[TheForge]was Conference electricity now making things better

Mon Mar 19 11:54:26 EST 2007

Hey Frosty.  Large grins right back at you.

Well, yes.  Still....

	If there is a large enough event for things to be there for
everybody, then once again we are subsidizing the entire event, paying a lot
for a lot of things that we don't have interest in, or don't have the time
to see.<G>  I think that this is what started this line of discussion
originally<G>.  Now I am not throwing stones at anyone who has stood up and
tried.  I've been there.  For one person that stands up and tries, there are
100 throwing stones at them because they aren't doing it right<G>.  Hmm.  It
sounds like Religion.  The religion of the singing anvil<G>.  We've got
everything here 
except the Good Book <G>. (humor folks!!)

	The biggest problem with marketing is that marketing really needs to
be done up front when there is the least amount of $$$ available to do it.
Hmmm.  We need volunteers that are knowledgeable and have lots of free
time<G>.

	I speak here in generic terms, and speaking generic will get my butt
whooped a lot, but still it has applications.  The general public will talk
with its mouth, but then turn right around and vote with its pocketbook.
So, the bottom line is that we can educate the public, but I suspect that
except for a piddling few, they will continue to buy from wallymart.  It's
the way of the world.  You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it
drink.  You can show the public that hand wrought is better, but they will
buy Chinese because it gives them more money for that ski trip to Vale or
that pitcher of Miller.  I don't blame them, I do the same upon occasion. I
go to the back 40 sales area.  I walk through once looking to see what is
there.  Then I go back and buy those things that I can't live without.  Oh
yes, there are other delimiters as well.  Those things have to fit the
amount of $$$ that is in my pocket.  So I have to figure out what number of
X, Y, and Z will add up to the amount available?  Which of those things do I
really need right now for an upcoming project?
	But recognizing this as a reality and knowing how to work with the
situation is part of what makes someone in business successful or not<G>.
The general public will never buy blacksmith made stuff.  It's not modern
and it's not hip.  But there are certain sectors of the buying public that
does appreciate hand forged.  They have their own reasons, many<G>.  I have
a small clientele who buy from me regularly, though not enough for me to be
a professional with a full time shop.  Still, I do enjoy the work, I do
enjoy their appreciation of the work, and I REALLY do enjoy being able to
pay for dinner on the way home<G>.  
	That is the big difference between the two groups that is often
ignored or misunderstood.  Hobbiests do it because they like to do it, IE
it's fun.  Professionals do it because it pays the bills.  Certainly there
are professionals that enjoy the work, but at some time in their lives it
becomes a real job, and the reason for getting up every day to stoke up the
forge is less and less fun; and more and more "I have to pay the bills this
month or the wife will go hungry<G>."  Until someone has done BOTH types of
work and lifestyles, there may be little understanding of the "other side of
things."  The bottom line is that what motivates one group is not at all
appealing to the other.  My best example is the difference in an "art"
blacksmith and a ferrier<G>.  Both are black faced coal breathing hard
muscled artisans, but they are indeed horses driven by different demons<G>.

	In this matter it is extremely difficult to feed all fires at the
same time.  So it appears IMHO that why not have a rotating schedule of
specialities.  2007 is the art of the blacksmith.  09 is architectural
blacksmith applications.  11 is ancient techniques.  You see the direction.
Yes, not everyone will want to go every year.  Then again, not everyone eats
steak every night of the week either.  But there will be some crossover.

	Back on subject.....  So, the bottom line is, allow some of the
public in, you will do a little good, but not much in the long term.  Still,
it is well worth the effort to let in certain groups (like the scouts and
metal classes from school), because we will probably see some benefit from
those actions.
	In a perfect world where everyone cares about the situation, where
there is infinite money to spend, and infinite time to make things right,
all will be well.  But with the product mix that we have, and the way that
things always go, we run with the money available, the time available, and
the situation as it sits today.  To do otherwise will waste effort, time,
and make our kitties scratch us because their food bowls are empty.

Woof

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jerry Frost
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 9:10 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Conference electricity

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.
>

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