One of the first things people want to know is, "What gave you this idea?" Sticks and Stones^TM began as an alphabet lesson for the founder's children. Brad and Jera Deal and their three young daughters began "letter hunting" while on walks or while spending the day at the park. They would look for different "letters" in nature (STICKS) and architecture (STONES). They began taking photographs to remember their adventures, thus creating a collection of letters based on the family's hobby. Brad, Jera, and the girls continue to letter hunt, so keep checking in as new letters are added to the "Letters Gallery".

In October 2005, Jera was a room mom for her daughter's preschool class. Therefore, she was in charge of finding a gift for the teacher when she was married during the school year. Jera didn't want to give the teacher a gift card or something off her registry -- that just wasn't memorable enough. She wanted to give her something that she would look at in 20 years and know exactly who the gift came from and for what occasion. As the family discussed their gift dilemma, they decided to try something new -- having their letters custom framed spelling out the teacher's new last name. Once the other mothers saw the gift at the class bridal shower, and the teacher displayed her gift in the Teacher's Lounge, the orders began rolling in. Word soon spread from the school to the city and after just a few weeks, it was clear Sticks and Stones^TM had taken on a life of it's own!

In less than three years, Sticks and Stones^TM has grown from one creation to being available in many catalogs and boutiques around the world. Sticks and StonesTM is also popular among many celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Martha Stewart, and Rachael Ray and has received an incredible amount of national press.

Brad Deal is a 1992 graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign with a degree in Economics. Brad is the CEO of Sticks and StonesTM. The multi-million-dollar company has grown into a 5000 square foot studio with over 60 employees. Each keepsake is hand-crafted and he wants to be certain every Sticks and Stones^TM is perfect, so he is never far from the studio. His hobbies include playing in his band (lead vocals, lead guitar, and piano), participating in triathlons and marathons, photography, and playing with his daughters. When not running the business, he is training for an Iron Man triathlon which will require him to swim 2.4 miles, bike for 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles.

Jera (Hull) Deal is a 1996 graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois with a degree in Marketing and Communications. She grew up in the Midwest watching her father run a successful farming business and is the product of a school teacher turned stay-at-home Mom. She always desired to be both: an entrepreneur and stay-at-home Mom. Sticks and Stones^TM has allowed her to do just that. She enjoys interior decorating and home design, photography, reading, and being Mom to her little girls. Brad and Jera were married on August 15, 1998. They have three daughters: Allie, Julianna, and Lily. They were the inspiration for Sticks and Stones^TM.