Three Questions to Consider When Engaging with Artists

Working with artists can be inspirational, however, as a business owner it’s important to understand the questions to ask this creative group as you commence business activities. In building our relationships with artists across the country, we’ve come to learn a few key questions to explore in the beginning to manage expectations on both sides and avoid unpleasant consequences on the back end.

Understanding the motivation behind each artist, and their personal preferences and timelines, is key. For example, in ceramics, some may consistently be creating new pieces, however, the kiln size and how often they fill and fire a kiln may vary. Some fire monthly, others only a few times each year. This may impact their ability to deliver pieces on a shorter turnaround. There is a definite timeline from shaping clay on a pottery wheel, to kiln, to delivery to your door. This question is the same for other artisan areas too, like custom woodworking and forged metal pieces. If you work with artists, make sure you know their timeline, and that your business model is in sync with it - and your customer delivery commitments.

A second question is, can the artist duplicate a piece close enough to the original you already have on hand?  Consider that glazes and finish processes change, so ask about those things every time you order. Yes, the whole idea of an artistic piece is that there isn’t an exact duplicate of it - even when it’s fired in the same kiln, at the same time. That’s what makes each one beautiful.  On the flip side, the pieces need to be close enough to the original, in your opinion as the business owner, so that what a customer sees on your website or social postings matches what they receive in their gifts. It’s a delicate balance that requires attention.  

The third key question you should not assume you know the answer to is, does the artist even want to duplicate the piece?  And if so, how many times? Some artists don’t want to work on multiple pieces in what feels like a production line. They find inspiration staying in the new creative mode and will limit reproduction intentionally. That’s important to know up front. Their pieces may be special edition or limited quantity, which is fine, as long as that’s clear from the start.

We enjoy our artist interactions, and the beauty of their work is central to our business. That said, understanding the nuances of our network is not trivial and it ties directly into who our own best customers are. For us, it’s those who appreciate a gorgeous piece of artisan work (meaning: no two will be identical), and that hand-crafted takes time (meaning: order in advance to be sure). If both of those elements work for our customer, then they are sure to give gift boxes that are personal, hand-crafted, and beautiful.      

When the Unexpected Happens Look for Cracks in the Sidewalk

This year did not kick off quite as planned. We had a schedule, a lineup, and a detailed plan. We were ready to rock it. Then the unexpected happened (family emergency) and we had to shift to Plan B. Despite this abrupt schedule change, including unexpected travel, two business opportunities appeared in our midst that otherwise may never have happened. 

Before I get to those two items, it’s important to note that a real focus of mine has been to get better at learning to breathe and look at the unforeseen as a positive adventure. (To be real, this is long overdue, and I’m not suggesting I’m an expert at it, but progress is definitely being made.)

Okay, back to this year… In January, a serious illness occurred in the family that called for travel to Colorado - which meant ten days away from the business. Now, this is a good news, bad news story because if you have to fly off for an emergency, Durango, Colorado is a pretty spectacular destination, especially if you’re in a business that connects with artistic creativity. That said, it was ten days largely out of pocket, with my time committed to working together to support family.

Two things happened during this trip that reinforced my effort to be open to adventure. (As James Wedmore shares on his Mind Your Business podcast, “allow opportunities to come to you.”) Before I departed for Durango, I searched on a whim for ‘ceramic artists’ to see if any of potential interest were located in Durango. What I found was Lorna Meaden Pottery. If you’re into quality craftsmanship, as we are at Red & Rugged, this was a blessing. I reached out, we exchanged several messages, and in the end, I was able to swing by and visit her in studio, in person. What a joy! This led to finding a little gallery on Main Street in town, (Called “&”) to purchase more beautiful pottery.  Beyond the new purchases, I learned of prominent websites and organizations we should be aware of, and the name of a ceramics industry event Lorna suggested we attend. The chance to find beautiful new items potentially for placement in our custom gift boxes, and add to our list of networking events with influential artists, is at the core of our business. Jackpot!

Lorna meaden at her studio in durango

Meeting the artists is so important to us, and on the flip side, having us be more than a name on an email to artists, is also key. Business is still all about relationships.

