HOWDY
My name is Chad Lehrmann, and I have a dream.
My hope and my vision is to develop a product- be it a book, a piece of art, or eventually a great cup of coffee- that makes your world a better place, even if it is only in small way.
Right now this website and local markets are the place to find us, but someday- hopefully sooner rather than later- you'll be able to find us in a rustic coffee shop/bookstore that also sells our art. Ideally, this will be in the mountains of Colorado, but that's a long journey.
I hope you join us on it, right here at the beginning!
DIDACTIC means INTEGRITY
I think one of the things most people wonder is why do you call an engraving business that deals mostly with wood and slate and hats Didactic Cafe Designs?
The answer starts with my name, and it starts with my job.
And they are kinda the same.
My last name is Lehrmann, and in German, it means Man from Lehr. That's kinda boring, but what you need to understand is that it also means "Teacher Man." And another translation of teacher is "Didact." Which means to lecture or teach with a moral component.
And my day job is being a high school social studies teacher. Before that, I was a minister.
I'm literally a Didactic Man.
When it comes to the things I create, that I engrave and craft, I want them to mean something. To call the deep longings of your heart, your faith, your passion.
And to do it well.
Because this business is part of my heart, my faith, my passion.
And my dream.
CAFE means INTEGRITY
In addition to being a teacher, I'm a writer. Mostly fiction, some n0n-fiction. You can find those books here, too, alongside my other work.
While teaching is great, it is not my dream. Not anymore. No, my dream is a coffee shop, the Didactic Cafe, that sells coffee, my artwork, independently authored books like mine, and offers a space for discussion. There is a great book, History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage, and in it, he gave me my dream. That during the Enlightenment, coffee shops where the place where revolutions and revivals began. Like-minded people- and opponents, too- would meet in these spaces to engage in meaningful communication and connection.
I want to offer that space.
But until I can have the physical space to brew coffee, engrave wood, tell stories, and foster revolution/revival, this website is your coffee shop.
Oh, and I want the shop in the mountains.
DESIGNS means CREATIVITY
Whether it is a book, a hat, or a wooden magnet depicting mountains and trees, I believe that creation is the most powerful way for me to express my faith and my heart. While most of the things I sell on this site are mountain and nature themed (and coffee, don't forget coffee), I also love creating something from your vision. Anything you see here on this site can be adjusted or altered to fit your need. Or maybe you have another idea totally unlike anything I've made- great. Let's talk. It might not be in the coffee shop (yet) but let's work together to make your dream a reality.
Because that's why I do this.
To create solid work that puts a smile on your face.
I believe we all have the spark of creativity in us.
But not all of us have a laser engraver.
That's where I come in.
Let's make some cool stuff!
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
123-456-7890