The Stories Behind the Sign
LED neon signs are sometimes so much more than a bright piece of neon artwork. Our customers commission their customized neon signs to commemorate loved ones who have passed on, share sentimental quotes to inspire them daily and brighten up the life of someone going through a rough time.
At Custom Neon, we are obsessed with lighting up life’s most precious moments and creating lasting memories through luminous neon light. We have been incredibly touched hearing some of our customers' stories.
Here are just a few of the heartwarming stories behind the Custom Neon signs these customers commissioned.
Custom Neon® Signs with Special Meaning
When we decided to buy this little historic gem, I knew I wanted a neon sign but couldn’t decide what I wanted it to say. I went back and forth for over a year. The answer was obvious. As much as I want you to come into the shop and find something that reminds you of the beauty of life, I want you to feel inspired to explore your creativity and accomplish new things too. Even if it’s just your bed, make something today, and come take a picture while you’re at it.
Sara is an artist and designer who hit a low in 2019. To help herself feel empowered, Sara set a daily motivational task and had a Custom Neon sign made to remind herself to ‘Make Something Today’. Lit up in her studio, the sign is there to motivate Sara to believe in herself, be creative and make something every day. Read more about Sara's journey here and why she commissioned this motivational quote sign.
This stunning sign sits by Hilary's front door, making it the last thing the family sees before venturing out for the day and the first thing they see when they come home. It serves as a reminder to Hilary and her children to listen to their hearts and always be led by the good stuff, not by fear of others.
Two New York locals, Sarah and Toney, met and fell in love, and on a rainy day back in 2015, they had a crazy idea to open a New York Style bagel shop - in Iowa! Throughout a tumultuous few years, navigating a difficult start to family life and trying to nurture a fledgling business, Sarah and Toney wanted nothing more than to create a comfortable space for people to escape with a delicious bagel and coffee. Fast forward several years, and not only is their original bagel shop thriving, but they've also added a second location, both lit up by a Custom Neon line art of the New York skyline, making the couple feel right at home.
Read their warm, funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant story here.
Courtney is the boss babe behind Sparkl Studios, a female-founded brand selling luxury handcrafted accessories under the sustainable fashion label Spark*l. Courtney was just about ready to give up on her dream of being her own boss when her partner reminded her not to give up and to do what made her happy. The 12ft Custom Neon made Sparkl Studios logo hanging in her 3500sqft building serves as a reminder that the hard work and tireless hours will pay off.
Read her inspirational story here.
Custom Neon® Signs In Remembrance
Sharing Tulli’s Smile is a fund created in Tulli’s legacy, whose aim is to bring smiles to sick kids doing it tough in hospital through music therapy in memory of Tulli.
Custom Neon turned the fund's logo into a stunning pink, purple, and yellow neon sign, which they use to bring bright light and color to their fundraising events. You can find out more and donate here.
We created this sign for Brandon and Lauren's stunning wedding! Brandon's father has sadly passed away, and they wanted to include his memory on their wedding day. They had this sign made as a way to honor and celebrate his memory and the wonderful man he was.
Over the bar, we had a Custom Neon sign that read Chambers Landing. This is a famous bar in Lake Tahoe that the family always went to when visiting for the Fourth of July. We thought this was a really fun and unique element that would not only surprise our guests that knew him well, but would also make for a great and sentimental piece to add to our bar at home after the wedding.
Bianca Spinazzola, of Spinazzola Interiors, is a full-service interior designer whose work is next-level amazing! For one design project, she created a unique LED neon sign that we had a lot of fun making. Mounted on a wall full of ducks, the sign is a tribute to the phrase 'f**k a duck'. Writing on her Instagram, Bianca explains:
To give you a much-needed explanation, this room was dedicated to my client’s grandmother, who was always the life of the party and would scream “f*** a duck” while losing at cards. What a legend!
Custom Neon® Signs for Survivors
Lindsay ordered this Ted Lasso inspired sign from our webstore and had us all in tears when she posted this on her Insta:
I’m having my port surgically installed next week and am starting a grueling 16 week chemo regimen… My therapist suggested surrounding myself with things that I love for comfort…This awesome #tedlasso neon sign reminding me to “be a goldfish” and just “believe” that everything is somehow going to be alright…
When we asked Lindsay if we could have permission to share her incredible story behind the sign, she agreed and said that another cancer survivor had reached out:
Wanted to share a message I received from a complete stranger after posting about your sign. I know that it can’t be included…I can’t give permission for someone else, but wanted you all to know that your signs DO make a difference!
We love the neon artwork we created for the Kickstarter-funded launch of BOOBS - a pop art Breast Cancer book with original illustrations by 80 different artists, available for purchase on Amazon and other online bookstores. #boobsthebook.
Take this as a reminder to check your BOOBS! We believe breast checking should be a monthly habit so that you will notice any unusual changes quickly. Set a reminder for each month so you don't forget to #feelitonthefirst.
Custom Neon® Signs to Celebrate Change
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the kitchen and dining rooms were places for people to eat and work, giving them a whole new meaning. Urban Cookery decided to turn their kitchen into an at-home date space, saying this in an Instagram post:
...I’ve really embraced the at-home date nights…so much so that I dedicated a room in our home to feel like you’re at a bar/restaurant. We play music, light candles, mix cocktails and cook up some delicious bites to be enjoyed at the bar in the comfort of our own home...
To complete the look, they purchased one of the signs in our online shop, "This Must Be the Place", in our white shade and Waikiki font. We love the color choice mounted against the pale wood-paneled walls.
For an interior design project MDF Development worked on, they shared this photo and the story behind why they chose their Custom Neon Sign, saying this:
One of our favorite moments of the #elmaroproject is the luxurious bar, which is nicknamed “The Bookclub”. The catchy name and, later, neon sign, was influenced by the owners’ inside joke about how book club often turned into just an excuse for happy hour!
Interior designer Dena Feintuch gave this girl's room a surprise makeover while she was at camp. Her mom came up with the inspirational motto "make sparks", and we worked with Dena to turn it into a brilliant blue light sign that looks amazing against the patterned wallpaper. Read about this project here.
More Custom Neon® Signs & Customers' Reviews
Click on our Showcase Index to see signs we've made for a wide variety of brands, events and occasions, as well as the business signage for companies and retailers in New York, LA, Las Vegas, Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, Kansas City, Austin, and throughout the US and Canada. You can also check out our positive reviews or follow us @customneon.
