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WELCOME! Thank you for visiting and hope you can spare a few minutes to browse our website so we can share some of our work with you.
Matt and Katie Decker and family work from our family farm in Dubuque County, Iowa. We custom engrave stone, wood, glass, concrete & Stainless Steel Tumblers. We use sandblast engraving to create long lasting yard stones, signs for businesses and Subdivisions and even towns. Memorials and life's milestones are recorded on benches, glass, crockery, picture frames- you name it. We also laser engrave glass such as wine bottles and flutes and even marble and stone.
Hope you enjoy your visit and return often. We're always happy to hear from customers and visitors!
Anything We can engrave on!
We started engraving on rocks in the '90's with a pile of glacial rocks gathered up from the fields here on our home farm. 3 generations of Decker farmers had provided the basis for a great little niche business! Since then we've gathered rocks from this area and far beyond.
------
Also, we are able to purchase beautiful boulders from a nearby trucking company. These come from as far away as North Carolina and northern Wisconsin. Our customers are always welcome to bring their own for us to engrave on as well, although we just need to remember, not every stone lends itself to be engraved on. Best to give us a call beforehand. And more importantly, these things are heavy and can be dangerous to handle. Please be careful!
Custom Sandblast Rock Engraving
"Tons" of rocks to choose from!
We use sandblast engraving to make unique and personalized creations for your yard, garden, business, or anywhere.
We engrave on field stone, quarried rock, concrete and wood.
Common requests include family names and addresses,welcome and thank you stones, memorials, and messages. (Single words or whole paragraphs!)
We have a huge selection of rocks here at the farm to choose from, as well as purchased rocks from a nearby trucking company that bring beautiful stones and boulders from around the country. We also engrave on-site, weather permitting.
We are unable to change the shape of rocks to say, give one a flat side for instance. Many times rocks need to be dug in to make them display the way we want them to. Larger
stones can be especially difficult, which is why we offer delivery and set up services.
Our current skidsteers can handle a ton with ease.
Affordable
How we charge: Since rocks vary so much in size, shape, and texture, we have found that simply charging for our time and material is the easiest and most fair way to price our work. Once you have chosen a stone and decided what to put on it we can give an accurate estimate on cost. As a very general rule, many of our yard sized projects land in the $100 - $500 dollar range. Small rocks with a single name are very popular as well, starting at $30.
Most people are pleasantly surprised that we can provide such a long lasting item at such a relatively low cost. If you like the idea of a gift that can be passed along for generations, this is it!
How do you move these things around???Stones and boulders can be deceivingly heavy, and I don't think I've ever seen one with handles! Delivery and set up is available, and we try to keep charges for this as low as possible. We use our skidsteer to set large yard stones in place. Pause
Large Limestone
Very often, we are called on to engrave large pieces of bluff rock. Limestone varies so much from one area to another, we encourage you to make sure your piece will be suitable to engrave on before you go to a lot of work putting it in.
BENCH
Somewhere along the line we were asked to custom engrave a bench or two to celebrate an event or a passing, so we began purchasing concrete benches from Willenberg Lawn Ornaments. Since then we've done many of these and also purchased limestone benches. These make great gifts to mark life's milestones and are a wonderful tribute to loved ones. Our bench top is concrete and measures 39 x 13 x 3 deep and weighs approx. 90 lbs. The legs are separate and weigh 60 lbs. each. You can design or we can help! Please call for more info!
Besides concrete benches, we are also able to purchase limestone benches and park benches made from re-cycled plastic. (both are special order) Please Note: Limestone benches usually run about $100 over the concrete. Re-cycled plastic benches with back are much more yet, but have a 40 year or more life.
---------
LASER
In 2008 we purchased an Epilog 45 watt laser with a 12 x 24 bed. This has added
to our capabilities in ways we hadn't even imagined. Special pricing on your
wedding or other event. We have many items available that make great gifts and
give-aways. If you are looking for that perfect gift give us a call!
Commonly used fonts
We use these on a daily basis, if you have a different font you'd like to use, we can usually accommodate.
Adding a scroll or design to your project can set it off!Here is a small sampling of scrolls we use often. Sometimes it can be as simple as a line under the text. Let your imagination be your guide. We have many more designs and graphics - too many to show here!
--------
DEER WHISTLE
Air activated and mounted on vehicles to keep deer and wildlife out of your path. These various devices have been in use for decades now. Some have been proven time and again to be effective while others are obviously of little value in deterring wildlife, or fall apart rendering them useless.
That is why the Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle has endured and is enjoying a successful following by people who know that wildlife WILL respond to the sound emitted by the Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle. Small animals tend to run for cover on the roadside, while deer instinctively stay frozen on the roadside until your vehicle has passed. People or pets inside the vehicle are not affected.
