Global Warming effect with my house sign.

Recently I started a project of painting  a house sign with a view of a snow peaked mountain. The following day, Global Warming had taken effect even on my painting. What a disaster !! :)
Product of Timis Rosca Signs.
www.housesigns.webs.com

Birth of a house sign

ROBBIN'S NEST.

I was recently contacted by a potential costumer who wanted a unique house sign and requested a custom paint job of a robin standing on a nest with four eggs inside of it.  I did my homework, found a few promising images on the internet that I could paint, created a proof of what the sign would look like, and got the OK.  This was to be a double sided sign hung up by a wooden post outside her lakefront home. The pictures below depict different stages along the journey of creating this beautiful sign. 

Sophisticated was the first word....

   Sophisticated was the first word out of my costumer's mouth when I presented her with her hand made, custom finished house sign. Her face lit up when she held the sign in her hands. Her exact words were " you Sir created this sign with a heart beat behind your every move", and she was right. I was asked to push my boundaries and create an aged, weathered, battered looking house sign.

see more @ www.housesigns.webs.com

Sold!!! Sold my first hand carved custom sign on Etsy

I finally broke the ice with Etsy and sold my first house sign. This lovely lady contacted me and requested a custom sign that was similar to one already displayed on my Etsy Shop.
I decided to post our conversation because it gave me great pleasure to see other people appreciating hand crafted signs made by me.
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Hello, I am hoping that you can make me a custom sign using the attached images. Please let me know if this is possible. Thank you. Kathy

Hello Kathy,
The sign that you are looking for could be made.
My signs are all hand carved and painted by hand instead of being carved by a CNC machine like most others, thus my signs have character.
What is your desired size for this sign? Will it be a single or double side?
Thank you.
Timis Rosca
www.housesigns.webs.com

And Kathy's answer...
The fact that your signs are hand carved is why I wanted you to make mine. They look awesome.
I was looking at the Bear Sign, which is 12" x 20". Would that size be okay. Just one side will be fine.
Thanks.

Kathy

The smile is still on my face. 

Have you seen the new ....

Hello again and welcome to another chapter. I decided to expand my line of hand carved and personalized house signs with the addition of my Hideout Sign Collection.
Several weeks ago I debuted a line of new designs that have been very successful  for me so far and I would like to share them with you all.
Hand carved and hand painted as always, these signs are a welcoming sight on any home, cabin or cottage. They are water proofed with Premium Marine Varnish.
Praises and productive criticism are always welcomed. Please feel free to share your opinion.

                                                  www.housesigns.webs.com

Steps for creating a hand carved and painted custom house sign

A couple of days ago, I finished another custom house sign. It was hand carved and painted on a piece of wood out of oak that measured 18" x 13". Added pictures and a Youtube Video on my Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/housesignsguy) along with my website (www.housesigns.webs.com)

Here is the Youtube Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HnHfE8aLLc 

After I finished meeting with my clients, I decided to walk up and down the streets of Alexandria, VA and here are some of store-front signs that were displayed outside. Alexandria is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen on the eastern coast. 

What are some of your favorite cities?

My Top THREE:1. Charleston-SC,  Savannah-GA,  Marblehead-MA.

Heavenly Carved Sign

I recently finished a carved house sign that was totally unique from any other sign that I have made before.

A new potential costumer called me one morning with a simple idea for a house sign that she intended to hang from a wooden post outside her home. Irene, wanted the sign to say GOD IS GOOD. This would be her gratitude and appreciation to God. We worked on designing this house sign. I convinced Irene to add an artwork so it gives the sign that extra “pop”. The artwork that Irene agreed on was an angel holding a dove in his hands. Soon after that I was ready to start working on Irene’s sign.

A few hours later, I ran into a friend of mine on my local golf course. One of the topics that we talked about was Irene’s project that I was ready to work on. My friend, Gene, is a very well known painter in USA as well as in his home country, Ukraine.

I wanted to impress Irene with a unique sign so much that I thought I’d ask Gene for a favor to paint the images on the wood sign. I thought it would be a good idea to come up with two unique images on both sides of the sign, which in return would give Irene “two signs in one”. Gene had the freedom of painting whatever he wanted as long as he incorporated his look and style in this painting. I asked and expected a one of a kind sign.

Few days later, I received the call I’ve been waiting for from Gene. Seeing the paintings for the first time, I was lost for words. I received two one of a kind paintings on a house sign for Irene that everyone was proud of the finished product.

Later that day, I met with Irene and handed her special house sign that I promised she would love. When I started this project, I never intended on having anyone else work on Irene’s house sign other than myself but when I hand delivered the sign, I explained to her what I had done and who painted her artwork. Irene nearly came to tears and thanked me for everything that I went through for making this sign her most cherished item in her new home.

