Besides colors, different design elements may be incorporated, such as embossing or inlay effects produced by troweling or spraying a thin concrete overlay material, or concrete engraving or etching done with sandblasting materials or acid.
Designs created using the penetrating dyes that Bruce typically uses can last for many years if properly maintained. Even so, some of her projects are meant to be short-lived, namely the displays she creates for trade shows like World of Concrete. In fact, creating such a display was how she got into this business. Bruce has a degree in graphic design and has worked for many years in advertising and design. Three years ago she was working as the marketing director for ADC, and one of her duties was coordinating their part in shows.
"I wanted to have something cool and funky at the trade show, but there are only three days to get ready, and everything took too long," she said. "So I asked, 'What about stencils?'"
She had the knowledge to create design stencils but needed the equipment, namely a plotter. She was able to acquire one and create a design for the show-a geometric pattern of squares and a star in two shades of blue, which was a hit. She began doing more and more stencils for clients, particularly designs with multiple colors. Eventually she decided to branch out on her own with FLOORmap Stencil Designs, though she retains a loose partnership with ADC, where she holds her trainings.
"It was kind of a fluke how it got started," she said. "I really am truly blessed."
Though she's only had her independent business a short time, her reputation has expanded by word of mouth. Her designs can be found throughout the country and a few internationally. A large, intricate image of an Aztec calendar was featured at the AmeriPolish booth at the 2010 World of Concrete show.
One of Bruce's favorite designs is a five-foot image of four puzzle pieces, one blue, one green, one yellow, one red. It looks almost three dimensional, like it's floating above the polished concrete, and Bruce said it was perhaps the most challenging one she's created. It was originally designed for a World of Concrete display. A client saw it and wanted it in his daughter's bedroom. Bruce installed it with the help of Lance Drabczyk of Superior Polished Concrete in Rolla, Mo. "The customer wanted to put the design in his daughter's bedroom," she said. "He said she likes to jump from piece to piece. I think that's just great."
More about Bruce's designs and the process she uses for getting the design onto concrete can be found at her web site: www.floormapdesigns.com .
Four images at Left, and Right: Rachel used multiple, closely-registered stencils to produce a multi-colored logo from a 19th century coffee importer's trademark. In these process pictures, the tedious task of peeling away stencil frisket is shared by her family, who fully support Rachel in her growing business.
The Towson Dragon Mural offers a whimsical and serene space including a maze to occupy small feet.
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