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#11
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"Glassman" wrote in message ... The retailer has been bled the last decade from both, imports and the wholesalers double cross. Java's 20 year cycle may be part of the problem, but there are no shortage of lamps being sold on QVC, and doors with SG panels in them at Home Depot. And if you have looked carefully at the HD doors, the glass work is pretty darn good. It's worse news when the off-shore work compares favorably or surpasses the local studio's stuff. None of us can compete with this stuff. The retailer has reached the end of scuffling for ideas to keep the store open. Lamps, panels, boxes, kaleidoscopes, stepping stones, classes, supplies, jewelry.... what else is there to do? Beer, porno, and pet foods seem to be pretty recession proof. :) Remember your local hardware store? Stationery store? Grocery? Clothing store? Can anyone forsee them coming back when they have been replaced by super store chains? Funny...a city the size of Atlanta now has only 4 SG retail stores, and one of them is an offshoot of one of the custom door houses. Several years ago I passed on the chance to buy one of the other 3 stores. Glad I did, too. The guy that had the oldest, best stocked, and most knowlegeable of the retail stores closed down not long ago and moved his stock to somewhere on the Carolina coast and opened up a studio selling to the tourist trade. As Java said in another post, it was the taxes that ran this guy off. Fulton Co., GA rivals any banana republic for graft, corruption, and inefficency, all the while bleeding the affluent taxpayers to re-distribute the wealth to the 'hood. One of the problems that any small retailer is faced with is the old "you can't sell it if you ain't got it" vs. the "I ain't got the money to inventory what you want 'cause all my money is tied up in all this ugly-ass inventory that you don't want." The two SG retail stores nearest to me are both owned by 50-something year old women who rely on classes to stay afloat. Their glass inventories have dwindled, but the prices sure haven't. Both of them are in desperate need of some hormone replacement therapy. :) Guys like Java and me will be in business until they carry our bodies out the door. RIP stained glass retail stores.... And you've carved out a niche in the industry where your skills are unique in your area. Another poster was talking about fusing/slumping being popular. I'm kinda thinking that will be a short-lived fad, too. There's only so many bon-bon dishes one can make before the "craft" loses its' luster. Sort of like the ceramic studio phase a few years ago. How many beer steins do you need? I'm wondering how anyone can make a living melting a few globs of glass and stringing them on some thread and "auctioning" it off on eBay? I do know a guy here in Atlanta that makes a darn good income making and selling glass dildoes on eBay. I haven't seen him for a couple of years, but I guess he's still filling some needs, so to speak. |
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#12
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"Moonraker" wrote in message ... "Glassman" wrote in message ... The retailer has been bled the last decade from both, imports and the wholesalers double cross. Java's 20 year cycle may be part of the problem, but there are no shortage of lamps being sold on QVC, and doors with SG panels in them at Home Depot. And if you have looked carefully at the HD doors, the glass work is pretty darn good. It's worse news when the off-shore work compares favorably or surpasses the local studio's stuff. None of us can compete with this stuff. The retailer has reached the end of scuffling for ideas to keep the store open. Lamps, panels, boxes, kaleidoscopes, stepping stones, classes, supplies, jewelry.... what else is there to do? Beer, porno, and pet foods seem to be pretty recession proof. :) Remember your local hardware store? Stationery store? Grocery? Clothing store? Can anyone forsee them coming back when they have been replaced by super store chains? Funny...a city the size of Atlanta now has only 4 SG retail stores, and one of them is an offshoot of one of the custom door houses. Several years ago I passed on the chance to buy one of the other 3 stores. Glad I did, too. The guy that had the oldest, best stocked, and most knowlegeable of the retail stores closed down not long ago and moved his stock to somewhere on the Carolina