A crafts forum. CraftBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » CraftBanter forum » Craft related newsgroups » Glass
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

The Dying SG Retail Store



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old June 14th 05, 07:46 AM
Moonraker
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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 Can anyone forsee them coming back when they have been
replaced by super store chains?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.



Ads
  #12  
Old June 14th 05, 10:24 AM
Kitty
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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  
Old June 14th 05, 11:53 AM
Glassman
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


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  
Old June 14th 05, 12:29 PM
gcg1
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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  
Old June 14th 05, 01:51 PM
Javahut
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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  
Old June 14th 05, 02:22 PM
Moonraker
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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  
Old June 14th 05, 03:57 PM
Michele Blank
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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  
Old June 14th 05, 05:47 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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  
Old June 14th 05, 05:53 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

That's interesting. I couldn't find you listed with any manufacturer as
being a wholesaler.

  #20  
Old June 14th 05, 09:36 PM
Kitty
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


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


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Starting a Discount Fabric Store Pat Sewing 16 April 3rd 04 10:30 PM
Huge Stash Sale: XS, Crewel, Needlept, ETC! Rhayne Marketplace 0 March 1st 04 06:59 AM
AD: eBay store is restocked! Mj Beads 11 February 16th 04 03:43 AM
AD ~ Grand eBay Store reopening!! Mj Beads 0 January 7th 04 10:34 PM
AD ~ New stuff in the store - including HILLTRIBE SILVER PENDANTS!! Mj Beads 4 August 18th 03 09:46 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CraftBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.