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We welcome letters to the editor for possible publication, as well as responses to letters already published. Address letters to: Letters become the property of The Crafts Report. The editors reserve the right to edit for space and style. |
In his article on canopies in the November issue, Bruce Baker mentioned anchoring but did not warn sufficiently that weights are essential. At a recent Arizona craft show, two canopies sailed like kites, one smashing into the other and hitting a man in the eye. The wind was not very powerful, but came in a sudden gust on a beautiful and otherwise calm day. Neither canopy had weights.
Both vendors and show promoters are to blame for such accidents. Show literature rarely states that all canopies must have weights of the manufacturer-recommended size. Organizers fail to ensure that all canopies are weighted before shows open.
In addition, many vendors' weights are inadequate. Water jugs punctured accidentally can leak (not to mention how unprofessional they look). Two-gallon jugs are not heavy enough. Many canopies require 120 pounds of weights.
Mr. Baker's description of concrete-filled PVC pipe indicates how to provide the necessary weights. Screwing a metal handle to the side of each pipe before adding concrete will make handling the weights much easier.
Staking can help anchor a canopy, but canopies that are staked may need barriers surrounding them. A visually-impaired person, or simply someone who is not looking carefully, can trip on the rope and have a serious fall.
There are, of course, circumstances in which no canopy, regardless of its design or weighting, will survive unharmed. Vendors should add radios to their lists of show essentials and pay attention to the weather forecasts. Promoters should not only allow but actually encourage vendors to pack up early if the forecasts are truly threatening. No vendors can afford the loss in time and money if their canopies -- or worse, their crafts -- are damaged by storms.
Thank you for your continued quality publication. Best wishes.
Susan Klement
Partner, In A Nutshell
Tucson, Arizona
Are you reading my mind? I posted half a dozen queries to as many online news groups last month (including TCR's online discussion group), asking about licensing issues. I didn't receive a single response. Lo and behold, Barbara Brabec addressed that very topic in your November 1999 issue. Thank you, too, for Steve Meltzer's article clarifying the advantages and best uses for a digital camera. Getting the information that helps me make an informed decision --- I like that!
I also appreciated the article on foreign knockoffs of craftspeople's work. Thank you for your support of such a worthy cause.
Luann Udell
Durable Goods
Fiber and polymer artist
via e-mail
http://udell.roninhouse.com/dbg
I have been a subscriber for about five years. I am anxious to get my issue of The Crafts Report each month and to read about the interesting artists you cover.
I've grown my jewelry business from a part-time hobby based in my tiny, cluttered garage to a full-time business in a small studio in my hometown. While I was transforming my business from part to full time, I enjoyed reading the Case Study column. Reading Fred Brown's business advice to different artists helped to guide me through some of my own business decisions. I had hoped that this would be a monthly column, but I haven't seen it in some time. Will you be bringing this back for 2000? I think that everyone, no matter what stage they're at in their craft career, can benefit from evaluating their business, weighing their choices and then deciding what is the best route for the future.
Marjorie Weinbeck
Keene, New Hampshire
Editor's note: We, too, would like for the Case Studies column to continue. In fact, we'll be adding a new feature to our Web site, www.craftsreport.com (effective with this issue), that allows readers to have their questions answered by our financial expert, Fred Brown. All Case Studies are anonymous.
I let my subscription expire because The Crafts Report seems geared toward big fancy shows "up North" and in California. There is not that much in the magazine for the southern mountain traditional craft producer. If your magazine ever changes its focus to address our needs, please let me know.
Kevin Riddle
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Editor's note: Because different areas of the country represent different styles, tastes, markets, etc., we provide regional coverage in our Regional Profiles section. However, most of our editorial content consists of advice related to running a small crafts business, regardless of where you are located.
I just received my first copy of The Crafts Report, and I must say, it's everything I was looking for. I've been a full-time craftsperson most of my adult life, but only recently have I started venturing into the crafts show arena. Through your magazine, I've found sources for shows and events, display vendors and helpful advice. Thanks for being out there!
Larry Wood
Kensington, Maryland
As a home studio craftsman, I have long thought that trends (if I knew about them in time) would affect my bottom line. In fact, that's why I subscribed to The Crafts Report -- hoping to find out what the trends were going to be.
To date I haven't seen anything about trends with a sufficiently advanced timeline to do me any good. Is it possible for you to indicate trends with a 90-day lead time? I mean trends such as what's going to be hot for the next holiday season or for the high school crowd.
Ernie Ziegler
Laser Engraving-Glass Etching-Sublimation
via e-mail
JANUARY 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS