All of our products are 100% Made in USA

Personalized plaques are great as everyone likes to see their name on plaques at a front door, on a Wine Cellar, or for their kids room.  Personalized plaques show ownership and affiliation.  Personalized plaques show what we love and what is important in our life.  That’s why personalized plaques always make great gifts.

When we first started our business 20 years ago, we created kids room plaques for LL Bean. We created a bear plaque, a moose plaque and a dinasour plaque.  Our only way to personalize at that time was by hand–my hand!  I did the calligraphy on hundreds and hundreds of plaques!  We also did plaques for LL Bean-Japan so I had the task of printing lots of Japanese names too.   

Carved sign for Kids Room.

Nowdays we actually carve the names into the plaque.  This creates a very high quality plaque as once we carve the name we then apply a stain which captures the depth of the carved name and it looks fantastic.  We also do lots of different fonts and styles so if you want a certain typeface we can probably produce it!

Tiki Bar Sign, personalized with your name

 

 Years ago we did a personalized Tasting Room sign for a catalog company called International Wine Accesssories.  It is a beautiful plaque for any wine lover or anyone with a wine cellar.  It is one of my favorite Wine pieces even after all these years.

I also carved signs for customers to use their own phrase. This is a great option for anyone with a spiritual sentiment or phrase that defines who they are.

Sunflower plaque, personalized with a phrase

 

Tasting Room Wine Cellar plaque personalized with a name

I have carved signs that can be personalized for all types of decor themes. We have nautical themed signs and French Chateau plaques. 

Boat Sign, personalized with a name

I hope you visit our webstore www.piazzapisano.com to view all of our personalized plaques. All of our plaques are made in the USA from my original wood carvings. We appreciate your support of american business.   Al 

Pineapple Welcome plaque created by Al Pisano

Pineapple Welcome Sign

Pineapple Décor and a Sign of Hospitality

I love carving Pineapples!  Pineapples have a wonderful round shape with an intricate pattern-and the  green top with spiky leaves. The Pineapple plaques and signs I create from my carvings can be hung in your home as a symbol of hospitality.  From Colonial America to today, the Pineapple still symbolizes those wonderful feelings of hospitality and warmth you want to create in your home for friends and family.

How did the Pineapple become a symbol of hospitality?   It actually started way back with Christopher Columbus. Columbus and his crew “discovered” the pineapple in Guadeloupe in 1493. They called it the piña, as it resembled a pinecone. They brought the “exotic” fruit back to Spain where it became very popular in Europe and a curiosity for centuries after its European arrival

Back in America, colonists began importing the pineapple from the Caribbean in the 17th century. Due to its exotic qualities and rareness, the pineapple soon became a symbol of hospitality.It was also considered a significant achievement for a host to procure a ripe pineapple for guests. New England sea captains who, upon returning from trade routes in the Caribbean or Pacific, would place a pineapple outside their homes as a symbol of a safe return.

Due to its association with warmth and friendliness, pineapples in America were often used as the “crowning” piece in large displays of food. The pineapple symbol was used frequently in the 18th and 19th centuries to decorate bed posts, tablecloths, napkins—anything associated with welcoming guests.

Even today, the pineapple motif still says “Welcome!”

The first Pineapple Welcome plaque I made was about 25 years ago for a company called Country Loft.  They are not in business anymore but we had phenomenal sales from that pineapple plaque.  You can hang it indoors or outdoors—and makes a great Welcome sign for your front door.

Since them I have carved several other Pineapple wall plaques, door toppers and tables.  Pineapples are so graceful that they look beautiful as a door topper.  I have also carved Pineapples with bamboo and rattan accents which make these Pineapple plaques perfect for any tropical décor.

Pineapple door topper by Al Pisano. Made in USA

I also made a Hospitality Clock that features a Pineapple in the center and an antique plaster finish. If you are decorating with a Pineapple theme, the plaques and clocks and tables that I have created are a great way to extend the Pineapple Hospitality theme around your house.

Pineapple clock by Al Pisano. Made in USA

All of our pieces are made proudly here in the USA.  Please contact me if you have any comments or questions!  AL

I already have a few pieces finished.  The first one is a duty Roster chalkboard with the Army eagle and Army logo at the bottom of the frame. 

Our U.S. Army Duty Roster chalkboard is created from an original wood carving by Al Pisano.

