Words to Live By
Helping Others
In todays world, it seems helping others is a rare occasion. News articles
and television reporters often showcase the most nominal help offered by volunteers as if
it were extraordinary for mankind to help one another. Unfortunately, these stories are
produced because of the factual rise of selfishness in our world. I feel that if it is in
our power to help people, then it is our obligation to do so. My motives for relaying the
following is only to help this family, who have experienced hell on earth since this
tragedy occurred. If you are able and would like to send something, then please do so. If
not, that is fine as well. Please do not feel pressured in any way. On October 11th, 1996,
the Huebner family experienced a nightmare that every family prays will never happen to
them. Robin Huebner was driving to work when she was the victim of a hit and run accident
that killed her four-year-old daughter and critically injured her two-year-old son. A fund
has been established to help Robin and Michael Huebner with funeral, medical, and other
related expenses. If you would like to help the Huebner family, please send your donation
to:
The
Huebner Fund
% Fifth Third Bank
PO Box 427
Florence, KY 41022
Acct. #26520899
I met Robin only a short time ago. She is a fine young lady, a hard
worker, and a wonderful person. She could really use your help.
Helping Yourself
Here are a few tips that will help you in business:
-
Never quit. Make the
decision that you will not give up. Determination helps.
-
Know how much things
cost and charge accordingly. Be disciplined to know your costs so you can make an accurate
assessments as to what you should be charging.
-
Respond to clients
quickly.
-
Remember, the customer is
always right.
-
Check yourself. If you
work your Fridays differently than your Mondays, you are only working for the pay check. A
person of vision does not care what day of the week it is. Finding these kind of people is
the ultimate challenge. A good leader needs to find them in order to help himself. You
should always be looking for people smarter than yourself and not be intimidated by them.
They will only enhance your ability to lead. The least expensive person is not normally
the best worker.
-
Delegate. This can be
difficult. Learn to let go and give people the ability to grow. Trust people.
All The Best,

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What's
Hot
by Billy Willis, contributing
writer
In the
industry of Sandcarving, ideas come and go. Some ideas however, last longer than others.
Take for example the personalization of wine bottles via sandblasting and hand painting.
Some high end bottles, such as the ones pictured above, require the time and effort of a
gifted artisan hand painting and or air brushing with enamel paints. If hand painting is
not your forte, blasted bottles can look very nice with a single or multi-color fill. Just
blow off the sandblasted area, leave the photomask on the bottle, and color fill with a
Krylon aerosol spray paint. To avoid heavy build up, take care to spray lightly. Bottles
engraved with corporate logos, wedding dates, etc. make great keep sakes and increase the
value of the bottle significantly.
There has been a surge of
interest in river rock as "motivational" or "worry" stones, also known
as garden stones, or "mood" rocks. Garden stones are ideal for path or I.D.
markers. These items are easily produced and make innovative gift ideas for both corporate
and personal use. Many times these items are marketed as paper weights, miniature awards,
or desk top companions. The natural beauty, color, and shape of river stones are
attractive and affordable. Daily inspiration, unforgettable reminders, or nice looking
I.D. markers are only a few uses of river rock in the sandcarving industry. Paint filling
stones often add that extra flare that catches peoples eye. Similar to paint filling
wine bottles, blow off the remaining dust after blasting. Leave the Photomask
in place and
paint with a contrasting color. Leaving the stone natural can look equally as nice,
especially with lighter colored stones. |
Fresh
Starts
In
January of 1989, Charles and Annie Morningstar moved from Napa Valley, CA to Gig Harbor,
WA opening the doors of Fresh Northwest Design. With Annie as the Creative Director and
Charles as the Marketing Director, their new company was one of only a few producing
sandcarved and hand painted wine bottles.
Stating with one of a kind bottles for wineries to use as auction
donations, Annies designs were soon displayed at wine events throughout the United
States. This exposure has caused Fresh Northwest to be the recognized industry leader in
the production of extremely complex and intricate designs.
