For several years, after completing the Woodland Gate along the Dragon's Spine, I have put off making and installing a sign. Several false starts to make my own sign exposed my inability to master the craftsmanship necessary to carve my own sign in Chinese characters. So, I decided to search for someone who could complete the task in a manner consistent with quality, and within a price range that I could afford.
There were no local sign makers who fulfilled either criteria, so I ventured online and eventually I decided on Etsy as my best bet. In a very short time I came across a link for Green Apple Goods, an Etsy site owned and operated by Erik Minkin.
I noticed that Erik had a variety of signs, including ones made of Chinese characters. I contacted Erik and he assured me that he could easily make the sign for the Woodland Gate. It was easy, I simply sent Erik a digital copy of the characters I wanted, and he took care of the rest.
Once I saw the mockup of the signs, I decided that I would have him make signs for my other gates as well, the East Gate in the Stroll Garden and the Middle Gate in the main entrance between the house and garage.
I have long referred to these gates in this manner, but they only had signs indicating the name of the garden, Songni Yuan. I thought it was time to formally designate each gate, and these signs would prove to be a great way to do so.
Erik uses pine wood from New Zealand and the wood is finished with a Danish Oil (Natural hue). As a result, his signs have a nice dark brown tone and the letters standout in a much lighter color, similar to my bamboo and stained cedar fence. I thought having the sings in this color combination would add some contrast and a bit more interest to the garden gates.
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| Woodland Gate |
The finished products were wonderful. I am so happy with the way they turned out. Erik did a great job with the characters, which would have been impossible for me to do with basic tools and no skill. They look fantastic.
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| Middle Gate |
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| East Gate |
Becuase they are going to stay outside from spring to fall, I thought that it was important to finish them with a protective varnish. Erik recommended that I use a marine spar varnish, which I did. It can be a bit shinny, but it will ensure that these signs last a long time.
I moved the original Songni Yuan sign from the East Gate back to the sukashigaki (see through fence) entry way to the garden near the gazebo.
It needed a home, and this entryway does not have a gate, but is one of three entrances to the main garden, so it seemed like a good location.
I'm really fortunate to have discovered Erik and Green Apple Goods. If you are looking for someone to make similar signs using Chinese of Japanese characters, Erik is definitely someone who you should contact.
I am so glad that I did. I will now admire my new signs daily as I enter and exit Songni Yuan.