The second opportunity that presented itself during my two mile “commute” was the discovery of an amazing photo shoot location. Fort Lewis College is perched high above the town of Durango and offers a spectacular 360 view. I drove past the College every day. And as luck would have it, we had access to a cool Willys Jeep truck that was perfect for the backdrop. (Side note: family was able to join us for this blast of fresh air and enjoy the scenery with us!) We did not hire a photographer, we used my cell phone and went to work. As you can see from the photo examples in this blog, we now have unique profile photos to use as content across our web site.

photo shoot at fort lewis college, with a few of Lorna's ceramics

"red" and the willys truck

Being out-of-pocket was not ideal, and yes, I missed a few self-imposed content deadlines as a result. However, as Jenna Kutcher says in her Goaldiggerpodcast, I had to give myself some grace and let it go.  Ironically, I'm typing this blog from the hotel, at the NCECA conference, which Lorna brought to my attention during this trip. (And you know I now have even more beautiful ceramic pieces in hand!)

As you deal with the unexpected in building your business, look for cracks in the sidewalks where the flowers bloom. You might just spot a surprise for your business that otherwise never would have appeared.

How to Nail the Transition From Hobby to Business Workshop

When the saw is buzzing and the dust is flying, life is good for the tool man in his workshop. The adrenaline is high and there’s a great sense of satisfaction. But things change, and your perspective is different when you make the decision to move from casual hobby to the deliverable of a quality business product.

In our workshop, I watched the progression first hand, as my “rugged” half, Kevin, began to notice the need to alter his work space. He moved from streamlining the process, to ergonomic safety, to improved organization. Once he started making hand-crafted gift boxes on a weekly basis, it became clear how important it is to have an efficient workflow. At one point, he had set up the tools and process on one side of the work space, only to realize the layout really lent itself to increased efficiency on the other side. So, guess what? He had to unplug and move all the tools to the other side, and set everything back up again to make it work.

Seasonal changes also brought shifts in workspace lighting. As winter approached, darkness came earlier and we lost the natural daylight effect which meant more lights had to be added. Then heating the work space also became a priority.

Next, ergonomics entered the scene. Standing for hours meant the need for floor pads to help cushion the impact on the lower back and knees. Off we went to the internet to place another order!

Finally, once the tools and processes were in place, then organization of parts was necessary to stay on top of inventory and remain efficient.

Remember, all this planning and organizing is time away from making a product, an important lesson to hammer home. Careful thought to the layout of your workshop, and a little extra planning upfront on your punch list, will go a long way in saving your business time and money, and improving the health of those building it. 

Gone In A Flash - Five Tips For Making the Most of Your Photo Shoot

Updated June 16, 2021

“It needs more zhushing,” were her first words to us when our photographer looked at our gift box. We stared down at our beautiful box and realized she was right. Get plumping! The idea of a photo shoot seems so simple, but in reality, it requires planning.   

Time is money, and planning your photo shoot will save a lot of both and create tools for your marketing channels. A lack of planning can mean missed opportunities, maybe missed purchases, because you don’t have the pictures you need when a potential buyer comes calling. The opportunity cost of waiting until next time – especially in a major buying season (holiday, weddings, etc.) - can be painful.  

Here are 5 Tips to Help You Get Focused on a Great Photo Session: 

Are professional pictures really necessary? Absolutely, yes. Give yourself every competitive advantage. With the average website visitor staying less time than it takes for a few sips of coffee, your images need to attract and keep visitors on your site or social media channels. Give them every reason to stay and purchase, or at least engage. Free yourself from worrying about the lighting and angles; let the pro do it. And a good photographer (hat tip to @whitneywassonphoto) will offer the bonus of product positioning ideas based on their years of experience. This doesn’t mean every photo needs to be taken by a professional. We take many more photos ourselves; however, we have a core of professional photos available, especially for our website.

Make a list of each picture you need. Think ahead about how many photos you’ll need to be posting weekly/daily and across all the platforms (newsletter, email, website, social channels). It may seem simple to come up with the list now, but things get busy quickly when the photographer arrives, and you’re trying to make the most of your time together.  If you don’t have your list ready, it’s easy to start jumping around and miss key shots. Write down a brief description of each photo, list the different colors and arrangements of those items as separate photos. You may sell one combination of products, but having pictures of two or three combinations will give you different ways of showing off some of your favorite pieces: large groupings, small ones for variety, mood, flavor. And you can spread that variety across multiple channels to promote the same end product in unique ways. Options and ideas, that’s the name of the game. 

