There is a proverb from 14th-century England that says, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow,” a reminder that starting small and persevering can lead to great things. That is a good way to characterize the growth of Becky Gromala’s business, The Silver Squirrel Engravings and Gifts.

Corporate gifting has long been recognized as a powerful tool for building and nurturing professional relationships. However, in an era brimming with mass-produced, impersonal and forgettable mementos, the significance of a thoughtfully curated gift cannot be overstated. For businesses seeking to express gratitude, strengthen relationships or leave a lasting impression, sandcarving offers a level of elegance and sophistication.

The contrasting appearance of color fill against the backdrop of a sandcarved product adds a stunning element. Products that are dark in color, such as red wine bottles, black granite, ceramics and dark glass, are prime materials that benefit from a color application—and in some cases require it. Stone and wood surfaces also require color fill.

There is no historical record, but it’s not hard to imagine: An early ancestor chips away at a piece of flint—and bashes a finger in the process. As long as humans have had tools, we have had to figure out the best ways to use them safely.

There is nothing quite like seeing a crystal or glass award sparkle in the sunshine or feeling its weight in your hands. Tim Williamson, manager of Just Right Awards and Engraving, jokes that he wishes that all days could be sunny ones for his glass and crystal products.

As the year progresses, awards and personalization members face no shortage of challenges: supply chain delays, inflation, labor strains and more. In this climate, making the most of the equipment you already have isn’t just helpful—it’s vital. If costs rise elsewhere, after all, greater in-house efficiency can help pick up the slack.

When you decide to buy a sandcarving system, you need to make some choices right away, not only about what brand to buy but also what type of system to buy. One of your first choices will be between a siphon system or one with a pressure pot

What I love about sandcarving is the appearance of a deep etch in glass. I have been in the industry for 18 years, and I still run my fingers over the sandcarved area.

Personalized flasks are a fun and unique gift to give to a bride, groom, groomsmen, best man, maid of honor, bridesmaids, or matron of honor. In fact my sister recently provided me with plain metal flasks to sandcarve with a personalize message for her own wedding party.

Sandcarving is a quick, clean, and simple process that will diversify any business. Sandcarving not only allows for deep etching capabilities with sharp, clean lines, but it also offers techniques unique to sandcarving that will increase the value of any project. These techniques include halftone, or photographic etching, frosting capabilities, complex curves, and the popular multistage carving capability!