David Smith

My Glue Chipping Journey I will never forget the first time I saw Glue Chipping in a sign. It happened during my visit to Disneyland Anaheim with my now-wife. We passed an ornate Pop Corn Stand in the park when…

In the world of artisanal glasswork, few techniques capture the imagination and skill quite like glue chipping. With its origins shrouded in history and its allure enduring through the ages, glue-chipping glass stands as a testament to the ingenuity and…

Receiving my MBE at Windsor Castle was a memorable occasion. But I will never forget the moment I set eyes on Michelin House. Inside and out, this beautiful building is a stunning example of London's eclectic architecture - and has…

John Althouse and F.A. Geiger were two talented American artisans who made the decision to move to Sydney in the late 19th Century. As this story reveals, their arrival was to have an immediate and lasting impact on the signwriting…

Have you ever come across a piece of gilded art that has taken your breath away? Gold, the most noble of metals, has always mesmerised people, and even the process of 'goldbeating' to create gold leaf is fascinating. Let me…

Have you ever wondered how signwriters create that elegant gold leaf lettering you often see on classic reverse-painted glass signs, pubs, restaurants and tattoo shops? From collecting your materials to applying gold leaf to glass, this article outlines the basics…

Have you ever wondered how a master gilder crafts ornate lettering for signs or printed designs (e.g. tattoo art?) It requires a combination of specialist skills and carefully sourced suppliers, and this post takes you through the entire process I…