"Fairy" good idea!

Originally posted by j Paul:
Read an article in our newspaper today about the fairy doors of Ann Arbor Mi. They are quite the attraction, and there is a Framing Shop and an Art Gallery that have such magical doors. Go to this link, http://urban-fairies.com/ scroll down and you will link to the two businesses.
Some of the doors have little rooms behind them.
Now what if these little fairy doors appeared in every Grumbler Frame Shop in the World? Inside the rooms could be seen the workshops of the little fairies that perform the framing magic. Something to think about? Brainstorming Welcome!
 
That is absolutely the coolest thing! (I can't wait for Mar to see this!)

Did you find that you can click on one of the bricks in the title?

They are links everywhere!
 
Well I am going to make and install a Fairy Door in my store. We also carry gift items and I have a fairy or two already and might just add a few more.
When I get the Fairy Door installed ( I mean when it magically appears by itself) I am going to contact the writer of the story in our local paper and let her know the the Faries are beginning a migration from Ann Arbor Mi. to Ohio. Might be a good follow-up story.
Still think it would be a good gimmick for others to pick-up on.
 
I think the Southen faries must sit on their verandas and sip sweet iced tea!
thumbsup.gif


(either that, or make green tomato pickles - such as I've done tonight...)
 
Well it finally happened!

If you remember this story ( http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060806/ART01/608050323 )from almost a year ago, about the fairy doors that were appearing around Ann Arbor, Michigan, you'll want to keep reading.

After I had read that story, I wanted to entice the fairies to take up residence in my store. I began to leave out all sorts of fairy treats (at least things I thought they would like). I left out candy, buttons, shiny foil, anything I could think of that might entice them.

For the longest time, Nothing! Then I started leaving out the little sugar crystals, in all the brite colors, like you sprinkle on cookies. That seemed to work after a while I began to see them disappear. However I never saw a fairy, not even a glimpse.

Then one day a few weeks ago, I began to notice that things were missing or at least not where I left them. At first it was just a little scrap of wood here and there that I was going to throw out anyway. And then a nice piece of moulding that I was going to turn into a ready-made, disappeared. My tack hammer wasn't where I left it, and my brads were spilled on the floor. My paint brushes were damp one morning when I came in, like someone had just washed them out.

And then when I came to work this morning, I found this outside my front door!
FairyDoor.jpg


I think a couple of little fairies got hitched on July 7 - 07 and decided to set up house keeping in my store.

I'll keep a lookout for them and let you know if anything else happens.

Now I got to send a note to the Newspaper writer that did that story last year.
 
It has to be high enough so a troll can't get them.
 
Actually, I believe that the fairies that have decided to move into my shop, are very forward thinking, or just received very good advice from the Ann Arbor fairies. Seems some of those fairies have moved their doors to higher ground after a lot of vandalism or just rough treatment from inquisitive little human hands.

Smart Fairy, very smart!
 
Wanted:
Frame Shop Fairy
*Duties will include whatever a Framing Fairy would be willing to help with. (Key word...."help")
*Must be willing to work for Fairy Food and whatever music Fairies like. Graveyard shift only, while it's nice and quiet.
*I promise to take the shop cat home at night and leave the air conditioner on.
*And if you leave a little Fairy Dust around, that's okay, just not on the work table, okay? Maybe I can sprinkle some on myself!
*I'd say that Serious Fairies only need apply, but I know there's no such thing as a Serious Fairy. It's against Fairy Rules.So no need to apply....just move in. I'll know.
 
I wonder if any of those doorways lead to the miniature frameshop that Vivian Kistler constructed that was shown on the G a while back.
:popc: Rick
 
J Paul,

Don't get distracted with those Fairy things now. Remain focused on coop-advertising till that one takes off or is being put off. If you were a podiatrist of some sort, then I'd say that those fairies would probably look inviting and reassuring to your very little patients. But you shall know that frames are for well grown up/old little girls. Besides, those decorations look sooo kinky in a shop run by a man, save he's a puppeteer too.
 