Plan the order of pictures. When you start moving individual items in and out of pictures, a session can get unorganized in a hurry. Think about whether individual items will be in multiple shots in the same background? Different backgrounds? Don’t waste time getting the same pieces in and out at different times in the shoot. Have a logical order based on which items are being used the most, and in which groupings. Keep the pieces handy, switch the backgrounds, or add a complementary element for a different occasion. Same piece, different purpose with the addition of a bow or seasonal accent.

Seasonal vs. non-seasonal? Without planning, you can miss the obvious, like the fact that three different buying seasons may occur in the next five months (August through December). Consider what you’ll be selling in the months ahead. If possible, take pictures in the different style settings, with a range of backgrounds and accessories, colors, etc. (Yes, that means pulling accessories/decorations packed away in storage.) Otherwise, you may realize too late that you need the same items but in a holiday styling a few weeks later.

Remember Individual items. What about individual pictures of products to add variety across social platforms and your emails?  Different shot styles for the Individual items you want to highlight allow more content options that ultimately link back to product pages. If you don’t take individual item pictures, your photos may start to repeat quickly.

These are a few of our lessons learned the hard way. With a few years under our belt now, we appreciate the importance of being prepared. While we still learn something new each session, we share these tips through the lens of our business in the hopes that it helps yours.  

Total Eclipse of the Art

We often get asked about the stories that have connected us to different artists. So with this in mind, we're making an effort to start sharing more of the background, behind the art, on how the plan all comes together. And sometimes, it’s with no plan at all... 

Shortly after 1:00PM on August 21, 2017, hundreds of people walked outside of the NY Now show to get a glimpse of the pending eclipse.  We had no idea that this random sidewalk stop was where we would discover a new piece for a future Red & Rugged gift box. 

We were not one of the lucky ones to have found eclipse glasses, and despite reports to the contrary, none of the 7-Eleven stores we popped into that weekend had any in stock. We were fortunate to stand beside a friendly guy, whose name we didn't get, but I do remember his tie-dye shirt! He was happy to share his glasses and talk shop as the clock ticked forward and the eclipse appeared between the clouds. Standing on the other side of this nice gentleman was a woman in the same situation as us. She also had no glasses and was trying to glance up without causing the permanent eye damage all the media had warned against. We began passing the glasses between the four of us, grateful to be outside enjoying the gorgeous weather. 

During the course of our brief gathering, the woman handed us a sample of a multi-colored woolen coffee sleeve. It was interesting and colorful, however, it was August, so hot coffee and wool accessories weren’t top of mind yet. We had more immediate needs. I tucked it in my bag, thanked our sidewalk partners, and we went our separate ways. 

Now, months later, we've hunted down the woolen sleeve, made by Faribault Woolen Mill Co., it turns out. We've been testing it, and playing with different colors as we plan our next gift box. Had it not been for this random historic moment, and a chance meeting in the middle of a west Manhattan sidewalk, we likely never would have discovered this artisan accessory.

This experience taught us that new ideas and creative energy can come from unexpected places. You just have to be open and present to win.   

Stroll over and check out our current line of hand-crafted gift boxes now. The colorful woolen to-go cup sleeves are included in our Now or Latte gift box.
 

Our random sidewalk moment, passing the glasses

Small Towns, Big Finds

Chicken Sam, that was his name, perched in the front window at the Brandon Artists Guild Gallery.  Sam is a two-foot tall chicken with blue stars and a bright red tail, and he was surveying the action on main street.  He's the type of art work that makes the gallery one of my favorite day trips from Lake George, New York. The gallery features whimsical pieces and beautiful art work. You never know what’s waiting for you at the crossroads of Routes 7 and 73 in Vermont. 

We trek to the Adirondack Mountains each year and have found great character in communities knit close together, in the rural country of Vermont. The town of Brandon, which touts a population “hovering around 4000,” is worthy of exploration for artisan treasure seekers. It sits on a fabulous stretch of road if you love small town charm, hidden gems, and fantastic scenery along the way.

Inside the Artists Guild Gallery you’ll find a variety of collections, representing different mediums, for those who enjoy beautiful craftsmanship. On this visit, we admired smoothed stone miniature figures in a range of sizes and colors, and ceramics, my favorite being a coffee mug that looked like it was dripping in sky blue glaze. A unique wooden angel, aptly named, “Ready to Fly,” was another piece that went home with us that day. 

