Clock Questions

[lonepine]

In your opinions

1.Do the scrolled clocks generate more interest at craft shows?
2.Do they sell better than other items?
3.Where would be an affordable place to purchase clock inserts?
4.What kind of pattern would show some all around interest?

I have not done these before, because of the cost factor of the insert. It seems in the craft shows I participate in the cost factor has to be LOW for customers to purchase.

Thanks Bob

[ndtroll]

I am now getting ready to back to the Craft Show Day two....
I have added a number of clocks to my wildlife scenes and Prairie scenes...
Wall clocks seem to sell better than desk clocks ..... The larger more expensive clocks draw a lot of attention but price tends to slow purchases....
In North Dakota we have a lot of Scandinavian descendants.... I made two different styles of rosemal clocks in 2 sizes and sold out on the ist day.... Clocks in the $20 - $50 range sell up here.....
Inserts I usually buy through Wildwood Designs

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Dave

Glad to see you back on line here and things going well.

Bob

Dave gave you some good advice and I will chime in a little also. Clocks will always be a good seller because we all use them. There are so many patterns and you can just about add a clock insert to any pattern. As far as selling goes the area you are selling in is always a factor when selling anything. As Dave said he takes advantage of the surrounding area and the type of people that live there. This is a good thing to follow even with doing portraits and other non clock projects. Theme clocks are always better sellers because they are usually directed at a person. Such as lawyer, doctor, military, police, fireman and sports of all kind. They always make great Christmas, birthday and holiday gifts. If you stay in the $15 to $50 price range you will do well. I make some large clocks to attract the buyers because they cn see these better and once they come to your boothe they can look around. What Dave said about wall clocks being bigger sellers does not hold true in my area. People have mantles and wall units today and want things that go on shelves.

As far as inserts go there are many places to get them and being this site is run by Steebar it is only fitting to suggest them as a leading canidate. and also Wilwood. Another good source is www.clockparts.com And for more specialty movements www.klockit.com

Hope this helps and look forward to seing some of those time pieces.

[lonepine]

I had gotten a John Nelson book about clock patterns,which there are quite a few, some simple and others not so simple. After your recmmendations I'll test the waters with a few and see what happens! Thanks for your support. Bob

[pops-shop]

Dave

I made two different styles of rosemal clocks in 2 sizes

Show us a picture of your "sold out" clocks

(oh, no, my blonde roots were showing on that one - how can he send a picture if he sold all of them :o )

Not familiar with the rosemal clock.

As for me, it seems to depend on the show. I know that doesn't help, however, some shows folks go for clocks, some shows it's wildlife - I wish I could figure it out.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/JTTHECLOCKMAN/DSCF0028.jpg

Fred this is one type of the Rosemaling clock. I did this a few years ago. Another style can be found at Wildwood Designs #60228

[pops-shop]

Great lookin clock - now I see why they would be a good seller.

Thanks

[ndtroll]

Fred
I also did the rosemal clock that JT posted above.... I could not find the insert size the pattern called for so I enlarged some and reduced some.... two sizes... I also did the longer style. I did manage to get pictures of most of the clocks at the craft show during a slow time. they are in my computer... I'll try to get them in the gallery this weekend

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Well Dave, how did the show go??? Are you a millionaire??? :D

[William Young]

Here are a couple of each of the Rosemalling clocks that I made again just recently. Round Kitchen clock and long Wall clock. I have made more than a dozen of each over the last 3 or 4 years and they have been good craft sale sellers.
I used to make them with solid woods but since solid woods have got so expensive out west here I am now making them with BB as pictured below. It also allows me to sell them at a lower price for more sales.
W.Y.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/WillysWoodcrafting/Rosemallings.jpg


http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL205/1718813/5674476/133451477.jpg

[ndtroll]

JT
The show was excellent. This show in the spring usually does not do as well as the fall show. However ... The spring show (last weekend) was almost as good sales wise as the fall show.... I tripled my sales this spring over last spring... I believe the clocks drew people into my booth who would not normally stop and look at the wildlife items.... The Grover Irish Clock and the enlarged Gingerbread Clock were attention getters... I sold out of the two clocks pictured by Bill Young (above). Already making more... Next show -- Mothers Day and then a street fair in my neighborhood in mid June

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Dave

Good to hear you did well. It does pay to bring another line to the table and clocks have always been good sellers for me. You just have to vary the types. The Rosemaling clock is a nice kitchen clock and is not to ornate. I too have done well enough with it to keep it in my line. The one I have pictured is red oak with a paduak backer. Good luck with your up and coming shows and report back here with the results. Maybe take a picture of yourself at the street fair. They were quite big in my area but over the years have diminished a little. There are still some that do well especially the ones at the shore.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I was going to post this question in another post but being this one is about clock questions this looks like a good place. Looking at Bill's clocks and the two different styles brings to mind a question that was asked of me a few years ago. I will ask it here and again and hopefully get some opinions from the clock makers out there and maybe the new clock makers can take notes or even voice their opinions.