Hold on there!!

J Paul,
But you shall know that frames are for well grown up/old little girls.
Cornel, I counted to 10, waited 27 minutes, and I MUST REACT HERE!!

I am NOT grown up, nor am I old. Old-er, and okay-not-as-little-as-I-once-was (couple inches taller than a fairy) but I'm sure jP's Fairies are as macho as the next of 'em. Manly Fairies!! And whatabout those big guys that carry around chihuahuas to attract chicks -I mean- customers?? Fairies in disguise? Darn clever marketing, IMHO.

Framerguy? Baer? Dave? Jim? Dannyboy? Pauls? Seth? All you Big Guy Framers?? Wanna pitch in here??

And FYI, my framing customers are not mostly little old ladies.....in fact, more like 50-50 men/women. And some of them are even guy cross-stitchers! (the best ones, in fact)

Do Fairies have a Co-op? Maybe that's what they're up to, sneaking in while we're asleep and scattering Fairy Dust about, and planting this Fairy Door thing. Hmmmm.

Wanted: Frame Shop Fairy
 
aad843.gif
Val,while checking out the Ann Arbor site I came across this rare picture of purple fairy. I understand that this little pixie might be looking for a place to relocate to. She definetly doesn't like grumpy old men, but I imagine that she would love you. ;)


http://www.freewebs.com/kakoii/learnaboutfairies.htm How to attract fairies.
 
Sorry Val, you're on your own with the fay ones.

A wise woman on the Isle of Mann told me that only Americans (Yanks) throw good money into water... (it's true) "but if they would jus pay the wee folk the respect they're due, they wouldn't have to bribe them." :D

Excuse me now, I have to go put another coat of red laquer on the green door... now where did I put those high powered reading glasses......
 
Val,

I was addressing J Paul directly and didn't allude or say anything about your age or his being less macho than you know him to be. I for one never met Paul and couldn't possibly make any such comments on him even if I knew him in person. Incidentally, I don't think that being or just looking macho is an extremely useful selling asset in running a framing shop. I wouldn't be concerned about looking more or less of a macho in his place.
I was turning to buyer's psychology when I told Paul that such decorative items were in my opinion inappropriate for a framing shop in general, regardless who the boss was, the reason being that they look too children friendly for a place in which adults are expected to come and spend their time, money and creativity.
If you run into a framing shop decorated like that, in midd summer, you expect to be greeted by a certain type of owner, her pets and her herbal tee cup, and find a certain quality/price level frames in there. If not, something sounds overdone and perhaps purposely made to induce a phony subliminal message. And this is a feeling you don't want to let go unchecked.
By the way, I understand savant marketing approaches but this "fairly good idea" is eluding me. What's the point of making nice to your clients' absent kids or be looking playful like a grand'ma can be with her grand children when all is about buying and selling? Energy and money should be used to comfort your buyers concerns. Professionalism, competence, reliability, knowledge, service, price and fast delivery are all aspects that really count, not framer's physical or emotional fragility.
 
Cornel, if you ever decide to go retail, then here is a sign for you.

no_kids_170.gif










Yes, children do sometimes interrupt the smoothness of the design and sale process. I would never dream of telling my customers, that their well behaved children are not welcome. I prefer to get the children involved if old enough, if not I have things to distract them. Hopefully my little fairies will decide to build a secret play-land under my design counter for the wee little ones, while Mom and I are busy with the framing.

Now lighten up! Watch the movie "Hook" cause I'm afraid your too grown up and have forgotten how to believe and have a little fun. :D
 
Children, well behaved pets, and fairies of all sorts are welcome in my frame shop, and not because this is Berkeley. I have been known to borrow a phrase mentioned in "Hug Your Customers, The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results" by Jack Mitchell, when talking to children in the shop, "Thank you so much for bringing your parents in to see us today." Love the kids, Cornel, and you've won the parents' business for life.
 
