[TheForge] Conference electricity

[Jerry Frost]

EXACTAMUNDO!

It wouldn't have to be separate conferences, just 
segregated areas. If it's a large enough event there 
will be more than enough going on for everybody. If 
there's so much going on people aren't getting to see 
it all,  there can be repeats of demos.

I mentioned architects, builders, designers, etc. etc. 
The main reason I've heard for guys not going pro over 
the years I've been subbed to this and other metal art 
related lists is no work. This almost always comes down 
to marketing, if the work is up to snuff of course. I 
don't know how many times I've heard smiths say, "They 
want hand forged for WalMart, Pier One, etc. prices." 
What better way to clue the people with the checking 
accounts into what's available, what's involved and 
what it SHOULD cost than letting them see world class 
smiths at work? I think once folk understand how much 
time, education, practice and equipment is involved in 
making the fire set, let alone 200' of hand forged 
railings the purse strings will loosen up some.

See? I knew we were in the same ballpark, same team 
even. < unreserved grin>

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Grover Richardson" 
<grover.richardson at gtri.gatech.edu>


> Well, likely we cancel each other's votes!!! (humor 
> with a slight grin<G>).
>
> Yes.
>
> Demoing for the public is totally different from a 
> conference.  I do public
> demos as well several times a year.  A good demo will 
> have people stacked
> up.  I was doing a demo last year that lasted 3 hours 
> after the event ended.
> So long as there is a crowd, we don't shut our doors 
> (also vendors<G>).
> Note that if the event had asked up to shut our 
> doors. we would have.  But
> in this instance, not only was the event happy, but a 
> bunch of people who
> worked the event were there, primarily because this 
> was their only chance to
> see what I was doing.
>
> The public is a fickle beast, at best.  Long stories.
>
> Still, if we had a public conference, we would have 
> to have essentially two
> conferences.  Instead, if we were to open the doors 
> with reduced admission
> to other people who would possibly be (or become) 
> interested, this would
> allow us to continue with a bs conference for bsers 
> (pun intended) and
> expand draw, attendance, and interest.
>
> I think that someone mentioned also bringing in 
> possible architectural types
> to see what is done and how.  Though this would 
> likely not be an immediate
> paying venture, it could open doors for future work. 
> Since we are at a
> conference hammering like crazy, or standing around 
> intentive; this is a
> good place for possible clients to mix in.  They 
> would be obvious.  They
> ain't got black all over 'em.<G>
>
> All the Best.
>