magazines and catalogs

[B. Newman]

Several things I wanted to share:

First, I got a new Woodworker's Supply catalog in the other day. It is a wish book. There is a 3 piece set of triangles called "Miter-Rite" that are made to use with your miter gauge with the table saw, but I think they might solve the problem someone had with needing an angle with their sander. (Too lazy to look up the thread right now.) For those who don't get this catalog the web address is www.woodworker.com. (http://www.woodworker.com.)

Next catalog I got was Bags and Bows. (1-800-225-8155) Really cool bags and even some note cards and journals (that's a really big thing these days.) That got me to thinking, we've talked about how to wrap a customer's frame, but when you sell those add-ons (that we all search so diligently for) what kind of bags do you use? Personalized with your logo, generic, or what?

Thirdly, and maybe this should be a thread all it's own, but I just read an article in last month's Craft Report (yeah, I'm getting behind in my reading :rolleyes: ) titled "For Better or Worse - What the Marriage of Good Design with Mass Production May Mean For Your Business" http://www.craftsreport.com/september03/feature.html

The article is of course, geared toward the craft industry, but it affects us as well. A blurb from it says:
"The makeup of the American consumer is undergoing a transformation. Walk into any Target or Kmart or other department store and you can find greatlooking, inexpensive gifts, jewelry, linens, office supplies, clothing, and home accessories. Big business has discovered that the American public is interested in good design, especially if they don't have to pay a premium to get it."

It talks about artists, craftspeople, knock-offs, copyrights, and how the "public needs to learn value and cost of good design.". I thought it was interesting.

Betty

[RozR]

Betty,

I, too, am behind on my reading...but caught a glimpse of the Crafts Report article... interesting.... especially having a connection to the craft/gift industry... there is so much that is beautifully designed then they take if OFF-SHORE and manufacturer it with sometimes inferior materials - so that it is cheap but looks great. Part of the throw-away society we have developed into - unless of course - we promote heirlooms and conservation along with the value of quality materials, we will continue to see this trend as the norm.

I just had a call yesterday from a lady looking for the framed piece named "Coastal" and she had found it but passed it up at a big box and went back for it and it was gone. She was looking for it and wanted to know if I could get it... Yes, I can get it. Then she wanted to know if I could do the whole package for $169.99 (I don't think so but I told her we could work with her: Print alone was $30!! and it is large! So do the math... Yeah, I can do it for 139.99 - paper mats, cheap glass, cheap moulding, cardboard backer!)

Also, having a direct connection with packaging (my other profit center is selling retail packaging!) - I have custom imprinted bags for smaller pieces and gifts from my store; I put my custom designed label on the back of the frame package which then goes into a clear plastic bag.

I actually just ran out of my first batch of custom labels after 1 1/2 years in business (and putting them on EVERYTHING!) and my 2nd batch I reversed the imprint colors - then I will know the approximate "age" of a piece should one come back to me. I will probably change the colors this way every go around... to measure/mark the era!! Plus - the logo is the same and looks good with a variety of different color combo's - kinda like mat colors!!! I have fun with it!!


Roz