[Woodcarver] Marketing

[RAY MIGHELLS]

It's a shame that world class woodcarvers have to go out and beat the bushes 
for challenging commissions.  A lot of people blame the economy, but that's 
only a small part of the lack of awareness of the availability of 
architectural carving, and decorative ornament.  I've subscribed to 
Architectural Digest for a long time.  This magazine features articles on 
remods that average between 7 and 10 Mil$$.  Sadly, very little woodcarving 
is included in these jobs.  Sometimes they will show where old rooms are 
dismanteled from somewhere in Europe and installed in a New York Condo or 
somesuch.  The JP Weaver Company in CA does mega business in composition 
ornament (molds for these were made from carvings).  My point, (if I have 
one) is that architects and architectural designers should be seeking out 
woodcarvers to do work they can include in their designs.  Visiting 
construction sites is fun and informative, but pretty much a hard sell to 
pick up any  work on an underway project.  Woodcarving has to be included in 
the planing, designing and budgeting phase.  A relationship between carvers 
and carver groups, community arts councils, builder associations and 
architects could go a long way in rejuvenating interest in The Good Stuff. 
Just joking..it's all good stuff.  Regards  Ray Mighells  6760 Rt 417 
Killbuck NY 716 945 0098 Please view my work at: 
http://www.picturetrail.com/razaxnstuff
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Dillett" <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com>
To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2005 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Marketing



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> Hi Ron,

>

> Excellent advice. I do about the same thing for commerical constructions, 

> always traveling with my hard hat in the truck, but hadn't thought about 

> it for homes. I'm going to give that some thought.

>

> Printing promotional material is much easier and cheaper with digital 

> cameras and computers. No reason to spend lots of money.

>

> Your post will be included in my marketing plan for next year. We have 

> lots of new homes going up around here and some might approach the prices 

> you have there.

>

> Thanks.

>

> Joe Dillett

> The Carving Shop

> 645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3

> Somonauk, IL. 60552

> (815) 498-9290 phone

> (815) 498-9249 fax

> http://www.thecarvingshop.com

> jdillett at thecarvingshop.com

> http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum

> http://www.carvingmagazine.com/chat/chat.shtml Live Chat for Carving 

> Magazine.

> http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett

> http://www.citizenactions.org

> **************************************************

>

> ----- Original Message ----- 

> From: "Ramsey" <ron at carvedbyramsey.com>

> To: <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>

> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 11:54 AM

> Subject: [Woodcarver] Marketing

>

>

>> DONATIONS to the Woodcarver Mailing List can be made using PayPal OR 

>> regular mail. Click this link: 

>> http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html

>> I'm fortunate to live in an area of very high end second homes.  That 

>> market seems to still be going strong.  Sometimes they will be spending 

>> multi millions of dollars for a third or fourth home. People will spend 

>> money for functional items for their homes.  One thing I have done is to 

>> drive through high end neighborhoods and look for ongoing construction. 

>> I introduce myself, show my portfolio and pick the brain of the workers. 

>> Once they see my work they are very helpful.  I then contact the 

>> contractors and owners and send them promotional material.  I have tried 

>> cold mailings without much success but when I can somehow personalize my 

>> contact it helps.  The direct contact allows me to qualify the home or 

>> owners as to the appropriateness of having my work and to evaluate the 

>> likely ability of the owners to afford my work.

>>

>> Ron Ramsey

>> http://www.carvedbyramsey.com

>>

>>

>>>In Chicago, he should be looking at the renovation market.  Those old

>>>brownstones have had most of their fireplaces walled up to create 

>>>multiple

>>>flats.  There must be some way to contact those new owners and let them 

>>>know

>>>of the quality and uniqueness of Joe's work.  As a rule of the thumb,

>>>selling is the easy part.  The hard part is getting the initial lead for 

>>>an

>>>interested party.  In any economy, that is a challenge.  Having this

>>>discussion here might get some insights and suggestions Joe can use.

>>>Arn

>> -- 

>>

>>

>>

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>

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