Cornel, you might be thinking that the Fairy Doors are for kids.... but at prices that rival some of your fine work...... there is nothing "Kid" about them. More like serious Master Card or AmEx.

Saw one that was a jay dropper at $575. Would have looked just fine on my hearth.......
 
Kristie,

Please don't fall for J.Paul's presumptuous line of defense here. It isn't that I don't love kids. After all I am a parent of two too. Yet, I won't feel more attracted to spend money in a place decorated as if in search for much younger parents and their offspring. After all, what percentage of your clientele’s got four yrs or younger kids and how many drag those kids along when shopping for frames? Much larger percentage of your costumers have ailing parents but I bet that none of you is going to display crutches, walking sticks and wheel chairs on his premises as to convey the message that old people are also invited and welcome to browse or spend their money in his shop. Is it because none of you love or respect old people (that's an extension of J Paul's kind of logic)? Is that age discrimination or what?
See, when we turn the table around it becomes readily apparent that "Fairly good idea" as an inviting environment was in fact just a weak cover excuse for emotional instability. Being fast to stick in your costumers' eyes the message that you love not only your framing art and their orders, but also their underage kids and pets, is no less of an emotional distress cry. It spells insecurity and desperation through all its pores. Don't tell me that you know of one framer who feels relaxed and all about business when a toddler is moving about his shop, and can hurt himself or damage something else every single moment. Regardless how much a framer loves kids and pets (yeah, right, only well behaved ones, till they ops! misbehave for the first time right on a frame, ready for pick up, that was leaning against the wall), I don't buy that kids and pets are INDEED welcome in his frame shop. He's just too afraid of losing a costumer to his next block/mile/city/country competitor who might offer same inexpensive frames but have a more flexible spine than his.

Baer,

It doesn't surprise me that rare, beutifully handcrafted collectible items are very expensive, but I was referring to those "oh my God, how much I love your kids and pets! Bring'em in!" flat fairies hanging in the window, on corner samples and all around the counter.
 
I think I should bow out of this thread which is suddenly becoming contentious. I don' t know the history behind y'all and your spats, but I will say that we welcome old people too and will do their do-it-yourself projects for them at no labor charge. We welcome the disabled and perform the same service for them. Everyone is treated equally, and all are given respect, as well as any children involved in the decision making process. Most are quite well behaved in our shop and if they start to get a bit unruly we have crayons and mat scraps under the counter. Once settled down, the parents can carry on and are usually grateful that we have lent them a hand. And yes, the bulk of business comes for a group a bit older, but we have plenty of young families as well.

I'm outa here.
 
Fairies are collected by many adults.
Fairy doors don't need to be to invite children into the store but to invite the adult with a sense of whimsy.
 
this thread which is suddenly becoming contentious. I don' t know the history behind y'all and your spats,


You know you are right Kirstie, this thread is getting a little contentious and it's a shame because Cornell started it and there was no reason to do so. He is just a little rilled up because of my views on co-op advertising, which has nothing to do with fairy doors. Of course Cornell has a reputation for excellent craftsmanship but also for lack of tack and stirring things up.

So if you want to talk in private Cornell, PM me. If you want to start another thread, feel free. I will not respond to your triads on this particular thread anymore.
 
WANTED: FRAME SHOP FAIRY

A purple one would be fine.

Curmudgeons or trolls need not apply.
 
Val, you want me to weigh in, you've got it.
First, I'm as much of a curmudgeon and Cornel, but unlike Cornel, I believe in Fairies and Fairy doors.
Second, If you walk through the Cathedral Woods of Monhegan Island, ME, you will see hundreds of fairy houses along the various paths. This is not a new phenomenon, I remember seeing them when I was a child, too.
Third, Even Ozzy Osbourne sang "Fairies Wear Boots".
Fourth, in the beginning of the last century, two young girls in Cottingley, England, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, initially took photographs in 1917 to prove to their parents that they really had been playing with fairies outside in the garden, as they had claimed. Surely, Cornel, when faced with photographic evidence of fairies, you can't pooh-pooh their doors!
 

