Jarsa and Company Stone Engraving

06/16/2026

June 16, 1986 - - - Forty years ago this morning, I walked through the door of North Adams Mold in North Adams, Michigan to begin my tool and die apprenticeship.

A gentleman by the name of Shannon Rowe saw enough spark in my eyes to give me a chance to learn a skilled trade that has served me well beyond my tool and die years. Born in the hills of Kentucky, Shannon's formal education ended at eighth grade, and he often credited the Army for "taking care of the rest".

The shop was small and archaic by today's standards. We had no CNC equipment at that time, and most of our machinery was from decades prior. Blueprints were hand-drawn and there were no computers to be found...anywhere...neither in the office nor the shop. Back then, hand-built wooden models were used to help create the impressions in tool steel that eventually formed plastic parts of every shape and size imaginable. But in all honesty, the shop turned out amazingly skilled work for our day, and for the technology we had to work with.

Including Shannon, there were only three of us. It was magical world where I, as a young buck, grew wildly and rapidly in my tool-making skills. I learned every process. And by the time I was a young twenty-something I could build out an entire project by myself...not because I necessarily wanted to...but because I had to. It was just the way things were done back then.



But it's a totally different world today. Tool and die shops now have to be incredibly agile and fiercely competitive, and that requires "departmentalization". Essentially that means doing one or two processes and then handing off the project to the next set of skilled hands.

Jarsa & Company could not possibly be where it is today without those early days of my career spent in the machine shop (All 30,000+ hours!). The research and development projects that have gone on to help us produce some of our best works were born there, and I'd be remiss if I didn't stop to honor the man who helped me set it all in motion. The two photos of myself essentially represent the "book ends" of my career.

Shannon passed away in 2000. I owe him a very large debt of gratitude for purposely and patiently seeing me through to becoming a journeyman.

"Rest in peace, dear friend. I still remember the sound of your voice often. Your relentless pursuit of new and exciting things has been a great inspiration to me these past four decades...thank you for being a friend".

06/13/2026

This was originally scheduled to be launched later this summer as our capstone project for the Lean Rocket Lab, but the research and development stages went much faster than we had ever expected.

So, here it is:

We now have the capabilities to create mini-boulder cremation garden memorials. The example shown is approximately 8-inches wide.

A permanently-sealed titanium chamber holds approximately 1-teaspoon of cremains (ashes). It's 100% weatherproof for all seasons, and it's perfect for an outdoor home memorial garden.

We can also add this feature to the larger memorial stones.

The early release date will give us most of the summer to begin implementing them as we continue to re-tool the shop. Due to the process involved, the cremains can only be installed here at Jarsa & Company.

06/11/2026

I'm honored to be among ten business-owner colleagues for this twelve-week intensive. The insight and the energy they bring to class each Thursday morning is truly a blessing.

Spoiler Alert:
We're super excited to mention there are a few new ideas on the back burner, and they will be revealed later this summer...once the dust settles. But for now they will continue to simmer to perfection with the valued assistance from the Lean Rocket Lab!

Jarsa & Company Stone Engraving

🪨 2026 Lenawee & Hillsdale LOCAL Fellows Spotlight

Meet James Littley, owner of Jarsa & Company Stone Engraving.

Since 2005, Jarsa & Company has blended artistry and technology to create meaningful stone engraving projects throughout the region. From memorials and engraved bricks to pet memorials and custom boulder engraving, every project is approached with creativity, precision, and attention to detail.

Helping preserve memories and tell stories through craftsmanship that lasts for generations.

📍 Learn more:
Website: https://jarsa.net
Facebook: Jarsa and Company Stone Engraving

06/04/2026

The first of twelve weeks is already in the books. From the first inquiry on February 13...to the pitch-presentation on May 13...to today...it's crazy to realize nearly four months have passed since we began the process.

Along with ten new colleagues from Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties, we're looking forward to learning new and challenging things.

"Back to school" is still in our vocabulary...and always will be.

06/01/2026

Known for its durability, corrosion resistance and low friction, bronze has been a cornerstone of human technology, warfare, and art for over 5,000 years. It is comprised of approximately eighty-eight percent copper and twelve percent tin.

Bronze has an amazing and colorful history, and it’s well worth your time to re-discover the role it played in getting us to our present time. The dawning of the bronze age would have been comparable to the advent of Artificial Intelligence we now experience today.

As with many technological developments, serious disruptions eventually occurred. A significant lack of tin eventually caused metal workers to explore new alternatives for harder metals, thus giving way to the iron age around 1200 BC.

But regardless of the latest and greatest technology to come along, the bronze used for memorials will always be prized for its rich patina of copper oxide which prohibits deterioration for centuries.

05/26/2026

The aeolian (ay-oh-lee-uhn) process is nature's way of moving particles of dust and fine grains of sand that eventually create amazing works of art.

And what's even more mind-boggling is the fact that it's actually the airborne dust (not sand) that has carved the amazing landforms we see today. Sand is far too heavy to stay aloft for long periods of time.

Over the years, we've fine-tuned our processes to mimic nature. And we have to agree! The dust does an amazing job of cutting stone.

In our controlled environment, the magic of erosion happens in just minutes instead of centuries.

05/24/2026

Regardless of what the song says, this is the most wonderful time of the year.

So far, nearly twenty milkweed plants have pushed their way up between the rocks and more seem to be on the way. It appears they may have networked from one lonely plant that sent out rhizomes in every direction several years back, and every year more join the celebration. Ironically, I can't seem to get them to grow in the meadow.

Spring has it all...mystery, color, geometry, sights, sounds and smells. And best of all, the promises of new growth...in so many ways.

02/25/2026

Honestly, I've never known another to have had as much patience as mom...

11/16/2025

Here in the Midwest, they're known as "pudding" stones.

10/28/2025

Remembering a very special Aunt...

This Liriope (monkey grass) traveled 650 miles from Betty's home in Greenville, SC. It was one of her favorites, and it adorned her shaded hillside yard along with numerous plantings of holly and azalea (which also accompanied me back to Hillsdale).