10.07.10 Arts Extravaganzas in Boise

Lynn with her equine sculpture at Boise Art Museum, September 30: (L to R) Rain or Shine, bronze; Marshall, earthenware; El Rio, bronze.

It's a busy time of year for the arts community in Boise. Tonight is an Opening Reception for BOSCO (Boise's open artists' studios tour), with a full two days of open studios this weekend.  Rain or Shine and I will be at the reception tonight, but schedule conflicts will keep me from opening the studio to the public this weekend as we did last year.  It sure was a fun event, and I look forward to opening the studio during BOSCO weekend in 2011.

Boise Art Museum has created an innovative way to connect with the community.  

One of their most recent endeavors, the More Than A Pretty Face program, seeks to pair local artists and patrons.  In fact, I am working on such a commission now, a portrait of a horse once owned by a local art collector. That sculpture, destined to be cast in bronze, will debut next April at the More Than A Pretty Face gala.  

Last Thursday evening the museum hosted an open house to showcase the artists currently participating in the More Than A Pretty Face program. As you might expect, it was a little nerve-wracking. But the museum staff set a warm welcoming tone for everyone and evening sped by as I chatted with folks, connected with old friends and fellow artists.  In fact, I experienced another of those "Small World" moments that make you appreciate how connected we all are (they've been happening a lot lately). 

The open house is followed by a series of Salons in which a smaller group of artists present a sample of their work to potential patrons. Wish me luck, I'm scheduled for the first Salon event -- next Tuesday. Nervous?  Do horses whinny?  You bet!

mmmm

10.06.10 Sales systems, fine tuning ad infinitum

Meet my "administrative assistant", Aji.

True blue Laf'n Bear collectors are once again bearing with me as we iron out the wrinkles in a news sales system. 

Thank you.

Each approach to sales and marketing has it's pros and cons -- striking the right balance seems to be the  eternal challenge for entrepreneurs.

You want to add that pretty new sculpture to your collection as soon as possible, I want to maximize my time in the studio so I can create more cool new sculptures for you.

With the introduction of "Rompadeux" we're testing a hybrid sales system:  the debut of the piece with a percentage of the total run already cast and ready to ship immediately; then follow up with an order-taking system.

So how'd day one go? 

Within two hours the first 25 pieces in the edition of 150 were spoken for.  Within 24 hours, all 25 pieces had shipped to their new owners.  Within the same 24 hours another 25 collectors placed orders for future castings (some with multiple resins per order, so the edition is nearly half spoken for already).  Thank you!

Taking and tracking orders racks up more office time for me, but it gives you the reassurance that you will get the resins you desire. 
 

We have integrated required deposits into the system.  The deposits are nominal and are applied to the cost of the resin.  However, if an order is canceled or payment defaulted on by the collector, one half of the deposit is nonrefundable (which covers a portion of our administrative costs).

After an order is received here, a confirmation email is sent out with a PDF receipt for the deposit and an estimated delivery time. 

Preview

Resins of course are not shipped until paid for in full, and we have established a deadline for payment, ten business days from the ready-to-ship notice and invoice.  Missing the deadline will result in the default cancellation of an order. 

This respects the fact that orders are filled in the order that they are received and any delay in the system means that the next person in line will have to wait longer to get their resin.

One thing I'm sure of is that this system is not perfect (as if any one system really could be).  But, we're working to keep it straightforward, fairly flexible and as accommodating to collectors as possible.

Any input from a collector's point of view would be most welcome in the comments section below.

Thanks!