Ye Olde Sign Shoppe

Specialties

At Ye Olde Sign Shoppe, we are rooted in the Vermont tradition of quality and classic design.

We live in a world that communicates visually more than ever. In order to be effective, it all starts with great design that triggers an emotional response. That response can bring humor or comfort… and it’s the inspiration behind the handpainted wood signs that we design and produce from a variety of new and reclaimed materials for homes and businesses.

We also design and produce commercial signage of all kinds, and can help your business by developing the image and marketing materials you need to succeed. No project is too large or small, too simple or complex.

History

Established in 1999.

Ye Olde Sign Shoppe began in 1999 when Bill Kaigle decided he wanted to make a few «old-​looking signs» on naturally aged wood and other interesting materials. So he handmade the artwork and produced a pretty cool «Antiques» sign. Then his roommate asked him to paint the name of his parents’ camp on an antique ice saw. From there he was hooked, and it wasn’t long before more requests came in and a business was born. Jen Kaigle began helping with the actual handpainting step of the signmaking process a few years later, and she now does all of the painting.

Due to the use of natural materials and handpainting, Jen originally gave us the name «Hand & Nature Signworks». But taking on a broader range of work a couple of years later led to the more open, yet time-​honored name we have today.

We reside at our home studio in Milton, Vermont with our daughter Anna and son Evan.

Meet the Business Owner

Bill K.

Business Owner

Bill is a lifelong Vermonter and primarily self-​taught artist. His desire to create natural pieces of organic beauty, introspection and carefree whimsy — as well as to capture a sense of time and place — is reflected in the designs and the signs he creates with his wife, Jen.

Bill’s love of letterforms and the art of typographic style began at an early age — I handlettered mailboxes at the age of 12 — and has held the strongest, and continues to grow today. After earning degrees in Marketing and Business Management from Champlain College, he followed his passion into a career in the graphic arts. Travel to Europe has also deepened his love of historic sign and poster art, influencing color choices and creation of richly patinaed surfaces.

Many inspirations come from nature, and Bill will often ‘follow the wood’s lead’ toward a design that suits a substrate. He enjoys exploring the emotion, creativity and unique ideas of our clients, and then bringing them to life!