Snail Scott on sun 28 dec 03
At 05:05 PM 12/28/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music, mostly
>pre-baroque or early music...Their customers
>sing, play recorders and viols...
I play early music with a recorder quartet. I can't
think of any particular items for that niche market,
especially, but items with theme connections like
musical notes in the early style ('neums') or
pictures of early instruments might find a market.
(You can easily find pictures of early musical
notation in lots of places.) Maybe mugs with press-
molded instrument-shaped handles? People will endure
a lot of discomfort for a cool novelty item. Probably
not a huge demand for crumhorn-related items, though,
for instance. It might appeal to a broader market
to just use 'generic' musical imagery.
Actually, I did just have an idea. Many people who
play such instruments, especially good ones, need
humidifiers to keep the wood in good condition. (At
least they do out here in the desert.) Lots of
people make humidifiers out of yogurt containers or
film cans or such, putting a damp sponge inside and
punching holes in the plastic to let the moisture
out into the instrument case. Maybe a hollow clay ball
with lots of salt-shaker-type holes, and a cork in
one end? Small instruments tend to have small cases
and need small humidifiers, while larger instruments
may be able to share space with a larger humidifier.
Not too large, though. And they shouldn't have any
sharp edges or roughness in case they bump the wood.
Probably less practical than plastic, really, but
much cooler-looking!
Another thought - recorders need stands, if the player
plays more than one type during a practice session or
performance. They tend to be made of wood, with a dowel
stuck vertically which holds the recorder. Typically,
they are wide enough to hold the recorder without
tipping over and may have multiple pegs for multiple
recorders. The pegs generally are removable for more
compact transport and storage, and are different
diameters for the different sizes. (1/4" or a little
smaller for soprano, 3/16 or so for alto, a bit bigger
for tenor, up to 1/2" for bass. Larger dowels need to
be taller, too, because the instrument to be supported
is taller and heavier, and a stand intended to support
a bass recorder needs to be more stable than one
intended only for soprano, etc. I don't think I'd want
a ceramic recorder stand for my travelling gig bag; I'd
be afraid to breaking it, and reluctant to carry extra
weight, but for a stay-at-home stand, it might be nice.
I'd make them for the full range of standard voices
(soprano - bass, with maybe a sopranino (tiny) peg too)
since extra peg spots don't take up that much space
and someone might aspire to own the ones they don't
have already. Most stands are arranged with the pegs in
a straight line, since that's how wood comes, but for
ceramic, maybe a round arrangement would be nice,
with pegs around in a circle with the bass peg in the
middle? Extra pegs are always handy, too, since really
serious players often have more than one of each
size instrument. If you regard the stand as a non-
portable item, you could glue the pegs in place for
more sturdiness, or make some peg-holes over-large
to allow the buyer to customize with their own choice
of peg sizes.
Don't know if these would work as a hot seller, or even
if they would reward the design time spent; just a few
thoughts.
-Snail
p.s. if they have a website, let me know!
Bonnie/Jeremy Hellman on sun 28 dec 03
Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music, mostly
pre-baroque or early music, and have mentioned they'd like to have some
ceramic items for sale that would appeal to their customers. Their customers
sing, play recorders and viols. Some are professionals; many earn their
livings doing something else.
These items could be functional, decorative or jewelry, or anything else.
So the question is what ideas you may have, that you are willing to share,
for ceramic items I might want to make that would sell, and if you are
already making these, if you are interested in selling them.
TIA for your ideas and thoughts,
Bonnie
Jan L. Peterson on sun 28 dec 03
Ballerinas, music boxes with little figures perhaps that dance, or turn,
busts of musicians, Angels, Carousel Horses. Things of that nature.
Currently, in my year of painting, I'm doing Christmas Villages, santas,
snowmen and ladies, bunnies, mailboxes, ornaments, some angelic, some santas, lots
of little mice, wreaths and such.
Some of those might work for you, but I am in half-finished condition on a
lot. I do have a music box going, but not finished, and it is dark. Go better
with Wagner and Beethoven than Mozart. Not sure it would be appropriate. It has
a clown, and I didn't want a pastel clown. Jan, the Alleycat
Rikki Gill on sun 28 dec 03
Hi Bonnie,
I just want to say hello, and wish you a Happy New Year. I think I missed
repying to a personal post you sent me last summer. I went to Wales as you
know, and Janet is the greatest. [ I love her battle of the century with
Vince] When I returned, I was so busy in my studio, I really didn't even
have a day off till last week. So now, I am freeer.
