About "Us"

Introduction:

Hello everyone, and thank you for visiting my store and showing interest in learning more about "us". I say us in quotes like that because it's really just me, one guy, doing everything you see here.

Who am I?

I would like to introduce myself and share my passion for learning and creating. My name is Steve Apuzzo, and I've always been fond of working with my hands and transforming mundane objects into useful items. I have background in retail, photography, pyrography, graphic design, string art, fabrication, and manufacturing and I've always found enjoyment in acquiring new skills and knowledge. My diverse background ultimately led me to CNC lasers. This discovery merged many of my favorite hobbies into a single pursuit. 

Who is "Dek"?

In case you couldn't tell from the rest of the site, I'm a bit of a nerd. I thoroughly enjoy gathering with friends to play tabletop games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: the Gathering, and various others. The nickname "Dek" originated from my expertise in one such game. A friend once called me "Socrates with a deck of cards" which turned into "Dekretese" or just "Dek" and it stuck with me.

My Mission:

I yearned for a change from what I characterized as "Borg Business," where uniqueness and individuality fade in favor of conformity and bottom lines. So, I made it my goal to encourage individuality and provide others with joy, thru unique gifts, keepsakes, mementos, and artwork that they can cherish for years to come.

My Loss:

Late 2019 I lost my best friend of over 16 years, my perpetual puppy, Jables the puggle, to his battle with cancer. I wanted to make him a memorial worthy of the impact that he had on my life so I came up with my engraved photo memorial. Those that saw it, loved it so much that they wanted me to do their own photos, and they encouraged me to offer them to other people that may be looking for the same, and with that Design by Dek was born.

My inspiration:

I get a lot of my inspiration in nature, as I find a connection with the landscapes around me, as well as all the little critters in it. Another large part of my inspiration comes from my fascination with sacred geometry and how often it appears throughout the universe.

Throughout my journey, I've relied mostly on self-teaching. But, my perfectionism, OCD, and imposter syndrome have often posed significant challenges to my progress. Then I heard a quote that really resonated with me...

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." ~George Bernard Shaw

It made me reevaluate my way of thinking, which had always hindered my progress, into seeing mistakes as simply more experience, and to never stop learning. Even if I face setbacks, we can all can learn from them. All of these experiences have given me a profound appreciation for "the little things in life" and I hope to inspire people to find joy in those. Because, in time, we'll realize that the big events we once considered significant will fade away, And its those "little moments" that'll form the most enduring memories.

Thank you for the support!:

First and foremost, I would like to thank my incredible wife who has been a continual support to me in all of my endeavors and always motivates me to persevere even when my "imposter brain" is telling me to give up!

Also, I'd like to thank my family and friends for everything that they have done and continue to do!

And to all those who are out there making the world a better place, just know that I appreciate you! #DekAppreciates