Big River Specialty Company has been producing the screaming hawk since 1995. We are extremely proud of the number of repeat customers who have demonstrated to us that by using the Hawk Deer whistle they can reduce the number of wildlife related collisions by simply attaching this inexpensive device to the front of their car or truck. These can be purchased directly from us through this site.
Magnet mount
Same as our tape mount, but we mold a rare earth magnet into the bottom. Great for motorcycles! As a bonus, you will recieve a tape mount as well!
Birders Whistle
Bird watchers calling device. Attract most species of birds for closer observation by blowing a series of short, repeated notes from this fun to use whistle. The natural curiosity of birds prompts them to approach the caller.
Lets you keep your hands free.
Squirrel Call
Very effective and not just for hunting, this call is fun to use on any wild squirrels just to make them come out and scold you! Simply inhale or exhale, short to long, from either end to change pitch. Mimics the distress of young
squirrels.
Easiest-to-use tick removal device on earth! The flat shape is easy to store or carry. Keep one on your key-chain, dog's collar or leash, in your wallet, toolbox or anywhere! Our only item we don't make, but we love it!
Made in the USA
Keeps ants and crawling insects out of your nectar. Super durable with brass rod that passes through the moat. No threads to pull out. Lasts for years!
This roomy nest box is sure to raise many generations of squirrels. Comes
complete with instructions for proper placement and loaded with features that
squirrels appreciate.
Price includes domestic shipping.
Business hours? We live here, usually available anytime, days, evenings, weekends. But please call or email to arrange a time. We tend to run off and hate to have someone show up when no one is around!
It helps us to know if you are local.
Thanks for contacting us! PLEASE NOTE!
We have had several People contact us that we have been unable to reply to due to UN-deliverable email addresses. PLEASE include a phone number or if you don't hear back from us, give us a call! We make every effort to answer every message.
OLD SITE 2009
-------------------------------------
Big River Specialty Company was formed in 1995 by Larry and Lynn Decker on their family farm near the tiny town of Bernard, Iowa
Not far from the banks of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa.
Since that time we have become your rock engraving
specialists. Our goal is your satisfaction
with every engraving order!
Affordable!
How we charge: Since rocks vary so much in size, shape, and texture, we have found that simply charging for our time and
material is the easiest and most fair way to price our work. Once you have chosen a stone and decided what to put on it we can give an accurate estimate on cost.
Most people are pleasantly surprised that we can provide such a long lasting item at such a relatively low cost. If you like the idea of a gift that can be passed along for generations, this is it!
Common requests include family names and addresses, welcome and thank you stones, memorials, and messages.
(Single words or whole paragraphs!)
We have a huge selection of rocks here at the farm to choose from, as well as purchased rocks from a nearby trucking company that bring beautiful stones and boulders from around the country. We also keep an inventory of concrete benches and stepping stones on hand.
Can you bring your own? Sure!
Not all rocks lend themselves to being engraved on, but give us
a call and we will be glad to talk about it.
We use sandblast engraving to make unique and personalized creations for your yard, garden, business, or anywhere.
We engrave on field stone, quarried rock, concrete and wood
About Us (2010 website)
Big River Specialty Company was born in 1995 to Larry & Lynn Decker and family on their eastern Iowa farm near the town of Bernard in Dubuque County. Farming was our lifeblood, but consolidation in the hog business forced us to reconsider the work we did. Starting in January of '95 we purchased the rights to make our Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle and several other urethane items. As time went on we expanded our products to include birding items, birdhouses, squirrel houses, and then, the Peace On Earth "stone", concrete shaped like a real stone with that timeless message. We made quite a number of these, but in the course of doing business we were asked if we could personalize a real stone enough times that we decided it was time to learn. Already owning an old 125cfm compressor and sandblaster, it was just a matter of learning which materials worked best and how to use them correctly.
Since that time our rock engraving business has blossomed into a wonderful niche. We now do sandblast engraving on site as well as here at home, have a laser engraver for glass and wood and even some stone, and do engraving on purchased benches both concrete and stone. And we still sell the Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle.
Now that our kids have grown up it's all pretty much up to dad to do the engraving work, but luckily we have our son Matt living in the house next door on the farm and doing our computer and technical work. His business is called
Emily married Conrad in May 2010 and joined him in San Diego CA labor day weekend. He is stationed at the naval base there. She transferred from John Deere Dubuque works to John Deere Water in San Diego and San Marcos as an engineer. Emily was my stencil cutter all through high school and continues to provide "encouragement".
Suzy, our baby, attends the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls. She is my main painter for those special projects that need extra care and a steady hand with an artists brush.
