Sign making

Last week I started making signs for the Refugio del Quetzal. As always, we have to be creative because our budget demands it. But it works out for the better because instead of being tempted to buy big colorful metal/plastic signs, we are making natural wooden signs from trees that had already fallen in the park. To do so, we use a machine called a 'router' to carve out the letters. After carving the letters, we'll finish the signs with a layer of varnish to weather-protect them. The final product will blend in better with the park and have a more subtle presence, as opposed to big intrusive metal/plastic signs. Plus, hand-made signs are just way cooler.

Here's a tutorial on how to make park signs a la Peace Corps.

Step 1: Draw outline of sign. Letters should be the height and width of a hand.


Step 2: Carve out letters. Remember the golden rule from kindergarten: stay inside the lines.


Step 3: Revise and add any finishing touches.


Step 4: Varnish and admire


One handicapped parking sign. You can click on the photo to make it bigger and get a better look at it.