The piece that started it all.
The very first creation to come out of what we affectionately call the “Laser Lair.”
Our Journey
The Beginning of Something New
In March of 2020, Julie was furloughed from her job and quickly dove into tackling a long list of home projects—26 of them in just two months! But eventually, the question crept in: “What if I don’t have a job to go back to?”
That thought sparked a conversation with Mike about new possibilities, and one idea immediately stood out: a laser machine. Instantly, creativity began to flow. The excitement was overwhelming, but together they decided to take a leap of faith. At the very least, it could be a side project once Julie returned to work.
And with that, Happy Etchings was born.
Growing Through Creativity
Julie started out making handwritten recipe cutting boards, then began expanding into new projects that challenged her skills and fueled her imagination. Along the way, she made plenty of mistakes (because that’s how you grow!), but each one pushed her to learn more.
Even more meaningful were the people she met. Together they created custom pieces that captured memories, celebrated milestones, and sometimes even honored heartache. Every project became a story shared.
A Leap of Faith
Just a few months in, Julie made another big decision. After nearly 20 years with her company, she signed voluntary separation papers and chose to pursue Happy Etchings full-time. It was scary, but determination—and Mike’s steady support—kept her moving forward.
MadeOnMain
Three years in, an unexpected opportunity arose. Julie was approached about entering a “Shark Tank”-style contest called MadeOnMain—a revitalization project designed to bring local, up-and-coming artist-driven businesses to Main Avenue in Ashtabula. At first, she declined, but after encouragement & advice from a local entrepreneur, she decided to give it a shot. To her surprise, Happy Etchings won one of two first-place prizes!
First Store
On March 29, 2025, we officially opened our very own brick-and-mortar shop. Our store now includes space for classroom-style painting workshops, a dedicated workspace, and a cozy retail section where we share our creations with the community.
