I love happy collectors!
22 Jan
When I get a phone call, a text or a comment on this blog with inquiries about my work, I obviously get very excited. Here is an opportunity to make someone happy by building the steampunk airship of their dreams. Sometimes they have some parameters for the build, but other times, they will say, “I like the one I saw at _____!” Or, “Can you make one similar to_____?” Then I’m off creating their piece.
The cool part is when they take delivery of the piece, usually via carefully packaged ground carrier. The emails I get, assuming no damage, are great…
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“Hi Stephan,
It arrived safely yesterday and my husband loves it! We hung it today (no mean feat as it involved drilling holes in solid concrete), and it is flying proudly in our study. Pix attached.
Thank you so much for your creativity and care – and for getting this done on a tight deadline. We will enjoy watching “Zeppo” fly for many years to come.”
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“I am impressed, its an amazing work of art. I know u said it would add more work and time to put the red scalloping on the balloon I was wondering if that is still an option? i think it would bring the colors into balance or proportion by adding the red to the center of the balloon. let me know what think u can do. like i said it is a truly amazing piece of work. i had no idea what to expect and it really came together. thank you for taking on this project for us and making the short time line.”
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Then there was this one, which was a two airship order for a Production Designer in Chicago who was hired to stage a steampunk Holiday party for a large company…
“They’re absolutely gorgeous. Be sure to give me some of your business cards and any other info you have. I’m sure that they’ll be a big hit and people will want to know the artist who made them. I’ll take pictures of them installed for you to put on your website.”
Then when I inquired as to how things went after the party…
“They loved everything. The zeppelins are going to hang in the offices. I am waiting for photos now and will share them when they come in. I passed off your cards, so they know who made them. Hopefully it leads to some business for you!”
This was the customer who when asked who his client was (the one throwing the holiday party) replied…GOOGLE!
I haven’t seen the actual party photos of the airships in place, but I’ll post them as soon as I get them.
I love happy collectors!
Stephan J. Smith is the artist and sculptor at Artsmith Craftworks in Swartz Creek, MI. Using recycled and re-purposed materials, Stephan builds a myriad of sculpted wonders, including fantastic and whimsical steampunk airships that have amazed and delighted fans for years. A passion for reusing and up-cycling found items into beautiful and amazing art is what drives Stephan to make art that both teaches and inspires. Stephan also does commissioned work and is available to do talks and classes on re-purposing/up-cycling and may be reached at ArtSmithCraft@yahoo.com or at 810-516-7381.