Kurt Meyer - Newsletter

		February 2003 A Timeline

Transition to full-time crafting		Fine woodwork by Kurt Meyer has been sold in galleries since 1990. In 1999 I left my full time job to pursue my dream—making a living in a fulfilling career crafting beautiful objects with my own hands. I took the opportunity at that juncture of building my own workshop—filled with natural light and efficient space.
Building a workspace		While continuing to supply the galleries already carrying my work, I apprenticed with a master timber framer in early 2000, then cut my own frame by hand and erected it that same year. By the middle of 2001 I began production in my new shop.
The first full year in production		The year 2002 thus became my first full year in business, and a tremendous year it was. I experienced my first wholesale show, experimented with new marketing approaches, and developed new products. In 2002 I nearly tripled the number of galleries I work with. Entering the New Year with that much more experience and the invaluable feedback from that many more customers is very reassuring!
2003—more time, more and better products		One big leap forward in my business will come this year when our youngest child enters school. I'm looking forward to the extra work time that will allow beginning in the fall, my busiest season. This year I'll be offering you new products, better products. I'm constantly learning how to make my final product better—and more efficiently. I carefully chose price points for my ornaments more than 10 years ago and haven't had to change them since as each year I gain new efficiency!
Current projects		Late winter typically gives me the opportunity to take a break from production work. This year in addition to taking on custom furniture I've also devoted time to building from scratch and installing my own workshop windows. Practicing the precision joinery required to construct sashes with muntins is meditative work, and has brought me pleasure both in the work and in the added comfort the new windows provide.
New product ideas		Here are some plans I'm considering for new products—if you let me know which appeal to you I'll prioritize the most promising ideas so you can have them on display as soon as possible: Nesting triangle boxes Hair barrettes Music boxes Small boxes with netsuke-like carved lids More diverse earring styles Woodblock prints Ikebana trays Serving trays Fortune frames Earring racks Would you be interested in an offer of free shipping or a free ornament display rack with minimum order of $600 wholesale?
Next newsletter		Next time I'll talk about the fun I find in my work, I'll discuss some of the product features that differentiate my work, and I'll bring you details of new products for the year.