Of All The Places

[Back2Jake]

The other night, Sue (Chrestensen) and I were guests at a local business women's association meeting. At first glance, the women all resembled the image of high fashion, executive types. I immediately notice my choice of attire makes me stand out at the door. (I decide to wear a sweater, jeans and a little leather after doing the formal wear at the bridal show the week before)

As we signed in, one of the organization's executive members rushes over to greet us. I figure I hadn't met the dress code, LOL, but apparently my name on the guest list caught the attention of a couple members, one in particular who is lives near a local casino.

Although we were not there to promote Chrestensen Burghout Designs, we ended up looking over a portfolio of woodworking that was out on a reception table, and discussed the local market for portraits and other projects this lady regularly sells.

I learned a couple things about "the market", "audiences", and that there are many in my area that read the SSWC magazine ... and for those who enjoy portraits, we learned that the casino is a very good location to display your scrolled celebrity portraits.

[Steviegwood]

Hi Toni, it sounds like you had a good time and that you also learned some good information as well. Now I can't get the image of you wearing leather out of my head. LOL Steve

[Jediscroller]

Indian themed stuff does really well in the 2 casinos here (both indian run).

Now, if the Seneca would just open a friggin' casino, I could retire, hehehe.

[GrayBeard Phil]

Display artistic work at a Casino?

Great Idea. Just might sell better than a kiosk at a Mall.

But, if I may suggest:

The crowd at a casino would, IMHO, be looking to buy something with bragging-rights; some sort of one-up-manship. Anything to make the item exclusively their own. And of course you would charge extra for that "customer perceived" uniqueness.

- Maybe a stamp on back: Original woodwork by _________; or how about Original wood conceptualization by _______ of a photograph by <photographer's name>

-Maybe a stamp on back to indicate this is version X of a total Y of this series of same items, and majic marker used to add the two numbers. (for example: Interpertation # 14 of 32 total craftmanship execution of expression on subject. -- ) (Use big words.) And be prepared to explain that some versions use different woods, stains, finish technique, backgrounds, and so forth since you don't make exact copies, you are in the craftmanship - artisian business.

-and well I have a few other silly ideas, but all just give a sense of uniqueness to item, so you can overcharge the customer without actually doing anything special.

Again, just adding a suggestion for selling in a Casino where the crowd is, IMHO, a bit different from a Mall or Craft show. I would think the crowd would be more inclined to be trying to prove 'Alpha-Dog' status. But your woman's business group could advise you better on my suggestions.

Phil

[CanadianScroller]

I agree Phil.
I used to run an Offset Printing press. You can print thousands of copies of an image and sell them for pennies a piece.
Print off 1000 copies, call the work Lithography and get hundreds of dollars a piece.
Same process, same product, different perception.

If you use Baltic Birch Plywood for a project and say, "Plywood cutout" you would not get as much "value" as you would by calling the same project "Hand crafted art from imported hardwood laminates"

Toni I think your market discoveries are extremely valuable.
Just by coincidence I am off on a roadtrip with work to a Casino in Penticton.... I just may have a look there for oportunities too.

[Jediscroller]

As an FYI for those of you pursuing these types of outlets for your woodworking, a couple of other good places are zoo and museum gift shops. They typically have higher dollar items so this type of woodworking is a good fit. If you call it "art" you can charge even more, hehehe (trust me on this one).
Edit....one little note of caution, be prepared for larger orders and shorter deadlines if you go this route. I had one shop order 200 ornaments last year the first week of December with them wanting delivery the next week.

[greg194799]

Thanks Toni, Phil, Carl, and Kevin for sharing your marketing ideals with us.
Kevin I don’t think that the public really understands that we are making these pieces by hand. Most people are use to China made products that are made in sweat shops, and shipped to the U. S. by the thousands.

[Woodbutcher68]

I've got 5 casinos within 9 miles of my house. The gift shops have mainly imported junk for sale at inflated prices, so it might work there. My problem would be staying out of the casino area.
I've found it's cheaper to just send them a check once a month, rather than go in and play.