WELCOME! Thank you for visiting and hope you can spare a few minutes to browse our website so we can share some of our work with you.
Matt and Katie Decker and family work from our family farm in Dubuque County, Iowa. We custom engrave stone, wood, glass, concrete & Stainless Steel Tumblers. We use sandblast engraving to create long lasting yard stones, signs for businesses and Subdivisions and even towns. Memorials and life's milestones are recorded on benches, glass, crockery, picture frames- you name it. We also laser engrave glass such as wine bottles and flutes and even marble and stone.
Hope you enjoy your visit and return often. We're always happy to hear from customers and visitors!
Anything We can engrave on!
We started engraving on rocks in the '90's with a pile of glacial rocks gathered up from the fields here on our home farm. 3 generations of Decker farmers had provided the basis for a great little niche business! Since then we've gathered rocks from this area and far beyond.
------
Also, we are able to purchase beautiful boulders from a nearby trucking company. These come from as far away as North Carolina and northern Wisconsin. Our customers are always welcome to bring their own for us to engrave on as well, although we just need to remember, not every stone lends itself to be engraved on. Best to give us a call beforehand. And more importantly, these things are heavy and can be dangerous to handle. Please be careful!
Custom Sandblast Rock Engraving
"Tons" of rocks to choose from!
We use sandblast engraving to make unique and personalized creations for your yard, garden, business, or anywhere.
We engrave on field stone, quarried rock, concrete and wood.
Common requests include family names and addresses,welcome and thank you stones, memorials, and messages. (Single words or whole paragraphs!)
We have a huge selection of rocks here at the farm to choose from, as well as purchased rocks from a nearby trucking company that bring beautiful stones and boulders from around the country. We also engrave on-site, weather permitting.
We are unable to change the shape of rocks to say, give one a flat side for instance. Many times rocks need to be dug in to make them display the way we want them to. Larger
stones can be especially difficult, which is why we offer delivery and set up services.
Our current skidsteers can handle a ton with ease.
Affordable
How we charge: Since rocks vary so much in size, shape, and texture, we have found that simply charging for our time and material is the easiest and most fair way to price our work. Once you have chosen a stone and decided what to put on it we can give an accurate estimate on cost. As a very general rule, many of our yard sized projects land in the $100 - $500 dollar range. Small rocks with a single name are very popular as well, starting at $30.
Most people are pleasantly surprised that we can provide such a long lasting item at such a relatively low cost. If you like the idea of a gift that can be passed along for generations, this is it!
How do you move these things around???Stones and boulders can be deceivingly heavy, and I don't think I've ever seen one with handles! Delivery and set up is available, and we try to keep charges for this as low as possible. We use our skidsteer to set large yard stones in place. Pause
Large Limestone
Very often, we are called on to engrave large pieces of bluff rock. Limestone varies so much from one area to another, we encourage you to make sure your piece will be suitable to engrave on before you go to a lot of work putting it in.
BENCH
Somewhere along the line we were asked to custom engrave a bench or two to celebrate an event or a passing, so we began purchasing concrete benches from Willenberg Lawn Ornaments. Since then we've done many of these and also purchased limestone benches. These make great gifts to mark life's milestones and are a wonderful tribute to loved ones. Our bench top is concrete and measures 39 x 13 x 3 deep and weighs approx. 90 lbs. The legs are separate and weigh 60 lbs. each. You can design or we can help! Please call for more info!
Besides concrete benches, we are also able to purchase limestone benches and park benches made from re-cycled plastic. (both are special order) Please Note: Limestone benches usually run about $100 over the concrete. Re-cycled plastic benches with back are much more yet, but have a 40 year or more life.
---------
LASER
In 2008 we purchased an Epilog 45 watt laser with a 12 x 24 bed. This has added
to our capabilities in ways we hadn't even imagined. Special pricing on your
wedding or other event. We have many items available that make great gifts and
give-aways. If you are looking for that perfect gift give us a call!
Commonly used fonts
We use these on a daily basis, if you have a different font you'd like to use, we can usually accommodate.
Adding a scroll or design to your project can set it off!Here is a small sampling of scrolls we use often. Sometimes it can be as simple as a line under the text. Let your imagination be your guide. We have many more designs and graphics - too many to show here!
--------
DEER WHISTLE
Air activated and mounted on vehicles to keep deer and wildlife out of your path. These various devices have been in use for decades now. Some have been proven time and again to be effective while others are obviously of little value in deterring wildlife, or fall apart rendering them useless.
That is why the Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle has endured and is enjoying a successful following by people who know that wildlife WILL respond to the sound emitted by the Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle. Small animals tend to run for cover on the roadside, while deer instinctively stay frozen on the roadside until your vehicle has passed. People or pets inside the vehicle are not affected.
