mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 5, 2016 1:20:38 GMT -5
I was trying to incorporate rocks and stars into something but kept coming up with potential trademark violations. Best of luck with the shop, it sounds like a fun occupation. Thank you for the input, I guess all in all this should be one of the least of my worries right now. I went and picked up a glass display case that needs a little repair and i am in the process of getting two more locally. I was thinking about possibly running a contest on here and providing a $50.00 credit for any item in my store for the person that came up with a name that we liked and would be able to use, not sure yet though...
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 5, 2016 0:50:09 GMT -5
What town and county are you in? Lincoln City, Oregon
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 5, 2016 0:10:49 GMT -5
I have the exact same unit (3barrel) they are 12lb barrels. Are your units for sale? Sorry, they've both found new homes... My son had fun in metal shop for a replacement. Found a nice 1/12 hp motor draws less than 2A with two full barrels and is barely warm to the touch. Thats great, Im glad it worked out for you.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 23:28:20 GMT -5
Rocks in our Heads. JK. What's wrong with what you had? It's worked for you this long. Not sure if it Will capture the attention of customers. My wife had mentioned something along the lines of Earths Treasures or something and I am sure that name is already established and spoken for.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 23:16:16 GMT -5
My wife and I are trying to figure out a name for our new shop that we are opening here on the Oregon Coast. Our online store I.E EBay, Etsy is know as MLOGANROCKS however were thinking about naming the store different. Any suggestions? I just wanted to add that we will be selling stones tumbled and rough, jasper, thundereggs, polished and whole with the opportunity to have them cut onsite. Petrified wood rough and polished, slabs rough and polished, grits, glue, sanding, disk & paper..etc...My wife is more on the metaphysical side of it and I am more of the material from the Northwest.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 23:11:32 GMT -5
My wife and I are trying to figure out a name for our new shop that we are opening here on the Oregon Coast. Our online store I.E EBay, Etsy is know as MLOGANROCKS however were thinking about naming the store different. Any suggestions?
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Rock Shop
Jun 4, 2016 11:06:35 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 11:06:35 GMT -5
Wow that's too clean! U need rock snot in stripes across the ceiling from the saw lid opened while running. Gritty crunchy stuff on the floor. Dust, cobwebs and flat rate boxes haphazardly stacked here and there. Mostly u need half finished projects everywhere! Lol..Isn't that the truth, I didn't want to post photos yet, however after the "take pictures or it didn't happen" message, I didn't want to leave any doubt out there from the start. I will upload pictures as I make progress and welcome and appreciate any advice that will help me on my New found venture.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Rock Shop
Jun 4, 2016 11:02:21 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 11:02:21 GMT -5
Bryson Rock shop in Ogden UT is second generation. I stumbled on it by accident. Dave the owner is awesome. Where is this going? Well there is the back yard with tons of rough and slabs it would take weeks to go through, alot shows its age being full of leaves, critters and who knows what else. In the front when you get in the store it is full of polished rocks, crystals and metaphysical wonders. Everytime I was there I was the only one looking for rough and slabs. There was always someone there buying polished rocks and crystals. He has an advantage of an established business and knows how to barter and make the sale so the money doesn't walk out of the door. Looks like you already made the commitment but here are some of my thoughts. Do you have enough space for lots of rough, bins, back or front lot? Who is your main target. Serious rockhounders, metaphysical, everyone? Will there be enough traffic going by to pull in random people. Signage and advertising, I brake for ROCKS signs, but the internet is our retail friend. We all know when we are out of town the first thing we google is local rock shops. Get the local paper to do a story. Everyone above have offered great advice. Last of all good luck! I do have lots of rough available, polished t eggs, slabs, etc...My wife is on the metaphysical side I.e. crystals, amethyst, healing stones etc...I am working on signs now and trying my best to come up with a plan for the lay out. I know that my space is limited and hope to purchase a larger shop once I get my reputation established. I am also going to provide cutting services on sight as I plan to bring in my 18" lortone and a 20" lap, 8" expandle drum arbor, and 18" polishing felt wheel. I have to get all of this in a 10-7ft backroom. Did the measuring and it will be tight but will work. I have a good ventilation system and good cover to protect my felt wheel from cross catamanaiton. I admit I am nervous and have a lot to learn on the retail side, I will give customers good deals and offer a discount program for the regulars, run sales etc.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 1:10:15 GMT -5
I guess that means it happened. Yes it did although I have lots of work ahead of me, I have to get insured for a million dollars before i am able to have the public come in, and I will get that done on Monday. On that hunt for glass display cases tomorrow and will be sure to add lots of lighting.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 0:34:05 GMT -5
Just so you know - every time I see your screen name it makes me run in here and change my vote Next time I am gonna hide results until its over! 43... 7 more to go.[/quo I casted my vote and wished I could have picked more than One. All very nice, Great job!
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 0:27:20 GMT -5
Here's the bottom-left one split with my saw project and the one on the right cleaned up a bit with the dremel:
Wow cant wait to see them polished, very nice material and thank you for sharing!
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 0:19:26 GMT -5
Took these today, nothing in yet and I will update pictures with my progress.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 4, 2016 0:17:43 GMT -5
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:45:42 GMT -5
Keep meaning to really give this a try, but was cleaning up today and threw one of these garden sprayers on this tumbler frame. 1 gallon seems to be just the proper size. The sprayers are cheap, but thick-walled to hold the pressure, shouldn't be hard to plug the small hole and seal the large one. (Anyone in oregon looking for a single (scott murray) or triple frame, drop me a line) I have the exact same unit (3barrel) they are 12lb barrels. Are your units for sale?
