APA Open Community

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

This one has been a work in progress for a few years. We have a place in town called "Portrait of a Warrior" gallery. Inside are paintings of local service members who have died while serving our country. Recently we partnered with them to open a part that services those MIA. We just finished the WWII section, creating 81,000 dog tags that hang in a room. Each is engraved with the MIA's information. The goal is for people to have a place to come and be with that loved one, even if the remains have never been located. As the remains are located, that dog tag comes down and is sent to the family.  We have just begun the rooms housing those from the Korean War and then Vietnam War. It's an amazing tribute to those MIA in our little neck of the woods.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

This one has been a work in progress for a few years. We have a place in town called "Portrait of a Warrior" gallery. Inside are paintings of local service members who have died while serving our country. Recently we partnered with them to open a part that services those MIA. We just finished the WWII section, creating 81,000 dog tags that hang in a room. Each is engraved with the MIA's information. The goal is for people to have a place to come and be with that loved one, even if the remains have never been located. As the remains are located, that dog tag comes down and is sent to the family.  We have just begun the rooms housing those from the Korean War and then Vietnam War. It's an amazing tribute to those MIA in our little neck of the woods.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

This one has been a work in progress for a few years. We have a place in town called "Portrait of a Warrior" gallery. Inside are paintings of local service members who have died while serving our country. Recently we partnered with them to open a part that services those MIA. We just finished the WWII section, creating 81,000 dog tags that hang in a room. Each is engraved with the MIA's information. The goal is for people to have a place to come and be with that loved one, even if the remains have never been located. As the remains are located, that dog tag comes down and is sent to the family.  We have just begun the rooms housing those from the Korean War and then Vietnam War. It's an amazing tribute to those MIA in our little neck of the woods.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

This one has been a work in progress for a few years. We have a place in town called "Portrait of a Warrior" gallery. Inside are paintings of local service members who have died while serving our country. Recently we partnered with them to open a part that services those MIA. We just finished the WWII section, creating 81,000 dog tags that hang in a room. Each is engraved with the MIA's information. The goal is for people to have a place to come and be with that loved one, even if the remains have never been located. As the remains are located, that dog tag comes down and is sent to the family.  We have just begun the rooms housing those from the Korean War and then Vietnam War. It's an amazing tribute to those MIA in our little neck of the woods.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

This one has been a work in progress for a few years. We have a place in town called "Portrait of a Warrior" gallery. Inside are paintings of local service members who have died while serving our country. Recently we partnered with them to open a part that services those MIA. We just finished the WWII section, creating 81,000 dog tags that hang in a room. Each is engraved with the MIA's information. The goal is for people to have a place to come and be with that loved one, even if the remains have never been located. As the remains are located, that dog tag comes down and is sent to the family.  We have just begun the rooms housing those from the Korean War and then Vietnam War. It's an amazing tribute to those MIA in our little neck of the woods.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

Anyone else's shop known as the place that gets it done? A few years ago, a man and his mom wandered in hoping we could help him with a project. David grew up in our small Iowa town but had spent most of his career in LA managing payroll for the TV industry. Covid showed his employers he could still do his job but from Iowa so he traded his downtown LA condo for a sprawling home in the midwest. He finally had a place to display his lifetime collection of Muppet memorabilia which includes authentic Muppets. But he needed a way to do that which would compliment the room.  He also wanted to be able to get the Muppets out for parties. So, think custom cases on a very large scale. We partnered with a woodworker and our local plastics place, carefully matching woods and voila!

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

Anyone else's shop known as the place that gets it done? A few years ago, a man and his mom wandered in hoping we could help him with a project. David grew up in our small Iowa town but had spent most of his career in LA managing payroll for the TV industry. Covid showed his employers he could still do his job but from Iowa so he traded his downtown LA condo for a sprawling home in the midwest. He finally had a place to display his lifetime collection of Muppet memorabilia which includes authentic Muppets. But he needed a way to do that which would compliment the room.  He also wanted to be able to get the Muppets out for parties. So, think custom cases on a very large scale. We partnered with a woodworker and our local plastics place, carefully matching woods and voila!

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

NICE!!! Did he want any engraved or printed plates or anything to further describe each of them?

Anyone else's shop known as the place that gets it done? A few years ago, a man and his mom wandered in hoping we could help him with a project. David grew up in our small Iowa town but had spent most of his career in LA managing payroll for the TV industry. Covid showed his employers he could still do his job but from Iowa so he traded his downtown LA condo for a sprawling home in the midwest. He finally had a place to display his lifetime collection of Muppet memorabilia which includes authentic Muppets. But he needed a way to do that which would compliment the room.  He also wanted to be able to get the Muppets out for parties. So, think custom cases on a very large scale. We partnered with a woodworker and our local plastics place, carefully matching woods and voila!

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

Yes, he did wind up adding plates.  The hardest part was when he left them with us, not playing with them, lol.

NICE!!! Did he want any engraved or printed plates or anything to further describe each of them?

