Janet Tillinghast took a break from her longtime work as an engraver a couple of years ago.
When her husband, Michael, got a job in Las Vegas, Tillinghast left the Woodland company where she had engraved for 12 years. During the couple’s year and a half in Las Vegas, she worked in such diverse fields as inventory control, customer service, telemarketing and caregiving.
However, when the family moved back to the area, Tillinghast wanted to give another try to her crafty profession.
Luckily UC Davis had an opening. Today Tillinghast, the sole campus engraver, works in a trailer office just off parking lot 41. Officially she works for Microscope Services, but Tillinghast engraves far more than identification numbers on scientific equipment. She works on signs, nametags, plaques and trophies for a variety of campus departments.
Tillinghast does not consider herself an artist. The needles on her engraving machine are run with the push of a button, etching the words and patterns that she builds with a graphics computer program.
"Some of (engraving) is creative, though. You’ve got to be somewhat of a McGyver," she said, referring to the sleuthing, improvising protagonist of the 1980s television series. "If it’s not supposed to work, I’ll make it work."
Take, for instance, when Tillinghast needs to make a large nameplate or sign. She only has a machine designed to engrave small sheets of plastic or metal, but she has devised a way to etch half the sign first, then the other half.
She credits her ingenious ways to her childhood in Fremont. As one of 13 children, toys weren’t abundant in her family. Tillinghast used her imagination – making dollhouses by building in the sandbox and using Popsicle sticks to represent people.
"I would find things and make it work," she said.
Now a Woodland resident, Tillinghast has a 23-year-old daughter, Julie Hernandez; a 15-year-old stepdaughter, Vanessa Tillinghast; and a 3-year-old son, Michael "Bubba" Tillinghast.
How did you get started?
It was back in 1986 when computers were first coming out. I told the woman who hired me that I had experience with a TRS-80 from Radio Shack. I think she thought it was a lot bigger computer than it was. She taught me the basics (of computer engraving) and I taught myself the rest.
What’s the appeal of engraving work?
To watch the cutter come down and make things, it is so neat. It’s the grinding of it. You can create something and watch it go.
What do you like best about your job?
I like creating and the look of satisfaction on customers’ faces. And everyone is so friendly here.
And the least?
Spending time away from my son.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve engraved?
Metal forceps for a retiring ob-gyn at Woodland Hospital. That particular thing stands out. I attached them to a plaque.
What was your first job?
Picking tomatoes out in the fields in Livermore. It was hard work. It makes you appreciate things. Anything I’ve done since that was a piece of cake. Nothing’s harder than labor work.
What do you do in your free time?
Sleep. No, but with my work and my son I don’t get much free time. I like to play softball. I play in a women’s league in Woodland. •