                                                       

To this day, I often drive by Irene’s house to look at a sign that is more than a sign to me and everyone who was involved in making it.

I want to thank Irene for her kind words of appreciation which you can view for yourselves on my website http://housesigns.webs.com/testimonials under TESTIMONIALS.

Personalized House Signs make for Great Gifts

Holiday Season is just around the corner and personalized signs from www.housesigns.webs.com would make for amazing gifts–especially for those friends that have everything!

Everyone likes to see their name on plaques at a front door, or for their kids room or even sheds or garages so personalized signs show ownership and affiliation. They show what we love and what is important in our life. That’s why personalized plaques always make great gifts.

Genuine 22K Gold Leaf or Painted signs?

Genuine 24K Gold Leaf or Painted signs?

Whenever I meet potential buyers of my house signs,  I offer them choices on different finishes that could make their  house sign a  truly unique and personalized wood carved house sign.  Nothing looks more elegant to me than a sign that has been gilded in 24K gold leaf.  The light falls on the sign differently, bringing the house sign  to life. After all, gold  is a symbol that lets your neighbors know that firstly, you've arrived, and secondly your gold leafed house sign is a few notches above their  house sign. Your neighbors will be envious of  your custom made house sign.

All of my  buyers love the house signs that I carved for them, but only a handful of them decided to have their signs gilded in gold leaf and or copper leaf. My question to you out there is, how much more would you be comfortable in paying  for a sign to be gilded in gold leaf over a painted sign?

Please give me your opinion on this matter.

Thank You,

www.housesigns.webs.com 

Clear Finish

I finished carving two signs for a couple of my neighbors. Both house signs had a similar look.

Started off with two cut off pieces of pine that were 20"x16"1". First step was to trace the family name and the house number using carbon paper. Followed that by carving out the words with a 1/8" straight router bit. Once that was done, I proceeded by applying the colors that each client requested and made sure I get the paint in every crack within the carved out letters and numbers. I used acrylic black paint on one sign and a browish/reddish paint for the second sign. After the paint was left to dry, I used 80 grit sand paper to sand off the access paint thus giving me the finishing look. A layer or clear wood stain was applied and allowed to dry overnight. This is what it looked like when it was all done.

Hand Carved house signs as Christmas Gifts?

Gifts are given to friends or family members out of love and is always accepted with appreciation, but, can personalized wood carved house signs and plaques make for good gift items?

House signs are items that  you get to see every day for many years to come and it also reminds you of the person who gave it to you. Isn't that the point of giving and receiving gifts? 

You can find many designs of house signs that would make for wonderful gift items on my website. 

A Shortcut to the Present Day

My story can’t be too different than yours or the majority of people who walk by me every day.I’ve had good times and not so good times but I’d like to focus more on the good times.

I was pretty good at two things. Photography and playing golf.

Photography was my major in school. It didn’t lead me to the promise land but it opened up a few doors and a few hearts for me. I enjoyed “being” a photographer but not as much as playing golf. Golf on the other hand was my obsession and addiction and any other good adjective that ends in “ion”. It brought me joy and great new friends that I probably wouldn’t have had the pleasure of meeting. I’ve played with professional golfers and also other pro athletes from other major sports. Golf was everything for me for about six years.

Then I stumbled into wood carving and sign making. My father is a master craftsman and one of the best picture framers in Europe and in the US. His picture frames have been ordered by some established persons, among some were two US Presidents.

He taught me woodworking. I started out with  “two left hands” but with a little practice and patience, I  slowly lost one left hand and grew a right one.

The,  I started my own business manufacturing these beautiful custom made house signs and plaques. It brings me  much joy to see my costumers compliment me and my work, the same way  it brought my father joy when his costumers were all smiles and complimentary of his work.

I thank each and every one of my costumers for having trust in me and my work. 

If you'd like to visit my father's websites,  please visit....

www.roscas.ro

 www.american-choice.com

and my website

www.housesigns.webs.com

Carved Signs and Good Music

You know, whenever I am working on a carved house sign I often listen to some good music in the background. Lately I've listened to cajun music more and more, and it brings back great memories of  the good old days of New Orleans.

I was in my early twenties the first time I went to the Big Easy and I still vividly remember the smell of the food and the sounds that came from just about every other corner in the French Quarters. Year after year I made sure to go back to New Orleans just so I could "feel" what it's like to be a native of the area. Aside for their colorful expressions that are reflected in their art, food, you have so many blessed musicians that perform on just about every corner of the neighborhood. That music, man it's beautiful. I would sit on the sidewalk and let those sounds just cleanse me out. That's when I officially got baptized to real music.