Attachments

  • cottin1.jpg
    cottin1.jpg
    44.5 KB · Views: 34
  • cottin4.jpg
    cottin4.jpg
    46.5 KB · Views: 32
  • cottin5.jpg
    cottin5.jpg
    59.3 KB · Views: 32
  • cottin3.jpg
    cottin3.jpg
    43.8 KB · Views: 28
Hey, I'm in the San Francisco area. My front door is the fa...oh, bad Paul, bad!!! Change of subject back to children in the shop. I've noticed that the best behaved kids often have the parents that seem most anxious and distracted by potential problems with their behavior. And the little demons, their parents are almost always completely oblivious to the havoc the kids are wreaking.
 
Val, you want me to weigh in, you've got it.
First, I'm as much of a curmudgeon and Cornel, but unlike Cornel, I believe in Fairies and Fairy doors.
Second, If you walk through the Cathedral Woods of Monhegan Island, ME, you will see hundreds of fairy houses along the various paths. This is not a new phenomenon, I remember seeing them when I was a child, too.
Third, Even Ozzy Osbourne sang "Fairies Wear Boots".
Fourth, in the beginning of the last century, two young girls in Cottingley, England, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, initially took photographs in 1917 to prove to their parents that they really had been playing with fairies outside in the garden, as they had claimed. Surely, Cornel, when faced with photographic evidence of fairies, you can't pooh-pooh their doors!

Seth, I think that photographic "evidence" was almost certainly doctored. Probably the fairies got inside the camera when the shutter was open, and messed about with the film.
 
Fairies Wear Boots
Black Sabbath
Paranoid (1970)

Goin' home, late last night
Suddenly I got a fright
Yeah I looked through a window and surprised what I saw
A fairy with boots and dancin' with a dwarf,

All right now!

Yeah, fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me
Yeah I saw it, I saw it, I tell you no lies
Yeah Fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me
I saw it, I saw it with my own two eyes,

Oh all right now!

Yeah, fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me
Yeah I saw it, I saw it, I tell you no lies
Yeah Fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me
I saw it, I saw it with my own two eyes,

All right now!

So I went to the doctor
See what he could give me
He said "Son, son, you've gone too far.
'Cause smokin' and trippin' is all that you do."
:D :icon9: :help: :nuts:
 
WANTED: FRAME SHOP FAIRY

A purple one would be fine.

Curmudgeons or trolls need not apply.

In our shop these guys have done VERY well! Fairy dolls OK they are trolls, Nisse to be exact, but people are loving them!

They won't do the work while you are asleep, like the elves that helped that lucky cobbler, but they do a great job welcoming customers and their kids.
 
Amongst those who enter my shop, I do believe that a larger percentage of adults would be noticing a fairy door than their children. Children are usually bored out of their minds and it is the parents who drag them around showing them all my "little things."

I only have a few little fairy plant stakes - no doors - so these fairies are stuck with me! I do have my miniature frame shop, though -and it is always the parents who spot it first and make their kinder look at it ("ho-hum.")

BTW - has anyone glanced downwards to see what the Grumble's software considers "Similar Threads?" LOL!
 
Thanks for showing me this post John!

Ok let me tell all of you disbelievers or skeptics, these fairy doors are incredible, people love love love them, they are very welll constructed. Every downtown, shop or mall needs one. It's fun gives vistors something to talk about and it's free attention.
Around here they pop up unannouced, with no fan fair and they have gone on to get world wide attention.

Heck I'm even inspired again:icon21:
 
but... the Dragons would eat them here!!! L.:cry:
 
Serious fairy art....

Lest I forget...Some high end fairy type art(ists): Brian Froud,his wife Wendy Froud....Susan Snodgrass(porcelain fairy "dolls"adults only)...For a REALLY neat gallery,visit: Duirwaigh Gallery, www.duirwaighgallery.com L.:icon21:
 
Back
Top