Wooden Apple Signmakers, Sign, Wooden, Signmaker, Santa, Carved Signs, Collectibles

The Artists

Betty and Bob Padden, Proprietors of the Wooden Apple

	Bob and Betty Padden, the owners of the Wooden Apple, have been in the sign carving business since 1976. Bob's background in retail display and merchandising gained him national recognition for unique displays in the early 1970's before starting the Wooden Apple. This early experience reinforced the importance of having eye-catching artwork as a major componant in their customers' signs.
	Betty pursued an interest in art from an early age. She began focusing on woodcarving while attending the University of Massachusetts. Upon graduating in 1976, she joined the Wooden Apple and began sketching, carving, and painting as a career.
Their work has been displayed at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as well as Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia and historic Quincy Market in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Betty has created a beautiful series of intricate relief woodcarvings featured on the 1999 Gnomes Hollow Calendar by the Lang Company. Their signs adorn businesses from Maine to Alaska, and they have been featured in such publications as "Country Marketplace", "Sign Builder Illustrated", and "Market Square Preview". This year they are pleased to announce the addition of their oldest son, Joseph, to their production staff and hope to have their son, Thomas, join them in years to come.