I would like to share a link that I found on Youtube from from a street band in New Orleans. Maybe it's your turn to get baptized this time around. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbH3HJvh2N0 

Now back to work 

How to be authentic with your Maketing

So the big question is, how to be authentic in your marketing. 

First and foremost you need to drop your guard and take down your walls. This will allow yourself to be more authentic, more real, more genuine.

Here are a few tips.

1. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE VULNERABLE IN YOUR BUSINESS. In another words, I've found that the more vulnerable I am in business letting people in, the more clients I get. People in general like a little bit of grit, they don't like all the slick. This doesn't mean that you can be a basketcase and air all of your dirty laundry, you have to stay profesional and polished, but let yourself be a tad vulnerable.

2. LET PEOPLE LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. People love to hear about your failures which makes you more authentic, more equal to their level. When you can put yourself in the trenches with your clients and not on this big pedestil where you have it all figured out, they trust you and feel closer to you and more connected to you. Share your experiences with them, let them learn what didn't go so well with you. 

3. YOU MUST REALLY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE. In my company I have a mission statement that is based on Authenticity, Integrity and Love. To most, the word Love looks out of place in a mission statement, but when you love someone and you care for them, you act with love and give with love. The more you share your affection, not the physical kind, but the affection of caring for your clients, people will feel that you are authentic and vulnerable.

4. BE YOURSELF. If you are funny at home, be funny in your marketing. If you are loving at home, be loving in your marketing. 

5. ACT WITH INTEGRITY. You only do the right thing EVEN when no one is watching. If you messed something up, make it right or if you want to sell something to someone, always tell the truth. Always act as if someone is watching you and people will see that. They will not  know if it is true, but they will feel it energetically and they will see you as a person of authenticity, AND WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT YOU ARE A PERSON OF AUTHENTICITY THEY WILL TRUST YOU, AND WHEN THEY TRUST YOU THEY WILL HIRE YOU, RECOMMEND YOU, BUY FROM YOU. 

Start weaving this into your business and you will get more clients, and will make more money and multiply your business because you will rise to the top. 

Multiplying your Business

Most people confuse wishing and wanting with pursuing. You must place your trust in action. There are five steps to follow.

1. Authentic and compelling marketing.

2. Systems for everything.

3. A great team.

4. Different business models and sources of income.

5. Leverage.

Make a decision to multiple your business this year and do whatever it takes. The first thing to do is to decide to reach that big goal, declare it, and then you must be ok with it and do it as if your live depended on it and believe it or not that's where most people fail in this process.

If you are given an idea, you are also given a way to achieve it. Are you going to do something about this idea?

If you are not financially where you want to be in your business, one of the main reason is non-action. If you are still at the place you've been before it is because you have yet to take advantage of the opportunity that is right in front of you and it's been there this whole time. I know, I've been there. I know you are tired of hearing the old cliché, in order to get different results you need to do things differently.

To multiply your business, you must be willing to do what you haven't done before. You must be courageous and walk into the opportunity and even walk in the fear you have associated with it. Face the fear that stops you.

"Fabienne Fredrickson"

Take a stand for your Clients

Take a stand for your Clients

    To take a stand it means to publicly express an opinion about something and I say you put yourself out there on the line even if it’s not popular.

    The hard truth that nobody is talking about is the truth about attracting clients. When to you take a true stand for your clients, you come from a place of service. By focusing of giving more and truly wanting the best for those you serve, they take action for their own good they wouldn’t wise take for themselves.

What frustrates your when you see the same clients facing the same problems over and over?

How you can use your concern or caring to take a stand for those same people.

What can you give them to make it better?

How can you deliver the hard truth in a way they’ve never heard it before?

    There comes a time when your prospects or clients reach a fork in the road and if they go one way they will create one type of future, and if they go another it will be a totally different story, and when you take a stand for your prospective clients you are shinning a light on the best road to choose. You are showing them a road for a bigger future and you are fulfilling your purpose at the same time. It is a win-win all around and most likely they will end up working with you because they feel that you care.

“Fabienne Fredrickson”

How your personal story gets you Clients

How can you use your personal story to get clients? Many entrepreneurs are drawn to their particular business because or a moment or a deciding series of events that changed everything in their lives. Your compelling story can establish instant credibility.

1. Your personal story helps you bond with prospects.

Often your prospects are in the before of your before & after story. People are not buying a business, they are buying a solution first and a relationship second, so if they feel that you have experienced similar challenges that they’ve felt or experiences, they will be closer to you and that relationship biz is formed.

