NEWSLETTER
February 4, 2011
I have a love / hate
relationship with new technology. Sometimes new tech compels me to jump on
board with pop-culture things I would not normally embrace. I felt that
way before getting a website in 1999 and although I thought having a
website was a major pop-cult fad I did it anyway...just in case. I did not
embrace the cell phone though and people that know me give me endless
grief for my choosing not to own one. I tell them all “There are no
woodworking emergencies.” I certainly understand the benefits of a mobile
device but I am unwilling to pay the price. The price being available 24/7
and then getting distracted all the time by a techno gadget that went from
a simple call phone to the “smart” phone. Smart phone tech offers even
more applications to absorb and distract their owners. As easy and
convenient as it would be to have one it is not for me.
There are two new bits of techno-stuff that I am
embracing however. I like one and am happy to use it , and the other I am
very ambivalent about. The first one that I like is the QR tag. It is a
high capacity bar code that you can generate online to contain all kinds
of information. Anyone with a smart phone and a simple reader application
can scan the QR code and retrieve the encoded information. I have one
(below) that I will be using on the back of my business card that when
scanned will direct you to my website. One touch after the code is scanned
and you will be on my homepage. More and more you will see these scan tags
on print ads, brochures and other traditional media. You might think it is
a little hypocritical for someone with my attitude about smart phones to
use technology that is dependent on them. Keep in mind that I am the only
person besides my wife that I know that does not have a mobile phone. So I
will be using the tag below in as many ways as I can and put it on
anything that I think people will scan.
The second bit of techno-stuff is more of social
phenomena then cell phones or QR tags. It is the 200# social networking
gorilla that is taking over the world, Facebook. I have successfully
resisted internet social networking because I believe it to be an aberrant
evil pop culture scourge on American society. With that being said I also
realize the implications of something so popular being a useful business
tool. So with a strong suggestion from my son Bryce I registered on
Facebook. The golden carrot for me being I could get some business
presence on the most trafficked website in the universe. I signed up but
have no idea how to use most of the features nor do I care to know. The
whole “will you be my friend” thing for me is way goofy and has lots of
potential for miscommunication and hurt feelings. What would happen if I
was ignored or worst yet... “defriended”!? As scary as that might be I
decided to take that risk so I could set up a page and link back to my
website. I am working out the details but eventually when I do figure it
out I will be able to have a facebook link on my site that when you click
it counts and records that you “like” my site. Or is it me you like? You
see the problem with this? Anyway I’ll give it a spin cause like chicken
soup... it couldn’t hurt.
Work is still at a slow pace and I think the
construction industry locally still has a way to go before we start
participating in the “economic recovery” that apparently started with a
recession that ended in 2009. I’m sure all the people that are still out
of work and lost their homes since then just didn’t get the news. I have
taken advantage of the slow schedule to promote new contacts that will
eventually lead to new sources of work in the future. Currently I have a
few things going but it is not my usual volume or typical kind of work. At
this point I am just grateful to have anything going after seeing what is
happening out there to the people in my industry. The only good news about
that situation is the last ones standing will be getting way more work
opportunities then they can handle when things get back to normal.
On the home front... Bryce is finishing up his
schooling at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this year and should be graduating
in the spring. He has a full load and is working part time so his plate is
quite full. Perry is taking off work this semester to focus on school. He
is taking required courses and advanced art classes so he can graduate in
only four years. One and a half to go and he will be done. Janet has her
hands full with church, the books, the house, us and her mom. She is a
trooper though and gets it all done and I for sure would not be anywhere
without her and all of her help. When I am not working I am riding as
much as I can (the weather has been cooperating lately) and maintaining
all my bikes, shop and other stuff I have to take care of. And as usual I
am actively
seeking new projects and work. Please contact me if you, friends or family
have any projects no matter how small or large. I would like to hear from
you and would appreciate the opportunity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_Code
Before
After
Recent flat screen installation.
The fireplace was abandoned on the first installation with the TV being
way too high and partially covering the alcove. I used the alcove space
for a flush mount rack and subwoofer. The TV is on an articulating arm and
fits flush in the home position. The wood is vertically grain matched
natural walnut.
