Laser engraver inspires creativity at local gift shop

Tuesday, April 25, 2017
New Life clerk Sarah Schilling, right, helps customer Phyllis Bach design engraved gifts using New Life’s new P. Graham Dunn engraver.
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The new laser engraver at New Life in downtown McCook enhances what the inspirational shop offers its customers, it fills a niche in McCook’s shopping environment, and besides, it’s just plain fun.

“It’s so user friendly, and so much fun,” New Life owner Lisa Wilcox explains. “Customers can select their designs and products, and customize gifts on the spot.”

If someone needs just one engraved gift … if someone wishes to customize a very special gift … if someone wants to give a one-of-a-kind gift, the P. Graham Dunn engraver at New Life can create the perfect gift for the situation.

One of Phyllis’ gifts is a bear-embellished water bottle bound for Alaska. The engraver and its products are made in America. The P. Graham Dunn company is located in Dalton, Ohio, and a large portion of its workforce is Amish and Mennonite. P. Graham Dunn has manufactured inspirational art, gifts, and home decor since 1976.
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Lisa said a corner of her New Life shop has been remodeled to accommodate the engraver, computer, monitor and the gift products that range from name badges, pens, key chains and dog tags, to insulated travel mugs and water bottles, to large crosses, yard signs, housewares, serving trays, pallet signs, picture frames and connectible wall puzzles. Engrave on wood, faux leather, metal, glass …

A customer can select the gift, scroll through the selection of fonts, and pick from among the symbols and designs that include animals, people, hobbies, holidays, plants, professions, sports, states. “You can personalize something very special for First Communion, or confirmation, or graduation,” Lisa said. “There is no limit to what you can design.”

While the engraver is very customer-friendly, so is the New Life staff. Lisa’s daughter, Sarah Schilling, is the resident “techie” who can help guide customers through the product and design selection process and engraver set-up. It’s not difficult, Lisa says, and “it’s just plain fun.”

McCook has had an inspirational store since the 1980s; the Wilcoxes bought it seven years ago. New Life is located on the bricks in downtown McCook at 212 Norris Avenue. It is open Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (308) 345-6889, or check out the New Life Facebook page.

New Life Christian Bookstore is so much more than books: it offers Bibles, books, music, gifts, t-shirts, cards, church supplies. “We are your inspirational store,” Lisa says. Special orders are welcome with little to no shipping fees. Pastors and churches receive a 10 percent discount on products. Free gift wrapping is available, as are imprints on Bibles purchased at New Life.

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