Our Story
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. His wife Jen 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 shoppe and studio in Milton, Vermont with our daughter Anna and son Evan.
You may also watch our videos, explaining some of our history, process and inspiration:
Ye Olde Sign Shoppe on "Vermont Treasures"
Ye Olde Sign Shoppe on "Milton Matters"
Bill has pretty much viewed letters as artistic shapes since childhood. He's a lifelong Vermonter and primarily self-taught artist who enjoys creating natural pieces of organic beauty, introspection and carefree whimsy. Doing this, while also capturing a sense of time and place, is reflected in his designs and the signs he and Jen create.
Bill enjoys many mediums, including photography and pencil & ink illustration. But it's his love of letterforms and the art of typographic style – which began at an early age, handlettering mailboxes at the age of 12 – that has held the strongest, and which continues to grow today. After earning degrees in Marketing and Business Management from Champlain College, Bill followed his passion into a career in the graphic arts. Travel to Europe has also deepened his appreciation of historic sign and poster art, influencing color choices and the creation of richly patinaed surfaces.
Blending his imagination with a unique sign message occasionally leads to mixed media projects. Many inspirations come from nature, and Bill will often ‘follow the wood’s lead’ toward the design that will look best on a particular piece. He also enjoys talking with clients and exploring the emotional attachments, creativity and their own unique ideas, and then bringing them to life.
Bill enjoys many mediums, including photography and pencil & ink illustration. But it's his love of letterforms and the art of typographic style – which began at an early age, handlettering mailboxes at the age of 12 – that has held the strongest, and which continues to grow today. After earning degrees in Marketing and Business Management from Champlain College, Bill followed his passion into a career in the graphic arts. Travel to Europe has also deepened his appreciation of historic sign and poster art, influencing color choices and the creation of richly patinaed surfaces.
Blending his imagination with a unique sign message occasionally leads to mixed media projects. Many inspirations come from nature, and Bill will often ‘follow the wood’s lead’ toward the design that will look best on a particular piece. He also enjoys talking with clients and exploring the emotional attachments, creativity and their own unique ideas, and then bringing them to life.
Jen Kaigle
Sign Painter
802.893.7387
802.734.0779 cell
jen@yeoldesignshoppe.net
Jen is a lifelong lover of art who handpaints each one of our wood signs. She grew up in the hills of Ripton, Vermont, where her mom's creative Billings family left a lasting impression on her own artistic endeavors. Her mediums of greatest interest are painting on a variety of surfaces, photography and printmaking. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art from the University of Vermont.