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Post by mohs on Nov 25, 2014 16:09:10 GMT -5
What I’m look for here is some critical analysis from some you power cabbers & rock marketing folks.
I haven’t tried marketing them although I have some ideas to do that.
I’d like to hear some criticism before I proceed so I can make the best decision
Is the rock’n heart a flawed design because of the halves being epoxied?
Thanks for your input Ed
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 16:34:25 GMT -5
NO
I a doublet or triplet a "flawed design"?
I think not.
No.
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Post by mohs on Nov 25, 2014 16:51:49 GMT -5
I've worked hard to make that seam seamless Sometimes it real tough to see especially if it being worn pendant style. Of course with contrasting rocks it obvious But a well done one- it may add to the charm. I’d like to find a quick & efficient way to drill the hole and make some hearts out of single stones. Grinding a rock heart is hard All rock grinding is. Thanks Scott I’m sure your looking forward & will have a fine Thanksgiving holiday. Ed
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kenefick
starting to shine!
Member since August 2014
Posts: 44
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Post by kenefick on Nov 25, 2014 17:51:59 GMT -5
Far from a flawed design, I think it is very unique. You have a very special skill set - the patience and craftsmanship to combine two different stones, seamlessly. Plus the artistic talent to choose the two component stones to either blend or contrast. I would really like to see a video of a work in progress.
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Post by Pat on Nov 25, 2014 18:07:28 GMT -5
Flawed? NO!
You do good work on good material. I'd say you have a winner!
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Post by mohs on Nov 25, 2014 18:50:10 GMT -5
Thanks Pat ! I appreciate your opinion I don't the history but I get feeling you know the rock market well.
I'm not trying to mass produce or anything the whole idea behind the rock'n heart was to get rocking people a stone to wear that shows that intention. Just a rock heart pendant. its evolved into style I’m pretty proud of
so I was planning on setting up at rock & mineral show and see how a booth goes I thought this year I might but I'm still not quite there. I feel the quality is good enough its just that I don’t quite have enough stock for a display but I got my nose to the grindstone ha ha
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Post by mohs on Nov 25, 2014 18:56:37 GMT -5
I I would really like to see a video of a work in progress. Thanks! A video is something I been wanting to do for years! I see it in my minds eye. Lots of funs and silliness serious grinds & certain amount of technique maybe this year I will get a chance eventually it will happen rock gods willing Thanks again! Ed
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 18:59:17 GMT -5
Thanks Ed. I will mostly have a great thanksgiving. Heading up to sacramento to see kidlet. The trip is all worked out.
I said mostly, because it's you and also because wifey says we gotta wake up at 4am to get there by lunch! lol 4am!! sheesh!
Hoping you have a nice one too.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Nov 25, 2014 20:45:46 GMT -5
Your designs are unique but design is unlikely to be the problem. Attend the shows where you are likely to display to get a feel for what others are selling and also be sure to get some quotes on booth fees. In my area, in the mid 90s, the promoters increased the fees to make sure that they kept all the profit from sales -- only people selling anything the most expensive items like gold jewelry would have anything left after expenses and fees. This was a double whammy for me, as I stopped selling at shows (stupid to work that hard and give all the money to somebody else) and soon stopped attending as well (because I would rather have expensive pieces handmade by people I already know, not bought from some random at a booth and the increase in booth fees meant that "rock" shows became in reality just "jewelry" shows.) Result: well, obviously I no longer go to local rock shows but it seems like they've really collapsed for a lot of people as a way to sell their items. Same for craft fairs. I just visited a local market where you are required to make the items you sell, and the items in question were all quick, easily made items of no value, pewter instead of silver, amethyst beads clearly bought from a Chinese supplier and then strung together quickly to meet the requirement that the item is locally made and so forth. It may be that your items are well-made but that selling at craft or rock shows is no longer the way to go because sellers being expected to pay high booth fees yet sell at low prices means you do a lot of work to break even or even lose money. You may have to try a variety of ways to sell your work. Good luck.
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Post by orrum on Nov 25, 2014 23:11:48 GMT -5
Mohs the two different halves is the great part!!! Especially when you mix and match them so well and wildly sometimes! Keep on with the rock in hearts!!!
