Brothers' business ventures gaining national attention
By GAYLE WEBER
When Jim Warren took out an advertisement in Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazine, he only was hoping to get some customers for his son's new business.
While he might have gotten that, he also will get national exposure when both of his son's businesses are featured in the upcoming issue of the magazine.
Erik Originals and WonderPaper by Jason will be profiled in the fall 2008 issue, which hits newsstands July 15.
"I ran an ad in there for Jason's WonderPaper," Jim Warren said. "They caught wind of the whole process, and they were interested."
He started Erik Originals nearly 15 years ago to provide his son, Erik, who has autism, a way to lead a productive life. Erik Warren uses a scroll saw to create anything from a Kansas Jayhawk national championship plaque to Christmas ornaments.
Jim Warren started WonderPaper by Jason about six months ago for his oldest son, Jason, who has Williams Syndrome.
"It's a business that he can work in," Jim Warren said. "It was born out of Erik's work."
The Warrens buy large sheets of WonderPaper, cut them into two smaller sizes and sell them to scroll saw artists, such as Erik Warren.
"We used to have to glue the paper (to the wood)," Jim Warren said. "Then, when you finished cutting, it was hard to get off. You had to sand all the wood.
"Now, we discovered this. A lot of times WonderPaper virtually eliminates sanding."
WonderPaper uses an adhesive to stick to wood, glass, metal and plastic and peels off after the artist has carved the design.
Jason Warren's business is expanding to include a clear WonderPaper, which allows artists to see through to the material they're working with.
Jim Warren said the discovery of WonderPaper has eliminated quite a bit of work for Erik, who expanded his business to the Internet a few months ago.
"To be honest, I was computer illiterate until then. I still am pretty much," Jim Warren said. "I cannot believe what a marketing tool it is. Last time I looked on there, we had 50,000 hits. It's been wonderful.
"We don't get that kind of orders, but autism is in the news a lot right now."
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