Dave Finkelnburg on thu 17 aug 00
Hi all!
Nothing technical here, just a brief note about something that cheered
me up recently. Marketing pottery is not my strong suit, so sometimes, I
blame it on nerves, I really say dumb things. Like recently, at a local
sale, when a man approached me early in the morning and asked if I could
make 26 identical items.
"Sure," said I, completely cocky. "I can make whatever you want."
"And have them all done by Thursday?"
"Uhhhhhh....this coming Thursday?" I backpedaled.
"Well, maybe Wednesday." He was scratching his head now. His brow
was furrowed. I could see this wasn't going at all the way I had hoped.
"Mugs," I blurted out, "what do you think about mugs?" I was thinking
about 50 mugs all bisque-fired and liner glazed, ready for final glazing and
firing. I could make his schedule with those. I also had brought along
some in boxes, from my last weekend show.
"Yeah, mugs, that could be great!" he smiled. "They don't have to be
big items, just all alike." Pretty soon we had 40 or so coffee mugs, just
good-sized cups really, all sitting on the pavement. "These maroon ones and
those blue ones will work fine!" he smiled. "They're for a group of people
from our Sister City in Japan. We need something for them that's made right
here in town."
My God! I was really stricken! I mean, these people actually know good
pottery. No fooling them! What would they think? I might never know,
but, unless they tossed my work in the trash, 26 of my signed coffee cups
went to Japan last week when the Japanese delegation from Iwamizawa,
Hokkaido returned home from Pocatello. I really hoped they were not too
offended by my work. I wondered, though. :-(
By the way, an hour later the director of the local Chamber of Commerce
bought a bowl from me, a small one that is my version of a rice bowl. I
thanked him for his business as I wrapped and bagged the bowl.
"Yeah," he said, "I was really looking for something unique...and
locally made. It's a gift for our house guest. He's part of that
delegation from Japan."
Day before yesterday I got an e-mail from Japan. It was simple,
basically said, "I liked your cup."
Yes indeed, that made my day!
Dave Finkelnburg, thinking maybe I will throw a few more mugs
today...
iandol on sat 19 aug 00
Dave,
Hello again
Know this feeling very well. Have faith. Those Orientals do appreciate =
your work. If it feels right, looks right, does the job and the price is =
right they will buy.
One of my customers, who almost monopolised my time a few years ago =
making Bonsai planters, would pass the message back to me that Bonsai =
Grand Master so-and-so had been in and bought my pots to take back to =
Japan or China. And another lady, who for years has taken the remainders =
and residues which have come in when I have closed out connections, does =
a good trade to Japanese tourists who visit her remote trash and =
treasure market.
All the best,
Ivor Lewis
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