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:39:10 GMT -5
Hi, Guess I better do the intro thing. My name is Beth. I recently moved from NW WI, to Central WI. My finds here made me seriously think about getting back into lapidary work. I have a jewelry business, but currently purchase most of my supplies. My home in the 1980’s was AZ and I learned a lot from the Navajo craftsmen/women there. I currently craft some traditional SW style jewelry, but also do more modern works. Have always had an attraction to unique rocks and minerals. Was attending rock/mineral shows from an early age. Unfortunately most of my equipment is long gone, except for the Dremel, and soldering stuff. Hoping to learn from all here. Welcome from Oregon, newbie here myself and it's been great...
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:35:59 GMT -5
I've had a love affair with rocks since I was big enough to toddle into the front yard. I loved the tiny smooth pebbles, and would pop them in my mouth and swallow them. Yep, I loved them that much. So, over the years I picked up rocks all across the country, although I did quit eating them. My other love was art: painting and drawing. I went to art school and eventually found work as a graphic designer. When I finally retired from that, I decided to make jewelry, which I've been doing for about 10 years now. I have no idea why I never paired my love of rocks with jewelry design, but finally, I did this year. The husband and I started taking walks down on old country road by our house, along an old creek/river bed that comes down from the Ouachita Mountains north of us. At first we were having fun picking up quartz; it was everywhere! Then I started reading about chert and agates and chalcedony and carnelian. Stones I have been spending money for, and it was everywhere. Black, red, butterscotch, pink, white quartz, clear rock crystal, some fossil rocks and strange druzy formations, and petrified wood. The jewelry business is slow right now, so we started tumbling about 3 weeks ago. Our first barrel of babies is due in a week! Here are some pictures of some of the larger rough rocks we've been picking up. I still have no idea what everything is, and probably never will, but I'm having a great time learning! Trying this photo thing again. I did all of this yesterday and then lost everything before saving it, when the connection went bad. This is something Mom had in her yard, probably from my Stepdad's travels around the area. What do you think? Limestone with fossils from Central Okla? Or a Multi-seed grain croissant?
Some SE Okla quartz, chert, jasper? Some more, with petrified wood? Zombie brains with potatoes? Or some kind of fossil and white agate with yellow "skin"? I hope I'm not being sacrilegious by giving the rocks goofy names. My husband groans whenever I call corundum "conundrum." "Petrifried Egg" with bacon, ham, and potatoes. Our first polish tumble should be ready by this Sunday; I can barely stand it! Thanks for sharing, I didn't realize Oklahoma had such Nice material. I was out in Ardmore years ago and fished Lake Murray and further south on the red river bordering Texas. Lots of water moccasins.. Lol.. Welcome..
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:30:16 GMT -5
New member from SW Montana. My kids are pretty little and really getting into looking for rocks. We have gone to most of the places in the books, hopefully we can find some new ones! Just trying to get to know other people in the hobby and maybe ask a few questions along the way Thanks Welcome, I'm new here as well and I can tell you that it's been a great experience so far. Lots of nice fellow rockhounds with good advice abd great knowledge.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Rock Shop
Jun 3, 2016 2:25:15 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:25:15 GMT -5
Thank You, I really need it...lol...I did purchase more shelving today and have lots more to go.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Rock Shop
Jun 3, 2016 2:23:13 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:23:13 GMT -5
I'll second everything Shotgunner mentioned and add the following- Before signing a lease due diligence would suggest checking into all local, city, county,state, and federal tax burdens, and fees (ie: mandatory business association membership, local fairs, festivals,etc.) I would also talk to local business owners about business cycles and their opinion of any regulations imposed by locals, and overall business "climate". Just my opinion based on my business management and ownership experience. Yeah, what he said! When we opened our opening cash was off by $15,000, in local and state government fees and bonds that were required, but we were unaware of. $15k we spent $40k as opening capitol! Then when we bought a store, we got a bill from county animal control for $8000! The previous owners never paid their fees and they had stacked up. Fortunately we bought 'assets' and debts were explicitly left with the previous owners, in writing. They were really pissed when we gave the county their name and address! They had repeatedly stated "we have no dept"..... Lol I looked in to the to all the financial obligations in my store and I just need to pay my rent, electricity, internet, phone, and insurance for 1 million which will be roughly $48 a month. I should be around the $800 range after all of my shop overhead. I still intend to keep internet sales going as well.
|
|
mloganrocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 153
|
Rock Shop
Jun 3, 2016 2:17:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mloganrocks on Jun 3, 2016 2:17:11 GMT -5
Wow! What a big step! Congratulations! You have gotten some really great advice. I have never had a brick and mortar, but as a customer, I want to say- Make sure you have a lot of lighting! And, if you have any kind of counterspace, have a few desk light type lamps, too. People want to get a good look at their rocks. And, as a customer, if I walk into a dimly lit shop- I'll turn around and walk out. Few things will speak worse about your business than poor lighting, in my opinion. Don't forget to carry the little things, too- like dop wax, CA glue, etc. Nice little add ons. Greetings & Thank You! Yes I am going to do my best to stock numerous supplies such as the the dop wax, glue, fiberglass rolls for your serious wood lappers. I also want to carry various grits and equipment, going to give Lortone a call since there just north of Oregon and see if I am able to get some equipment in on display. I am also going to offer cutting & polishing services on site. I hope to be up & running in two weeks.
|
|