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droseraguy
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 426
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Post by droseraguy on Nov 26, 2014 7:28:30 GMT -5
I think your design is pretty sound but critics are going to sound the loudest in your ears. One way, if you haven't mentioned it previously, to cater to folks is to give them the choice of halves. You can have a myriad of ready to go hearts on display. In addition for the more demanding "consumer" you might have a selection of premade halves ready for the women to pick their own. Sorry ladies but in my experience male color matching skills are not quite on par with you all. You can mail them to the people with an added charge maybe ? Mostly your stuff is plenty great to show off, I'd be proud.
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Post by mohs on Nov 26, 2014 8:32:28 GMT -5
Thanks droseraguyYou make a great point! I have an idea of rock’n heart parties! Ya know… will have little wine,cheese and display rock pendants Seriously. Then custom orders could be taken. As anyone ever done this? Rock parties? Ed
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Post by orrum on Nov 26, 2014 9:24:55 GMT -5
That's liable to work!
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Nov 26, 2014 10:19:12 GMT -5
It depends on what you plan to sell the items for. Wine and cheese parties can work very well if your pieces are considered to have an arty vibe. Once a friend who owned a gallery asked me to set up a booth at an outdoor party, and I had one of my best days ever there...This is certainly worth a try if you have a place in mind with the right atmosphere.
But...I don't particularly like the suggestion of having people place orders unless you can sell for quite high prices. Having a party, taking orders, filling the orders, and then shipping the orders means that you will do a lot of work for far less than minimum wage if you're selling $20 items. Having a party and having people buy $20 items that are already complete and they're willing to pickup on the spot with no hassle is a COMPLETELY different matter. If it's a $50 item, then maybe it's OK. But I have no idea of what's a reasonable price to expect. Around here, stone and craft items have stalled out at early 1990s level prices, while almost everything else has tripled or quadrupled in price over that time...If you need the money, you may find that a beautifully crafted art item is going to be tough to sell for a reasonable price outside juried shows. Which is probably why I'm seeing so many people sell items that don't really represent a great deal of craft...?
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Post by mohs on Nov 26, 2014 11:23:08 GMT -5
right on Rock Pal Your the first invited bring the family Thanks & Have really fine Thanksgiving! Ed
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Post by mohs on Nov 26, 2014 11:29:39 GMT -5
Thanks peachfrontI appreciate your thoughts I considered my work to have an artsy vibe they are rock’n hearts after all and its all about vibe with me Not at all about money I'll probably lose money but if the vibe is right and the heart into it then things will work out I like to believe mostly
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 26, 2014 15:25:20 GMT -5
No,your design is an only one like that...That makes it more appealing.....
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Post by mohs on Nov 26, 2014 15:33:49 GMT -5
Thanks Mike! I do believe I invented it At least I never seen any previously and the zipped groove for the bale may be an original, also. Not sure . All I know is I've stayed with and tried to smooth out the process. Perhaps someday it'll be a lapidary standard? A contribution mostly
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Post by mohs on Nov 26, 2014 15:34:51 GMT -5
Alcohol certainly loosen up the marketing conversation. I have personal experience with this at the Heart concert I was working the bar and after folks had glass of wine (or what not) the interest in the Rock Hearts picked up considerably Ha Ha I had concert goers coming up to me asking if I had any petrified wood? ect… ect…. I sold about 20 hearts in 2 hours time That was good outing I plan on doing it again when and if Heart shows up for a concert I’d go on tour with them if I could mostly
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Post by Peruano on Nov 26, 2014 17:06:51 GMT -5
I have the luxury of not having to sell my simple pendants, except under special situations (inexpensively to other lapidary types, etc.); gifting is so much fun, but I have had a couple of good experiences when someone specifically asked to buy. My reply was I'll make the pendant and ear rings, if you will make a donation to XXX charity (usually the YMCA youth program or similar). Ironically the donation is always much more than I would have asked had I asked for cash. My point is Hearts say love, and it takes love to support charities. Maybe you want to incorporate a bit of philanthropy/charity/good will in your heart marketing if that works with your economics and priorities. We all have our favorite gift recipients and our sweat is just as valuable (maybe more so) than our gifting dollars. I too like to see your hearts and while some will poopoo epoxy in art, I say use it if it works. It has more of a place than snobbery. Tom
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