David Hendley on sun 7 oct 01
After 10 years of running my shop out here in the woods of
East Texas, I've finally figured out that I don't want a gaggle
of 'lookers' taking up my time.
I do have a 'welcome' sign (actually 2; one on each side) by
the door.
Also, a 4-by-6 foot sign in the yard announcing the shop
and showing where to park, big movie marquee letters
under the gable of the building spelling out
'Old Farmhouse Pottery', and pots running along the
ridge of the roof and hanging off the rafter tails.
It's pretty obvious it's a pottery shop.
After 5 years of advertising at the near-by state park and
the old-timey tourist steam engine train, I realized that
I didn't really want the tourists who were looking for
something else to do to come here.
Most days some people would show up at 3:45, which
meant that they had just driven over from the train park.
They almost never bought anything bigger than a mug,
and they almost always had kids who would harass my
old peace-loving dogs, pick up pottery shards from the
driveway, or stir up a fireant bed (ignorant city kids).
All accidents awaiting to happen.
Old-time Clayart readers will remember that I like kids,
have a 'free' shelf of test tiles and conepacks for them,
and teach Girl Scouts the pottery merit badge.
I'm friendly and accomodating to anyone who shows up,
but I don't need more half-interested lookers and especially
don't need to pay for advertising to entice them to come.
Anyway, I'm not bothered in the least by cars that drive off
with no one going inside or folks who spend 30 seconds
looking and leave.
Hard as it is to believe, some peoplejust don't care that much
about pottery.
Trying to get them to spend time in your shop makes no
sense unless you also sell gum and lottery tickets and like
to clean toilets.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com
L. P. Skeen on mon 8 oct 01
We've been open a week, and so far nobody has requested the restroom! Did
have a lady go in there to check out earrings w/ her outfit before she
bought 'em..... We are lucky enough to have 2 restrooms and one is reserved
for staff only! :) Unfortunately, the water turns the bowls of sinks and
toilets red 'cuz the pipes are very old and iron. :(
L
----- Original Message -----
From: vince pitelka
To:
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: Pottery Shop Ahead - Clean Restrooms
> > Trying to get them to spend time in your shop makes no
> > sense unless you also sell gum and lottery tickets and like
> > to clean toilets.
>
> DAVID! You've GOT IT! This is the answer! I can see the sign:
>
> TURN LEFT AHEAD FOR HAND MADE POTTERY
> GET YOUR CHEWING GUM AND LOTTERY TICKETS
> CLEAN RESTROOMS
>
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Crafts
> Tennessee Technological University
> 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
> Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
> 615/597-5376
> Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
> 615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
> http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Paul Lewing on mon 8 oct 01
on 10/9/01 12:28 AM, vince pitelka at vpitelka@DTCCOM.NET wrote:
> DAVID! You've GOT IT! This is the answer! I can see the sign:
>
> TURN LEFT AHEAD FOR HAND MADE POTTERY
> GET YOUR CHEWING GUM AND LOTTERY TICKETS
> CLEAN RESTROOMS
Or how about:
DON'T HAVE A POT?
NEED TO PISS?
TURN NEXT RIGHT.
CHECK OUT THIS!
BURMA-SHAVE
Paul Lewing, Seattle
vince pitelka on mon 8 oct 01
> Trying to get them to spend time in your shop makes no
> sense unless you also sell gum and lottery tickets and like
> to clean toilets.
DAVID! You've GOT IT! This is the answer! I can see the sign:
TURN LEFT AHEAD FOR HAND MADE POTTERY
GET YOUR CHEWING GUM AND LOTTERY TICKETS
CLEAN RESTROOMS
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Klyf Brown on tue 9 oct 01
Des,
My favorite is still the ones I used to see as a kid on route 66 here in
the southwest. They were combination restaurant and gas stations;
Eat Here
Get Gas
Klyf Brown
10/9/01 4:32:53 PM, Des Howard
wrote:
>My turn
>Our favourite is at a village service station on the Sydney road:
>PETROL
>SANDWICHES
>PIES
>
>We never eat there, not game.