In addition to sandcarving, their professional graphic design services
have helped to develop wine labels including Quilceda Creek, Hedges Cellar, Quails
Gate Estate Vineyards, and Silver Lake Winery. |
Pricing
How To's
by Jim Jones, CCA Manager
What Do I Do Now?
I receive many questions about pricing
in general and I can always tell what new carvers are thinking. I have my exposure unit. I
have my blasting unit. I am ready to go. Its time to make some money. What do I do
now? Usually, if they are Crystal Carver Members, thy call me and we discuss different
aspects of pricing.
I always come from
the position that says you never want to demean the value of your product or service by
pricing too low. When glass is carved correctly, the value of the piece is enhanced
greatly and should be priced accordingly.
There are some rules, or industry
standards, to follow. We realize that these may vary from low, medium, and high end
pieces, and that there is a regional aspect to what we do. Material and services may bring
one price in Idaho and a different price in New York.
If you are able to
buy your glass and crystal blanks at a good wholesale price, or at an exceptional price--
as in the case of the Crystal Carver Association, you need to be thinking about a minimum
of doubling the price of your blank as a starting base before adding your production
costs. Refer to the table below. Production work, or making Photomasks and blasting the
product, used to go for 40 cents per square inch. Currently, many carvers across the
nation are reporting that figure to be closer to 50 cents per square inch. That is the
base that CCA™ has been using.
Glass Blank Purchased at $25 (Doubled) |
$50.00 |
Mask & Carve 12 sq. inch area @50 per sq. inch |
$6.00 |
Wholesale Price |
$56.00 |
Retail Price |
$112.00 |
Remember,
a solid pricing structure comes form a rigid wholesale price. Retail prices can fluctuate
from region to region. Discounts can always be given on suggested retail pricing.
Discounts will not adversely affect the pricing structure; however, they will affect your
profit margin.
Single Unit
Pricing
Pricing for single items, or
"onsie, twosie" jobs is very different than multiple unit production pricing. On
low end pieces such as mugs, you will end up doing a lot of busy work for low profits. The
way to get around this is to establish a company minimum order policy and or have a set-up
fee. This will keep you from wasting valuable time and material. Ask yourself if it is
really worth your time to do one item that costs you $1.50 and sells for $4.00. If you
find that you do have a market for small jobs like these, have a minimum carving fee per
piece. This price should stay in effect until an order reaches a certain dollar amount at
which time you revert to the 50 cent per square inch strategy....... |
Susquehanna Glass
Company Profile
Established: 1910
Owner: Walter Rowen & Nancy Roye
Director of Operations: Ray Andrews
Employees: 45
Products Sold: Princess House, Lenox Crystal, and other Mail Order House accounts
Monthly Volume: 20-30 thousand units, 1/3 blasted items.
Unique Selling Point: Rather than marketing direct, they contract large etching
projects, specializing in long run orders with low margins and high volume.
Future Prospects: Specific ASI Accounts
The Rayzist Result
"Since switching to Rayzist® Photomask, we have
been able to etch glass deeper...the 3 mill washes out faster, and is more durable...we
have had no rejects due to blast through snow." - Director of
Operations Ray Andrews. Mr. Andrews also stated that his labor rate has been cut by
1/3 since switching to Rayzist® and that he likes the option of being able to
order the InstaMask™ photo resist both in roll and sheet form.
Susquehanna Glass uses Rayzists InstaMask™ Clear Back
photo resist (3 mill), RTZ 1344 Processor, and the InstaMask™ High Production Adhesive Sprayer. |
Tips and Secrets
Refilling your Pressure Pot
Always sift your abrasive through a Rayzist®
Sifting Ring when refilling your pressure pot with abrasive. The fine mesh screen
eliminates any particles of masking and debris from clogging your blast hose or blast tip.
Maintaining your Blast Hose
Your blast hose is a wear item. Keeping the
blasting hose in a smooth flowing path will help extend the life of the hose. Avoid any
sharp bends or curves in the hoses path, as the abrasive will wear on these areas
much faster.
Clearing away the Fog
Always replace the window glass when it gets
foggy from abrasive residue. This will ensure a clear view at all times.
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