Equipment investment
Investing in Quality: Our Mat Cutting Journey
Since we opened our shop in 2002, we've relied on a Gunnar computerized mat cutter. This Swiss-made equipment has been an invaluable asset, offering both productivity and quality. The Gunnar has never failed us.
However, relying too heavily on a single piece of equipment isn't ideal for business. If the Gunnar were to fail, we'd need to revert to hand-cutting mats. While we've done this before and it works, it's slow and prone to errors.
That said, investing in a computerized mat cutter is costly. It's not worth buying cheap equipment if it fails or becomes inaccurate.
So, we decided to invest in a Valiani. This substantial piece of Italian-made equipment is larger and more rugged than the Gunnar.
Italian engineering differs significantly from Swiss engineering. The Swiss favor minimalist design, while the Italians excel in over-engineered designs.
We plan to keep the Gunnar for everyday use and utilize the Valiani for larger projects.
Go forth and conquer
Recognizing Our Local Talent: Devin and Hailey
We are very fortunate to have a steady source of dependable and reliable workers from the local vocational college.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical has a unique guitar and mandolin building program. These students typically have an uncommon attention to detail and are always mechanically inclined.
We came to know Devin and his girlfriend Hailey this past year while Devin attended the guitar program. Devin is holding his final electric guitar project and Hailey is holding his mandolin project.
We hired Devin last year, and he was a terrific employee. He finished his program and immediately landed a job in St. Paul at a guitar shop.
We are delighted to have gotten to know both of them and wish them good luck!
Catch-up/ketchup
Reinventing and Expanding Our Horizons
We've been very busy reinventing ourselves here at the shop. To start, we've been focused on unveiling Red Wing Digital. This print-on-demand product offers unique large-format presentation options, including the Panel Print and the Acrylic Print. While the Acrylic Print has taken longer to get ready for production, we're excited about its potential.
Additionally, we have a new business partner, Fine Art Prints on Demand, a UK-based company. We've been quietly working and growing this side of the business (printing and framing fulfillment) for several years. FAPoD is our third customer in this area.
These developments have driven our third initiative: moving our production to a larger facility. We've narrowed down our options and expect to make some final decisions soon.
On the topic of work, road trips & writer's block
Back After a Six-Month Hiatus
It has been almost six months to the day since this blog was last updated. This is inexcusable, so here are the excuses:
Busy Shop: The crush began in August (the last blog posting) and has been unrelenting ever since. The simple solution would have been to hire additional help to manage the workload, and to some extent, that was the solution. But as a business survivor of 2008 (remember Lehman Brothers?), you learn not to trust short-term business trends. So, you suck it up, put in long hours, and satisfy each and every customer.
RedWingDigital.com Success: Contributing to this work crush has been the success of new products at RedWingDigital.com. This new business model takes time to hammer out a smooth workflow. But if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Look for new products soon.
Vacation: January is supposed to be quiet, so we closed the shop for ten days and took a long road trip to the most remote part of the United States we could find. However, this January was the busiest January ever, even with ten days removed from the calendar. It's not fair to have a customer wait for my vacation, so it meant even longer days once we returned.
Writer's Block: This stuff doesn't write itself, especially when you're tired and have convinced yourself you have writer's block.
That being said, I promise not to allow such a break in the blog pattern to ever occur again.
The 1st Half of 2011
Reflecting on the First Half of the Year
The end of June marks the conclusion of the first half of the year. Last year was a good one, and so far, this year is ahead of last year. The business mix has evolved over the years, and we've been fortunate to be well-positioned to leverage these changes.
Red Wing Digital has been a significant time and financial investment. While there are still a few issues to resolve, the product inventory is now in place, and the product design details have been finalized. Orders have been increasing at a steady and realistic rate. We are currently addressing packaging and shipping issues and continuously seeking more production space.
This year marks our 10th year in business, and we've been tracking business patterns since the very beginning. Typically, the second half of the year is much busier than the first, for several reasons.
We owe our success to our loyal customers. Thank you for your continued support.
Please keep arms and legs in the vehicle
Looking Forward: Lessons and Excitement for 2011
Back in July of this year, there was a blog posting that discussed the first half of the year and what the second half of the year looked like (1st Cutting...).
Now, at the end of the year, it seems overwhelming to look back. That being said, the point of this entry will be all about looking forward.
If there's one lesson learned in this business, it's to trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. And if it does feel right, it probably is. 2011 feels very right.
The new website is close (and late) to being rolled out. Products are being refined, and some new projects are already in the queue. It will be very busy and a lot of work.
But it is still a labor of love, and that is what really matters.
Thank you for your support. We are very grateful for our customers.
Russell Patterson, 1893 - 1977
Framing "Nude & Flowers" by Russell Patterson is a fascinating challenge indeed. With such a storied history, the frame should reflect the multifaceted nature of Patterson's career and artistic talent. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Classic Elegance: A rich, wooden frame with intricate detailing might evoke the sophistication and glamour of the magazine covers and Broadway costumes he designed.
Art Deco Influence: Given Patterson's time in Hollywood and his glamorous portrayals of women, an Art Deco style frame with sleek lines and geometric patterns could be a nod to the era's aesthetic.
Gilded Grandeur: For a touch of luxury, a gold leaf frame could highlight the vibrant colors and textures of the oil on hardboard, while also paying homage to his celebrity status.
Modern Simplicity: A minimalist frame in black or white could allow the artwork itself to be the main focus, highlighting Patterson's transition back to fine art in the 1960s.
Eclectic Mix: Combining elements from different styles, such as a modern frame with vintage embellishments, could represent Patterson's versatile and ever-evolving career.
No matter the choice, the frame should enhance the piece while respecting the legacy of the artist. It's like adding the final brushstroke to a masterpiece.
Happy framing! 🎨🖼️