Anyway, good luck designing some new/antique pots. Best, Rikki
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bonnie/Jeremy Hellman"
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 2:05 PM
Subject: Classical Music Related Clay Items for Sale
> Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music, mostly
> pre-baroque or early music, and have mentioned they'd like to have some
> ceramic items for sale that would appeal to their customers. Their
customers
> sing, play recorders and viols. Some are professionals; many earn their
> livings doing something else.
>
> These items could be functional, decorative or jewelry, or anything else.
>
>
> So the question is what ideas you may have, that you are willing to share,
> for ceramic items I might want to make that would sell, and if you are
> already making these, if you are interested in selling them.
>
> TIA for your ideas and thoughts,
> Bonnie
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
>
>
Jeremy McLeod on mon 29 dec 03
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:05:19 -0500, Bonnie/Jeremy Hellman
wrote:
>Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music, mostly
>pre-baroque or early music, and have mentioned they'd like to have some
>ceramic items for sale that would appeal to their customers.
Tiles, mugs, and other items that can bear graphic images well might be
decorated with quotes of period musical notation (using rubber stamps
to impress into clay comes to mind).
Here's the pet peeve, however. Standing on Soap Box: I, too, am a musician
of the Earlie Musicke Phreaque variety and nothing irks me more than folks
who use the symbols of musical notation in a meaningless way to decorate
anything. The same artists wouldn't think of putting gibberish of
alpha-numeric symbols on their work. They put staves and clefs, note heads
and accidentals in truly wierd arrangements and think it's cute. Not.
So, here's the suggestion. Get your music store owning friends to help you
select brief passages of musical notation that will translate well into a
graphic element in a design. Say... a couple of recognizable measures
(recognizable to "insiders", that is) from Bach's "Coffee Cantata" to wrap
around mugs. "Wachet Auf" (Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying) might be
another good insider pun for a morning coffee mug? Chant notation from
medieval illuminated pages might also be a good candidate (again for mugs or
for wall tiles or...). I'm writing with my morning coffee, so there's a
subtheme here... I wonder about an Introit or Antiphon that starts with the
word, "Surgite!" (Arise!). I'll be able to think of other things when I've
had enough caffein.
Anyway, get these decorative passages translated into rubber stamps and use
them to impress images into leather hard clay and... can I resist?... no...
viola! (as in "da gamba"?) you have a ceramic chatschka that might catch the
eye of someone steeped in the musicke of the 12th - 18th centuries.
Then there's the whole matter of ceramic flutes from the late Renaissance
and Baroque periods, but something tells me you're not wanting to go there.
Something tells me that would be reallllly fussy work. That said, they
were basically ceramic tubes with holes in the proper places to make flutes
and then they were decorated lavishly with painted designs.
Guess I'll get on with the morning. Thanks for the opportunity to
brainstorm some connections between two of my passions, clay and arcane music.
Jeremy McLeod
Susan Cline on mon 29 dec 03
I too would be interested in a website when these folks are ready. I play viola da gamba and am always looking for new information and sites.
As for related items, I probably would not use a clay humidifier as Snail describes, but always need new personally decorated mugs, coasters, etc. Also, have been experimenting with clay instruments, such as whistles and drums, that could be used occasionally in early music ensembles, even if they are not "authentic." Depends on the music, the group, etc. I know there are lots of folks that make such instruments.
-----Original Message-----
From: Snail Scott
Sent: Dec 28, 2003 11:08 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Classical Music Related Clay Items for Sale
At 05:05 PM 12/28/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music, mostly
>pre-baroque or early music...Their customers
>sing, play recorders and viols...
I play early music with a recorder quartet. I can't
think of any particular items for that niche market,
especially, but items with theme connections like
musical notes in the early style ('neums') or
pictures of early instruments might find a market.
(You can easily find pictures of early musical
notation in lots of places.) Maybe mugs with press-
molded instrument-shaped handles? People will endure
a lot of discomfort for a cool novelty item. Probably
not a huge demand for crumhorn-related items, though,
for instance. It might appeal to a broader market
to just use 'generic' musical imagery.
Actually, I did just have an idea. Many people who
play such instruments, especially good ones, need
humidifiers to keep the wood in good condition. (At
least they do out here in the desert.) Lots of
people make humidifiers out of yogurt containers or
film cans or such, putting a damp sponge inside and
punching holes in the plastic to let the moisture
out into the instrument case. Maybe a hollow clay ball
with lots of salt-shaker-type holes, and a cork in
one end? Small instruments tend to have small cases
and need small humidifiers, while larger instruments
may be able to share space with a larger humidifier.