2. Your personal story can be the beginning of your signature talk.

It helps you earn the right to be up there talking to your clients that don’t know you yet.

3. If you don’t have enough credentials, it can give you instant credibility.

Creating a compelling story to share with others can be a catalyst and one of the most powerful ways to attract clients because of that trust factor.

“Fabienne Fredrickson”

Tribute Hurricane Sandy House Signs

I decided to crate a custom line of hand carved house signs in Tribute for the Hurricane Sandy Survivors on 2012 and promote the line on my Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/housesignsguy).

I keep my Facebook Page up to date with pictures of most of my finished jobs that I've done over time, and I keep track of the amount of traffic and comments that most of my Facebook loyalist will leave for me. I noticed that the one picture that gathered the most attention was a house sign that was customized for a client of mine in Long Island, NY who requested that I should create a design with the Hurricane Sandy Survivor in mind.

I accomplished this task by creating this design.

Seeing that my client was happy with the result, I realized that I came up with a niche for myself with these Tribute custom signs. I decided to make a few samples for myself and see how successful these signs will be for me if I sell them in the NYC area. First I posted the pictures on my Facebook Page and the response was very positive. The Facebook Page was busy with action and reaction. I knew that I was on a good track. The only thing left to do is to go out and promote these signs and get orders. 

Here are a few more designs. The signs below are carved and gilded in 24K gold leaf.

Next few signs are carved and painted and gilded in 24K gold leaf. 

HOW TO CREATE MORE VISIBILITY TO YOUR BUSINESS

HOW TO CREATE MORE VISIBILITY TO YOUR BUSINESS

What I’d like to talk to you about today is CONTENT and How To,

• REDUCE

• REUSE

• RECYCLE

When I first started marketing my business I got real clear that Content is King, that you can create Credibility and Visibility using content.

You can create content both Verbal or Written.

Ways you can do that is by,

• Articles

• How To’s

• Videos

• Workshops

Prepare a new article (material, information) every month and repurpose it many different ways, and what will happen then is you will create less content by distributing the information on such social medial sites like Facebook, Twitter, and your website to get the word out there. You will do Less Work, but will get Greater Visibility and more Credibility.

Here’s a question for you to think about.

How can you Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose what you already have?

“Many thanks to Fabienne Fredrickson”

How to Turn Your Business Failures into Growth and Success

How to Turn Your Business Failures into Growth and Success

Let me start off by saying that FAILURE is GOOD! I don’t wish you failure every day, but a healthy small dose of failure in your business is one of the best things that can happen to you.

Here’s why. If everything well all the time you wouldn’t have the opportunity to improve your business. What you should be looking for is for you to advance in your business continually and the better you get at what you do, the more people are attracted to you, the more they pay you and the more your business will grow.

So, failure is good, but, you can only grow IF you learn from your mistakes.

Analyze what went well, and what didn’t go so well and create a system so the mistakes never happen again.

“Fabienne Fredrickson”

HOW TO GET MORE CLIENTS BY STAYING IN TOUCH

HOW TO GET MORE CLIENTS BY STAYING IN TOUCH

A lot of entrepreneurs, people like you and me, once they learn how to put together a client attraction system. It’s about getting new prospects, getting new leads, and once they have the new prospects and the new leads they just don’t do much with them. The reason I am bringing this up is because 90% of closing a sale can be about staying in touch, and taking that person from interest to paying client. That’s very important.

How often do you stay in touch with somebody? How do you stay in touch without feeling like a gnat, always bothering them?

Two simple ways.

• adding value

• always staying on their radar screen

What are some of the things that YOU have done in the past, that have taken somebody from their interest level and brought them to paying client level?

Make a list of all the people who showed interest but are not yet paying clients, there would be quite a few people. Here are a couple of strategies that will work in your favor.

• Send unexpected notes in the mail.  Think how different you would seem from everyone else if they would actually receive something in the mail.

• Send a personal, thoughtful gift.  Send them something really nice that is personal, that shows that you know about them, and care about them, and it’s not something everyone getting with a note, perhaps it’s a book that resonates with them, and you sign something in the beginning, and it’s really heartfelt.

The more of these things that you can do on a regular basis, the more it will seem to the prospect that it’s a sign, that they should be working with you, and in fact IT IS. If you are thinking about them and you care for them, then these are absolutely are valuable things to be doing in your business, and if you can automate them or have a repeatable process for this with many prospects and turning them into paying clients, Good For You.

So, make a list of your prospects and stay in touch with them. If you are new in business, these pointers will be hugely valuable for you, and if you are in business for a while and making very good money, then the key is to systematize it so that it doesn’t all depend on you.

"Fabienne Fredrickson"