My name is Steve Swallow and my wife is Sonja Swallow. We have been married for 43 wonderful years and are looking forward to our next 43!!
Sonja and I both grew up in Kansas where we met in High School and then attended the same college. We were married once Sonja got her degree in 1980 and Sonja started working while I finished my degree. We moved to Dallas, TX in 1982 when I was hired as an RF Engineer. I continued with that same company where I was involved with RF Engineering Software Development until my retirement in 2017. Sonja has been with her same company for 35+ years now where she serves as Office Manager.
Steve and Sonja Swallow
Artistic Machines
We live near Aubrey, TX which is North of Dallas. Our two amazing adult children, Brad and Kari, both graduated from college and live in Texas so we get to see them quite often. They are now pursuing successful careers of their own.
I have always been interested in Computers and “All Things Technology”. Since childhood I’ve always been building something – often with wood. When I discovered that I could use Computers to Produce Wood Products with CNC Machines, I was intrigued. Initially I produced early versions of some of the designs you see here on our website. I got requests for variations of those designs, or for new designs. The more I made, the more I loved it. Before I knew it I had been bit by the CNC Machine Bug and I was officially HOOKED!!!
Sonja has always been very creative and is an accomplished seamstress. She got involved with making Memory Quilts from Tee-Shirts and that led to thinking about the possibility of using embroidery in her designs (I figured she HAD TO HAVE a Computer in the process somewhere!!) We got her first Embroidery Machine years ago and the creative possibilities exploded! She started making many things, but the biggest hit was her Personalized Baby Quilt design. She made these initially for our relatives and friends, but it seemed that every time she made one to give away, she got a request to make one for someone else. The more she made, the more she loved it and Sonja was hooked too – hooked on her Embroidery Machines!
And so our love of creating with our Machines led us to the formation of our company – “Artistic Machines “. I handle the wood products, lithophanes, the website and social media. Sonja takes care of the sewing and embroidery, communications, shipping, and accounting.
So that’s our story!! We love what we do together and we’d like to share it with you!!!
Steve and Sonja Swallow