A few new pots

[anttal63]

dale; i respect and love your work. i do not mean to disrespect you. my position is as vunerable as any in this day and age. however that will never stop me from passing on my trade secrets to everyone and anyone who is interested. art / craft is always going to be a hard way to make a living therefor compromise and diversification is often needed, especially in times like this. imo sharing our experience is not the demise of our income.

[Asus101]

will never stop me from passing on my trade secrets to everyone and anyone who is interested.

Must has them my precious....

[Leigh Taafe]

Yeah - Same goes for the bonsai business.....how many students of bonsai make a buck on the weekend at the local markets? My students do it.....I did it, thats how I started.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Bretts]

I had my first weekend market stall last weekend. Sold two trees
I can't believe I didn't take a picture of my stall

[DaleCochoy]

To suggest that you rig the competition in the way the stalls are set up, as you seem to suggest to limit buyers options, is not in the best interests of Bonsai or Pottery.
.

OK, time for me to beg out.
I can tell that no one on the Aus board knows the slightest thing about me or my bonsai or pottery from the last 31 years. The term 'What have you done for me lately' comes to mind.
D.

[Bretts]

I think thats a bit harsh. Sounds more like a dislike to any other opinion to me.

[Dave54]

Hi Dale,
Mate I'm no potter and I must admit not being familiar with your work, however, welcome to Ausbonsai.
We all cop a hiding in this forum. Some members are more diplomatic than others as in all walks of life, others are bloody rude, but we all have an opinion.
I personally would like to see some of your work, as that bloody Pat K is getting all the headlines here.
I'd especially like to see some of your trees
cheers and keep smiling
Dave

[Dave54]

Hey Soltan,
Be sensitive to our overseas friends Crikey we don't want to lose members before we break them in to the Aussie "Tell It How It Is" mentality.
Congrats on selling your first market trees. Hard way to make a Buck, only selling two trees.
A couple of tips from a man who did the market scene and did alright.
Pick the successful markets only and then progress to shopping malls, especially before Xmas and other special occasions.
If your presentation is good with manicured trees, before long you get a reputation and the big markets and street fairs are sending you invitations.
Print out some care instructions for your clients and only sell hardy trees.
Be prepared to lose sales by giving true advice that they are not indoor plants and you will gain respect as a "Fair Dinkum" seller and it is the repeat business for better quality trees that you are after.
Good Luck and don't forget the public liability insurance
A photo from a few years ago at a Street Fair
cheers
Dave

[Bretts]

Thanks for the hints Dave. Thats a cool setup you have there.
I guessed that I would sell two trees so I was not disapionted there. I was keen to just spend a morning showing of my trees, talk bonsai and see how many people were intrested. I had a three page printout about bonsai that included care instructions and I handed that out to anyone that was intrested. I also had contact details for anyone who wanted to do a Bonsai workshop.
On again in May so I hope to try again.

Be sensitive to our overseas friends Crikey we don't want to lose members before we break them in to the Aussie "Tell It How It Is" mentality.

I thought I was being sensitive

[Brad Loma]

I have seen Dale's work and think that he is talented in both growing bonsai as well as producing beautiful pots. Its very sad to think that he also has been chased away from here and chances are wont be sharing any of his work with us.....our loss.
B.

[Pat K]

Fer Pete's sake, if you want to see his pots there are any number of them on IBC, BonsaiTalk and probably BonsaiNut!!!
All this weeping is diluting my whisky, so please, put it to bed!!!!

Pat

[Taiko-Earth]

Dale, don't let these things bother you. YOU are a true pioneer in American Bonsai pottery. Your work is truly your own and you have a distinct style onto your pieces. You do have alot of experience in pottery and ceramics, for that matter that should not be overlooked, by yourself.

Personally, I take a little of what I see from you, a little from Pat, a little from Horst, a little from Andy and a little from Sara, not to mention many others and allow myself to be inspired. My only hope as a ceramic artist is to put MY OWN creative vision into clay. Your pieces have been changing lately, keep it up. But please don't forget who YOU are and stop letting yourself get battered by what you think is somehow going to hurt you. As for the liscence and tax thing, I am working on it. If they tell me that I can't do a show if I am not a full time potter, so be it. But please remember that this IS a great artform/craft, and YOU are a master in your own right. Don't sweat the small stuff, man!

[mudlarkpottery]

Hi everybody, I'm finally back online and I can see I've a lot of catching up to do.
Dale, don't pay any attention to what soltan has to say. He's had a go at several posters here. There are many other people who welcome your input.
Pat, sorry I was unable to back you up with your posts and thanks for your kind words (thanks to you, too, Dave, for your comments).I agree, we each have our own style and there is room for all (both of us). One of the main problems is lack of public education in quality pottery. So many times I hear "I can buy cheaper than that at the Reject shop" and they can too. I can't compete with those prices and even bought some myself - to try to take moulds from and make my own. Also, most people don't know just what's involved in actually making the pots and can't tell the difference between hand-made and slip-cast (which requires no great skill as a potter - only a good mould)
Taiko-earth, you are doing exactly what good potters should do. Get inspiration from as many as possible and assimilate them and bring out your own ideas. Can you post some photos of your work?
Penny.

[Bretts]

By Pat
All this weeping is diluting my whisky, so please, put it to bed!!!!

Looks like you might have to cover that wisky glass again.

[Brad Loma]

Hi everybody, I'm finally back online and I can see I've a lot of catching up to do.
Dale, don't pay any attention to what soltan has to say. He's had a go at several posters here. There are many other people who welcome your input.
Pat, sorry I was unable to back you up with your posts and thanks for your kind words (thanks to you, too, Dave, for your comments).I agree, we each have our own style and there is room for all (both of us). One of the main problems is lack of public education in quality pottery. So many times I hear "I can buy cheaper than that at the Reject shop" and they can too. I can't compete with those prices and even bought some myself - to try to take moulds from and make my own. Also, most people don't know just what's involved in actually making the pots and can't tell the difference between hand-made and slip-cast (which requires no great skill as a potter - only a good mould)
Taiko-earth, you are doing exactly what good potters should do. Get inspiration from as many as possible and assimilate them and bring out your own ideas. Can you post some photos of your work?
Penny.

What great advise Penny, well said. I do hope that Dale comes back, the list of members no longer posting seems to be growing...sadly!
B.