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Neon Sign Maker

Artisan: Custom Neon, Poulsbo, WA
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Do you want to be a Neon Sign Artist?

Color, light, design, glass. Do these elements speak to your creativity? Are you looking for an opportunity to bring your design and artistic skills to a craft that truly sparkles? Master glassbender Laurie Lewis, owner of Custom Neon, is “fired up” to have you join her for a VocationVacations® career mentorship on how to become a neon sign maker. Join Laurie at her shop in Poulsbo, Washington, a picturesque Pacific Northwest community a short ferry ride from Seattle.

Laurie’s first serious job was in kitchen design for cabinet companies. When that business began to slow in the 1980’s, her grandfather had a suggestion. “He was a pioneer in the neon sign business back in the 1930’s and suggested I join him in his Salt Lake City shop and learn how to bend glass,” remembers Laurie. She decided to give it a try and discovered a new passion and a new career.

During her years working with her grandfather, she did work for the Osmond Studios, the Utah Artist Guild, the Utah Art Festival and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to name a few of her customers. Her work can also be found in private homes throughout the Salt Lake City area. Eventually, she moved to the Seattle area and in 2000 opened her own shop, Custom Neon, in Poulsbo.

Custom Neon produces custom art and signage for commercial, architectural lighting, visual art and vintage restoration projects. Laurie has produced everything from beer and espresso signs to a collection of science fiction neon creations that depict a look at the future from the 1960’s. She is a master at her craft, and many of her pieces are on display at local galleries.

“The art of neon sign making has not changed since it was invented in 1912. The hand bending of tubes to form shapes is still the same,” says Laurie. What makes every piece different is the creativity the glassbender brings to the project. “Every time I complete a sign and it is lighted up, I think this is the coolest sign I’ve ever seen.” Many of her customers seem to feel the same way. “First, they tell me how cool they think their sign is, and then ask if they can give me a hug.”

What kind of skills help in the neon sign business? “Good hand to eye coordination is a definite plus, as well as math and visual skills to design the plans,” explains Laurie. “You also need to be patient with the process and careful. But, an occasional burnt figure is just part of the job.”

Laurie is well-respected in her industry and proud of her work. What would her grandfather think of the neon sign business today and the pieces Laurie produces? “When I first started making neon pink flamingos and palm trees, my grandfather said, ‘Can you really sell those trinkets?’,” laughs Laurie. “Today, he would probably just shake his head in wonder at the variety of pieces I make.”

While on your Neon Sign Maker VocationVacations® career mentorship with Laurie Lewis at Custom Neon, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Gain an overview of the neon sign/art making process, including safety considerations
  • Make a pattern of a neon piece which they will then produce
  • Estimate materials, including glass, mounting materials and hardware
  • Bend glass!
  • Bombard the completed unit, including blowing traps, using and understanding mercury, metering in gas
  • Age-in and paint the completed unit
  • Mount the unit and wire it to transformer
  • Identify suppliers
  • Discuss wholesale vs. retail sales, including online and gallery marketing
  • Identify potential avenues of income
  • Produce your very own self-made small piece of neon artwork
The Neon Sign Maker VocationVacations® career mentorship with Laurie Lewis at Custom Neon includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a Neon Sign Maker
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post- VocationVacations career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job coming to reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: Based on mentor's availability

Price: $1099 Per Person

Book This Career Mentorship



Suggested Accommodations

Foxbrier Cottage

Holiday Inn Express

(Not included in the price of your VocationVacations® dream job holiday.)

Other activities and Tourist Destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure:

Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.