[TheForge] Demo's

Sun Jun 16 14:00:01 2002

        John,  It is all in presentation and figuring how to keep people
interested.  We found when we did our first few demos we had picture books
that were to large and one person hogged the book for what seemed forever
and then asked how much was and walked off in disgust......while 100 other
potential customers breezed past.  Our solution to this was "quickfolios" of
what we consider to be 12 of our best pictures.
        During these same initial demos we found ourselves being asked the
myriad of questions over and over.........what is wrought iron?, what kind
of coal do you use?, so what is so special about what your doing?, what is
this thing?, etc, etc.  In answer to this we found public demos to be easier
when we did some proper signage and samples.  To have a sample board of
wrought iron, mild steel, tool steel, cast iron, solves alot of question
time being spent on common answers.  The story board of how one goes thru
the original stock to complete a thumb latch or a leaf is another good
example to show people a series of what happens to a piece your working
without you actually having to go thru the work while they have to watch.
Many people inquire about railings so we made sample of rail caps with all
the different vairations of what can happen to a piece of 1/2" square
stock.........this makes people go..........WOW - that's all from the same
kind of stock !?
        In answer to your main question (as we found after a couple demos
there were many areas to improve upon),  we made small fast items like the
hooks you hate to hear about - but it's a fast dollar and everyone wants
them.  Other items we've made have been little rings from horseshoe nails,
or a hand made nail for those interested in rebuilding their
homes.........and tell them imagine how long it takes to make approximately
5-7,000 to put a house together in the old days (sort of puts perspective on
things).  Other items we've done are key rings of different shapes like a
fish from 1/4 x 3/4 flat bar, or a small leaf ring, or a tree shape if it's
a harvest festival or something on that order......pumkins work too for a
fall festival.  Key rings are fast and folks like them when they see them
made.
       On another improvement was using a cordless drill to drill all the
holes in the key chains............. which then evolved into a hand crank
drill press attached to the forge to solve that problem.  Your stock is
pulled out on the top for the key ring or chain - so there really isn't much
to hot punch when your done in small scale like that and like you say folks
get bored quick.  People seem to appreciate hand work with a hand drill
press, which fits right in with the hand crank blower ............wicked old
timey.   :-)
        Our demos have evolved into about 12 of us now doing them in groups
with tables and burlap on the display tables as a back drop cover, another
table is full of everyone's "quickfolios", and then samples of work for
people to oogle over like dragons, hinges, latches, pot racks, towel racks,
large hooks and hangers, etc.   Now we do things a bit more organized and
have two guys working from the forge, a person or two explaining what we are
doing, and also refering people to the "quickfolios" and contact information
inside of them for those folks interested in having work done.  We find it
easier to concentrate on working from the forge OR talking to the crowd  -
and taking turns on each instead of doing it all yourself.  It's a good
excuse to get together and have fun too - makes a demo a much more pleasant
and relaxed event.
        With 6-12 people it also allows a "feature demonstration" which is
something two people have worked out in advance and have a finished piece on
the table with all the parts and jigs/or tools - that can be shown to
interested folks.  So far we've done a pair of andirons, a boot scraper, and
a candelabra on our past three demos that we've done in a group.  This
really seems to draw a crowd to have a finished piece that they would like
to have in their house, see the parts you are working on as well as how long
just one part takes, and then see you going thru the motions of making that
complete part if they are so inclined.  I wouldn't recommend this as a one
man show as folks will walk off yawning.
        We have also developed a demo trailer and gear so we can arrive on
site, and be up and running with all the tables, covers, rope stancheons,
samples, story boards, quickfolios in place in no time at all.  The forge,
vice drill, anvil, stands, etc are all modular and fit together so there is
about a 20-30 minute set up and take down.
        I'll send you a picture to show you our set up, trailer, and samples
of what we do.  This is after seven public demos over four years that this
has been perfected, so it is not something I threw together in a couple
days.
        I'm working on a copper arch to hang signs, pot racks, candelabras,
etc. from to act as a back drop to our demo station when we don't have a
building, wall, fence or other appropriate backing for the demo on that
particular site.
        And above all have some shade so you can see the true colors from
the fire.......nothing like burning up all your parts in the sunlight to
really impress some folks!!

Ralph


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Chobrda" <[email protected]>
To: "The forge" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2002 10:20 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Demo's


>     I would like to ask a question about doing demonstrations for the
> general public. For those of you who have done this, what do you find to
> be the best things to make to give people an idea of what we do. I was
> at a event yesterday and found myself at a loss as to what to do, that
> could be done quickly, and even given to some of the kids in the
> audience as a reminder of their experience. I noticed that people don't
> stay very long, so I'm trying to think of something that would be quick,
> and not to involved, something besides a hook please. I'm not too much
> of an original thinker, but I can take an idea and run with it.
> Thanks in advance
> John C.
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  [email protected]
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>