The Army Eagle is spectacular to carve!  The Eagle has lots of passion and strength and I hope I have captured it in my carving! 

I also did a door topper with the words:  Freedom in Never Free.  This is a tribute to all our soldiers who fight for our country.  There is always a cost for the freedoms we enjoy.  I certainly appreciate the sacrifices our soldiers and their families make everyday. 

Freedom is Never Free wall plaque created from an original wood carving by Al Pisano

I  have a couple pieces that can be hung outdoors to show support and patriotism for our Army and our country.  One plaque can be personalized with a family name and it says: A Proud Family of a U.S. Soldier lives here.  You can hang it by your front door and I have one hanging by my front door–I have 2 kids in the U.S. Army.  Their service and dedication inspired me to pursue getting a U.S. Army license and I hope I can do my small part in supporting the U.S. Army through my artwork.

U.S. Army personalized wall plaque, made in the USA

Another door topper I have is one that spells out the values of the U.S. Army :  Duty, Honor, Country.  We just attended our daughter’s graduation from her Army summer training at Ft Lewis and we heard those words Duty, Honor, Country said many times during the gradudation ceremony. It was very inspiring and made us proud of our daughter and all the other young men and women offering to serve their country.

Army values wall plaque, made in USA

I am working on more pieces for the U.S. Army so please check back soon!   Al

All of Al Pisano’s artwork can be seen at his webstore PiazzaPisano

Buon Cibo (Good Food), Buon Vino (Good Wine Buoni Amici (Good Friends) Tuscan wall door topper

   Many of the Tuscan inspired wall decor pieces that I make recreate the beautiful wood carvings you find throughout Tuscany. In my Villa plaque,  I used as a model a Villa we stayed at near Sienna. It was a a grape growing region so I carved the Villa with grapes vines surrounding the Villa.  I also created a space on the plaque where we can carve your name into the plaque.  This makes a great gift for anyone who loves Tuscany and wants to bring a bit of Tuscany to their own home.

Personalized Italian Villa house sign created from an original wood carving by Al Pisano.

Each trip I take to Italy usually includes a visit to Florence.  Who doesn’t love Florence–the museums, restaurants and the surrounding villages.  Artistically Tuscany is such an inspiration. 

Even though my Pisano family originated in Naples area, we have roots in Tuscany.   One of our forefathers, Niccola Pisano, was a sculptor known for his Roman sculptural style. Wikipedia says that Niccola Pisano is the founder of modern sculpture.  Niccola Pisano worked in Tuscany in the 13th century, sculpting lions for the Prato Castle and the relief facade of the Cathedral of Saint Martin in Lucca. He also created the beautiful Carrara marble pulpit of the Siena Cathedral. This pulpit is considered Niccola Pisano’s masterpiece.  His final work in Perugia of the Perugia Fountain, was done in collaboration with his son Giovanni.  A statue to Niccola Pisano is in the collanade area of the Uffizi Gallery.  When my kids were young I took them to see the the statue of their “Uncle” Niccola Pisano. 

Pisano statue Uffizi Gallery

I hope you will look at all the plaques and clocks and other decor items I have created for people who love Tuscany and wants to decorate “Tuscan style”.   All of my artwork is created here in our studios in Florida. 

Buona Fortuna clock for Tuscan decor

I suppose the biggest change in that all of the large companies we used to sell to now import products from China.  We just can’t but help feel that this is really hurting the American economy.  While the Chinese government works to make sure they have full employment, our government works to make sure we have cheap goods to sell to consumers. 

 Would we have an unemployment problem if we had a trade balance with China?  Or if China didn’t manipulate their currency to keep the value of their Yuan low so their exports are cheaper?    

When we started our business we felt it was important to also develop our manufacturing capabilities so we could maintain control over quality.  Our manufacturing capabilities have also enabled us to develop many more new products and not be forced to sell what is in inventory.  We only make what we sell.  So we have developed over the past 20 years an amazing library of artwork that we believe stands the test of time.  We have never really followed desig trends anyway–always sticking to concepts that we thought were timeless.

When we started in business 20 years ago we sold to companies like The Country Loft and Sturbridge Yankee Workshop and Faith Mountain.  Our Dove Door topper was a big hit in Sturbridge Yankee Workshop catalog.