>Des
>--
>
>Des & Jan Howard
>Lue Pottery
>LUE NSW 2850
>Australia
>Ph/Fax 02 6373 6419
>http://www.luepottery.hwy.com.au
>
>___________________________________________________
___________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
William Lucius on tue 9 oct 01
Since it is one of the basic truths, may Vince forgive me for repeating what
David Hendley posted. I too have discerned this reality, but have never
been able to state it quite so eloquently. I intend to permanently inscribe
it above the door of my studio and use it as a preface in every one of my
scientific reports on archaeological ceramics.
"Hard as it is to believe, some people just don't care that much about
pottery."
William A. Lucius
Institute for Archaeological Ceramic Research
845 Hartford Drive
Boulder, CO 80305
ilwwal@hotmail.com
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
Susan Schultz on tue 9 oct 01
I saw what I thought was the oddest combination of things on a sign
while I was driving through rural Connecticut. It said:
AMMUNITION, GAS, ART SUPPLIES
I will definitely stop next time. Buy a sketch pad.
Susan
Stonington, Ct.
> > Trying to get them to spend time in your shop makes no
> > sense unless you also sell gum and lottery tickets and like
> > to clean toilets.
>
> >DAVID! You've GOT IT! This is the answer! I can see the sign:
>
> TURN LEFT AHEAD FOR HAND MADE POTTERY
> GET YOUR CHEWING GUM AND LOTTERY TICKETS
> CLEAN RESTROOMS
>
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
>
Burns Christina on tue 9 oct 01
Just for Fun, I have to share my favorite OLD gas station sign . . . Live
BAIT
Regular
Premium
. . . and I didn't know Bait came in regular or premium
What? Skinny worms as opposed to fat worms.
What? Do premium worms catch premium fish?
OK - I'll stop, I'll stop.
Happy Potting to ya'
Richard Jeffery on tue 9 oct 01
who you going to shoot with it?
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Susan Schultz
Sent: 09 October 2001 17:50
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Pottery Shop Ahead - Clean Restrooms
I saw what I thought was the oddest combination of things on a sign
while I was driving through rural Connecticut. It said:
AMMUNITION, GAS, ART SUPPLIES
I will definitely stop next time. Buy a sketch pad.
Susan
Stonington, Ct.
> > Trying to get them to spend time in your shop makes no
> > sense unless you also sell gum and lottery tickets and like
> > to clean toilets.
>
> >DAVID! You've GOT IT! This is the answer! I can see the sign:
>
> TURN LEFT AHEAD FOR HAND MADE POTTERY
> GET YOUR CHEWING GUM AND LOTTERY TICKETS
> CLEAN RESTROOMS
>
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Liisa Reid on wed 10 oct 01
OK - I can't resist any longer. Hope this doesn't offend anyone. Three signs one
above the other:
Jesus Saves
Quaker State Motor Oil
S & H Green Stamps
Seen in southern Georgia during my 50's childhood.
Liisa, now in Vermont
Tracy Wilson on wed 10 oct 01
We don't have restrooms, clean or otherwise. But... I know from
experience... If I've got to go- I've GOT to go. So we offer a clean
outhouse. Spray scent, antibiotic hand wipes and LIME. People use it all
the time. My staff and I do too if it's too urgent to run up to the house.
The older generation says it takes them back to their childhood, the younger
ones are either a little scared or say 'cool' and the middle generation
usually photograghs it (with or without their mate standing next to it)
It's all part of the experience...
Tracy
__________________________
Tracy Wilson
Saltbox Pottery
4 Shaw Rd.
Woolwich, ME 04579
Maine: 1-207-443-5586
Out of State: 1-800-755-POTS (7687)
Email: tracy@saltboxpottery.com
Web: www.saltboxpottery.com
_____________________________
vince pitelka on wed 10 oct 01
Okay since we're talking funny signs there are two I have to mention.