The Question is When to use Roman Numeral clock faces and when to use Arabic clock faces???????

Here is my thoughts. First now this is definitely just my opinion and anyone can do as they feel. But the two smaller clocks Bill has posted I would have used Arabic faces and the two longer ones I would have used One Roman numeral and one Arabic. The reason is I think Roman numeral faces are reserved for more formal and ornate clocks. Unless the customer asks for specific faces of course. When I do a show and have clocks such as these I usually have them set up so the people can see both styles faces and choose from them. If it is an insert then it is no problem to change. I do the same with smaller desk clocks and even have different colored faces for those. But the mantle clocks and ornate clocks I usually go with Roman numerals because I feel it adds a little bit more class to the piece. If a clock is a kitchen clock or everyday desk clock it should have a Arabic face. I have sold more Arabic clock faces when people were given the choice. So I would like to hear from the clock makers as to what drives you to use the insert or clock face for a particular clock?????

[ndtroll]

I don't have a system for deciding which to use... you advice seems logical. I try to have some of each on hand and will mix them up for a bit of variety...

[William Young]

I use about 95% arabic because they are by far the best sellers in my area. The two rosemaling kitchen clocks will probably be the last two I will make because the manufacturer that made that 5 1/8" insert and supplied it to all the vendors is out of business. Wildwood still has a few in roman if they are not all sold by now but will never have any more arabic in that size. That is the reason I had to use roman in those two. I had the clocks made before I ordered the fit-ups so I had no choice.. They also have no more in ivory or white face. I got their last ones for a previous batch of Rosmalimngs I made.. The rest are all gold which is my last choice in any clock face.
There was an extensive discussion on that topic on my Woodworking Friends site. Some supplied links to at least one vendor that had some old stock left at ridiculous high prices so there still are a few around for a while yet. Problem is , we're screwed as far as warranty goes with no replacements available.
I don't think that clock would look right made smaller with a smaller fit-up but it might look OK enlarged and using a 6 1/4" fitup. I am looking into the possibility of doing that because that is my best selling kitchen clock as long as it has arabic numbers... I hope I am not stuck with those two by using roman numerals in them . I am going to a craft sale next saturday so I will find out then.
About the only place I prefer roman numerals is in the Roman Cathedral and Dome clock and big clocks of that nature. I have also made a few dozen of the Cottage clock and the roman numerals somehow seem to work best on that one.
Below is a turned clock thatI made last week. That is the 6 1/4" insert that I would like to use in an enlarged Rosemaling. Wilswood was out of arabic in that one also but said they have more on back order. They seem to be out of a lot of parts lately.
W.Y.

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL205/1718813/3303038/136135897.jpg

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I know Wildwood is having all kinds of problems right now and I guees some of it is due to the move but also I think they took on different personell. I am afraid to order from them right now and I have a order that I do want but with some of the emails I have been getting I am afraid so I will let the smoke settle for a bit more. I know Steebar carried all of the above mentioned inserts but they also maybe limited if this is true about the not making any more.

When I go to shows I take along 4 cases of inserts mainly 2 3/4" , 2", 1 3/8" I have quite abit of money tied up in inserts but I will give people choices all the time with these type inserts. There is no problem changing them and I offer lifetime warrenty on the insert. I think sometimes little things like that may mean a sale. I have had a few return the inserts and some were bad but some were just batteries and they were looking for a new battery. Hey I buy in bulk so that is not a problem either. So when doing shows you learn things that will help sales. Like to hear from others.

[ctrotter]

I'm impressed! Nice work!

[pops-shop]

Thanks, JT

Will be carefull with upcoming purchases :)

[ndtroll]

Bill
I found the same supply problems on the inserts for the rosemaling clocks... I took the original pattern and enlarged it and used a 6 1/4 inch insert. I also reduced it and used a 4 3/8 inch insert.... both sold well... the larger clocks actually sold faster than the smaller ones.... I am making 6 of each size at the present time
I am looking for suppliers for 4 inch and larger inserts.... I've found that most places don't carry the larger inserts
I did find some at Klockit.com, they have 5 7/8 and 6 1/4 inserts - which I did order a few of
any other good sources let me know

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Dave

First did you ever think of using a bezel and a motor for your clocks. I have done that many times instead of fitups. I always thing they are more reliable and give a touch of class to a project. Anyway I get most of my clock inserts and motors from here. They have 4" fitups also if that is what you are looking for. www.clockparts.com They always have promos going on so it pays to check in. I think they have some 5 1/8" fitups liquidation going on as well as other things.

[ndtroll]

Jt
Thanks for the link
I've contemplated the bezel / motor option.... Probably will start doing that more often

[Servcman]

here is a link for custom dials and also in the middle of the page is a downloadable template for making your own dials.
Dennis

http://clockprints.com/home.html

[ndtroll]

Thanks for the link above... I checked it out briefly.... Looks like a good source for future projects