Carpet Sculpture Training Weblog

By Russell Webb

In 2005 we had the good fortune of signing a $105,000.00 contract, and yes, we were dancing on tables that night! Fortunately we had the resources to fulfill the order on schedule, otherwise we would have declined to bid on the project.

This project was going to require a large work space for production. We currently occupy a light industrial space of only 1500 sq ft, which is usually just fine for our needs. But it was woefully inadequate for this beast of a project. Our solution: we reached out to a subcontractor with the necessary space, who we have trained, and quickly made an agreement to make this project fly.

This was one of those corporate client jobs that demanded excellent customer service and a tight deadline.They required 25 large scale rugs - size 25′ diameter. Each rug had a few words (text inlay) and a large oval design element. Simple stuff really. It was just so damn BIG!

Here’s Cathy with a $52,500 deposit check. The deposit easily covered all of the materials and most of the overhead costs. This is a key factor when bidding on projects. We always demand the 50% deposit, and 50% upon completion - this win / win agreement makes everyone equally committed.

In the end, the whole project was successfully completed on schedule. The cost of goods, overhead expenses, and subcontractor fees amounted to approx $60k. We realized a tidy profit of 40k.

This is an example of a material heavy project. We purchased a lot of carpet for this order. Usually in this trade it is more labor heavy, because the labor is where the bulk of our costs are. We’ve had other projects in the high digits where the ratio looked more like 15% material 25% overhead 30% labor 30% profit. These ratios vary with each project sometimes swinging into the 40-50% profit margins.

There are other opportunities out there just like we describe here. These projects can be found in large scale homes via designers, decorators and architects. They can be found in corporate environments i.e., hotels, trade shows, corporate lobbies, and umpteen types of special events.

What does RSS mean?   by Rich Gilcrest

“RSS” stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” If you read a lot of blogs, you probably already know about it. If you don’t, and I know many of the people reading my blog don’t read any others, this information might be new to you. RSS is still fairly new, and not widely seen outside of the blogosphere and news websites. But just about every web publisher in the world is looking for a way to use RSS to give you the information you want. I’m predicting that, three years from now, you will consider your RSS feeds to be just as vital as e-mail.

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By Russell Webb

* Bas-relief - /ˌbɑrɪˈlif, ˌbæs-; ˈbɑrɪˌlif, ˈbæs-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bah-ri-leef], French for “low relief” is a method of sculpting which entails carving or etching away the surface of a flat piece of stone or metal creating a sculpture portrayed as a picture. This expression is probably derived from the Italian basso rilievo, the literal translation meaning “low contrast”.

The advances I’ve seen in rug making technologies are nothing short of amazing. Innovative carpet sculptors are now applying ancient Bas-relief sculpture techniques in thick plush broadloom carpet!

This is the ‘creme de la creme‘ of carpet carving and surprisingly straightforward to accomplish. The best way to start is with simple patterns and eventually graduate to more detailed patterns like this piece I carved several years ago.

This technique can be integrated into a rug design in myriad forms. A simple design integrated within the border of a rug is virtually guaranteed to generate that ‘WOW!‘ effect.

Other applications:

• Add relief effects to each corner of the rug. This can be integrated with inlay techniques as well.

• Feature bas relief sculpture as a centerpiece in the field of the rug.

• Create a stunning Fine-Art Broadloom Tapestry

Yes, this technique requires some practice and a little patience, I admit, yet it’s well worth the efforts when you see the results. Your customer comments will be nothing short of amazing… and your swollen head will need occasional deflating from all the compliments… You’ve been warned!

By Budda Oliver

A business plan is basically a formal statement which describes business goals, the strategies for reaching these goals, and the reasons why they are believed to be attainable. A good business plan is a type of road map for you, as well as prospective financiers, lenders, or partners, to have a clear idea and definite direction for your business. [Read more →]

When you attend our four day training program you will be given this informative insiders guide. Get everything you need to plan, organize and structure your exciting new business. This start-up guide is only available to our trainees.

Our Proprietary Definitive Start-up Guide includes:

• Detailed Business Plan that adapts easily to your start-up

• Sample Marketing Calendar

• Operating procedures and documents:
  • Fast and Easy 10 Minute bidding formula; estimate projects easily
  • Financial: Chart of Accounts for Quickbooks® users
  • Project Spec Sheet
  • Time Sheet

• Design Resource Guideline

Within this training program we reveal all of the inside administrative tasks, tips and strategies for launching the business, and of course, our step by step custom rug fabrication video tutorials on 3 separate DVD’s.

By Russell Webb

Some would argue that the appreciation of fine art, like beauty, resides within the eye of the beholder, and their point is well taken and duly noted. If this same rule applies for rug design then I suppose that a cheap, discount, machine made rug reflects some artistic qualities… barely.