Somewhere in the hills of Tennessee not far from Cookeville there is
veterinarian that covers all the bases. His sign says "VETERINARIAN -
TAXIDERMIST" - either way, you get your pet back.
Just off I-40 at exit 273, where you head down Highway 56 to the Craft
Center and Center Hill Lake, there is a sign that says "MOTEL BAIT." I
have heard of "jail bait," and the concept of motel bait is not at all
unreasonable.
At the east entrance to the southern unit of Grand Canyon National Park
there is a huge billboard for the new South Rim Visitor's Center pushing the
big Imax theater, announcing NOW PLAYING: THE GRAND CANYON" - jeezus, lazy
tourists don't even need to walk out to a canyon rim viewpoint any more.
All for now. Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
L. P. Skeen on wed 10 oct 01
There is a sign stuck on a pole in the middle of a field near here that says
"JESUS SAVES". It is written in pink paint. Every time I see it I want to
put another sign under it that says "AT WACHOVIA".
L
----- Original Message -----
From: Liisa Reid
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 11:04 PM
Subject: Re: Pottery Shop Ahead - Clean Restrooms
> OK - I can't resist any longer. Hope this doesn't offend anyone. Three
signs one
> above the other:
>
> Jesus Saves
> Quaker State Motor Oil
> S & H Green Stamps
>
> Seen in southern Georgia during my 50's childhood.
>
> Liisa, now in Vermont
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Earl Brunner on wed 10 oct 01
Our family always got a laugh on the way to California from Vegas, There
are few service stations of any type between Las Vegas and Barstow CA.
The one we always laughed at was the one called "Jeremy's GAS". My son
Jeremy always got picked on as we drove by.
Gail Dapogny wrote:
> There used to be a huge billboard on the Pennsylvania turnpike just east of
> the Ohio border facing traffic heading west. Its message read something
> like this:
>
> LUXURY MOTEL: FIRST EXIT IN OHIO
> PLUSH HONEYMOON SUITE
> TRUCKERS WELCOME
>
> It always gave us a big laugh.
> --Gail
>
>
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec/
bruec@anv.net
Snail Scott on wed 10 oct 01
I used to work near three separate
businesses that shared one sign:
GUN SHOP
BAIL BONDS
TAXIDERMY
Great synergy there, I'd think.
-Snail
At 08:32 AM 10/10/01 +1000, you wrote:
>Our favourite is at a village service station on the Sydney road:
>PETROL
>SANDWICHES
>PIES
>
pammyam on wed 10 oct 01
There does seem to be a somewhat macabre common thread.
I have a flash of the Bates Motel.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Snail Scott"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: Pottery Shop Ahead - Clean Restrooms
: I used to work near three separate
: businesses that shared one sign:
:
: GUN SHOP
: BAIL BONDS
: TAXIDERMY
:
: Great synergy there, I'd think.
:
: -Snail
:
:
:
: At 08:32 AM 10/10/01 +1000, you wrote:
:
: >Our favourite is at a village service station on the
Sydney road:
: >PETROL
: >SANDWICHES
: >PIES
: >
:
:
____________________________________________________________
__________________
: Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
:
: You may look at the archives for the list or change your
subscription
: settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
:
: Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached
at melpots@pclink.com.
Gail Dapogny on wed 10 oct 01
There used to be a huge billboard on the Pennsylvania turnpike just east of
the Ohio border facing traffic heading west. Its message read something
like this:
LUXURY MOTEL: FIRST EXIT IN OHIO
PLUSH HONEYMOON SUITE
TRUCKERS WELCOME
It always gave us a big laugh.
--Gail
>I used to work near three separate
>businesses that shared one sign:
>
>GUN SHOP
>BAIL BONDS
>TAXIDERMY
>
>Great synergy there, I'd think.
> -Snail
>>Our favourite is at a village service station on the Sydney road:
>>PETROL
>>SANDWICHES
>>PIES
>>
Cyberpotter@AOL.COM on wed 10 oct 01
> TURN LEFT AHEAD FOR HAND MADE POTTERY
> GET YOUR CHEWING GUM AND LOTTERY TICKETS
> CLEAN RESTROOMS
I think you've hit on a real marketing miracle there. Just be sure to put out
the "You break it you bought it" signs!
