PlaqueMaker Blog

Ancestry sites are the second most visited category of websites, fueling what is now a billion-dollar industry complete with television shows, books, magazines, how-to’s and over-the-counter genetic test kits, all in support our obsession with DNA ancestry testing.

June Davis is an executive secretary at Amwell, a 148-year-old company based in Illinois that specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of water and wastewater treatment equipment. In June of 2016, she orders two stainless steel outdoor signs for a yet-to-be completed wastewater treatment facility in New Hampshire.

Throughout history, evidence has proven the popularity of drinking flasks. These durable containers capable of carrying beverages over long distances are first created by nomadic Norwegians, and have evolved along the way to include the hip flask – made for holding a distilled beverage, and many others. Also called canteens, drinking flasks are made of pewter, silver, glass and stainless steel, as well as leather or animal skins. Native Americans and early settlers use drinking flasks; soldiers preferred them in WWII. Silver and glass flasks gain popularity in the early 1800’s, especially as the kidney flask, which is usually contoured to match the curve of the hip or thigh for comfort and discrete placement. Some flasks include small cups to make sharing easier, although generally liquid is drunk directly from the flask.

Peace, Love, Luck … Success, Prosperity, Good Fortune … Hope, Happiness, Health.

Here’s to a New Beginning!

Best wishes for the New Year from all of us at PlaqueMaker.

Today, business leaders everywhere are tasked by their bosses to get the most out of their team. The effect of positive reinforcement on motivation is well-documented; when we receive it, we want more of it. So, if one of your employees does a great job on a project and you recognize their achievement in a meaningful way, chances are your employee will want to feel that same sense of accomplishment again -and work with this in mind on the next challenge, no matter its scope. This is the basic psychology behind successful employee recognition programs.

A few HR stats to ponder. Studies show:

Everyone knows that titanium is strong, but did you know that it is also corrosion-resistant as well? While titanium is nearly as strong as high-strength steel, it is 40 - 45% lighter than steel. Due to its high strength, corrosion resistance, and low weight properties; titanium is trusted for some of the most demanding disciplines, such as aerospace engineering, airline production, dentistry, and biomedical for medical implants. There are even many parts composed of titanium that make up The International Space Station (ISS).

Monopoly. Chess. Battleship. Poker. Cranium. Cribbage. Trivial Pursuit. Quiz Night. Candyland. Yes, that’s right – Candyland. From local bars and hotel lobbies to private living rooms and kitchen tables, Game Night is sweeping the nation as one way to make your gatherings more fun and meaningful. Some will argue that attending a local Game Night is a great way to meet people, too.

Customer: Do you customize signs made for benches and if so, what materials work best for outdoors?

Susie and her husband are building a new home. One of the materials they’re using on the exterior and main staircase is called Old Chicago Brick. “The story behind the brick is very interesting,” Susie says, “particularly since my husband is from Chicago.” The couple wants to share the history behind the brick with friends, family and future visitors to their new home, so they decide to create a custom plaque to mount on the staircase.

We receive a lot of love letters from our customers –valentines, if you will- and we’re grateful for every one of them. Wishing all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day! oxoxo

All over America, public memorials and monuments attract millions of visitors each year, while in private, we establish memorials for loved ones as a way of coping with the grief felt following a death, or as a remembrance of a person, pet or historic event. What does our passion for memorials say about us as a culture and as a nation?

Just what is a perpetual plaque, anyway? It is a display plaque that typically has a top plate and conveniently-spaced rows of space for the easy addition of nameplates at a future date. The ability to add new plates to perpetual plaques make them a highly customizable option for businesses to honor key employees, etc., without having to buy a whole new award or plaque every time they want to make an update. Some perpetual plaques also include space for a photo. The plates themselves are custom engraved with names, job titles, accomplishments and just about anything else you can say in a few words.

What’s the number one interior design trick of all time? The reflective aspect of light. Light makes a room feel larger and more comfortable, not to mention, brighter.

Stenciling is a decorating technique that uses cutouts to transfer patterns onto walls, ceilings, floors, furniture and just about any surface you can imagine. Do-it-yourselfers can buy pre-made stencil designs or you can make your own stencils. Either way, the result is a one-of-a-kind look for your home or office.

Belinda Lents and her family ordered a memorial stone to honor her stepdaughter with the hope that it would arrive before the first anniversary of her death. “We were amazed at the quality, how quickly it arrived, and the detail that went into taking what we wanted on the stone and turning it into something perfect,” Belinda tells us on Facebook. “Thank you for your amazing team of designers, craftsmen/women, shippers, and customer service.”

How about Class Clown? Most Popular? Apple Polisher? Ah yes, those were the days.

When people are looking for a little inspiration, many read motivational quotes, sayings, song lyrics, Bible verses – something that can sum up all of what they’re feeling or doing in just a few words. Many have become part of popular culture and society’s vernacular.