coast and opened up a studio selling to the tourist trade. As Java said in another post, it was the taxes that ran this guy off. Fulton Co., GA rivals any banana republic for graft, corruption, and inefficency, all the while bleeding the affluent taxpayers to re-distribute the wealth to the 'hood. One of the problems that any small retailer is faced with is the old "you can't sell it if you ain't got it" vs. the "I ain't got the money to inventory what you want 'cause all my money is tied up in all this ugly-ass inventory that you don't want." The two SG retail stores nearest to me are both owned by 50-something year old women who rely on classes to stay afloat. Their glass inventories have dwindled, but the prices sure haven't. Both of them are in desperate need of some hormone replacement therapy. :) Guys like Java and me will be in business until they carry our bodies out the door. RIP stained glass retail stores.... And you've carved out a niche in the industry where your skills are unique in your area. Another poster was talking about fusing/slumping being popular. I'm kinda thinking that will be a short-lived fad, too. There's only so many bon-bon dishes one can make before the "craft" loses its' luster. Sort of like the ceramic studio phase a few years ago. How many beer steins do you need? I'm wondering how anyone can make a living melting a few globs of glass and stringing them on some thread and "auctioning" it off on eBay? I do know a guy here in Atlanta that makes a darn good income making and selling glass dildoes on eBay. I haven't seen him for a couple of years, but I guess he's still filling some needs, so to speak. What you say is true about the corruption in Fulton County but Dekalb is just as bad. The principle being there's always corruption somewhere. We cant make a living on SG so we trudge off daily to our menial jobs. But someday we hope to have some part time income from it when we retire. We could never make a living from it.....people will not pay what it costs to build....esp the labor involved. So screw them. I don't care. I have seen lots of SG made in China and its not all impressive....just cheap. I buy most of my materials from a SG store in Winder. They have the best prices and an excellent stock. But even they have expanded into fusing, kilns etc.. ...On rare occasions I will buy something [pattern books] online. Overall SG is art...artists generally starve. With luck some artists get recognized and they make money. I will not give up on SG even if I just do it to make things for myself, friends & family. But I have become very particular about the origin of my materials and I refuse to buy stuff from China......no matter how "good" or cheap in price.....too bad most Americans would not do the same. Kitty |
#13
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wrote in message ps.com... As a wholesale supplier to working artisans as well as small retailers, I think the only retailers that will become extinct are those unwilling to adapt to market changes. The demand for stained glass supplies has diminshed dramatically but has been compensated for with increased demand for kilnforming supplies. At this point, about 75% of sales are for kilnforming with only 25% for conventional stained glass. Retailers that have recognized the change and have set up to teach fusing/slumping and sell supplies for kilnforming are doing fine. Many are expanding rapidly and having difficulty meeting the demand for classes. Every class produces new customers and on average, one out of every 10 students will buy a kiln. Also, hobbyists fusing & slumping use considerably more glass than those doing stained glass. It might take someone a while to use up $100 worth of glass making a lamp or window, but a fuser can use that up in a few days. Dennis Brady http://www.victorianartglass.biz This is just the latest fad to attempt to hang on. I speak to 50-100 retailers every week. Most are hurting big time. Fusing is small time compared to what we used to do. We used to make lamps, windows, sell tools & supplies. Kiln work is just another passing thingie that will dry up as well. Especially when boatloads of beads & jewelry come over from China for ..10 each. Start looking for the next trend Dennis. -- JK Sinrod Sinrod Stained Glass Studios www.sinrodstudios.com Coney Island Memories www.sinrodstudios.com/coneymemories |
#14
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Anybody know of or have a list of glass manufacturers and where it's made?