Nancy in Cincinnati
Des Howard on wed 10 oct 01
My turn
Our favourite is at a village service station on the Sydney road:
PETROL
SANDWICHES
PIES
We never eat there, not game.
Des
--
Des & Jan Howard
Lue Pottery
LUE NSW 2850
Australia
Ph/Fax 02 6373 6419
http://www.luepottery.hwy.com.au
Tommy Humphries on thu 11 oct 01
on the tailgate of an auto radiator service truck in Shreveport La.
Best place in town to take a leak!
Tommy
-
pammyam on thu 11 oct 01
Not as good as Vince's, but:
BRUCE AND STIFF Funeral Home in Toga, VA.
The only sign on a roadside eatery: BOOTHS INSIDE
A sign along a walkway beside a pond in an apartment
complex: BE AWARE OF SNAKES.
----- Original Message -----
From: "vince pitelka"
To:
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 12:39 AM
Subject: Re: Pottery Shop Ahead - Clean Restrooms
: Okay since we're talking funny signs there are two I have
to mention.
Merrie Boerner on thu 11 oct 01
MAYPOP TIRES
CHEAP
: ) Merrie
Des Howard on thu 11 oct 01
Vince
Do you remember this one? A '50s radio sketch of Stan Freberg's
"Incident at Los Voroces (sp?)", that has a casino nightclub compere,
in a slow, deep voice announce,
"Live!"
"On stage!!"
"For one night only!!!"
"The HYDROGEN BOMB!!!!"
Des
vince pitelka wrote:
> At the east entrance to the southern unit of Grand Canyon National Park
> there is a huge billboard for the new South Rim Visitor's Center pushing the
> big Imax theater, announcing NOW PLAYING: THE GRAND CANYON" - jeezus, lazy
> tourists don't even need to walk out to a canyon rim viewpoint any more.
> All for now. Best wishes -
> - Vince
--
Des & Jan Howard
Lue Pottery
LUE NSW 2850
Australia
Ph/Fax 02 6373 6419
http://www.luepottery.hwy.com.au
Alisa og Claus Clausen on thu 11 oct 01
Funny signs,
when I was growing up, at my best friend's house it seemed, her doctor
father always said
if a psychiatrist and a proctologist had a practice together, they could
have a sign on the door
that said "Odds and Ends".
Sometimes when people zoom in and out of the shop I think, they must have
misread
the sign on the door, Ceramics, for Hot dogs and Sauerkraut. I dunno.
Best regards,
Alisa in Denmark
Rikki Gill on thu 11 oct 01
Alisa, It could also read, Butts and Nuts. Rikki Gill
-----Original Message-----
From: Alisa og Claus Clausen
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2001 2:12 PM
Subject: Re: Pottery Shop Ahead - Clean Restrooms
>Funny signs,
>when I was growing up, at my best friend's house it seemed, her doctor
>father always said
>if a psychiatrist and a proctologist had a practice together, they could
>have a sign on the door
>that said "Odds and Ends".
>
>Sometimes when people zoom in and out of the shop I think, they must have
>misread
>the sign on the door, Ceramics, for Hot dogs and Sauerkraut. I dunno.
>
>Best regards,
>Alisa in Denmark
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Graeme Anderson on fri 12 oct 01
In western Victoria, there is a small village named Speed. The sign
outside the town reads
SPEED. PLEASE SLOW DOWN.
cd on fri 12 oct 01
This thread has reminded me of a line in Edward Abbey's "Desert =
Solitaire". I don't have the book handy so this is from a nearly thirty =
year old memory. Abbey worked for the Park Service at the Grand Canyon =
for awhile. He was commenting on what the most common questions he was =
asked by tourists to this wonder of the Southwest. His reply went =
something like this.=20
Where are the restrooms? =20
How long does it take to see this place? =20
And, where is the Coke machine?
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