Kenneth J. Nowicki on thu 8 jan 04
I bought my Creative Industries wheel way back around 1986 or so... when the
original owner was still running the company in La Mesa, CA. I have one of the
older MP models and I love it. Never had any problems with it either.
At one point I had upgraded and had the reversing switch added to it. That is
when I met Kenton Oakes and his Dad, Tom. They had just bought CI from the
owner and were updating their line of wheels and adding some new products as
well. It was clear to me from the outset that these guys took their work
seriously and wanted to make a superior product. Years ago, they asked me if I would
allow them to use some images of my pottery in their sales brochures. I've been
happy with my CI wheel and their customer service so I said... "sure, why
not?".
I saw the Artista wheel at the CI booth at NCECA recently, and though I
didn't get the chance to actually try it out, it seemed like a great wheel for
portability. I immediately thought to myself that this would be a great wheel to
take to workshops for demos, or to set up at a booth at a fair or whatnot.
I saw Tracy's email today concerning her purchase of her new Artista potters
wheel by Creative Industries. Her concerns about the wheel head slowing down
under pressure while centering, pulling, and trimming caught my attention.
Seems like just a few weeks (maybe months) back, I read here on Clayart
someone else voice something similar about their new Artista wheel... slowing down
a bit while centering... I can't remember who it was... heck... maybe it was
Tracy... maybe someone else... I'm not sure. I do remember them saying that
they contacted CI about it, and were told that this was not "normal" for their
wheel to do this, and offered to replace it with a new one.
I took the liberty of forwarding Tracy's email to Kenton today, just to give
him a "heads up" on what has been a topic of discussion here in recent weeks
about their Artista wheel. (Hope you don't mind Tracy) I know that they will do
the right thing and take care of the problem (if indeed there is one).
Within hours... I've since gotten a response from the folks at CI. Kenton
Oakes, as well as Jim Hicks. Both thanking me for letting them know about the
Clayart postings regarding their Artista wheels. Kenton tells me they are working
with Tracy directly and will solve the problem "one way or another"... and
that the Artista "really is a very powerful wheel". Jim adds that they have had
many potters, teachers, students and the like test the Artista, and that they
have had very few complaints. He also mentions that Tracy is only the second
potter that they have heard about who complained about slowing down the wheel.
In the first case, he believes they resolved the problem and the customer is
happy. He's hoping that they will be able to resolve Tracy's complaints as well.
Jim also invited me to stop by the booth at this year's NCECA and give the
Artista a test drive for myself... assuring me that he's set aside time for me
to do so. I think I will take him up on his offer. :-)
I don't work for Creative Industries, nor am I being paid to endorse them. I
am just a happy customer who wanted to keep them abreast of a possible
situation with their new wheel, and give them the chance to respond to it and do the
right thing. It appears that they are doing just that. Like Mel mentioned
about Howard Axner's new potters wheels in recent months... all new products will
occasionally have a bug or two to iron out. I think if we all cut them just a
little slack, and give them a chance to address any problems that arise, we'll
all be better off for it in the end. Just my two cents worth.
Best regards,
Ken
"freezing my butt off in the chilly Northeast"
Lee Burningham (Box Elder High School) on thu 8 jan 04
Howdy,
I have to echo Ken as far as giving CI credit for doing what they can to
make things better for potters in general. I had a chance to play with
the wheel at NCECA San Diego and found it to be plenty powerful and more
than capable for most potters. When I say "most potters" remember that
labels are very generic and only apply to specific applications. Most
potters don't make pots that average 25 pounds each. Most potters aren't
built like King Kong or his little brother, Magilla.
The Artista is designed for a school or portable situation, unlike most
potters, where space and affordability is of utmost concern. I
personally feel the Artista wheel is the long-awaited solution for
elementary education where there is a screaming need for additional
avenues of art exploration in the classroom. I fully intend to expose as
many of my fellow educators, specifically elementary level educators, in
the state of Utah, to the Artista wheel at the arts education conference
held annually in St. George, Utah, the end of next month.
Do I have an interest in Creative Industries? Nope. I know and admire
the owner for the efforts he is making to provide quality goodies to an
all-too-often ungrateful public. Do I own any Creative Industries
wheels? Nope. I use Lockerbie kick for almost everything. I AM somewhere
in between King Kong and Magilla Gorilla and like the wheel I've
personally been using forever. But, at least one of my former students
is a proud owner of a CI wheel. I do have a large number of the batts,
using them frequently as do my students on a daily basis. I wish I owned
stock in the company. Too bad it is privately held or I would be first
in line. I'd like a piece of Trinity Clay, the company (excellent
people) more than the dirt, too far away and shipping ain't cheap. I'd
love to be associated with Howard any time, anywhere. He can dictate the
terms however he would like.
I could go down the list of exhibitors we all see at the various NCECA
conferences and name all kinds of people and companies that are doing an
excellent job, doing the best they can, and about the only time their
names get mentioned on this list is when there is a perceived fault or
problem. Get over it. Air your dirty laundry, your problems with
materials or machinery, with the people you are doing business with.
Then, if it is an insurmountable problem that you feel needs worldwide
attention, go ahead and post it to The List. Then we can all bitch and
moan and offer condolences or whatever.
Lee Burningham
Proud to be a potter and looking forward to Indianapolis!
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