I spend November and December building, painting and printing Christmas items as Santa Claus. Much of the work is completed in my shop window where I work in Character. The items made during this season become special heirloom items.

It’s unusual for me to design a fantasy sign - a sign with no authentic history or background. This Barter Farm only lives in my imagination. As a young man imagined that I might someday have a Christmas Tree Farm. I’d have no reason to name it Barter Farm. This name comes from an Island in Maine that once meant a great deal to me.

This is not your typical decorative sign. It is painted on an antique painted piece of wood. The reverse shows old paint and a great deal of age - and even a few scraps of century old newspaper. The paint surface has the uniform crackle and teture that only comes from old finishes - and my secret processes. Each sign is hand-painted - using period appropriate faces - using milk paints that are mixed in studio. Hardware with aged with a heat and oil treatment. Each sign is authentically distressed to give the appearance and feel of a treasured antique.

19” x 21 1/2” x 1”d

Painted on antique board with poplar frame. Ready to hang.

With care, this sign will last several lifetimes.