Details and Pricing

[wmolaw]

wmolaw, I meant to add: the best way I know of to demonstrate that you're serious about your pipe making early on and intend to stick with it is to go to as many shows as possible every year, if not more.

You'll see a lot of the the same faces at most every show, and they'll see yours. It not only shows you're serious, but they get to see the work up close and personal.

Rad

Having given it thought, that was the only way I could imagine that an aspiring pipe maker could do it. Internet presence, nah, anyone and everyone can do that and it is an artificial interaction, at best. Face to face, time after time and word of mouth is the only way I believe it might happen.

Or good ol' fashioned black magic.....that's my secret

Or that, of course.

[sethile]

My wife, Kathy, is an amateur painter. She had a link to this on Facebook today. I thought it was great, and very relevant to this topic as well as many other struggles we have as we pursue pipe making. Check it out:

http://doodlealley.com/2012/10/10/be-fr ... h-failure/

[pipedreamer]

Failure, is a finger pointing the way to success. Great post Sir.

[PremalChheda]

Another thing to consider why some established pipe-makers can fetch higher pricing is because they have Established a reputation, a customer base, reliability, consistency, and warranty over many years of work. They are also not experimenting or learning on each and every pipe they are producing so it takes them a much shorter time to make a finished product. The customer knows what to expect when they purchase a pipe from an established pipe maker. When they purchase from a new pipemaker they take a risk. Over many years an established pipe maker has already spent learning the craft and using his/her hands to make a quality product and now he/she pricing accordingly to what the market can bare.

You will never see the first 50 or so pipes I made. They were experiments. Some were good, some were not. I gave most of them away, and sold a few for $50.00 a piece. None of them have my name on them.

[Sasquatch]

Can't wait to see the next 50 though Premal!

[BobR]

Scott, that was great.

[Alden]

Can't wait to see the next 50 though Premal!

What he said.

[PremalChheda]

the part that has always confused me is what is the difference between a $1,000 pipe and a $5,000 pipe? Is it just name after a certain point, or are there technical things that make the difference?

The $5000.00 pipe was sanded on the thigh of Tyler. The $1000.00 pipe was sanded on the thigh of Sasquatch.

[PremalChheda]

Can't wait to see the next 50 though Premal!

Stick around for the next 5 years, I should get there.

[notow1]

wmolaw, I meant to add: the best way I know of to demonstrate that you're serious about your pipe making early on and intend to stick with it is to go to as many shows as possible every year, if not more.

You'll see a lot of the the same faces at most every show, and they'll see yours. It not only shows you're serious, but they get to see the work up close and personal.

Rad

I have a question regarding attending these shows. Last year I went to Chicago but only on the last day because I didn't know if the general public could attend before that. What would be the best way to get the most out of attending the show? I mean is it a good idea to go on Thursday and just look around and speak to the pipe makers and maybe ask for an opinion on Your work? Do You require a reservation and a gift to speak with a new pipe maker? Thanks, Norm.

[WCannoy]

I mean is it a good idea to go on Thursday and just look around and speak to the pipe makers and maybe ask for an opinion on Your work?

Yes.

Show up on Thursday and don't leave 'till at least Sunday night. There is lots to see and do outside of the main show floor!

Here's a neat little video my friend made after this year's Chicago show:

[Tyler]

wmolaw, I meant to add: the best way I know of to demonstrate that you're serious about your pipe making early on and intend to stick with it is to go to as many shows as possible every year, if not more.

You'll see a lot of the the same faces at most every show, and they'll see yours. It not only shows you're serious, but they get to see the work up close and personal.

Rad

I have a question regarding attending these shows. Last year I went to Chicago but only on the last day because I didn't know if the general public could attend before that. What would be the best way to get the most out of attending the show? I mean is it a good idea to go on Thursday and just look around and speak to the pipe makers and maybe ask for an opinion on Your work? Do You require a reservation and a gift to speak with a new pipe maker? Thanks, Norm.

What Sas said. Also, there is no need for an appointment and gifts. The place is crawling with pipe makers. Just study up online before you go so you'll recognize them. You can grab them as they go by.

[Sasquatch]

Sas didn't say anything, but what Walt and Rad said is right.

Sas went to Chicago and learned about pizza, Murkan beer, and Sutliffe, and a lady literally named Miss Martini. There seemed to be a lot of pipes there, but I didn't care.

[The Smoking Yeti]

the part that has always confused me is what is the difference between a $1,000 pipe and a $5,000 pipe? Is it just name after a certain point, or are there technical things that make the difference?

The $5000.00 pipe was sanded on the thigh of Tyler. The $1000.00 pipe was sanded on the thigh of Sasquatch.

Have you SEEN my thighs?! My next batch'll be $6000/piece, I've got some serious Lars Ivarsson-esque thighs!

[RadDavis]

Do You require a reservation and a gift to speak with a new pipe maker? Thanks, Norm.

I don't require reservations, but a nice bottle of 18 year old Single Malt would make a nice gift.


Rad

[Tyler]

Do You require a reservation and a gift to speak with a new pipe maker? Thanks, Norm.

I don't require reservations, but a nice bottle of 18 year old Single Malt would make a nice gift.


Rad

I've been making pipes longer that you and I only require a 12 year...I'm offended.

[KurtHuhn]

Not that anyone would seek me out, but I'm good with one of those plastic bottles of Ten High...

--K

[WCannoy]

Do You require a reservation and a gift to speak with a new pipe maker? Thanks, Norm.

I don't require reservations, but a nice bottle of 18 year old Single Malt would make a nice gift.


Rad

I've been making pipes longer that you and I only require a 12 year...I'm offended.

I've got you both beat, and I'll settle for a Pepsi!

[scotties22]

You're a really cheap date, Walt.....my kinda guy!!!

[WCannoy]

You're a really cheap date, Walt.....my kinda guy!!!

What can I say? Sometimes you just have to undercut the competition!