Not too large, though. And they shouldn't have any
sharp edges or roughness in case they bump the wood.
Probably less practical than plastic, really, but
much cooler-looking!
Another thought - recorders need stands, if the player
plays more than one type during a practice session or
performance. They tend to be made of wood, with a dowel
stuck vertically which holds the recorder. Typically,
they are wide enough to hold the recorder without
tipping over and may have multiple pegs for multiple
recorders. The pegs generally are removable for more
compact transport and storage, and are different
diameters for the different sizes. (1/4" or a little
smaller for soprano, 3/16 or so for alto, a bit bigger
for tenor, up to 1/2" for bass. Larger dowels need to
be taller, too, because the instrument to be supported
is taller and heavier, and a stand intended to support
a bass recorder needs to be more stable than one
intended only for soprano, etc. I don't think I'd want
a ceramic recorder stand for my travelling gig bag; I'd
be afraid to breaking it, and reluctant to carry extra
weight, but for a stay-at-home stand, it might be nice.
I'd make them for the full range of standard voices
(soprano - bass, with maybe a sopranino (tiny) peg too)
since extra peg spots don't take up that much space
and someone might aspire to own the ones they don't
have already. Most stands are arranged with the pegs in
a straight line, since that's how wood comes, but for
ceramic, maybe a round arrangement would be nice,
with pegs around in a circle with the bass peg in the
middle? Extra pegs are always handy, too, since really
serious players often have more than one of each
size instrument. If you regard the stand as a non-
portable item, you could glue the pegs in place for
more sturdiness, or make some peg-holes over-large
to allow the buyer to customize with their own choice
of peg sizes.
Don't know if these would work as a hot seller, or even
if they would reward the design time spent; just a few
thoughts.
-Snail
p.s. if they have a website, let me know!
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
Eleanor on mon 29 dec 03
Bonnie wrote:
> Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music
Tea sets---teapots, cups, cream/sugar--on a tray maybe
Sushi sets---tray, dipping bowls
Candle holders--for all sizes of candles
Sold as sets or individually.
Eleanor Kohler
Centerport, NY
Rikki Gill on mon 29 dec 03
I can't believe I sent that to the list. I meant to write it off line, to
you only. I am really sorry, Bonnie. Thank god it wasn't worse.
Best, Rikki
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rikki Gill"
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: Classical Music Related Clay Items for Sale
> Hi Bonnie,
> I just want to say hello, and wish you a Happy New Year. I think I missed
> repying to a personal post you sent me last summer. I went to Wales as
you
> know, and Janet is the greatest. [ I love her battle of the century with
> Vince] When I returned, I was so busy in my studio, I really didn't
even
> have a day off till last week. So now, I am freeer.
> Anyway, good luck designing some new/antique pots. Best, Rikki
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bonnie/Jeremy Hellman" <
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 2:05 PM
> Subject: Classical Music Related Clay Items for Sale
>
>
> > Friends of ours are buying a business selling classical music, mostly
> > pre-baroque or early music, and have mentioned they'd like to have some
> > ceramic items for sale that would appeal to their customers. Their
> customers
> > sing, play recorders and viols. Some are professionals; many earn their
> > livings doing something else.
> >
> > These items could be functional, decorative or jewelry, or anything
else.
> >
> >
> > So the question is what ideas you may have, that you are willing to
share,
> > for ceramic items I might want to make that would sell, and if you are
> > already making these, if you are interested in selling them.
> >
> > TIA for your ideas and thoughts,
> > Bonnie
> >
> >
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> > 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.
> >
> >
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> 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.
>
>
iandol on tue 30 dec 03
Not sure who started this thread but with the current heat wave my mind =
is in slow motion .
Anyway, here's a thought for those who are able to do passable =
sculpture.
The Scrolls of many examples of Viol de Gamba are decorated with the =
most wonderful figure heads. If you could find examples, possibly in the =
Smithsonian or the V & A these could be reproduced in porcelain.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia
Mary White on tue 30 dec 03
I am a musician too and recently gave a musician friend, going
through some unemployment worries, a cup decorated with a fermata.
It's a symbol musicians relate to and best of all it's easy to draw.
(For non-musicians, it's an arch with a dot in the middle and it
means "hold on".)
--
Mary White
Madeira Park, British Columbia
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