I Can Make a Sign! | Am I Opening a Shop?!

Do you know Chalkboy?
He is an artist who creates the chalk art you often see in cafes and similar places.
He works on store displays, as well as snack packaging and original merchandise.
My daughter loves him, and since she frequently attends his events, I sometimes tag along as her mother.
The letters and pictures he draws are so cute and full of character.
I wouldn't say I'm as obsessed as my daughter, but I've been influenced by her and have gotten hooked too.

That Chalkboy...
He does improvisational sign-making at events all over the country.
It's the perfect chance for an ordinary person to ask for one, but...
“Well, I don't actually have a shop... Oh, wait, should I open one?!”
That's what happened. (Wait, am I really doing this?!)

For what it's worth, I did receive a certificate that allows me to open a soap-making class.
Since I had the chance, I decided to put my unused skills to work and make a base for a sign out of stained glass.
(They provide base boards in various shapes and materials, but you're also allowed to bring your own.)

I'll make it a round wreath shape so it can also be used as an icon, and have him write the text in the center!!
I brainstormed various ideas, like having the center be in the shape of soap bubbles...

But in reality, when I tried to layer the glass three times to get that bubbly look, it became incredibly heavy and too difficult to fit into the center of the wreath.
So, I left that as it was, put a mirror in the wreath shape, and ended up with two different pieces.
After all, I had been waiting for an event within traveling distance, and since opportunities like this are rare, I decided to have him write on both of them.

Also, for another project, I was making a welcome board for a friend's daughter's wedding out of stained glass.
When I told my daughter on the train ride there, “It’s perfect timing, so I think I’ll ask him to write on that too...”
She insisted, “I’m the fan, so you should ask him to write on mine instead!!”
It just so happened that she had told me she was getting married a few days prior.
Of course she would say that; she’s the one who loves Chalkboy.
I’m sure she didn't find it fair that her mother, who just popped up out of nowhere, or some other girl she didn't know, would get one.

But even so, telling me that now... is a bit much.

That’s when I remembered I had two signs.
“Then, let’s have him write ‘Welcome’ on this wreath shape!!”
I decided that just minutes before we arrived, which was quite a surprise.
Chalkboy must have been surprised too.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise...
The welcome board turned out even more wonderful.

#Chalkboy #50s #DailyLife #WelcomeBoard #Essay