Martha Stewart called.....

[slosurfer]

....and said she wants her job back. :laugh:

www.stovertileanddesign.etsy.com



Works been slow, so I've taken the chance to make some things and see if I could sell them. I've made some of them before as gifts and have always been told to make more so we'll see how it goes. ;)

[DHC6twinotter]

Nice! I like the coasters. :thumbup:

[Bob98SR5]

chris,

good god, my wife is on etsy too. betcha mike4x4's wife is there too. patty has an etsy shop too. have no idea where it is though. i'll see if she will connect w/ ur shop

bob

[slosurfer]

haha, bob, definately have her look me up.

Actually April found out about etsy and bought some gifts on there and then convinced me to open up a shop there.

I haven't sold anything yet on there, but one of my clients saw what I was making and I was cutting some granite for a centerpiece. She called "dibs" on it and bought it when I finished it and she ordered 4 more of a different size and a bunch of coasters. :D
This is the one she bought:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Tile%20Jobs/IMG_8631.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Tile%20Jobs/IMG_8637.jpg

I just finished the 4 and will have to get pics of them on her table. These ones are cool and custom sized for her table.

[DHC6twinotter]

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Tile%20Jobs/IMG_8631.jpg


Is that two slabs of granite stuck together, or is that a groove cut all the way around? It's a nice bit of detail.

[slosurfer]

It's actually almost 3 pieces of 12x12 granite tile to make it. It's made to look like 2 complete slabs(tiles), sitting on a stand. Really though, the stand is recessed into the bottom tile. So, before the stand is built into it, it looks like a picture frame underneath. Makes it really strong and less weight compared to two whole tiles for a top.

[DHC6twinotter]

Ah, ok. I like it. :D

[slosurfer]

This is the first one I ever made, it was for my bro's wedding. They couldn't find a squared cakestand that they liked, so I made them one.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Tile%20Jobs/IMG_2191adj.jpg

[CJM]

People will pay big bucks for crap like that..

[slosurfer]

Thanks Dan! :thumbup: They are kind of fun to make, but are kind of a PITA as well. Some pieces can't be polished till they are put together and some are polished prior.

The travertine ones are a little easier because they are much softer and you don't have to get the high shine.

The 4 other ones I made are a slightly different design and then I have 2 more I just finished that have a really different stand. I'll get pics of those tomorrow. I can only take pics of the granite in the right daylight, because they are so shiny you can't use a flash.



People will pay big bucks for crap like that..


I hope so. :thumbup:

[Terracoma]

Those are really cool!

Quality work, Chris... :thumbup:

[04 Rocko Taco]

Good work Chris, very nice! Quality work too!

[4x4mike]

chris,

good god, my wife is on etsy too. betcha mike4x4's wife is there too. patty has an etsy shop too. have no idea where it is though. i'll see if she will connect w/ ur shop

bob



Nope, no etsy yet but I'm sure it's in the works I just don't know about it yet. Most of here friends have one and some of them do really well with it.
If you're already getting dibs it sounds like it's working :thumbup:

[fustercluck]

Proof that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. This is how moral capitalism corrects itself. These things are beautiful in form and function. Find a conduit to your customer and they'll beat a path to your door. Rock and roll!

[slosurfer]

Thanks guys!

Yeah Mike, there's some cool stores on there. If your wife gets on there, have her contact me. I'm not convinced it's the best place for my stuff, as I don't think it really hits my target market, but it does get my name out there and on google searches.

Really, I need to see about getting the bigger pieces in some galleries or wineries. That might reach the right clientel, kind of like the one who bought 5.


The coasters and trivets are more of a way to use up my scraps from building the big pieces and have some lower priced items. We'll see how they do. I've got some ideas for some candle holders and other shaped coasters.

[slosurfer]

Okay, I need some help on this one. What do I sell this one as, a centerpiece, display thingy, cheese tray, etc...?

It's 8x12 and a little over 3" tall it would be great on a coffee table or a small rectangle dining room table, but it would also work good on a shelf with candle holders on it. It could even be used as a cheese cutting board and serving tray. Just not sure what to list it as?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8687.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8688.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8689.jpg

I have two of them, so I guess I could always list one as one thing and the other as something else. Some UY help would be great, thanks!

[DHC6twinotter]

I would say a display stand or center piece thingy. Or, if the width between the legs is wide enough, it could be a "granite CD/DVD/BlueRay display shelf". :D

Also, have you thought about making planters out of the left over granite? Sorta like a rectangle granite plant pot. Would be kinda neat I think. I dunno how much these weigh, but you may also be able to hang them on a wall with a picture in the middle. Then you'd have a granite picture frame. I dunno....just some ideas. :hillbill:

[Seanz0rz]

i would sell it as a display shelf/serving thingie...

chris, that stuff rocks! HAHA.

