[TheForge] Re: Pure Iron Truck Specials.

Wed Aug 21 21:17:00 2002

You have to remember the French are strict traditionalists, Pate', 
crunchy bread, strong red wines, everything they do, they do as it has 
been done forever. Access to traditional material like pure iron would 
really excite the French and I am sure their clients will pay anything 
to get "real wrought iron" versus steel.

Over here we are too pragmatic and do not value tradition, history and 
culture nearly as much as we probably should.
On a fundamental basis as an American, how do you justify buying 
material significantly more expensive and will limited access and cross 
sections when you can have a vast array of steel shapes delivered right 
to your shop door for about $.40/lb or less.

It is the same thing I encounter with clients. I start out with the 
price doing it the way I would if left to my own. Then we make 
compromises until they are happy and it is still something I am willing 
to make. Sometimes I get  to the point where just send them somewhere 
else. The first big commission I turned down actually felt GREAT!!! It 
was very empowering. No more taking work for the sake of work. If I 
don't want to do it, if it doesn't stretch me as an 
artist/craftsman/"blacksmith" or give me the chance to learn, or make 
really really really big money, I am saying NO.

So far saying no has not caused a reduction in being behind in getting 
work through the shop.

Ray
Cincinnati

[email protected] wrote:

>We spent over $10,000 per year for 2 years on advertising and another $20,000 
>for setup expenses, samples and donations to demonstrators.  We have run out 
>of money for any further efforts in this regard.  Interestingly, at the same 
>time that we started this project in North America, they began a similar 
>effort in France.  Spent $400 on ads, went to a few "meets" such as they are, 
>and cant keep the material on the shelf.  Go figure.  
>
>
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