A writer's web site

Hardware is pleased to present the new Web site of our good friend Jodi A. MacNeal, a multi-talented writer, editor and creative consultant with an extensive journalism background. The site includes examples of Jodi's writing, commentary that demonstrates her knowledge and experience in crafting words and visuals, and her blog. The best gauge of a successful design job is the client's satisfaction. Jodi wanted a simple, sophisticated site that would positively showcase her abilities. We feel that Jodi's site perfectly reflects her personality, character, voice and talent. We think you will agree. We invite you to visit Jodi at www.jodimacneal.com.

Contact Hardware today, and let's discuss how we can work together to improve your image!

Logopalooza!

Nothing is more refreshing than a brand new logo! Here is a just small selection of corporate marks created in the Hardware workshop during the past few months. In today's competitive market branding is more important than ever. Separate your company, organization or event from the pack with a distinctive new logo. At Hardware Graphic Design we listen to your needs and work closely with you to produce an identity that perfectly represents your image. It's a new year, isn't it time you updated your tired old logo? Call Rob Barge today at 770-755-8121 and let's get started on making you look good. Together we can make the world a better place, one logo at a time.

Superior Toothpick Co.

Hardware Graphic Design + Illustration has diversified! Proving once again that an old dog can learn new tricks, we now offer Web site design as part of our ever-expanding design services.

In considering our goals and methods in Web development, we’re taking a simple approach. We believe in accessible, uncomplicated and sophisticated design that delivers a clean, clear, effective message. So today we proudly introduce Hardware’s little Web site division, The World-Renowned Superior Toothpick Company. We invite you to visit www.hardwaregraphics.com to see examples of our work. Or simply click on the image below to go directly to the Superior site. We'd love to hear from you, so call Rob Barge at 770-755-8121.




THE SUPERIOR TOOTHPICK COMPANY

Consider the humble double-pointed wooden toothpick.

Made of a single part and of a single material, designed for a specific function. Elegant in its simplicity and unparalleled in its functionality; an unadorned and purely practical implement. Individually crafted of the highest-quality debarked Maine white birch, Superior Toothpicks are recognized as the world’s finest denticulation device. Simply put, they get the job done!

Superior Toothpick Co. also applies our patented “Extra Smooth, Extra Pointy” manufacturing process to the creation of precise and effective Web sites. Clean and attractive, free of splinters and burrs. When you need a Web site, just like our world-renowned toothpicks, nothing less than a Superior site will do!

Nail it!

Introducing the new Hardware Graphics 2009 Fall Marketing Blitz! Sure, times are tough, but that's no reason to take a beating. Are you looking for cost-effective professional graphic design, illustration or Web design? Hardware Graphic Design + Illustration has the right tool for the job. We understand that tight budgets shouldn’t result in little ideas.

Now you can look good without getting drilled by high fees. Hardware is ready to get to work on your next project. Come on, let's get busy, there's work to be done. Call Rob at 770-755-8121 now and let's talk it over. Hardware nails it. Every time.

Freedom is not free

My fellow Americans, tomorrow we will awaken to a rare opportunity. We are presented with the chance to participate in a process where, after months - in fact, years - of vigorous debate, analysis, disagreement, posturing, mudslinging, muckraking, hyperbole, innuendo, name calling, finger-pointing and backbiting, the ultimate decision comes down to us. By now, we should be well-informed and educated on the issues. We should be prepared to cast a vote for the candidate(s) whom we believe in our hearts are best equipped to lead in public office. Our country is in a mess. But, after the dust has settled and the storm has passed, we will still be blessed to live in the greatest nation on earth. A land of plenty where we enjoy rights, privileges and liberties of which others around the world can only dream.

We will cast a private ballot and in that instant become participants, investors and partners in a sometimes flawed, but always unique system of government. A system that, from its inception, has been for the people and by the people. The votes we cast will not change anything overnight. The challenges we face as a nation will be overcome only by change within ourselves. This election, then, is not about one man against another. It is about you and me. It is about us.

Before you exercise the uncommon honor of going to the polls tomorrow, look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Am I the good citizen I should be? Am I truly aware and appreciative of the great benefit of being an American? Am I willing to make the sacrifices that will be necessary to change what is wrong in my country? Am I proud enough to celebrate all that is right?"

Democracy is hard work. The price paid for our freedom has been high and it is not getting any cheaper. But we are not in this thing alone. Each of us makes a difference by doing our part. Make your voice heard by voting. And may God bless the United States of America.

Huge Bag o' Candy

The weather has suddenly turned much cooler here and Halloween is just around the corner. I don't know what made me think of it, maybe my 7-year-old son's excitement over his new Iron Man costume, but today I remembered a long-ago Halloween night.
I must have been about 8. It was rainy and miserable that night, but we soldiered through and went Trick-or-Treating through the neighborhood anyway. I had a huge bag of candy, weighted down by an extraordinary bounty of sugary glop. And I knew most of it was the good stuff too. As we trudged up the hill to our house it started to rain harder and by the time we got home we were all soaking wet. A rag-tag group of little monsters. As we fell to the living room floor to inspect our treasures, I realized that my goody bag had a big hole in the bottom of it. It had gotten wet and maybe I had dragged it on the street. Anyway, most of my candy was gone. Very little remained aside from the bogus stuff like that hard peanut-buttery goo in the nondescript orange and black wrappers; the stuff that we were convinced people put rat hair and razor blades in. The creepy candy. I was crushed. That was probably the same Halloween when I choked on a set of those cheap plastic vampire teeth. Remember those. They always made you gag.

There were better times ahead. Here's a picture from the family Halloween party, circa 1978, when my buddy Bert and I dressed up as "Dads" complete with Bermuda shorts and dark socks. That's my Mom, The Tree, beside me. And Uncle Jimmy was The Unknown Ventriloquist. Makes me laugh just to see it again. Good times. Really good.

There is something I've always loved about Halloween. Could be the season, could be the memories. I don't know, it's just a feeling I get. I can't wait to take the boy Trick-or-Treating. Sure hope it doesn't rain.

Getting to know Hardware

As any craftsman worth his salt can tell you, any project is made easier by choosing the right tools for the job. The Hardware logo includes the mark "Est. 1964." As I considered the origins of this business, it occurred to me that it really began the day I was born. One of the more interesting aspects of middle-age (though my wife claims that 44 is the new 34) is the privilege of seeing how the pieces have come together in the puzzle of your life. I firmly believe that every experience in my life has led me to this very moment. Looking back on it, I've been blessed with a rich existence. A loving family, generous and caring friends, and the pleasure of making a living doing the things I love most. Posted at the top of the blog, Hardware's "10 Things" statement should give you a pretty fair idea my humble philosophy regarding work and life. And at the bottom of the blog you'll find the standard resume describing my experience and qualifications. Thanks for visiting. Let me hear from you.