Jeff Longtin on wed 3 dec 03
While I completely, COMPLETELY, appreciate everyones defense of molded work I
have this bit of information I must share:
I actually plan on putting my teapot, plate, and Braille cup designs (molded
pots all) into mass production.
I actually plan on putting them into really MASSIVE production. (I don't know
who will produce them, per se, I just know its time!)
I spent 20 years developing the teapot, 18 years developing the plates, and
15 years developing the Braille cups. I did not spend that much time on my work
so that I could sit in my studio and make a few pots each day. (NoNoNo) I
plan on figuring out a way to make massive amounts of my work on a daily basis.
My plan (my goal) is to have (create) a factory producing my work (as well as
the work of others) that warrants mass production.
We'll see?
Back in '86 I applied for a job at UPS. (I was a few years into my slip
casting journey and I knew the mold-making demon would be a tough animal to wrestle
with so I took a day job.) The application asked where I wanted to be in five
years; I remember I put down, "I want to have a company that produces
contemporary ceramic tableware."
"30" came and went a few years ago, that's life.
I'm a few years older. I'm a tad more knowledgeable. I now have the skills to
do it.
NOW, its just a matter of time.
(We'll see!)
I'll be working on a business plan in the next few months and then seeking
funding. I'm a complete fool for thinking that an American can actually create a
ceramic factory in the United States, but then what the hell!
Life is short gang, make a fool of yourself than apologize. (What do you have
to lose...your ego?)
Jeff Longtin
Longtin Porcelain
Complex Molds Made Easy
Sixdot Braille Products
in sunny minneapolis
John Rodgers on thu 4 dec 03
Jeff,
Get in touch with Jonathon Kaplan of Ceramics Design Group out in
Colorado. He runs a first class Job Shop and can really help you with
this project. Very knowledgeable.
I anticipated doing something like what you are planning, then when it
got to the nitty-gritty I backed off. I decided that given the other
things I wanted to do, my age, and the hassles of big busiess ownership
(I had owned two businesses before), not to go there. Instead, I decided
to cut back my ambitions and settled for a one man operation where I am
the chief cook and bottle washer. I have discovered that I am quite
happy with that decision. Looking to the future, this "one man
operation" allows me continue working in clay at whatever pace I need to
and can for the remainder of my days. I never plan to just retire from
it. I love it to much. But as life winds down, and my capacities
diminish, I still want to keep working. And if I am lucky , one day,
when this aging body has reached it's limits, my mortal remains will be
found seated at my wheel, newly thrown pot standing, smile on my face
.......... having quietly departed this world.
I salute you for your ambition. And wish you every success. Everyone
should have a dream. It makes life worth living.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Jeff Longtin wrote:
>While I completely, COMPLETELY, appreciate everyones defense of molded work I
>have this bit of information I must share:
>
>I actually plan on putting my teapot, plate, and Braille cup designs (molded
>pots all) into mass production.
>I actually plan on putting them into really MASSIVE production. (I don't know
>who will produce them, per se, I just know its time!)
>I spent 20 years developing the teapot, 18 years developing the plates, and
>15 years developing the Braille cups. I did not spend that much time on my work
>so that I could sit in my studio and make a few pots each day. (NoNoNo) I
>plan on figuring out a way to make massive amounts of my work on a daily basis.
>My plan (my goal) is to have (create) a factory producing my work (as well as
>the work of others) that warrants mass production.
>We'll see?
>Back in '86 I applied for a job at UPS. (I was a few years into my slip
>casting journey and I knew the mold-making demon would be a tough animal to wrestle
>with so I took a day job.) The application asked where I wanted to be in five
>years; I remember I put down, "I want to have a company that produces
>contemporary ceramic tableware."
>
>"30" came and went a few years ago, that's life.
>
>I'm a few years older. I'm a tad more knowledgeable. I now have the skills to
>do it.
>
>NOW, its just a matter of time.
>(We'll see!)
>
>I'll be working on a business plan in the next few months and then seeking
>funding. I'm a complete fool for thinking that an American can actually create a
>ceramic factory in the United States, but then what the hell!
>
>Life is short gang, make a fool of yourself than apologize. (What do you have
>to lose...your ego?)
>
>Jeff Longtin
>Longtin Porcelain
>Complex Molds Made Easy
>Sixdot Braille Products
>
>in sunny minneapolis
>
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>
>
>
Jeff Longtin on fri 5 dec 03
Thank you John!
Yes, indeed, Jonathon and I have connected. (About a year or so ago, via
Clayart) And yes he is a knowledgeable and pleasant fellow!
I'm just not sure yet? Actually we have a pot shop similar to his up here in
minnesota, several in fact, and I'm trying to decide if I should approach one
of them?
Being a contract mold-maker, on occasion, put me in touch with most of these
folks. One such shop made 15,000 figurines after I made the initial prototype
mold. Did it in a fairly quick fashion actually so I know they're capable of
large scale, just not sure if they want to veer off and start doing "fine"
ceramics?
Additionally, also as a result of being a contract mold-maker, I've spoken
with folks who contract with Asian factories to produce this that and the other
thing. (When they get tired of dealing with importation hassles they seek out
their neighborhood mold maker!) And I've learned its easy, REALLY easy, to
connect with an Asian factory. Scarey, in fact, as to how easy they make it.
(Every state has a world trade office, every trade office has a list of foreign
factories...eeck!)
With my teapots and plates I'd like to start something here, with my Braille
cups I'm not really sure? I can't really charge alot for them, they are just
mugs afterall, but they also have some technical challenges that make them not
that easy to produce. So I seem somewhat stuck if I have a product that is
difficult to make but also can't be priced high? That's why I'd like to piggy
back the two, use the teapot to pay for the Braiile cup, (as far as setting up a
production line that is) until I can set up an efficient system to produce
them?
But then most lenders think the Braille cup is a waste of time and I should
discontinue it. So that'll make it that much harder top get funding if I
include them in a business plan.
Decisions, decisions!
take care
Jeff Longtin
in (brrr...) sunny minneapolis
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