Anyone else's shop known as the place that gets it done? A few years ago, a man and his mom wandered in hoping we could help him with a project. David grew up in our small Iowa town but had spent most of his career in LA managing payroll for the TV industry. Covid showed his employers he could still do his job but from Iowa so he traded his downtown LA condo for a sprawling home in the midwest. He finally had a place to display his lifetime collection of Muppet memorabilia which includes authentic Muppets. But he needed a way to do that which would compliment the room.  He also wanted to be able to get the Muppets out for parties. So, think custom cases on a very large scale. We partnered with a woodworker and our local plastics place, carefully matching woods and voila!

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

Did you add a rider to your insurance while you had possession of them?  I did that once when I took in a million dollars worth of radios to be engraved.  Those are the times you will have a fire, tornado, or burglary.

Yes, he did wind up adding plates.  The hardest part was when he left them with us, not playing with them, lol.

NICE!!! Did he want any engraved or printed plates or anything to further describe each of them?

Anyone else's shop known as the place that gets it done? A few years ago, a man and his mom wandered in hoping we could help him with a project. David grew up in our small Iowa town but had spent most of his career in LA managing payroll for the TV industry. Covid showed his employers he could still do his job but from Iowa so he traded his downtown LA condo for a sprawling home in the midwest. He finally had a place to display his lifetime collection of Muppet memorabilia which includes authentic Muppets. But he needed a way to do that which would compliment the room.  He also wanted to be able to get the Muppets out for parties. So, think custom cases on a very large scale. We partnered with a woodworker and our local plastics place, carefully matching woods and voila!

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

We didn't. Probably needed that more when we had Caitlin's Wooden trophy & jersey in the house.  (Her parents are friends.)  

Did you add a rider to your insurance while you had possession of them?  I did that once when I took in a million dollars worth of radios to be engraved.  Those are the times you will have a fire, tornado, or burglary.

Yes, he did wind up adding plates.  The hardest part was when he left them with us, not playing with them, lol.

NICE!!! Did he want any engraved or printed plates or anything to further describe each of them?

Anyone else's shop known as the place that gets it done? A few years ago, a man and his mom wandered in hoping we could help him with a project. David grew up in our small Iowa town but had spent most of his career in LA managing payroll for the TV industry. Covid showed his employers he could still do his job but from Iowa so he traded his downtown LA condo for a sprawling home in the midwest. He finally had a place to display his lifetime collection of Muppet memorabilia which includes authentic Muppets. But he needed a way to do that which would compliment the room.  He also wanted to be able to get the Muppets out for parties. So, think custom cases on a very large scale. We partnered with a woodworker and our local plastics place, carefully matching woods and voila!

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

I find that the most rewarding projects are those you design in-house, where you start with raw material and fabricate the finished project from that state forward.  I've been doing more and more of that with wood.  I've got a project that is not complete yet, but getting close.  I'll post pictures when it is completed and installed.  The design required me to make nine 18"x18" octagon shaped plaques out of cherry with a reddish tone finish so it would tie in with the surrounding finishes of the space.  I did all of the milling, glueups, routing, sanding and finishing to come up with some very nice plaques.  I've got all of the plates applied to them and am working on the unique centerpiece that will tie everything together.  The purpose of the whole wall display is to highlight the years of service milestones of all of the staff of this organization.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

I look forward to seeing the finished product. That's a lot of work!

I find that the most rewarding projects are those you design in-house, where you start with raw material and fabricate the finished project from that state forward.  I've been doing more and more of that with wood.  I've got a project that is not complete yet, but getting close.  I'll post pictures when it is completed and installed.  The design required me to make nine 18"x18" octagon shaped plaques out of cherry with a reddish tone finish so it would tie in with the surrounding finishes of the space.  I did all of the milling, glueups, routing, sanding and finishing to come up with some very nice plaques.  I've got all of the plates applied to them and am working on the unique centerpiece that will tie everything together.  The purpose of the whole wall display is to highlight the years of service milestones of all of the staff of this organization.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------

I find that the most rewarding projects are those you design in-house, where you start with raw material and fabricate the finished project from that state forward.  I've been doing more and more of that with wood.  I've got a project that is not complete yet, but getting close.  I'll post pictures when it is completed and installed.  The design required me to make nine 18"x18" octagon shaped plaques out of cherry with a reddish tone finish so it would tie in with the surrounding finishes of the space.  I did all of the milling, glueups, routing, sanding and finishing to come up with some very nice plaques.  I've got all of the plates applied to them and am working on the unique centerpiece that will tie everything together.  The purpose of the whole wall display is to highlight the years of service milestones of all of the staff of this organization.

Hi APA Members,

We're launching a new series to learn about the incredible work of our community of personalization pros!

This week, we want to hear: What's a recent project or order you're proud of?

Share a photo and tell us what inspired it! Have questions about another member's project? Ask away!

NOTE: Please avoid sharing photos of items that display the names of private individuals.

------------------------------
APA Administrator
info@personalizationpros.org
847.375.4800
------------------------------