Stone 1 was founded in 2001 with the intent to sculpt limestone, which is a passion with its owners. The owners of the company, Michael and Teresa Brown , have over 13 years of combined experience in limestone production and carving. About 3 times a year, Michael and Teresa attend a sculpting class in Lawrence, KS.  At the 3-day class, participants are encouraged to carve stone using many different techniques. They can choose to work with power tools or hand tools, or both. Many of the people who attend teach various stone carving techniques and answer questions.  The classes are a great learning tool. 

In addition to Michael's many years of direct stone work experience, he has also had 10 years of experience in foundry work.  Michael became proficient in exact dimensioning and working from technical prints through the foundry. He has a natural skill in being able to see 3-dimensionally and is able to systematically create whatever he envisions. Teresa's experience in art has been a life long path. She began to seriously draw when she was as a teenager. She attended college in Missouri with the intent of graduating from their graphic arts program. After 2 yrs of graphic arts, Teresa moved to Kansas in 1990 and enrolled in the landscape architecture program at Kansas State University. 4 ½ yrs later she then exited the program to be able better raise her daughter. Teresa spent the next 3 yrs self-employed as a plant care specialist and landscape design consultant. Over time, she was drawn into stone produciton and sculpting. During this time Michael and Teresa met and they soon created Stone 1. 

When Michael started working for his present employer, he got the great idea of making a limestone sign for them. With the few tools they had, Michael and Teresa designed a challenging sign that complements the company's image. Shortly after this first commercial sign,  people started asking Stone 1 if they could do stone designs for them. Many people wanted the Kansas State University Powercat, so the company acquired the license to use the Powercat logo. Mike then created the "flame" Powercat which was approved by the licensing department at KSU. The business took off from there. A year later Stone 1 acquired the license to use the University of Kansas Jayhawk. The business continues to grow steadily. Stone 1 plans to acquire more collegiate licenses for several out of state Universities such as U of Nebraska, U of Missouri, Oklahoma University, and University of Colorado.

Stone 1 has now become incorporated as of August 1st, 2005.  Stone 1, Inc. manufactures custom limestone products for businesses and individuals who want to uniquely express themselves in the form of a sandblasted or sculpted sign, yard stone with name and a logo or favorite sports team, garden stone, marker stone, office/interior stone, or carved sculpture. They also fabricate architechtural accent pieces such as custom designed keystones, cornerstones, address stones and mailbox stone caps. All of Stone 1, Inc.'s custom work is to the customer’s specification. In addition to custom stonework, Stone 1, Inc. offers Kansas State University and University of Kansas, Washburn, and Baker Collegiate licensed stones, welcome stones, and decorative garden stones.

Stone 1, Inc. is expanding every day with new orders coming in a progressive rate. Michael and Teresa enjoy working with stone and are very capable, with their combined talents, of creating a high quality product that customers are proud to display in front of their house, business, or on their desk at work.

Stone 1, Inc's customers expect the stones they purchase to be beautiful and of the highest quality.  They also expect their stone to convey the exact message or image they desire. Stone 1, Inc. delivers these qualities in its stonework. The owners inspect all stone prior to use for quality and uses the highest grade paint available for stone. Further, Stone 1, Inc. guarantees all of its work.

The type of stone that Stone 1, Inc. primarily uses is called Cottonwood limestone.  It is quarried close to the city of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.  This limestone is light cream in color and is very consistant throughout its ledge.  Another limestone used is called Flinthills or Tuxedo Grey.  It is grey in color and is much harder thatn the Cottonwood limestone.  Due to its hardness, this limestone can be polished in order to show off the incredable fossils it contains.

When a customer orders a custom stone from Stone 1, Inc., they will create a layout of the customer's stone idea on the computer.  This includes several font examples and graphic arrangements (if applicable) for the customer to choose from and for the final layout approval.  If the customer is not able to be there watching the graphic process, these layouts are then usually sent by email for approval.

Stone 1, Inc. provides a variety of limestone products and has access to may types of marble and granite. They are always adding to the list. As of now, Stone 1 Inc.'s main products are as follows:

In addition we provide the following services

1. Sand blasting
2. Custom graphic design
3. On site stone work
4. Delivery and, if required, pick up.
5. Installation of stone signage 

Stone 1, Inc.'s custom stonework benefits customers by providing a high quality medium, to which they can express themselves, their business, honor a loved one, create the perfect gift, provide direction, or just please the eye.

Our product simply sells itself!