The story of Signed
We are Signed. And we believe in second chances.
Using old discarded materials to create authentic, handmade and personal showpieces: we like that. And while we do that, we not only create something special for you, we also work on a better world without slavery and human trafficking. Because 10% of our sales go to A21.
The history of Signed
It all started in 2013. After years of working in HRM and higher education, Petra came home with a burnout. At the time she felt so useless and wanted to “make something”. Just create something with your own hands. And so it was that she got old wood from a gardener’s garbage mountain, had plates made and painted texts on it.
Words have always been important in Petra’s life. Words have power, encourage you, remind you of the truth, and helped her face the challenges every time during that difficult time. And although she had never painted words on wood (she had no experience with wood or painting anyway), she just started. The choice to recycle old wood was also clear: old wood already has a story. Each sign is unique because of its history. Every grain, scratch, knot or discoloration tells a story. It touched her, it is the same in ordinary life.
You find yourself through the challenges you face. Precisely the scars, the knots and the cracks, make you unique and give a certain beauty. If a sign has a scar, you have to work around it, just like in life. You have to take it as it comes. Not everything is perfect, but that is exactly what makes each sign unique, authentic and special.
The hobby grew into a business and in 2016 Petra registered with the Chamber of Commerce. With the help of Sanne, Signed has grown into a creative notebook trade in 2018/2019. In the summer of 2019, Signed moved with all notebooks, atlases and road maps to the Wijkboerderij Nieuwland in Amersfoort. We now have our own workshop where we as Team Signed make beautiful things and hopefully, with our support for A21, make the world a little better. Team Signed currently consists of Petra, Tineke and Marieke. 🙂
We believe in second chances
We like to restore what is old and thrown away. Or better yet: to be the showpiece of the house!
But what really concerns us is that we want to make a difference. Millions of people live as slaves in the world. There are currently more slaves in the world than ever before. And that affects us. Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime and the chance of victims being rescued is only 1%. Terrible statistics: so many broken lives!
We want to do something about this injustice and that is why we support the fight against human trafficking and slavery through our monthly support for A21.

Second chance for products
All our products are made from recycled wood:
old garden benches, fences, furniture, pallets and played-out toy animals… we give disposable wood and products a second life.

Second chance for hope
We believe in the power of words.
Words to encourage and remind you of important truths every day. Our signs restore hope because they keep reminding you of the truth that is important to you.

Second chance for human life
We fight for a better world. Together with A21 we fight against human trafficking and modern slavery and we fight for a recovery of lives: 10% of our sales proceeds go directly to A21.