Our Dove Door topper was featured for several years in the Sturbridge Yankee Workshop catalog.

For Country Loft I created a Pineapple Welcome sign–it’s still popular today. As you all know, pineapples are an historical symbol of prosperity and many people use them in the traditional theme homes for decorative purposes.  It’s still one of my favorite pieces.

Handcrafted Welcome sign with carved Pineapple

We also did a lot of work for LL Bean and designed a series of perpetual calendars for them.  They were a nightmare to assemble but we finally got efficient at it–and they sold very well. 

Wildlife Perpetual Calendar

Perpetual calendar

 That led to a series of Children’s room signs that we did for LL Bean and I personalized each one of them.  I think we sold thousands and I hand lettered each one!  Now we use a router to actually carve the name in to kids rooms signs.  All those kids I created signs for are now all grown-up!

Moose Kids Room sign, created for LL Bean in the 1990's

When we first started in business I designed several furniture pieces.  One that I am most proud of is our Americana Game Table. I carved the top (it is 40 inches x 20 inches) and there is a lot of detail in the carving.  Plus I recessed areas for game pieces.   We also apply epoxy to the table top which gives it a fantastic surface–almost glass-like–but extremely durable.  There is a small bit of assemly in putting together the base.  We also send game pieces with the table. I think anyone with a cabin or lake house would really appreciate how this table would fit into their decor.

Our Americana Game Table is coffee table size. There is minimal assembly involved.

By the end of the 1990′s the Country theme had faded away and we decided to do an Italian plaque as a gift for a family memeber.  And as an afterthought we took it to the Atlanta gift show and it was a big hit!  It is our Vive Bene door topper.  It actually translates to Live Well Love Much Laugh Often in Italian.  It is a beautiful door topper–and there are many companies that have copied it from us–but it originated with us!

Vive Bene Speeso L amore Di Risata Molto, translates to Live Well Love Much laugh Often

Well that was my walk down memory lane.  We are very sorry to see so many small manufacturers disappear but we also believe American consumers value products made in the USA so as long as that sentiment exists we will continue to design and make our own products and offer them for sale in our webstores.      Al

We Sleep Safe in our Beds Wall Plaque

God Bless American yard sign with stake

Hello Folks!  We recently updated our Patriotic wall plaques and Military signs with a new patriotic plaque that says: “We Sleep Safe in our Beds Because Rough Men Stand Ready in the Night To Visit Violence on those who would do us Harm”.  This is from a quote attributed to  George Orwell from his writings in 1945 on those advocating pacifism .  I carved this patriotic theme plaque as this quote resonates with me. Both of my kids are in the US Army and we see the burden military families have on protecting us from foreign threats and keeping us safe from those who would do us harm. We owe all our military and their families our thanks for their service.

The other military theme plaque I recently carved is the famous Band of Brothers quote: “We Few We Happy Few For Whoever has Shed His Blood for Me Shall be My Brother.”  This is a quote from Shakespeare but the sentiment reflects how our military takes care of each other–especially during combat.  I don’t know how many of you have seen the HBO special “Restrepo” but you vividly see how soliders in combat watch out for each other and risk their lives for each other.  Injured or captured, no American soldier is ever left behind.  This is an incredibly noble thought and action and we salute the brave men and women who volunteer to protect us.

I have also created many God Bless America plaques and God Bless America signs and door toppers. You could hang one of these for Memorial Day and keep it up all summer through Fourth of July and into the fall to Veterans Day. I feel that my patriotic plaques are good reminders of how fortunate we all are to live in the USA.  And, of course, all of our products are actually MADE in the USA!

Another Flag decoration I  have created is a Flag Lazy Susan. I carved the original flag artwork and then we digitally reproduce it on wood and seal the Flag lazy susan with a coat of epozy.  Epoxy is a fantastic surface–crystal clear and rock hard–and of course, food safe.  We offer this patriotic theme lazy susan in 2 sizes–16 inch and 20 inch. This is a perfect accent for your “Fourth of July party!!

Our son graduated from West Point in 2010 and is now attending medical school.  When he graduates from medical school he will be treating and taking care of our soldiers. He believes very strongly that our soldiers deserve the best medical care and he intends to provide that. My daughter is in Army ROTC and she will be graduating in a couple of years with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  She also see the importance and value of the US Army and feels strongly that our  soldiers deserve the best medical care.

