SMG in the Ravalli Republic
"All about the image"
by JEFF SCHMERKER - Ravalli Republic
Sapphire Mountain Graphics owner Carrie Smith at her shop in Florence. She does everything from web design to photograph retouching and printing services. DAVID ERICKSON - Ravalli Republic
Carrie Smith was at a crafts bazaar in Florence when she got the idea for a business.
Smith was working out of her home as a freelance graphic designer when she rented a booth at a school bazaar to produce computer paintings from family photos. Smith used software to “paint” images on a computer screen based on photos.
“I got a good reception and people started asking me for my card,” she said.
Smith and her husband Keith had recently moved to Florence from Arizona and Nevada, where Smith had served in marketing at a U.S. Air Force base. It was there that she saw graphic designers having fun and she decided to pursue a different career path. She went to school and earned an associate’s degree in graphic design from Glendale Community College.
When Keith retired from the air force the two realized they could live anywhere they wanted and after some reconnaissance chose Florence.
Smith has now opened Sapphire Mountain Graphics at 5501 U.S. Highway 93, Suite 2, behind Town Pump in Florence.
Sapphire Mountain Graphics will let Smith put to use all her background and training, she said.
The new business has copy and printing, binding, faxing, notary and computer rental services.
Smith says she specializes in graphic design and business consulting - besides her graphics degree she has a degree in business from the University of Missouri. She can make print ads, brochures, flyers, door hangers and Web sites. A one-hour initial consultation is free.
Smith holds a Montana notary certificate and is a member of Montana Web Professional and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals and is working on Adobe certification.
This is a risky time to be opening a new business, Smith admits, but she already has clients and has found good shop space in Florence.
“Our motto is, ‘Your image is my passion,’” she said. “I want my image to be perfect and I needed a shop for people to see my image and how to present their image.”
Smith still excels at what initially got her into business - computer paintings. She can do watercolors, pen and ink, pop art and comic strip representations of photos or other art, as well as old photo restoration.
“I hope people will stop in and see the shop and a lot of the art work in here,” she said. “A lot of people come in and stare at what I have on the walls. Some of it is for sale and some of it is not. But we are friendly and love to have anyone come by and chat for a few minutes.”
Smith also has two computers with internet access for the public to use. The computers are free to use, but printing is $0.10 per page.
“Basically, if folksdon’t have access to computers at home they can come here,” she said. “We hope to have the shop set up cafe style soon.”
Sapphire Mountain Graphics will celebrate its grand opening March 15.
For more information call 273-9837 or see www.sapphiremountaingraphics.com.
Reach reporter Jeff Schmerker at 363-3300 or at jeff.schmerker@ravallirepublic.com.
