Engraving Applications | Engraving Industry

Engravings bring stone to life

Michael Hooper

By Michael Hooper

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

An interest in engraving images on marble and granite has turned into a business for Kent and Terry McPherson of rural Topeka.

"We weren't looking for a business," Kent McPherson said. "But we just couldn't pass it up. It is such a neat product."

The McPhersons, owners of Laser Art Creations, use a special machine to engrave images on marble, granite, acrylic, wood and leather.

They discovered laser engraving in Las Vegas during a trade show Jan. 15, 2006, on Kent's 50th birthday. While there, they saw a laser engraver that put images on stone.

In January 2006, they ordered a VyTek Laser Engraver. They went to a Boston suburb for training in March and started their business, Laser Art Creations. Terry McPherson had previously done freehand diamond-tipped etching.

"We thought it would be a good retirement business, something to keep us occupied," Kent McPherson said. "We like to do it."

She works full-time for AT&T, and he works for McPherson Wrecking. They aren't planning on giving up their day jobs yet, but they have been getting busy. They received about 40 orders for Christmas.

"We started getting orders after the Buy Kansas Expo in May," she said. "We've been really busy for Christmas."

Their most popular product so far is a slab of heart-shaped marble with a picture in the middle. A photo supplied by a customer can be duplicated on stone.

One young boy put together several images for an acrylic plaque to honor his mother for Christmas.

The couple has made plaques and headstones for people who want to honor loved ones. They also have made a few headstones for pets. Customers may put images of their pets on the stones.

Some customers put engraved stones in their gardens.

McPhersons can engrave images on marble slabs ranging in size from 23/4 inches by 43/4 inches up to 18 inches by 24 inches. The 18- by-24-inch marble piece is $325.

The couple had a display during Cider Days this fall and sold about 20 pieces, many of them with pictures of children.

They also sell keepsake boxes, jewelry and leather pieces.

Orders have been pouring in, and the McPherson garage northeast of Topeka is filling up with product.

"We've come a long way since March," Terry McPherson said.

Michael Hooper can be reached

at (785) 295-1293

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