Band of Brothers wall plaque--for whoever shed his blood for me shall be my brother.

So through our two children we have become a military family–and are very proud to say that.

Let the Noche Buena Festivities Begin! We decorated the appetizer table with our Plaque: Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Noche Buena is a wonderful Christmas celebration and we join the many family members and friends of the Fors at their celebration. It is quite a feast–the centerpiece is the Lechon: the pig. The Lechon is roasted for many many hours over an open box filled with coals. Jorge and Jorge Jr. pay very close attention to the cooking of the pig–fretting over it and checking it and turning it constantly. This year the pig was a 138 pounder!! When the pig is almost finished cooking they crisp the skin to a deep golden brown which they like to call ‘candy”. It is awesomely delicious.

We brought a chalkboard for them to hang in the pergola while the pig was cooking. The chalkboard is called Hog Heaven–we thought it was the perfect touch for the pig roast!

Hog Heaven chalkboard at Noche Buena--daughters too!

After several hours of eating massive amounts of wonderful appetizersand drinking champagne, dinner was servied! The Lechon was cooking perfectly–moist and tasty! And we had rice and beans, yuca and salads. What a feast!!!

Our chef: Jorge Jr, and The Pig

Buon Natale - Merry Christmas in Italian.
Click this photo to go to Al's collection of Italian Christmas and home decor

In my late teens, when everyone was still living, it was a joyous time.

All my aunts, uncles, and cousins would get together at my Uncle Louie’s house in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx, to celebrate Christmas. My aunts and my Mom would prepare the Christmas feast. Aunt Rae would make the lobster and shrimp dish; Aunt Millie did the calamari, eels and mussels; my Uncle Freddy made the clam dish. My mother always did the antipasto—peppers, cheese, olives, zucchini, and stuffed mushrooms. Aunt Angie baked the pies and cheese cakes. Aunt Elvira made the struffela and bow ties dripping with honey and powdered sugar. My Aunt Edith always went to Squillantis Patisserie and bought pastries—she wasn’t crazy about cooking. All my aunts and my mother worked really hard preparing the Christmas feast.

Bridge tables and chairs were brought to Uncle Louie’s basement and placed in a long line just like King Arthur’s Court; adults at one end and all the kids assembled at the other end.

We had a big family and counting our friends that stopped by for a glass of wine or desert we probably could have filled a section at Yankee Stadium.

My Uncle Louis and Uncle Ralph each professed to have made the best wine. It was fun to watch them argue. The rest of us just drank it (who cared!). It tasted great. You couldn’t read the label because the gallon jugs didn’t have one. They kept their bottles on the floor next to their chair. But they poured generously.

Dinner started about 6 p.m. beginning with a delicious antipasto of peppers, cheese, olives and crusty fresh bread from Latteri’s or Mondello’s Bakery.

When the table was cleared the second course would begin. The second course was all the fish dishes prepared by Aunt Rae and Aunt Millie. Then we had pasta: spaghetti and clams, lasagna and Grandma’s homemade raviolis.

After a few hours of eating it was finally time for all the deserts.

Friends would begin to drop by and fruits and nuts and figs would be served with more wine. Espresso was made and served with Anisette, Sambucca and other cordials. The party was getting larger and louder. Some of us played cards and others napped.

The teens got ready to leave and “bounce”. Bouncing meant we went from our friends house to house to house. It was lots of fun. I “bounced” with my Cousin Joe and Cousin Maryann. First we would stop at Frankie’s house. We’d kiss his Mom, shake hands with his Dad and wish everybody a Merry Christmas—and then have a little toast. We didn’t drive—no one had cars. We would collect other friends and bounce to the next stop. Our crowd of friends continued to grow.

We’d get to church a little after 11 pm to meet up with other friends before attending midnight mass.

After midnight mass we would all bounce around to different friends’ houses. We grew up in a small neighborhood in the Bronx so we all knew each other. After a while we would return to Grandma’s for leftover ravioli or cheese cake. It was a great way to start Christmas day.

I love the Christmas season. Everybody seems so alive and happy!
And that is my wish– happiness for everyone this coming year. Buon Natale!
You can see all of my Italian wall plaques and Italian decor items at our website: www.piazzapisano.com