Jocelyn McAuley on sat 3 apr 04
New tools at NCECA?
I had a difiicult time getting "into" the exhibitor's hall this last
time. It seems like all of our ceramic supply booths are trying to
become Walmarts of the pottery world... specialization among ceramic
suppliers is disappearing.
My first NCECA at Kansas City introduced me to those wonderful colored
jelly like ribs of Michael Sherril's. Now everyone who isn't Michael
Sherril was selling them at NCECA.
Tables seemed to have the same books, the same Chinese clay tools...
This Walmarting of ceramic supplies is what makes booths like Phil's
really stand out. Those are the vendors I want to spend time with-
people who have personal investment in what they offer. Tools that are
their specialty!
I miss specialization and niches... even within our little specialized
world.
Jocelyn McAuley
- who realizes she is spoiled and demanding... but its worked so far
Hank Murrow on sat 3 apr 04
Dear Jocelyn;
Let's not forget Keith Lebenzon's fabulous brushes......I scored an Elk
hair beauty in San Diego which has been making lovely marks.
Hank in Eugene
On Apr 3, 2004, at 1:47 PM, Jocelyn McAuley wrote:
> New tools at NCECA?
>
> I had a difiicult time getting "into" the exhibitor's hall this last
> time. It seems like all of our ceramic supply booths are trying to
> become Walmarts of the pottery world... specialization among ceramic
> suppliers is disappearing.
>
> My first NCECA at Kansas City introduced me to those wonderful colored
> jelly like ribs of Michael Sherril's. Now everyone who isn't Michael
> Sherril was selling them at NCECA.
>
> Tables seemed to have the same books, the same Chinese clay tools...
>
> This Walmarting of ceramic supplies is what makes booths like Phil's
> really stand out. Those are the vendors I want to spend time with-
> people who have personal investment in what they offer. Tools that are
> their specialty!
>
> I miss specialization and niches... even within our little specialized
> world.
Susan Setley on sun 4 apr 04
'I had a difiicult time getting "into" the exhibitor's hall this last
time. It seems like all of our ceramic supply booths are trying to
become Walmarts of the pottery world... specialization among ceramic
suppliers is disappearing.
My first NCECA at Kansas City introduced me to those wonderful colored
jelly like ribs of Michael Sherril's. Now everyone who isn't Michael
Sherril was selling them at NCECA.
"
But that means that Michael Sherril is now making more money. That's so much preferable to someone violating his patent rights and just ripping his idea off...
Specialization and small booths with one person's inventions is charming and delightful, but if an item can be mass produced, that person will make more money doing it. No one can force Michael Sherril to broaden his distribution, but it's another way to protect his patent -- he saturates the market before someone else rips him off and does it for him. :(
I hate to be a wet blanket about this but ... he did the only smart business thing he could do.
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