From the White House
A Special Letter from the White House
A very good customer (and friend) recently received a hand-signed letter from President Barack Obama. It was a very touching letter, discussing equal rights and marriage. The President also included a photograph of the White House.
Wow. Just wow.
Creative prompts
What a wonderful environment for sparking creativity!
For me, creativity is often inspired by a blend of curiosity, emotion, and the beauty of the world around us. In your community, the preserved downtown, the Mississippi River, the bluffs, and the authentic working elements offer a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and stories that can trigger a creative response.
The changing of the seasons and the longer autumnal light add a unique touch, creating a canvas of brilliant colors and intriguing shadows that seem to invite artistic expression.
Here are a few creative prompts that might resonate with you in Red Wing:
Nature Walks: Take a leisurely walk along the Mississippi River or through the river bluffs. Observe the changing colors of the leaves, the reflections on the water, and the wildlife. Capture these moments through photography, painting, or writing.
Historic Exploration: Visit the preserved downtown and imagine the stories of the buildings and the people who lived there. Write a short story or poem inspired by a particular building or location.
Industrial Inspiration: Watch the barges, railroads, and manufacturing activities. The interplay of machinery, human effort, and the environment can inspire both visual and written art.
Seasonal Changes: Embrace the changing seasons. Create a photo series, paintings, or journal entries that document the transition from summer to autumn.
Community Connections: Engage with the local community. Attend events, talk to residents, and discover their stories. Use these interactions as inspiration for creative projects.
Blood chit
A Piece of History: The Blood Chit
This is one of those pieces that come through the shop that really makes you pause and reflect.
"I am a citizen of the United States of America. I do not speak your language. Misfortune forces me to seek your assistance in obtaining food, shelter, and protection. Please take me to someone who will provide for my safety and see that I am returned to my people. My government will reward you.”
This is the first paragraph written in English, and it is repeated in 13 languages. It is called a blood chit, and it is from the Vietnam War (1968).
A blood chit is a prepared message carried by military air crews and other service members deemed to be at what the military calls “high risk of isolation." It is written in local languages that a lost service member can present to most anyone who might help.
It is printed on silk for durability and was distributed immediately before a dangerous mission.
Blood chits originated in England 200 years ago and were introduced to the US military during WWII. They have been used during the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, and through both Middle East conflicts.
Master Certified Picture Framer
Valerie Becker Achieves Master Certified Picture Framer Status
Valerie Becker has been recognized as a Master Certified Picture Framer by the Professional Picture Framing Association this month.
This is a significant accomplishment in the picture framing industry, demonstrating her skill and knowledge set at the highest professional standard.
Valerie is the first person in the state of Minnesota to achieve this accreditation and one of only 60 Master Certified Picture Framers in the world.
Congratulations, Val!
Big plans for 2014
Happy Holidays and Exciting Plans Ahead!
As we celebrate the holidays, it feels fitting to share an example of one of the smallest projects we've worked on, given the topic of big plans.
2013 was a challenging year, with some plans not materializing as expected. However, we were proud to participate in several large projects that made a significant impact.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting plans for 2014. While it's a bit premature to announce anything specific, the wheels are already in motion, and we are very optimistic and excited for the new year.
Stay tuned for more updates, and happy holidays!
Equipment investment
Investing in Quality: Our Mat Cutting Journey
Since we opened our shop in 2002, we've relied on a Gunnar computerized mat cutter. This Swiss-made equipment has been an invaluable asset, offering both productivity and quality. The Gunnar has never failed us.
However, relying too heavily on a single piece of equipment isn't ideal for business. If the Gunnar were to fail, we'd need to revert to hand-cutting mats. While we've done this before and it works, it's slow and prone to errors.
That said, investing in a computerized mat cutter is costly. It's not worth buying cheap equipment if it fails or becomes inaccurate.
So, we decided to invest in a Valiani. This substantial piece of Italian-made equipment is larger and more rugged than the Gunnar.
Italian engineering differs significantly from Swiss engineering. The Swiss favor minimalist design, while the Italians excel in over-engineered designs.
We plan to keep the Gunnar for everyday use and utilize the Valiani for larger projects.
Go forth and conquer
Recognizing Our Local Talent: Devin and Hailey
We are very fortunate to have a steady source of dependable and reliable workers from the local vocational college.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical has a unique guitar and mandolin building program. These students typically have an uncommon attention to detail and are always mechanically inclined.
We came to know Devin and his girlfriend Hailey this past year while Devin attended the guitar program. Devin is holding his final electric guitar project and Hailey is holding his mandolin project.
We hired Devin last year, and he was a terrific employee. He finished his program and immediately landed a job in St. Paul at a guitar shop.
We are delighted to have gotten to know both of them and wish them good luck!