Big River Specialty Company has been producing the screaming hawk since 1995. We are extremely proud of the number of repeat customers who have demonstrated to us that by using the Hawk Deer whistle they can reduce the number of wildlife related collisions by simply attaching this inexpensive device to the front of their car or truck. These can be purchased directly from us through this site.
Magnet mount
Same as our tape mount, but we mold a rare earth magnet into the bottom. Great for motorcycles! As a bonus, you will recieve a tape mount as well!
Birders Whistle
Bird watchers calling device. Attract most species of birds for closer observation by blowing a series of short, repeated notes from this fun to use whistle. The natural curiosity of birds prompts them to approach the caller.
Lets you keep your hands free.
Squirrel Call
Very effective and not just for hunting, this call is fun to use on any wild squirrels just to make them come out and scold you! Simply inhale or exhale, short to long, from either end to change pitch. Mimics the distress of young
squirrels.
Easiest-to-use tick removal device on earth! The flat shape is easy to store or carry. Keep one on your key-chain, dog's collar or leash, in your wallet, toolbox or anywhere! Our only item we don't make, but we love it!
Made in the USA
Keeps ants and crawling insects out of your nectar. Super durable with brass rod that passes through the moat. No threads to pull out. Lasts for years!
This roomy nest box is sure to raise many generations of squirrels. Comes
complete with instructions for proper placement and loaded with features that
squirrels appreciate.
Price includes domestic shipping.
Business hours? We live here, usually available anytime, days, evenings, weekends. But please call or email to arrange a time. We tend to run off and hate to have someone show up when no one is around!
It helps us to know if you are local.
Thanks for contacting us! PLEASE NOTE!
We have had several People contact us that we have been unable to reply to due to UN-deliverable email addresses. PLEASE include a phone number or if you don't hear back from us, give us a call! We make every effort to answer every message.
OLD SITE 2009
-------------------------------------
Big River Specialty Company was formed in 1995 by Larry and Lynn Decker on their family farm near the tiny town of Bernard, Iowa
Not far from the banks of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa.
Since that time we have become your rock engraving
specialists. Our goal is your satisfaction
with every engraving order!
Affordable!
How we charge: Since rocks vary so much in size, shape, and texture, we have found that simply charging for our time and
material is the easiest and most fair way to price our work. Once you have chosen a stone and decided what to put on it we can give an accurate estimate on cost.
Most people are pleasantly surprised that we can provide such a long lasting item at such a relatively low cost. If you like the idea of a gift that can be passed along for generations, this is it!
Common requests include family names and addresses, welcome and thank you stones, memorials, and messages.
(Single words or whole paragraphs!)
We have a huge selection of rocks here at the farm to choose from, as well as purchased rocks from a nearby trucking company that bring beautiful stones and boulders from around the country. We also keep an inventory of concrete benches and stepping stones on hand.
Can you bring your own? Sure!
Not all rocks lend themselves to being engraved on, but give us
a call and we will be glad to talk about it.
We use sandblast engraving to make unique and personalized creations for your yard, garden, business, or anywhere.
We engrave on field stone, quarried rock, concrete and wood
About Us (2010 website)
Big River Specialty Company was born in 1995 to Larry & Lynn Decker and family on their eastern Iowa farm near the town of Bernard in Dubuque County. Farming was our lifeblood, but consolidation in the hog business forced us to reconsider the work we did. Starting in January of '95 we purchased the rights to make our Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle and several other urethane items. As time went on we expanded our products to include birding items, birdhouses, squirrel houses, and then, the Peace On Earth "stone", concrete shaped like a real stone with that timeless message. We made quite a number of these, but in the course of doing business we were asked if we could personalize a real stone enough times that we decided it was time to learn. Already owning an old 125cfm compressor and sandblaster, it was just a matter of learning which materials worked best and how to use them correctly.
Since that time our rock engraving business has blossomed into a wonderful niche. We now do sandblast engraving on site as well as here at home, have a laser engraver for glass and wood and even some stone, and do engraving on purchased benches both concrete and stone. And we still sell the Screaming Hawk Deer Whistle.
Now that our kids have grown up it's all pretty much up to dad to do the engraving work, but luckily we have our son Matt living in the house next door on the farm and doing our computer and technical work. His business is called
Emily married Conrad in May 2010 and joined him in San Diego CA labor day weekend. He is stationed at the naval base there. She transferred from John Deere Dubuque works to John Deere Water in San Diego and San Marcos as an engineer. Emily was my stencil cutter all through high school and continues to provide "encouragement".
Suzy, our baby, attends the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls. She is my main painter for those special projects that need extra care and a steady hand with an artists brush.