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Knowing that the heart of chalk artwork started in pubs throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, we were looking for inspiration close to home. While on a visit to a local microbrewery for a growler refill, we picked up a “passport” to New Hampshire breweries.  Just that spring we discovered roofing slate here in New England. Brainstorming on how they could be used, brewpub slate signs kept floating to the top.

Brewpub Slate Signs

One of the first stops on our New Hampshire Brewery road trip was to Throwback Brewery. It was an early spring day and unusually warm – especially since this old converted farm is so close to the seacoast.  While all the excitement and energy was outside, inside we were slapped in the face with what we saw.  Old roofing slate, likely from an old post and beam barn, was being used for brewpub slate signs of all the beers on tap.

Neatly formatted on the wall, they hung from hooks and as a tap ran dry, they would be removed and replaced with the next craft beer.  What an outstanding concept!  So we thought, “How could this be made better?”  The idea fermented as we continued our tour of more than 20 breweries and brewpubs during the summer of 2016.

 

Brewpub Chalk Art Slate Sign closeup of a Microbrew Label Dog

In an act of kindness, our daughter and her wife bought us a tour to the only brewpub in Manchester, New Hampshire.  While we had our passport “stamped” at this venue, the visit was not memorable.  It could be that we were fatigued from other visits at that point, or just not paying attention.  But everything happens for a reason, and Stark Brewing Company was going to get a second chance.

Stark Brewing Company

Researching the brewpub brought a surprise about the label designs on the cans.  We knew the original name of the famous venue down by the Merrimack river in Manchester was Milly’s.  What we did not know is that it was named after the owner’s favorite German Shepherd.

Stark Brewing Company new Can Lineup featuring images of dogs

With still no idea where the project was going, the path was going to be full of surprises.  Looking to another local business, “The Lazy Dog Beer Shoppe” in our hometown of Londonderry, New Hampshire, the call went out.  Well actually, in today’s modern world, the tweet went out.  We needed the can with Milly’s picture on it to create a brewpub slate sign.  The goal was to create a chalk art replica of the new labels used by Stark Brewing.

Zipping over to the beer shop, they had some of the oatmeal stout in stock.  Honey, the owner’s dog, gave us no more than a lift of the head, sunning herself in the front window that day.  They had singles, but we opted for the full 6 pack since, well, since we had to do a full review.

Our Budding Chalk Artist

Milly's Brewpub Slate Signs in production at the Cohas studiosWhen selecting interns here at Cohas Chalkboard and Marker Systems, we look for a broad set of skills. Often this includes an interest in the arts.  Melina Kae has done a number of chalk art projects for us including our popular pineapple welcome sign.  We know she loves to draw dogs. Though this was an adult beverage image, she had to be the one assigned to it.

Melina is a senior at our local high school with plans to attend a school for the arts next fall.

Working for the afternoon, Melina brought the Stark Brewing Company label to life on the slate.  “The thing I find amazing about this replica of the Milly’s Oatmeal Stout can label is that it was all done with chalk markers. Other than of course the fact that I love dogs, but everyone here knows that,” said Kathy Wagner in the studio while Melina worked. Melina had fewer words for us when asked about the project, “This has to be the most fun thing I have ever had to do here!”

Back to the Brewpub

Brewmaster Peter Telge believes in giving back to the community. As something we can appreciate, it is one of our primary goals here at Cohas Chalkboard and Marker Systems.  Each year Stark Brewing Company holds “Sip for Strays”, with the proceeds going to saving puppies. This is something we thought about while sipping our flight of Stark brews after our tour.

First Bottle of Stark Brewing Company Vodka Our tour would have ended then but one of the brewmasters was “taking the day off” and in house.  He had to show us the new distillery operation making vodka using distilled grain from the brewpub.  Made right here in New Hampshire, this was smooth but powerful when splashed over ice and sipped.  Truth be told, the fragrance of the aromatic still with a steady “drip, drip” may have made most of the impact on our palate.

