jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Apr 13, 2018 19:46:10 GMT -5
I'd use a Lifesaver candy for size AND color balance. Everybody knows what they look like. White background ! A consensus of great experience has made that issue concreted. I'm going to get one of those concrete pans out, they are 24" X 80" Easy to break the concrete off a short section to make that bend. I have about 200 stacked in the the back corner. They are paper machine dryer section roofing panels because steel structures rusts out with all the caustics. They used porous volcanic rock for the aggregate so they would be lightweight. They can be cut with a 7.25 Skilsaw with a diamond blade. They have 2 sticks of 5/8 rebar running down the edges, many are stainless rebar. Then they have heavy gauge 6" X 6" wire reinforce down the middle, some of that is stainless. I used them to grow plants on, they are channel cross section ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8466/8403270650_a47daa0c3b_b.jpg)
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 13, 2018 19:53:42 GMT -5
You went balls to the walls on this and worked hard. I have to agree with Tela. Mix up the lots. Also you may want to think about ebay to sell in bigger lots or maybe calling up craft/jewerly stores and selling them wholesale. No matter which way you go marketing/advertising is the key. Finding the people needed to market to may be the biggest problem in a wholesale arrangement with this product. Never thought about Ebay. Dang, the these things are mass produced but I am exhausted after composing so many. Each one gets a lot of personal attention. My little babies. I was thinking about that whilst composing a batch this morning. They get lots of brain storming, each one.
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Post by MsAli on Apr 13, 2018 20:43:51 GMT -5
Back off on product and focus on selling
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by NRG on Apr 13, 2018 22:20:44 GMT -5
I'd use a Lifesaver candy for size AND color balance. Everybody knows what they look like. White background ! A consensus of great experience has made that issue concreted. I'm going to get one of those concrete pans out, they are 24" X 80" Easy to break the concrete off a short section to make that bend. I have about 200 stacked in the the back corner. They are paper machine dryer section roofing panels because steel structures rusts out with all the caustics. They used porous volcanic rock for the aggregate so they would be lightweight. They can be cut with a 7.25 Skilsaw with a diamond blade. They have 2 sticks of 5/8 rebar running down the edges, many are stainless rebar. Then they have heavy gauge 6" X 6" wire reinforce down the middle, some of that is stainless. I used them to grow plants on, they are channel cross section ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8466/8403270650_a47daa0c3b_b.jpg) You just dropped a non sequitur into the thread that only you and I understand. Lol Would love to see that table. I knew that was up your alley. White background easy to overexpose and blow out light colours like yellow. Not the end of the world. But if you know it, then you can avoid it.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 13, 2018 22:28:11 GMT -5
Back off on product and focus on selling Too much fun making the stuff. Marketing is work. I may take some downtown tomorrow, I like hitting the shops to see what strangeness is being sold. Did a crazy melt today, a big one. Glass from blower, screened from 1/8 to 1/4, with BB sized color frit brewed in. Screening is everything.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 13, 2018 22:28:39 GMT -5
White background ! A consensus of great experience has made that issue concreted. I'm going to get one of those concrete pans out, they are 24" X 80" Easy to break the concrete off a short section to make that bend. I have about 200 stacked in the the back corner. They are paper machine dryer section roofing panels because steel structures rusts out with all the caustics. They used porous volcanic rock for the aggregate so they would be lightweight. They can be cut with a 7.25 Skilsaw with a diamond blade. They have 2 sticks of 5/8 rebar running down the edges, many are stainless rebar. Then they have heavy gauge 6" X 6" wire reinforce down the middle, some of that is stainless. I used them to grow plants on, they are channel cross section ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8466/8403270650_a47daa0c3b_b.jpg) You just dropped a non sequitur into the thread that only you and I understand. Lol Would love to see that table. I knew that was up your alley. White background easy to overexpose and blow out light colours like yellow. Not the end of the world. But if you know it, then you can avoid it. Me and you brother
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2018 7:52:13 GMT -5
There is another booming market in the glass biz. Some of the highest volume sellers on Etsy sell individual focal beads averaging 1 inch in diameter. I believe a 3mm hole is drilled thru the bead and a sterling silver 2.7mm I.D. grommet is professionally inserted into each side of the hole. Maybe glued in, not sure. Or a 2mm hole with no grommet, could be drilled after coarse shaping, cleaned up and polished in subsequent tumbling steps. This is another product that I should pursue, as it is a wearable and the hole in no way can threaten the integrity of the jewel(bead). Let the tumbler shape them from square to round. 1 inch squares cut out of cast glass brick and coarse shaped vigorously in the tumbler till round. The newer kiln can cast 2 slabs, even 3 slabs. 1 inch thick and 18 inches in diameter, that is a lot of glass and a BIG slab. Enough to fill up a couple of 15 pound tumblers. The slabs can be cast with a plethora of glass colors/patterns throughout. 7/8" slab for 7/8" cubes, 1.1" slab cut 1.1" cubes, etc, i.e. make the cube/bead diameter the thickness of the slab. simple as that.
