Sunday, August 20, 2006, 08:28 PM
I've talked about this before, the oh wow moment. when you first start building a kit, you finish a wall or detail and it hits you. You get it, you see the strength of our paper kits. I thought I was immune to this but while taking a break, I grabbed a new kit that has been in the backburner for some time. Its what we call a "one sheet" a complete kit on one sheet of paper. We do this so people can try a kit for a very small investment. Usually less then $5 bucks.
This kit is one of those sheetmetal sheds that you see at all crossings. I don't know what they are called but I photographed one out along the Union Pacific line that runs just west of my home. In O scale its about 6' or 1.5" square. When I design these things, I always want to make sure that the dimensional possibilities are maximized. This shed has raised steel seams. I admit it looked a bit intimidating to cut out but armed with a fresh #11 blade it took only an hour to make the few dozen cuts. I glued the piece to the base walls and OH Wow!. The fit was perfect. This is the kind of structure that should sell for a lot more then we will sell it for and so satisfying to build. I really feel that I made something special.
So coming soon in O scale for $5 as soon as I find out what it's called.
Thom
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Sunday, August 20, 2006, 11:08 AM
As we get ready for the Ihobby expo, we have a lot of loose ends to tie. Designing and building the booth and of course building kits to show in the booth.
Bro Dave has been building a lot of HO (he's a died in the wool O scale guy) and I think he kind of likes the small scale challenge. Heck he's even built some Z scale test models that even I have to admit look pretty good. Well he snuck in some pix of the progress on the HO scale small house project. Wahooo,amazing. These something about the small scales. I'm looking at the O scale prototype right in front of me and it looks great. I've shown it to a small number of people and their response is to turn it every which way and scrutinize it from 2 inches away (nerve wracking for me) everyone loves it. The design, the texturing the layering. I can't wait to see what people think of the HO kits.
We always get strong responses and disbelief from people. With any luck the same will happen at the expo and hopefully translate into sales. It's not like the expo is a make or break situation. All is well at Clever bros. But I sure would like to see our kits get distribution outside of Chicago. A good amount of sales would be nice to. Perhaps I could focus on this full time. That would be cool.
Thom
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Friday, August 18, 2006, 09:47 PM
I'm not a particularily good salesman. I went around to most of the local hobby shops about 2 months ago dropping off catalogues and introducing myself. then I kind of got busy. yeah, thats a good excuse. I know real salesmen are like bulldogs. they don't let go till they get a sale. Just not my style. I figure if a shop wants our kits they will call. Of course a side of me realizes that thats completely wrong. The shops are busy to and they actuall want us to bug them. Which is waht I did yesterday. An unrelated errand took me out to the burbs where there is an excelent hobby shop, venture hobbies" I brought along a couple of HO builds to show. Why am I hesitant, as soon as the buyer saw the kits (and he's not into building himself)He remembered the catalogue and said he was glad to see the kits. All the guys working in the shop came by and were impressed and complimentrary (my bro deserves the compliments cause he built the models)It makes me realize that what we are doing is good work. So, now that its getting to be buying season for the shops (who knew there was a sseason?)It's time for me to swallow any inhibitions I have and hit the road. Chicago, Milwaukee, madison then the world Mwahahahahahah.
sorry.
Thom
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Saturday, August 12, 2006, 11:33 AM
As if brother Dave doesen't have enough to do. He's been playing with N scale and Z scale versions of our kits. (told you there was stuff going on behind the scenes)
I have to admit, they look good. Very good. I know we have a competitor that sells N and Z but what I don't get is Whats a reasonable charge for half a piece of paper?
All the people who have requested N and Z want to chime in?
Thom
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Saturday, August 12, 2006, 11:13 AM
OK, The pix upload didn't work. back to the drawing board. we'll get it.
Some who buy our textures regularily will have noticed a few things.
We have started to rotate the images to run down the long side of the sheet. We had requests for longer rather then taller textures. This doesent change the image at all. We do them as we can, but sooner or later most of the images will be longer.
ALSO, Wile they aren't on the web page yet we have been sending out free samples with orders. Theres a new distressed cinderblock. A new dark brick (which will replace the old dark brick) a tan clapboard and ofcourse the new industrial building flats. the responce to those has been fantastic. The will be on the new "Flats" page when ever I get it up.
Some of you have sent us great ideas and as you have seen we use them. Keep them comming. I know it takes a bit of time befor they hit the light of day but there's only the two of us and we work on this constantly.
Had a light bulb moment a couple of weeks ago wile I was at my brothers. He has been rebuilding a brass steeple cab we picked up at the midwest O scale show. It's such a cool and rare model. I've never seen another anywhere. So, I'm going to make a paper version. I can't wait to start it. A nice break from buildings.
Thom
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