There is a different feeling surrounding a well crafted handmade object of art. It’s an energy that vibrates from the object itself. This energetic quality is what makes people react in different ways to art. The energy can be light and whimsical, or it can be heavy, moody and dark. Either way it’s this very same energy that creates that Wow! effect that grabs the attention of art and rug collectors.

Creative rug art designs are not just about color, the best designs integrate shapes and textures that capture a unique style. While there are many intriguing styles and themes that influence rug design, the ultimate question remains: What does it take to reach that illustrious level of Rug Art?

The answer to that would undoubtedly lead us into the realm of carpet sculpture. The techniques used for modern rug making now surpass the ancient tradition of rug hooking on a loom. Now there are custom inlay processes and high speed sculpture / beveling hand tools that are used to create stunning rug art pieces. The rug designs can be as intricate as a fine tapestry or as simple as a beautiful piece of modern art.

This new age of rug making is not only speeding up the production times, but more importantly it’s paving the way to more affordable yet personalized rug designs. This in turn opens doors to a broader marketplace that is craving unique and artistic styles that match the buyers style and taste with precision.

By Terri Zwierzynski

Don’t let these stop you from having a business plan for success!

A recent study of 29,000 business startups noted that 26,000 of them failed. Of those failures, 67% had no written business plan. Think that’s a coincidence?

Here’s the top 10 myths Solo Entrepreneurs often have about business plans—usually, the reasons why they don’t have one. De-bunk the myths, and see how having a business plan for your solo business, can actually be easy and fun–and can jump start your success! [Read more →]

Russell’s Quick Tip:

This product sells itself with the touch and feel factor!

The key is to create outstanding samples that you WOW your prospects with during your presentation. If you’re just getting started, you may not understand the dynamics of a proper presentation, and if I were to share a little secret with you: I didn’t know much about giving a good presentation when I got started either! But I learned.

In this business of custom rug fabrication it is a key factor to your marketing success. As entrepreneurs, we all have to learn presentation skills at some point in time. In my case it was a gradual process. With some effort I eventually learned how to dress for success and develop my communication skills. With these skills I can comfortably enter into any environment; whether it’s a multi-million dollar mansion (my personal favorite) or an average middle class home. It’s akin to being a chameleon and adapting to your surroundings.

One shortcut solution to giving an impressive presentation that became obvious to me early on was this little gem: Create a few really exceptional samples that make you shine. They don’t have to be big samples either… around 18″ x 28″ is just fine.

Here is an example of what I’m suggesting. In this case I have cut out handles at the top of each sample and wrapped the handle with an attractive leather strip that I found at a crafts supply store (sold as a small bag of scrap leather pieces).

During my presentation, I always have a selection of 4-6 of these samples, along with a picture portfolio and a few other odds and ends.

Cheers…good luck with your next presentation!

Now that the majority of yarn systems are produced with recycling in mind, the next logical step would be to break out all of the components of the broadloom carpet and establish a complete ‘cradle to cradle‘ structure. The backing of the broadloom is generally a mesh-like action back that holds it all together between a layer of latex. Shaw has addressed this issue with its latest innovation in backing.

Here’s the latest press release on Shaw’s new backing.

“Estimating that broadloom carpet comprises 70 percent of the commercial flooring market, Shaw Contract Group has set out to ease environmental impact with the launch of EcoWorx Performance Broadloom, which it claims is the commercial carpet industry’s first fully sustainable, cradle-to-cradle carpet backing for broadloom carpet products. The concept behind EcoWorx Performance Broadloom is to incorporate components that are designed to maximize performance and recyclability. Specifically, each component in the backing system is designed to work cooperatively and contains no filler. Because of these cooperatively working components, EcoWorx Performance Broadloom can be easily generated, deconstructed and regenerated again and again through a proprietary five-step dissolution process.”

www.shawcontractgroup.com

By Jerry Grillo

Your mother always warned you not to leave any footprints on the carpet. She never said anything about carpet leaving its footprint on you. But it already has, in so many ways.

There’s the economic footprint Georgia’s enormous carpet industry is leaving on the state, especially the Northwest region, and the aesthetic footprint it leaves on the nation and the world:

- The carpet and flooring industry employs more than 45,000 workers in Georgia with a payroll topping $4 billion - the largest of any manufacturing sector in the state.

- The world’s four largest carpet companies, and seven of the 14 largest, are located in Georgia (Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, Beaulieu of America, Interface, Milliken, J&J Industries, Collins & Aikman Floorcoverings).

- More than 80 percent of the U.S. carpet market - which supplies 45 percent of the world’s carpet - is controlled by mills located within a 65-mile radius of Dalton. That equals about $10 billion in business activity within a golden tufted circle.

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