[slosurfer]

i would sell it as a display shelf/serving thingie...

chris, that stuff rocks! HAHA.


ding, ding, ding... we have a winner :thumbup:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8713.jpg

I have another one, that I'll probably set up with a tea set for the product shots or I'll go get a chunk of some good cheese and go for the cheese cutting board angle.


Dan, I have thought of the planters before. My concern would be that the forces acting upon it are trying to push it apart. I'll have to play around with some scraps one of these days. If I keep it to small pots, I think it could work, and figure out a way to brace it internally.

These get heavy quick, the big centerpieces are ~20 lbs. I think this granite one is ~15 lbs. but I haven't weighed it yet.

[DHC6twinotter]

Nice! Yeah, I didn't think about the weight of the dirt pushing out on the sides. Good point.




http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8689.jpg


Wow...I didn't notice that those corners were mitered! That's some awesome work! :thumbup:

[slosurfer]

Dan, I was always picturing a big pot in my head, but now that I think of it I could probably make some small ones. Kind of the size they use to plant little succulents in. I've got some scraps, I'll play around with and see. :thumbup:

Yeah, the bottom pieces are mitered. That one has a piece added to the bottom center since you can see underneath it. The ones that have the full stand, don't have that center piece in there to save a little weight.

Here are the 4 I made for a client. They are 8x12 as well but have a full stand instead of two legs. They are hard to pick out from the countertop, but they are actually going to go on her table (it was pictured earlier with the square granite centerpiece), but it just got refinished so I couldn't get a pic on the table.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8702.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8700.jpg

I actually mitered the corners of the stand as well on these. Ended up being easier than I thought and looks better than the lap joint.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8697.jpg

[4x4mike]

Okay, I need some help on this one. What do I sell this one as, a centerpiece, display thingy, cheese tray, etc...?

It's 8x12 and a little over 3" tall it would be great on a coffee table or a small rectangle dining room table, but it would also work good on a shelf with candle holders on it. It could even be used as a cheese cutting board and serving tray. Just not sure what to list it as?


Sell it as a sushi serving platter. I don't know about down there but up here sushi is kind of big and people pay a lot of money for rice and raw fish. I think that your piece would look nice with 3 rolls on it :D

[corax]

. . . . I think that your piece would look nice with 3 rolls on it :D . . .


. . . and a few Saki shots

Lookin' good Chris :thumbup:

[wifesaysimadumbass]

dude sweet looking stuff. hippies love those kind of stand for their buddha dolls and incense stuff not to mention if you have a really cool bong!

[slosurfer]

Sell it as a sushi serving platter. I don't know about down there but up here sushi is kind of big and people pay a lot of money for rice and raw fish. I think that your piece would look nice with 3 rolls on it :D



That's funny, I have another one and was thinking of possibly doing that! That would be one sweet business write off as well. :thumbup:



dude sweet looking stuff. hippies love those kind of stand for their buddha dolls and incense stuff not to mention if you have a really cool bong!


Thanks Mike, haha, are they really willing to pay that type of money for a bong stand? Actually there are some head shops on etsy, maybe I can send them one to do their product shots on. LOL

[slosurfer]

I made something else, let me know what you guys think. With the cork in it, it can be filled with water and used as a vase and a regular candlestick will fit perfectly in it.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8797CH1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8802CH1.jpg

[DHC6twinotter]

That's cool!

[4x4mike]

Cool. Did you cut the bottle with the whole flaming string thing?

[slowheelin]

Very cool stuff, Chris!! I like the centerpieces and the coasters.

[Scuba]

Ring ring, "hi this is martha, your taking all my fan base"

bahha, Nice looking stuff bro, You might have an order for a set of coaster from me, just to give back :thumbup:

umm, yeah, incense and bong table...puuurrrfect... :tapedshut:

Keep it up man !!


:bling:

[slosurfer]

:laugh: Thanks guys!



Cool. Did you cut the bottle with the whole flaming string thing?


Mike, I actually cut it with my tile saw and then polished the edge to get rid of the chips/scratches/etc... I just took my polisher that I use to polish the stone and clamped it in a workbench and then held the glass by hand (wearing gloves and goggles of course). :D Actually there's a guy on there who cuts the bottoms and fire polishes the rim to sell as glasses and I'd like to just have him do it. The fire polished rim looks much better in my opinion.

[wifesaysimadumbass]

http://www.joketribe.com/video/preview/You.Can.Put.Your.Weed.In.There.jpg
and you can put your weed in it

[Obi..]

Chris, nice, finally got the time and need to read all of this.

Travertine is the material name I was trying to remember.

One item I know will sell really well, now that I see the stuff and your Etsy site...

Laptop heat-sink stands for wood desks, or even (if it could be lightweight enough?) sitting while using your laptop.