Or do longer rectangles and tumble them to cylinders, drill across the top so it hangs pendulum style - cast 3/8" or 1/2 inch slab for this. 1.5 to 2.5 inch cylinders or radiused edge rectangles. Tear drops, etc.
Lots of variations to look into.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2018 9:37:34 GMT -5
Did a few anatomy jewels. Love guts, appendages, orifices and the like. The red and yellows were done using 2 shards of an ugly glass vase placed strategically, new trick. The multi color/layed ones were a crude Fordite lamination. Should feather nice as tumbled. Photos suck, no justice. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/801/40736704464_716884bac6_b.jpg)
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Post by MsAli on Apr 14, 2018 9:47:21 GMT -5
I like the red and yellow Anatomy?
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Post by MrP on Apr 14, 2018 9:52:39 GMT -5
jamesp what brand and size is your lager larger kiln?..................................MrP
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by NRG on Apr 14, 2018 10:38:33 GMT -5
jamesp what brand and size is your lager kiln?..................................MrP Isn't lager usually made in a chilled environment? 😎
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Post by MrP on Apr 14, 2018 10:48:02 GMT -5
jamesp what brand and size is your lager kiln?..................................MrP Isn't lager usually made in a chilled environment? 😎 Yes it is!............................MrP
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2018 10:51:21 GMT -5
I like the red and yellow Anatomy? I'm not saying a thing.
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Post by drocknut on Apr 14, 2018 11:03:03 GMT -5
I agree with Chuck about selling in small lots and the impression it gives rather than in bulk. Sure you can make a lot of them but if you flood the market like the Chinese do with cabs doesn't that "cheapen" the whole lot? I would think it would be better to sell bulk to stores outside of Etsy. I'm no marketing person, heck I'm not even a good jewelry or Etsy salesperson but just giving you my perspective. Sure, you can make hundreds of them and they are excellent quality but should you? All of the jewelry I sell is one of a kind so when I buy cabs I prefer to buy ones that are unique or unusual and I have never bought in bulk. That's just me and I'm sure I'll be told I'm a horrible business person and will never get rich but I'm ok with that...lol. Sure I wouldn't mind making more money however I just am not wired for being great at business or living a fast paced money making lifestyle. There is actually not much of a way I can sell them myself on a hosting site Diane and make much money without looking like a mass production person. I think I pretty much have to find high volume jewelry sellers that buy a lot of cab stock and negotiate prices with them. I will have to find them as it is doubtful they will find me in this lifetime. Dang near impossible to find anyone on mega-jewelry Etsy any more. Find big Etsy sellers and send them convos with photos, pricing and an offer to send them samples. Down the list, pick a number say 250 select volume sellers. Numbers game. Maybe join an Etsy suppliers group ? Not sure how those guys work. I do get constant Etsy convo requests from retail sellers to sell my fire pits at their road side stores. About one offer every 2 weeks. So Etsy sellers do get approached in business partnerships... I too don't want to go high production and roll in big dollars, prefer to sell at a higher retail price and have way less sells and the most valuable thing - time. Now I love making this glass and tumbling it. Just plain fun. Glass is not cheap though, I would like compensation to pay for best of materials. I would really like to be the most famous glass pendant artist in the world Lol, Id take a high artist rating over big money income any day. A cool accomplishment. Nothing I ever came close to. Fire pits ain't art, that's repetitive sweaty redneck welding. Now I sold a crap load of fire pits last year. I thought they would slow down a bit - not. Looking at Etsy statistics for this year as compared to last year, looks like I am going to be too too busy when fire pit seasons come. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/880/39631192490_42f94dde41_n.jpg) The dark teal is this year, up 75 friggin %, that means it is going to be a busy year. My wife spends all the money, I don't need it. Why do I have to do all this work ? Glad you are doing so well with the firepits. I understand about wanting to get compensation for the materials, cabs aren't cheap either and I don't have equipment available so I have to buy. Correction, I don't have to buy, I have a lot of cabs in my stash but when I see one I want that is outstanding I will buy but have to price my wrap higher because of the price of materials. I am beginning to believe that the less artistic stuff sells more than the artistic. I've sold more of the rustic wire wraps than the more fancy ones but I do sell both. I'm not sure how it works with the suppliers groups on Etsy either although I have bought some small items from those sellers. I think it's called Etsy Studio. I have a feeling your wife keeps you well fed and happy so guess it's a good trade off isn't it? I suspect you would do a lot of work even if you didn't get paid, you seem to be that type of guy.