I now have to (mostly) buy mail order as my local shop had to close up temporarily, and what I buy doesn't have the little 'Made in China' sticker like everything else made there... |
#15
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"gcg1" wrote in message ... Anybody know of or have a list of glass manufacturers and where it's made? I now have to (mostly) buy mail order as my local shop had to close up temporarily, and what I buy doesn't have the little 'Made in China' sticker like everything else made there... I am missing you point? Glass made in China does have the little sticker, but it is removed. Chances are the glass you "were" buying is US made, but having the manufacturers list,(which is readily available online at http://www.artglassassociation.com/mc/page.do), doesn't do much unless you plan on buying alot. multiple cases, alot... Buying online should save you money, and give you access to glass you could not get before, but psu.edu is where? PA? Hmmm manufacturer right down the road? You get advice and assistance the same place you buy your supplies...... |
#16
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"Kitty" wrote in message news:Xomdncz2s45gPDPfRVn- What you say is true about the corruption in Fulton County but Dekalb is just as bad. The principle being there's always corruption somewhere. Well...you are right.....the difference between Fulton and DeKalb is non existant. SWMBO wants to move from the East Paulding area into Sandy Springs to cut down on her commute. Fat chance. Even though it would be more convenient for both of us, I'm not about to contribute to Apelanta's tax coffers. If I never went inside I-285 again, it'd suit me fine. We cant make a living on SG so we trudge off daily to our menial jobs. But someday we hope to have some part time income from it when we retire. We could never make a living from it.....people will not pay what it costs to build....esp the labor involved. I have managed to build a SG business that makes me a 6 figure living. I, too, thought that there'd be no way to survive in the SG business. It can be done, and with minimal investment. So screw them. I don't care. I have seen lots of SG made in China and its not all impressive....just cheap. I buy most of my materials from a SG store in Winder. They have the best prices and an excellent stock. But even they have expanded into fusing, kilns etc.. I've been in that store a few times. He does have a good selection, it's just too far away for me to go there regularly. I didn't think his prices were all that good, I was doing a job nearby and needed a piece of glass that I didn't have with me. ..On rare occasions I will buy something [pattern books] online. Overall SG is art...artists generally starve. With luck some artists get recognized and they make money. I will not give up on SG even if I just do it to make things for myself, friends & family. But I have become very particular about the origin of my materials and I refuse to buy stuff from China......no matter how "good" or cheap in price.....too bad most Americans would not do the same. There's always the danger of cutting off your nose to spite yer face when you get into the parocialism of where a product comes from. Kitty |
#17
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Here's my input. I have quit doing supplies completely, no lessons, just
shows and commissions. My prices have gone up in keeping with cost of materials. i find i can easily sell the more expensive, bigger pieces (because the rich folk still have the dough) but smaller items won't move at prices that reflect current materials cost ( competition from Chinese imports??) So, i am doing more expensive things and still making a living but i have had to reduce overhead to the point of creating my studio in my new (about to start the foundation) home and plan to eventually do away with my shop. Times is tough, but i intend to hang onto the edge of the cliff by my toes if necessary, and keep trying to adapt as the economy changes. I just hope it doesn't take the whole 20 years for the economy to recover and glass to become popular again!!! m |
#18
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Hobby Lobby carries Spectrum and not Chinese glass. They buy direct
from Spectrum and have it chipped to a central warehouse where it's cut up and shipped out to about 350 stores. They also carry Rack Packs from Spectrum which is also divided up and put into stock. Two companies that manufacture glass in China are Armstrong and Houston's Gecko glass along with several companies that manufacture clear textures. None of which Hobby lobby carries. |
#19
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That's interesting. I couldn't find you listed with any manufacturer as
being a wholesaler. |
#20
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wrote in message oups.com... Hobby Lobby carries Spectrum and not Chinese glass. They buy direct from Spectrum and have it chipped to a central warehouse where it's cut up and shipped out to about 350 stores. They also carry Rack Packs from Spectrum which is also divided up and put into stock. Two companies that manufacture glass in China are Armstrong and Houston's Gecko glass along with several companies that manufacture clear textures. None of which Hobby lobby carries. well I beg to differ. If you check the glass at the Conyers store you will find second rate glass that's so crappy Spectrum wouldn't even admit to making it! I know Spectrum and that aint it. Kitty |
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