IMHO I'm about ready to head over to the Metal Supercenter down the street and buy some perforated sheet and bend and mig something up, but I know the coffee table would love one of your projects for my laptop. Make it maybe (possible? Stack the sheets brick wall style?) 24" wide and 16" deep so I can fit my laptop and Peets on top, and have it only about an inch up to the base so I can stash magazines or whatever neatly underneath. :D Even sicker if you can get a laser etch in it with a Mac logo in the uper left!! ;)

(Sorry to have kept throwing you ideas like that, but I figure they'll all work for you.)

Name a price for something like this and I'll decide. Gotta figure you wouldn't even have to pay to ship it, just stick it in the hands of my neighborhood express service. :clap:

[slowheelin]

Oooh yeah I'd be into a laptop heatsink thing too!

If you need a laptop for a template I have a couple you can get measurements from. :D

[Obi..]

Oooh yeah I'd be into a laptop heatsink thing too!

If you need a laptop for a template I have a couple you can get measurements from. :D


Hold it Robb, I had to offer a Patron Bottle, now you're offering him a laptop? I thought he already had one! :rofl:

;) Nice to see someone appreciates my idea! :D Chris, you have it in your hands yet, neighbors are home so you should by now??

[slosurfer]

Shane and Robb, I think I'm heading into SLO today to the tile store. I will see what I can find, so I can figure out the material price. I'll have to cut it out of 24x24 tile.

Laser etching... hmmm.... I'm fresh out of lasers, but I think I know a place that does it.

Shane, I'm sending you a pm, I think I entered that phone # wrong in my phone. DOH!

[DHC6twinotter]

Laser etching would be sweet. You could sell UY coasters. :D

I actually thought about starting up a side job doing that, but the laser etching machines are $$.

[Obi..]

Chris, check your pm's. ;) It's there, leave him a message if you have to, he may not be answering b/c he doesn't recognize your number, even though I gave it to him...

[slowheelin]

Hold it Robb, I had to offer a patron Bottle, now you're offering him a laptop? I thought he already had one! :rofl:



I'm not giving him the laptop! I like the Patron trade idea though. :headscratch:

Let me know what you need Chris and I'll walk over with it, since we live so far away from each other and all. What is it like 300 yards or something? :laugh:

[slosurfer]

Laptop table/use it for whatever you want. :) Let me know what you think.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8997.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_9001.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_9000.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_8999.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_9002.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_9005.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/Etsy/IMG_9003.jpg

[Seanz0rz]

Paris Hilton says "thats hot"
agrees with the above lady of the night, its hawt chris!

[Obi..]

Neat! I figure Robb can take the first one and just do one for me in a grey color if possible and hand it off to the NorCalBorn express delivery carrier if he's heading up next time. Sound like a plan? If we figure out a decision on our Lompoc trip I may just visit and get one. :)

What kind of selling price are you thinking? $65-90-ish at least would be a reasonable amount I would think.

[slosurfer]

Thanks, haven't figured out the price yet. Considering, that it is $40+ just in stone, it will probably be $100ish. (although that isn't the you hooked my up/I hook you up price) :D It's heavy but lighter than it looks, I used some special magic on the bottom for weight saving. :)

[Obi..]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/excellent.jpg

[slosurfer]

shane, I'll hit up the tile shop and see what I can find in gray and get back to you. :thumbup:

[slowheelin]

That's pretty sweet, Chris. Nice work.

[slosurfer]

Thanks Robb!

I went ahead and listed it.

Stone Laptop Table (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22904852)

If anyone here is interested in it, PM me for the special UY price. :thumbup:

[Obi..]

Thanks, haven't figured out the price yet. Considering, that it is $40+ just in stone, it will probably be $100ish. (although that isn't the you hooked my up/I hook you up price) :D It's heavy but lighter than it looks, I used some special magic on the bottom for weight saving. :)


You're also factoring in my "Intellectual Property" and "Consultation Fee's and Rights", so lemme see...



:laugh: You owe me for the bottle, a free stand, and $50 bucks? :flipoff: :spit: :rofl:

See, I at least learned something reading Trump's Book! :angel:

[slosurfer]

Did he teach you how to go bankrupt every couple of years? :flipoff: Seems to be his companies' trends. :D

[Obi..]

Does getting laid-off count? :flipoff: :love: Seriously though, just read it and didn't feel I learned anything, just basically confirming what I thought about all those classmates cheating in school are the one's who got America into this mess...ok, [/O/T]

[DHC6twinotter]

Well, now that we're off topic and talking about financial books, I suggest Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey. Good stuff. :D

Chris, that laptop table is nice!

[Seanz0rz]

chris, make me a set of wheel ramps... hahahaha

[slosurfer]

Man, this internet promoting thing is time consuming. :laugh: I actually started a blog this weekend. It is mostly going to be about my daily tile business and the items I make for the shop, but I also plan on putting trips and stuff in there as well to keep it interesting.

let me know what you think
http://stovertileanddesign.blogspot.com