August 23, 2010
My last few newsletters have been mostly about how
the economy is doing…or should I say not doing. I have never been one to
tie my personal economy to the fake media generated one. Unfortunately the
economy being reported in the media is hard to ignore. As mentioned a few
newsletters back, my long term staple “home theater cabinetry” may be an
extinct species or at least on the endangered list. I have shifted gears
and have been actively promoting more kitchen, bath, home office cabinetry
and everything else. This new strategy has me competing head to head with
businesses that can apparently sell work for one quarter or less than the
amount that I bid. I have recently learned that if you have some hard
earned skill and experience, a contractor’s license, workers comp, shop,
liability, car and truck insurance, an employee (on the books) and the
typical shop overhead of a regular woodworking shop you will not be
competitive with some guy working out of the back of his truck. Hmmm..big
surprise! This is something that happens traditionally in down times
throughout the construction industry that makes bad times even worse. I
don’t know who I blame more the supposed consumers that are grinding the
trade businesses to a pulp because they are on the ropes or the ignorant
trade business owners who are giving them the lowball bids to stay open
one more week. I get that things are different (nobody gets this more than
me) but fercryinoutloud! I had one homebuilder shopping a price that was
less than one quarter what I thought it would take to do his job. I
figured it would be better if I wrote him a check for $5k and had him
punch me in the nose as hard as he could. That way it would cost me less
money, pain and grief and I could at least go ride my motorcycle or to the
beach in the time I was working on his Casey Design Inc. subsidized
project.
I seem to be spending more time promoting than
working wood these days so it is needless to say we are actively seeking
new projects and work. Please contact me if you, friends or family have
any projects no matter how small or large. I would like to hear from you
and would greatly appreciate the opportunity.
On the home front… the big news is Janet’s 87 year
young mom is now a resident in our home. It’s a bit of an adjustment for
us all but we can now keep a much better eye on her. Both of our boys
will be starting university again in a few weeks. Bryce has one more year
(alleluia!) and he will be done. Perry has two to go. Janet has had her
hands full with moving her mom and the regular day to day caring for us
all. I have been home bound keeping things going with the business. I was
able to ride up to the Moto GP motorcycle races in Monterey for a long
weekend at the end of last month. That was a great ride and good time with
a bunch of my riding buddies.
I had an opportunity to do a really nice
project last month that was as much a sculpture piece as it was a paneling
job. It’s always great to have a client that cuts me loose every once and
awhile. I liked it so much I built a similar concept piece for my
“showroom”. Till next time, SC
Walnut Panel
Sculpture #1
June 18, 2010
Well I finally completed the Malibu project that I
have been talking about for over a year. It’s hard to believe that I
started building the kitchen in March of 2009. This project is a record
holder in my career for start to finish time. It didn’t actually take that
amount of time to build as it sat in my shop for eight months and then it
took several months for the house to be completed. We put the finishing
details on the project this Tuesday. Alleluia! Check below and the
"What’s New"
section for some pictures of the work.
Things are still dreadfully slow in the construction
industry. I am afraid we may be in half speed mode for some time to come.
I think that people are realizing that this is the way of the world now
and unfortunately everybody holding back just
keeps it going. The good news for us in the trades is that stuff still
gets worn out, old and out of style and needs replacing or upgrading.
Projects lately have been
smaller in scale but the work and projects still need to be done. The good
news for consumers is that most trade businesses that have survived up to
this point are typically run by good businessmen
that
are also some of the best
craftsmen in their given trade. That is good for consumers because
not only have prices been on hold for a couple of years, trade businesses
are typically super responsive. Short lead times and good pricing are the
rule of the day. That is a very different picture from a few years ago
when I remodeled my house. I had to beg other trades to come look at
my project and pay them all top dollar.
I had to fire a couple of them because
they were bums and
also
had to finish a good chunk of
the work
I paid for. There is no better time then now to
do that project you have been thinking about or putting off. No matter how
small or large your project may be, please contact me if you your family
or friends need anything I can provide. I would like to hear from you and
would greatly
appreciate the opportunity.
In case you missed the
email announcement a couple of months ago, the new
“Store” is up and running. There are two of my signature pieces
currently available for sale. I will add new pieces as they are developed
and available.
On the home front...Bryce has returned from his
adventure in Thailand. He had the time of his life exploring different
cultures and places while he got college credit
for one quarter. He is back up in San Louis
Obispo for summer school and work. Perry is out of school for the summer
but working part time and doing his artwork for fun. My wife Janet has
been busy holding down the fort and taking care of her mom. I am plugging
away as usual working, riding my bikes and generally goofing off as much
as I can. Just like last time though no new guns, motorcycles, cars,
trucks or fishing trips to report. I did build myself a
nice roll-a-way toolbox for my mechanics tools though. You can see
pictures of it in the "What's New" section. I
am looking forward to riding
up to the Moto-GP races at Laguna Seca next
month. That is always a blast.
Until next time, wealth, health, prosperity and good
luck to all of you. SC
More Malibu Project Pictures
