gorgeous Example

It takes more than color to make a Victorian House and several other themes are common. We often think of dark and heavy sitting rooms with thick draperies, but the motif goes far beyond that. Victorians were fond of nature, so floral, palm, butterfly, fern, marine, and animal motifs are common. The age of Queen Victoria saw extensive British Colonization which brought exotic plants and beasts to the forefront. Think of these elements as you select the perfect finishing touch to your Painted Lady Home. Atlas Signs and Plaques will have exactly what you desire to make your home standout.

 

 

 

Why do we still have the phone book? Learn 6 Problems with Phone Books

phone books littering the yard

What to do with these?

We just got our 2011-2012 Lake Mills, Wisconsin Phone Book here at Atlas Signs and Plaques and we have to wonder, why? Why do we still have the phone book? There are at least 6 problems with phone books.

 

First problem: How do you deliver it? You can’t leave it in the mailbox, that’s a federal offense. No, seriously, it’s a federal offense to put anything in a mailbox that isn’t official mail. So if you’ve been leaf-letting, make sure you don’t put them in the mailbox.

Second problem: It’s arguably littering. When you deliver a phone book, unless you get permission to leave it on a porch or driveway, it could be considered littering. You’re leaving something behind that is unwanted.

Third problem: Why? As the people who are reading this well know, there’s this thing called the Internet. All joking aside, more than 55% of businesses have a website and the 45% that don’t must be seriously looking at one or are making a stand against it, like the businesses that didn’t get phones.

Fourth problem: Paper. An average phone book is more than 1000 pages, which is a heck of a lot of paper. The worst part is that the phone book is printed annually(maybe biannually). That means for Lake Mills, a town of 5000 people, the phone company has to print more than 5 million pages of paper.

Fifth problem: Time. As mentioned above, the phone book is either annual or biannual, but in that time businesses change. Let’s say a business leaves town. Well, their phone number will be disconnected and won’t be useful for that business. Now the phone book is outdated and needs to be replaced. But the vast majority of the book is the same. Again, the internet is instantly changeable. Problem solved.

Sixth problem: Cell phones. Cell phones aren’t listed in the phone book at all. I don’t have a land line whatsoever and that’s a conscious choice. A cell phone can do everything that a land line does and is just as easy to use. In addition, you can save numbers in the phone, further negating the need for a phone book.

I will admit that there are some problems with using the Internet. Getting a decent connection, paying for the service, not having it at home, having dial-up, poorly designed websites. But those problems are problems that have to be fixed anyway. Let’s use the money that we’ll save from not printing phone books and use it more wisely.

What is so Alluring About a Panda Bear Address Plaque?

Panda Bear Address Sign for the endangered animal lover

Isn't He a Cute Bear?

This Panda Bear Address Plaque makes a great gift for any lover of wildlife and would be perfect plaque for a conservation society’s headquarters.

The Panda Plaque could be used to identify an conservation organization, or as an informational sign, or as theme park signage. Each is custom made to the clients specifications.

What is it about Panda Bears that we find so alluring? I personally think it’s the fur and the rings by the eyes. But whatever it is, put it on your address plaque with the aptly named Panda Bear Address Plaque.

Did you know that the world’s oldest panda bear lived to be 34 years old? Our signs will easily last that long, thanks to the real metal coating and marine-grade clearcoat. We take pride in the fact that our signs can stand up to even the toughest conditions.

And as always, this sign is made in the USA from American materials and labor.

End the Winter Doldrums and Have Summer Fun: Butterfly Address Plaque

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.  ~Richard Buckminster Fuller

 

Butterfly Wall Art

Watch these Flutter By

You are the one in your neighborhood that thinks outside the box, the one who abhors buying from the same big box home improvement store that everyone else shops in, the one who plants things that no one else has tried, the one who sings in the garden, the one that others secretly admire because you are without restraint. You are the perfect candidate to order the Butterfly Plaque.

Made from high-quality HDU and your choice of a real coating, this sign gives you the look a real cast metal while still being lightweight and affordable. Be unique on your block.

You seek to learn something new every day. Did you know that the butterfly stage is known as the Imago?

 

 

 

Hang Signs In Style with Updated Brackets and Premium Finials

One of the hardest things while ordering a brand new sign from Atlas Signs and Plaques is figuring out how to show the world.

 

Check out the Updated Brackets and New Finials!

Three Premium Finials

We have several mounting methods, but I’d like to talk about our updated brackets and new premium finials specifically. All of our brackets from Metalcraft Industries have been updated and refreshed. We’ve even added a few new things, like the Straight Shaft Sign Bracket and the Super Deluxe Scroll Bracket. In addition, Metalcraft Industries introduced some brand new premium finials that are sure to add that final great touch to your new bracket. You can choose from the Fleur-de-lis, Pineapple, or Spade Finials. Might I suggest the Aloha Address Plaque with a Pineapple Finial? Or maybe a Fleur-de-Lis Finial with the Stanton Plaque?

One of the New Brackets

The New Super Deluxe Bracket

The best part about getting a new bracket for your hanging sign is the stylish options. All of the brackets have a black powdercoat and rings for your signs. Beyond that, you have complete ordering freedom with extremely ornate brackets (The Super Deluxe Bracket), or very simple (again, the Straight Shaft Sign Bracket), or something in-between, like the Deluxe Scroll Bracket for the single flourish. You get to choose what you want and what you like.

And best of all, all of Metalcraft’s brackets are made in the US, in Ocala, Florida. Now your American-made sign can hang from an American-made bracket.