In life we make choices(when you really come down to it that's all life is). Some choices are good and some are bad. Regardless of what they are we have to live by them. Laura, you chose to go to school. The fact that you have bills steming from that should not reflect on the cost of letterhead meets. By the same token, at some point in your life you had enough money to buy airplanes and horses. From what you have told us it sounds as if you have been at both ends of the spectrum. An early unexpected retirement for your husband is something that is unseen and can be a hardship but a possiblity for anyone in these uneasy economic days we live in. The choices we make in our lives can and will determine how we make it through hard times. I hope you and your husband can see yourself through these hard times as My family has been in the same place at one time or another. It is a rotten place to be sometimes. As for the meets, please take my advice and contact some local sign folks and get together. It has worked for me and my friends and that is where I learned most of what I know about signs today. Start off with one other person and see if you can get some people to join in. Meet every couple of weeks or once a month. Make an effort to try new products and techniques you have never tried. You will be amazed at how much you can learn by putting a couple of heads tohether. After your meetings come here and ask question when problems arise. That's what this place is for. Before you know it you will find yourself stepping outside the box and producing some pretty neat stuff. I wish you luck with your endevors.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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I have hosted several small regional meets in years past. The first one had a $40. fee attached. This was all well and good until I found out there was a kid who wanted to attend but couldn't seem to come up with the forty bucks. I hosted several more after that but if you paid anything, it was strictly on a voluntary basis. There was a container for donations placed on one of the tables. All who wanted too could contribute. It was surprising how much was collected in that manner. One of the more memorable events was catered by a local concession company. Those attending lettered his box bed truck and concession trailer in return. That way, the food was furnished for the weekend and the concession guy went away happy. He still stops by occasionally and talks about "our sign meet." Sometimes you just have to get creative in hosting a letterhead event.
Who knows, maybe we will do it again sometime. I always liked hosting them. Anyone interested in one in south Arkansas?
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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"I read enough posts to know that the cost of putting on a meet usually leaves the host in the red but I hope that next year that there might be some less extravagant meets."
Then my third post:
"$60. is affordable to us. Its the $150. a pop take WE just can't do. It just seems like thats all that has been going on around me this year. There has been so many big names or interesting activities going on at these that I yearn to come to them. My concern is that these will become the norm and that many newbies won't be able to attend."
My last post: "I am not complaining about the cost of international meets. My point is that I would like to see less expensive meets."
After re-reading my posts I realized that I should have said "MORE less expensive meets."
I have talked with Steve about having a meet and he suggested just a mini meet for me. I just haven't been able to schedule it yet. I will try to keep the costs down so that the newbie or others that might be struggling can attend. I don't feel that I have that much to offer artistically but maybe I haven't found my nitch yet. I feel so artistically challenged whenever I attend other meets because I can't draw and don't paint pictures. I am a computer artist. (My mother is an artist and my older daughter is a phenominal artist. I just tell people that it skipped a generation. Maybe someday I will be able to learn to paint a pretty picture or draw something better than a stick person.)
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura, we all have strengths, you included. Yours may be on a computer which in this day and age could be very helpful to many. You may help that one person solve a problem they are having and in the meantime that person may be able to help you with a brush. Most of the people at these meets didn't invent what they know, they stole(borrowed) it from some other sign person. That's what is cool about meets, you start shaking hands and talking to people and all of a sudden you find someone who has some knowledge you need (and visa/versa). I hope you do plan a meet. Don't worry what you have to offer. Organizing is enough to offer. But have a pad and paper ready to take notes on all the things you will learn.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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I read all your posts thoroughly. I am saying that someone would be very hard pressed to host a 3-4 day meet for 60 dollars and supply the type of meet that we have all become accustomed to.
To have a pot luck type dinner like you suggested would be very difficult, unless you are a local, for many people to do. To supply a dish for 40+ people would be somewhat expensive to go to the market and buy.
There is no easy answer to the costs of the meets these days. My wife and I understand your position completely. We have attended a few meets together and realize the dilemma that you speak of. Our lack of attending together has more to do with her work schedule than economic but we do understand.
Food and sanitary needs are the biggest costs associated with having a meet. So too is the need for additional insurance in case of unforseen accidents. I can only speak for myself when I say that I sure don't want to have to worry about supplying my own food. I want to enjoy the happenings and not be concerned that the dish I came with wasn't enough.
Lodging is another area of expense. I know the lodging costs in this area at least triple during the summer tourist season. This places an undue burden on many people.
I wouldn't worry about what niche offering you could supply. You would be surprised at the amount of knowledge that people have and don't give themselves credit for. You have a lot, it seems, in the business end of things. Maybe that is your niche. Maybe you could offer insight into computer art. Sometimes the intangible knowledge is more than the tangible things you can see. It really doesn't matter.
There isn't an easy answer. All I can do is save my lunch money up.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Laura - some of the small meets have resulted in great things. Just put a few Letterheads together and someone is bound to come away with a new idea and/or learn something new. I suggest holding one yourself. I no longer do signs -just graphics. I hosted a few BBQ's for travelling Signtists, or just for the heck of it. It wasn't that expensive and well worth the time & money we put in. Steve & Barb's trip out here, and my hosting a get-together, actually resulted in two signtists meeting for the first time and starting a business together, Anchor Blanks. All it cost me was food. It didn't cost anyone else anything - just a trip up here. I recently hosted another Pot Luck BBQ on the spur of the moment. About six signtists showed up. Perhaps it was a small gathering, but they spent most of the time talking shop and showing some latest projects. I think each one of the 6 got something out of it, and if not, simply a good meal and comraderie. This next one is for Mike Meyer, and hoping everyone will come up for another pot luck BBQ. Again, I anticipate lot's of shop talk, maybe some sharing of techniques. While these are usually small, everyone seems to walk away with something - a little more knowledge and putting a face to yet another Letterhead. It's really worth a try. I haven't met a Letterhead yet that I didn't like. Even if you learn just one thing, it's worth it.
