Decorative Concrete News & Tips Brought To You by Engrave-A-Crete

No, Chip’s not behind bars — he’s preserving history. “Decorative Concrete Meets Concrete Repair”, was part of the Chico State CIM Summer Field School, (University of California at Chico); Engrave-A-Crete was invited to offer expertise on mechanical texturing of concrete. Boy, I wish I had thought of that fancy, academic term for ‘concrete engraving’!

Students using the Barracuda, part of the Kaleidocrete System, prepare surfaces for patching. Then, the Barracuda will be useful to alter that new patch so that it looks ‘old’ and matches the long-ago concrete of the entire Alcatraz structure.

Amid some soft historical controversy over whether La Isla de los Alcatraces, the Spanish naming of the Island of Alcatraz was referring to pelicans or lilies, the location has been the catalyst for the most renowned use of the small island (approximately 22 acres). Difficult to approach or leave without being seen, the island made a solid, solitary location for a federal prison. Those conditions contributed to the unique distinction held by the prison known as The Rock — the only federal prison from which there was no successful escape.

Today, Alcatraz is a national landmark and is part of the National Park Services. Engrave-A-Crete, Chip and all the team are proud to have been involved with the restoration/preservation work being done there.

Brian Pollock has joined the shipping team at Engrave-A-Crete.  He brings shipping experience from other positions and particularly likes the challenges shipping brings:

• pull the right products
• double check
• pack them carefully
• get them off to the customer

Besides making your order a priority during his time at work, Brian is a lifelong resident of Mansfield and a student at Drury University, finishing a Bachelors degree in Criminology/Psychology/Socialogy.

Future plans include joining the National Guard Reserves.

Brian enjoys hunting, fishing, family and his church activities.

Wildfire in California left only the floor of this patio when it swept across the customer’s property. During the rebuilding process, the owner installed steel support posts to replace the burned wooden ones. The concrete patio had to be cut so different concrete could be poured to support the new posts. The new concrete against the old was simply plain and ugly.

Colors on Concrete owner, Marty Meewis was given the task of creating an engraving that would make everything look better. Marty based designs on the geometric reality of the new concrete and engraved more shapes to create a fluid look of varied, but collaborating geometrics.

The concrete wasn’t stained. The drama of the gray enhances the circles, squares, triangles and rectangles for an uncomplicated, yet intriguing design.

Colors on Concrete

Marty Meewis

Upland California

909-239-5374

Steve Larsen — let’s talk about him! Steve has joined the Engrave-A-Crete sales/consulting staff and he’s going to be a great help to engravers. Steve’s more recent experience has been with commercial real estate which has led to familiarity with manufacturing processes and some sense of structure. Those are big words for ‘getting it ‘ about tools and concrete!

Many of you have visited the Missouri facility and know what Steve means when he talks about the first time he walked through Engrave-A-Crete.

“I saw excellence. I admire the quality of the tools; you can just feel and sense the ease of progression and brilliance of the design. I found the tools easier to use than I expected. Running them actually had a calming affect because there was no fear of screwing up.”

Steve says he’s committed to helping engravers and contractors succeed with marketing information and customer service. His previous people experience includes the understanding how important it is to follow through and share information or good ideas that will help businesses succeed.
This may just be me, but I think people are going to find Steve’s experience and point of view valuable for brainstorming about marketing.

“I like to work with people and when someone that I am working with achieves their dream or goal, well, that is just my favorite thing.”

He’s lived in the western Missouri area for about 7 1/2 years, commuting between Springfield and Kansas City. He enjoys fishing, reading and writing in his spare time.

He can be reached directly at 417-554-2215 or stevelarsen@engraveacrete.com.

We make templates kits and custom templates for decorative concrete engraving–  fancy ones like Oriental rugs, specific ones like logos, cute ones like your pet. Some of these templates are big — as big as your imagination calls for.

Often large templates are created with individual pieces, sort of like puzzle pieces or snap-together toys. That makes the large templates easier to handle when stored or shipped.

Steve will be cutting more large templates into more sensible small sections for reassembly due to changes in UPS shipping rules. Compliance with the new rules will help keep your shipping costs down by avoiding oversize charges and still let you have the template in the size you need.

If you need anything at all, you can always get Steve, our template master, at 1-800-884-2114 Ext. 107. His email is steve@engraveacrete.com.