Stark Brewpub has been in operation since 1999. If you are in southern New Hampshire looking for a good brew and a bite to eat, seek them out.  They even have a function and catering operation where they can seat 10-100 in a private area of the brewpub.  Looking to try your hand at chalk art on slate?  Be sure to order some markers and slate here on Cohas today!

While those vodka labels did not have the impact of the dogs on the company’s beer cans, we expect soon they will come up with something to capture your imagination.  If not, we are sure a young budding artist like Melina would be happy to help out.

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In Portland, Oregon there is a cafe called Little River Cafe, owned by Thierry Pasquiou. A little over a year ago Thierry purchased an A-Frame chalkboard with regular chalk to advertise his specials. The cafe was looking for a sidewalk sign to draw people in. As some would know, the weather in Oregon is usually rainy, so you could imagine what his A-frame board looked like on those rainy days!  As Theirry said, “Every time it rained it got washed away or on nice busy days, some kids would brush their fingers and ruined the nice hand writing.”  The Little River Cafe needed waterproof chalk markers.  They just had no idea they were even available.

Cafe Sign with Waterproof Chalk Markers

Thierry was ready to give up and buy a completely different frame that he could use with markers. Then he came across our website Cohas.com, and couldn’t be happier.  “Not only you can use them on real chalkboards, they are truly weather resistant, the Oregon weather has proved it. The rain actually makes them even shinier… proof that it works!” Waterproof Zig markers will only wash off with an ammonia based cleaner. This resulted in no worries about the rain or kids wiping off his sign. Theirry even overheard a couple walking by talking about the Pumpkin Spice latte. It was advertised on his sign and they walked right in to order. If the chalk he had been using had been wiped off, the customers might have never stopped in to taste the delicious drink.

Cohas and the Little River Cafe

At Cohas Marker and Chalkboard Systems are happy that we were able to provide him a waterproof chalk markers. It was a bonus to keep his beautiful sidewalk sign and save him from having to buy a whole new product.  We appreciate the time Theirry took to write to us and wish him the best with his cafe!

Let us know how you use our products. When you share your story we will give you a $15.00 off coupon for your next purchase!

About the Cafe; Little River Café proudly serves breakfast, sandwiches, salads, & all-natural hamburgers, each made to order with the freshest ingredients; along with Oregon-famous Umpqua Ice cream, coffee & espresso drinks from long-time local roaster K & F who won the 2013 Best Cup of Oregon, as well as micro-brewed beers and Northwest wines. They use Portland French Bakery breads & buns for our sandwiches and toasts and we also offer gluten free options from Franz Bakehouse.

Located on the Willamette’s west bank in RiverPlasce Esplanade in Portland, Oregon,  you will find a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

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Repeated Annual, Monthly, Weekly, Daily event, but don’t want to reproduce a new banner for each event? Use the Zig Posterman recycling water-proof markers! Do surface irregularities make it challenging to change information? Use clear package tape to make it easy to write, change and remove markings!  A Massachusetts community used these ideas and more to solve solid waste problems in town.

Devens Solid Waste Saves Planet with Zig Posterman Recycling printed sign with 15mm date marked on it

The North Central Regional Solid Waste Cooperative also known as MassToss promotes routine events for member communities with yard signs and banners. It is a recycling and waste management cooperative that serves over 80,000 residents and 14 plus communities. It’s important to members that resource material be conserved and used responsibly.

Signs were produced and information such as dates and location were changed by taping updated information on to signs and banners. This procedure was time consuming both with labor necessary and material preparation. Information was laser printed on to recycled overhead projection film and then taped to signs and banners. Removing the tape was cumbersome and left residual adhesive that collected dirt and debris making the signs look worn and ratty. It became difficult to update with new readable information.