-------------------- Bomba-Dear Jackie Vaughn #5115 Volcano, California www.chocoholic.com Posts: 761 | From: Volcano, California, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Laura, I just turned in my taxes for the 2002 tax year. Which included my Spring Fling 2002 . I LOST $1,235.86 on that meet !!!! Yes, it was my fault.... I over bought stuff just so the guests would be completely satisfied.... just as I was when I attended other meets. You and I met at Don Hulsey's meet in KY..... I remember talking with you... about carving and stuff..... but, you insisted on bragging about your airplane, your big home, your husband being retired, yada, yada, yada....... so, if you are living beyond your means, please DON'T use LetterHeads as a means to express the high cost of living or to attend the meets.............. Just as William Picket and Steve said..... it is EDUCATION !!!! Now that you have a degree......... do the MATH.... $150.00... STAY HOME.... $60.00 ATTEND !!!..... but, don't come here to bitch about YOUR personal financial situation. The "NEWBEES" will decide for THEMSELVES as to what they can afford and what they can't.
p.s. My very first meet was at Classic Sign & Mirror in Pensacola, FL back in 1989..... my total weekend cost was around $800.00 (which I could NOT afford). But, after learning from the world renowned woodcarver, Ralph Gaither (USN-RET) which was a Vietnam POW for 7 1/2 years, I came home home extremely motivated to enhance my skills. My very first "handcrafed" sign after that meet sold for over $2200.00. So, that in itself, was well worth my initial investment to attend as many meets as I could afford. No, I do not attend meets that are out of my budget or my interest (I am NOT a "wall-dog"). I only attend the ones that I am interested in and can enhance my skills and that are within my budget. BUT, I don't sit here and complain about the ones that are out of my budget. Just attend the ones that can enhance YOUR skills. Whether it be carving, vinyl graphics or better business management. Good luck to ya !!
[ August 03, 2003, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: John Smith ]
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 819 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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....an' ol' Brer' Rabbit, he set in de bushes... lay low an' don' say nuffin'.
k31
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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I'm not missing out on Tomahawk! Cutting some corners as I am ready to sling some paint, share tips and tricks, and join in the Letterhead spirit....just consider it "therapy"!
All of the meets have "saved" me money as I looked to experts to ask about techniques that I will ordinarily use in my everyday business, and received tips and encouragement to go back into selling the handpainted signs! It's a perfect way to get stimulation for growth in the business, and also there are a lot of computer geeks there too, if you need some help with being more creative and productive. Letterheads are some of the most generous people I have ever met, and we need each other to keep the spirit alive, the income coming in... etc.
Sometimes, a small meet that is close is less expensive, and time off work is easier to obtain. I am just very lucky to be so close to Wisconsin this time. And...I can just be more creative in getting my son to earn some of his own money this summer, since Mom is going to "signpainter camp"! (did you know you can deduct these meet expenses off of your income tax?)
[ August 03, 2003, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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I think I understand what laura was talking about, in our country the meets have been national and in some cases internation events, which means only one big one a year
because we all have to travel so far it is a yearly expence for devo and I of around the $1500. mark
this years meeting is in cairns... far north queenlnad grab a map of oz and see what i mean
in 97 devo and i were going to host a meeting close to home... i got sick so others took over and the meet went ahead beautifuly
but the time spent earlier organising the big one gave us an idea and so when i was stronger we did host a smaller meeting
we called it a lowercase heads meet, cause we wern't doing a big 3 day event, just a smaller sign resto that idea had come from a mate who had put on a small meet the winter before with just 11 of us
we had 25 people attend over the 2 days of the resto and there were no fees we had a gold coin donation for drinks and another for food, we bbq'd everything
we all camped in the paddock where the shed was, and the suppliers as usual donated the stuff we used
at the end of the day we made a .75c profit on the food and drink... and it was truly one of the best times i've ever had
in 2000 i attended 6 meetings at a cost of just over $10,000. in air fares, registrations, food and accommodation, both in Oz and around the world
we got lucky and had our dream come true but even then, we couldn't have done it without the love and support of folk like empy and steve n barb, who let us stay with them and took us to and from the meets
what Laura said was true, newbies can be put off by the cost required to experiance an unknown value
those of us who have attended meetings do know what value we are getting for our money and so we push to make it happen
so Laura my sugestion would be... host a meeting, just a small gathering will do the same thing for your enthusiasum and help to bring the new folk closer to what we all know is true... keeping the craft alive goes beyond the day to day grind
it's about a dream that we all have to share to make real
i hope that your finacial life improves once you get over these large bumps in the road and never forget that 'all ships rise on an incoming tide'
what we do for ourselves makes a real differance to us and others
cheers gail
[ August 03, 2003, 11:40 PM: Message edited by: Gail & Dave Beattie ]
-------------------- Gail & Dave Hervey Bay Qld Australia
gail@roadwarriorproducts.com.au
sumtimes ya just gota! Posts: 794 | From: 552 O'Regans Creek Rd Toogoom Qld 4655 Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Letterheads is not "they' it is "us". If you want to go to a particular type of meet and no one else has one scheduled, host one yourself.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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![[Frown]](frown.gif)
but I hope that next year that there might be some less extravagant meets."
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