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Post by drocknut on Apr 14, 2018 11:07:22 GMT -5
I like the red and yellow Anatomy? I'm not saying a thing. Ha, you know you want to James. Go ahead I double dog dare you to say something ;-P
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2018 11:08:06 GMT -5
jamesp what brand and size is your lager larger kiln?..................................MrP Budweiser - kidding - Big kiln is a Paragon 10(10 sided) w/top heat($500 used). the other is a Paragon(E3 ??)($400 used) w/same Sentry 3.0 controller and 9x9X9" box. i like/need/prefer the space in the big kiln. Get a top heat(glass) kiln. Glass likes it from the top for the reason of flame polish #1 and strong melts #2 slumping it #3. Me don't flame polish so moot point. I would avoid a ceramics kiln that uses sitter cones to trigger control unless you change controller out.
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Post by drocknut on Apr 14, 2018 11:14:25 GMT -5
There is another booming market in the glass biz. Some of the highest volume sellers on Etsy sell individual focal beads averaging 1 inch in diameter. I believe a 3mm hole is drilled thru the bead and a sterling silver 2.7mm I.D. grommet is professionally inserted into each side of the hole. Maybe glued in, not sure. Or a 2mm hole with no grommet, could be drilled after coarse shaping, cleaned up and polished in subsequent tumbling steps. This is another product that I should pursue, as it is a wearable and the hole in no way can threaten the integrity of the jewel(bead). Let the tumbler shape them from square to round. 1 inch squares cut out of cast glass brick and coarse shaped vigorously in the tumbler till round. The newer kiln can cast 2 slabs, even 3 slabs. 1 inch thick and 18 inches in diameter, that is a lot of glass and a BIG slab. Enough to fill up a couple of 15 pound tumblers. The slabs can be cast with a plethora of glass colors/patterns throughout. 7/8" slab for 7/8" cubes, 1.1" slab cut 1.1" cubes, etc, i.e. make the cube/bead diameter the thickness of the slab. simple as that. Or do longer rectangles and tumble them to cylinders, drill across the top so it hangs pendulum style - cast 3/8" or 1/2 inch slab for this. 1.5 to 2.5 inch cylinders or radiused edge rectangles. Tear drops, etc. Lots of variations to look into. Beads can definitely be a good market. I have bought way too many...lol. I find that the glass beads sell pretty well but I have to price them low because they generally appeal to the younger people with less money or to kids who have to depend on their parents to shell out the cash. I'm sure yours would be higher end and nicer so might appeal to a more upper crust audience ie rich folks who like bling. I actually prefer the beads without the grommets. I've had too many grommets fall off, granted, I bought those beads at a bulk retailer from China so didn't expect much.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2018 11:15:26 GMT -5
Ha, you know you want to James. Go ahead I double dog dare you to say something ;-P I'm preparing a bunch more as we type. I have a vase with a red layer and then a white layer. Looks like pink will be the fringe. One of my favorite wraps ever posted here was the tree wrap you posted recently with the pearly cab. Like that thin wire a bunch. ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/806/40559388955_29972b1bd6_n.jpg) ![](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/892/27581839088_5b54732597_n.jpg) I ain't touching that one, double dare or triple dare, no way.
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Post by MsAli on Apr 14, 2018 11:19:17 GMT -5
I like the red and yellow Anatomy? I'm not saying a thing.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,323
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2018 11:22:26 GMT -5
drocknut"I am beginning to believe that the less artistic stuff sells more than the artistic. I've sold more of the rustic wire wraps than the more fancy ones but I do sell both." I feel that your rustic ? wire wrap mentioned above is way more artistic than mechanical/symetrical wraps. It looks exactly like a tree !! Some of my best glass is a 10 second brain flash. Brilliance can hit in a flash, often does. A tiny electrical signal - all it takes.
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