This problem was resolved by using the Zig Posterman Recycling 15 mm markers. The information could be changed and updated easily. Initially the narrower 6mm waterproof markers were used but were not nearly as noticeable. Additionally, some surfaces of posters and signs were found to be difficult to remove some residue of the markers, so clear packing tape was applied to the areas were information would be updated which made the application, removal and updating quick and easy!

Signs and Step Stakes

The type of plastic in the image is referred to as Coroplast, it is a corrugated plastic that looks a lot like cardboard.  Since it is non-porous and made of plastic it does a good job with the Zig Posterman markers.  With age the signs may start to “chalk” and some staining may occur, for the price even this limitation is often overlooked.

This customer used a hybrid solution. They used the Zig Posterman Recycling on printed signs, and remove then change the dates each year.  Blank signs and wide markers can provide a very flexible option for quick sign needs.

Often used for printed political signs, Coroplast signs are great for garage sales, event signage or quick directional signs.  In 2017 we will be rolling out kits that include coroplast, step stakes and a marker for fast easy signs.  You can make these signs at a moments notice, like when that detour you did not expect is set up past your store!

When cut so the corrugation is vertical the sign can be used with Step-Stakes.  The name comes from the thought that you can “step” on the crossbars to place the stakes into the ground.  Unless you have sandy soil we do not recommend that, the stake will bend or break.  In New England, or anywhere with hard ground we recommend using a 1/4 inch extended length electricians drill bit.  This can be used with a battery powered drill to put holes in the ground for the stakes.

Need help with your sign or chalkboard projects? Reach out to us here at Cohas Chalkboard Systems on our contact page.  The best products come from finding solutions to our customers needs.

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There are many different reasons to create beautiful, fun and quirky signs and many types of medium to use. This video is of John Neal, a chalkboard artist in the United Kingdom.  He  is creating a sign to thank his fans with a Chalkboard Sign for helping him reach one thousand followers on YouTube.

John uses 3 different colors of Zig Posterman Markers for his sign- white, red, and black, in the 30mm size tip. He squeezes a little of each paint into a container to use them with a paint brush. He also mixes together a little white and red to make pink.

Thank You Chalkboard Sign

John starts by using the white Zig Posterman paint with a paint brush to write out the words “There is No” and underneath he writes the words “THEM & US” in block lettering. He goes back to the words at the top to touch them up and add in a little shading. Going back to the words “THEM & US”, he uses his paint brush dipped in red paint this time, painting in the top one third of each letter. He quickly uses a hairdryer to dry the red before continuing. Next, he uses some of the pink paint he mixed up to paint more letters before painting the last with white.

ALERT New Product for Making a Chalkboard Sign

FChalkboard Sign Paint Pots in 12 New Colorsor years John Neal has been “milking” Zig Posterman waterproof markers to obtain the chalkboard paint from them.  In January of 2017 we now have available Zig Posterman Paint Pots!
These paint pots are a collection of liquid chalk paints that come in many different colors. Each pot contains same premium quality ink found in the Zig Posterman Waterproof markers.  Manufactured and imported from Kuretake Co of Japan. The paint provides a quality liquid ink for your artwork that can be used pure, or mixed together for your own unique colors! They can be used on all Cohas products, as well as classic chalkboards, plastic, metal, glass, and more.

Available in 12 colors including some of the favorites used by chalkboard artists at Whole Foods.  Salsa Verde, English Cucumber, Buttercup and more ready for your brushwork!

When he finishes painting the block letters he uses a smaller white Zig Posterman Marker, but this time re-outline and fill in some spots. He then takes a black 2mm woodcraft marker to separate the the letters. Since the chalkboard is black, John is able to go over any mistakes he might have made.

Before finishing, John adds just a couple more details. He uses his paint brush again with a little more white paint to create two stars. He does this by painting a small circle and smudging the paint with his finger and adding a few criss-crossed lines to become stars.

Be sure to watch the video below to see the techniques John Neal used for his sign.

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