Around the corner, you’ll discover a large fabric shop (I’m not into sewing, but I always stop here) and book store, located conveniently near the deli with a porch to watch locals move about town. Save room for sweets at Cafe Provence which attracts regulars to their gourmet bakery at the river bend. It is charming, with folding orange tables and chairs, and flowers decorating the doorstep. The bakery is well known for its “Cowboy Cookie,” need I say more? As you stroll between Provence and the Artists Guild, it’s easy to see why Brandon is the self-proclaimed “Art and Soul” of Vermont. 

An added benefit of traveling this region is its proximity to other small towns sprinkled together, making it easy for a full day of exploration.  The main street of Vergennes is on the north end of Route 7, and the more established town of Middlebury, Vermont is an easy 16 miles up Route 7, between Brandon and Vergennes.  Among the many restaurants, galleries and shops in Middlebury is the addition of the Edgewater Gallery, with a focus on artisan pieces for the home, downstairs. And it’s just two blocks from Otter Creek Bakery and their raspberry oatmeal squares!

There is something special about the winding, open roads of Vermont. A short ferry ride across Lake Champlain delivers you into these small towns filled with creative energy, offering a charm and inspiration that lures me back every year.

Chicken Sam!

Timelines to Saw Teeth, Three Key Points in Launch Prep

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Shipping, not sexy, but boy does it force you look at your launch timelines. If you're launching the deliverable of a physical product, specifically one with multiple pieces, then we've learned a few things that might assist you.  

The first thing we realized is how all the pieces hinge together as you wade through the process. Sounds logical, but it’s amazing the degree to which so many different business decisions tie together, like adding lengths to your rope as you float further from the dock. We looked at inventory and different artists’ timelines, talked about the size of boxes, operational flow, and, then everyone’s favorite, shipping (a beast in and of itself). Do we build a website with professional photos – or use our iPhone? Each time you add a puzzle piece, you extend your timeline. This process was almost nine months in advance planning and we wanted more time.

Next, we had to acknowledge that our gift experience is all about working with customers who appreciate unique artistic pieces, and is a conscious choice to go with quality elements that don’t come off an assembly line. We settled into the fact that speed cannot be the priority focus for our market since we’re delivering a custom combination of artists' work. Ours has to be a customer focus on those who get excited about beautiful, hand-crafted items, and agree to plan ahead. 

Third, to arrive at a decision on packaging this content, we had to commit to the box. Nothing happens before a box size, which then relates to what goes in it. You see where this is going?!  We're full circle, back at shipping. The box design itself involves a discussion around not wasting wood, and the teeth on a saw blade. Crazy, right? Yes, more teeth mean less sanding – which saves time on each box.  This matters because of the cost of wood, the tools required, and the time it takes to package each box. 

All this is to share a sliver of our experience with you in pre-planning.  Inventory, shipping, content, and whatever physical elements your business involves, means you cannot underestimate the need to plan months ahead and document the process. If this…then that. You may be amazed at how your plan, and lead time, expands. Be ready. And I haven’t even mentioned building the website yet.  

Check out our hand-crafted gift boxes to see how it all came together. 

A live action shot of those saw teeth mentioned above

Hit the Switch, Let's Get This Party Started!

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That’s what it’s felt like for a long time…us fumbling around in the dark as we searched for the switch, hit the lights and launched this gig. Now here we are, a husband and wife team, starting a new custom gifting experience.

We arrived at this place because we both really enjoy having a creative element in our lives, and it's time for a change (Can anyone else relate to that?!)!  Over the years we’ve visited many small artsy towns and attended plenty of big art shows, a favorite being the American Craft Council,  where we've met folks who are wicked talented. We’ve got a long history of hunting down cool artistic pieces. We love the artists’ work and we recognize we have no gift for throwing pottery or forging metal ourselves.  What we are betting on is our passion for the launch and build and creating beauty from a pile of lumber. As you might guess, this combination has led to many dinner conversations, early morning coffee “what if” discussions, walks around the neighborhood, and drive time talks about what’s next?

Finally, we decided we’d talked enough (we aren’t getting any younger in this process!) and we took the crazy step to start. One can only research and talk for so long before the world – and life – pass you by. Time to put a stake in the ground and our passions to work and hit the “go” button.
 
We hope you’ll join us on this journey. You can check out more details on who we are in About Us.  Feel free to reach out, follow us on Instagram (@red.rugged) share feedback, and suggest artists we should be considering on the Artists page. This blog will focus on the business side of our efforts and the creative opportunities – and challenges - we face.

If you haven’t already, it’s time for your first look at these hand-crafted gift boxes and artisan pieces!
 

A scene below from one of our many days talking about launching a business...