Art Of The Cowboy Makers 2012

[Spinner]

* Must have 7 contestants entered in a single category by 12/31/2011 to keep that category

in the contest. If the category is canceled, all paid deposits/entries in that category will be

Just a thought, but have you thought about instead of canceling a category, simply reducing the fee and losing the cash prize/belt buckle part so it's a ribbon only event for the category? I know I'd still show. Something like $25+/- to cover the table space and ribbon/admin costs?

[Casey Jordan]

OF COURSE!!! Happy to meet you all again!

THAT'S AWESOME!!!!!! It will be good to visit with you again and I know others happy to see you too.

[Casey Jordan]

Just a thought, but have you thought about instead of canceling a category, simply reducing the fee and losing the cash prize/belt buckle part so it's a ribbon only event for the category? I know I'd still show. Something like $25+/- to cover the table space and ribbon/admin costs?

Six months to figure out how to make a purse? With your skills I have faith in ya!

We have thought about your idea and several other options. We do consider all comments and suggestions.

Let me put it to you from my prospective.

We started this contest as a way for contemporary to get exposure for their work, and it works very well. Win, lose or draw you will get exposure!!!!!

Let's take the leather carving category as an example. I send out emails to over 500 makers ( not all leather workers) and so far today 537 leather workers have visited this site alone.

Now if we can't even get 7 people proud enough of their work to enter.................then I'm just wasting my time!

Quite frankly, it's not worth the time and effort for just a couple entries.

The public was very disappointed last year to see only 5 pair of boots. Not much of a contest with only 5 entries.

I could go on and bore you with other fact and figures, but I will spare you.

Casey

[Spinner]

Six months to figure out how to make a purse? With your skills I have faith in ya!

We have thought about your idea and several other options. We do consider all comments and suggestions.

Let me put it to you from my prospective.

We started this contest as a way for contemporary to get exposure for their work, and it works very well. Win, lose or draw you will get exposure!!!!!

Let's take the leather carving category as an example. I send out emails to over 500 makers ( not all leather workers) and so far today 537 leather workers have visited this site alone.

Now if we can't even get 7 people proud enough of their work to enter.................then I'm just wasting my time!

Quite frankly, it's not worth the time and effort for just a couple entries.

The public was very disappointed last year to see only 5 pair of boots. Not much of a contest with only 5 entries.

I could go on and bore you with other fact and figures, but I will spare you.

Casey

Definitely understandable Casey. Makes one wonder why so few people would enter...could be the fear of competition (i.e. possibility of losing) amongst the company of talent that has appeared in years past, could be the economy/justifying the fee, etc. I look at it this way, win, lose or draw I'm stepping up to face some of the best if nothing else comes of it, it's a personal milestone reached and some of my peers or the public may generate enough quality feedback that I learn how to improve. As for the fee, it's relatively cheap advertising, comparatively speaking, especially when you consider the audience is target market specific (artistic leather goods) and just a single sale would cover the fee plus generate even more word of mouth.

Here's hoping the carving (and all the others) category finds enough entrants to go on...expect my app & deposit this evening!

Chris

[Cobra Steve]

Hi Casey. I wanted to thank you for inviting the Leather Machine Co., Inc. to be one of the sponsers of this awesome event! You can count on us next year, and for years to come. Best of luck to all that have, or will be entering. Steve

Edited December 21, 2011 by Cobra Steve

[Casey Jordan]

Definitely understandable Casey. Makes one wonder why so few people would enter...could be the fear of competition (i.e. possibility of losing) amongst the company of talent that has appeared in years past, could be the economy/justifying the fee, etc. I look at it this way, win, lose or draw I'm stepping up to face some of the best if nothing else comes of it, it's a personal milestone reached and some of my peers or the public may generate enough quality feedback that I learn how to improve. As for the fee, it's relatively cheap advertising, comparatively speaking, especially when you consider the audience is target market specific (artistic leather goods) and just a single sale would cover the fee plus generate even more word of mouth.

Here's hoping the carving (and all the others) category finds enough entrants to go on...expect my app & deposit this evening!

Chris

Chris,

You absolutely, 100% "GET IT"!!!!!! How refreshing to see that someone sees the opportunity and value of this contest.

If I had a dollar for everyone who has told me " I can't win so I won't enter" I'd be well off by now.

They obviously don't get it!

I enter the engraving KNOWING I CAN'T WIN! I'm not good enough at engraving to win, place or show, that's a fact.

Bu wait a minute......The first year we had engraving I entered an engraved Barry King maul and I sold it and took three orders at the contest and then several months later took a re-order for two more mauls. I made about $1,200.00 for a $100.00 entry fee! My maul did not win anything in the contest ( no surprise here) but I guess you could say I was a winner after all.

I can't guarantee or promise you will sell anything or take orders, some have, some have not.

But I learned a long time ago that NO ONE will buy it unless they can see it! This contest gets your item in front of many potential buyers and new customers!

By the way I got your entry fee Chris, Your all set!! Thank You!

Casey

[Casey Jordan]

Hi Casey. I wanted to thank you for inviting the Leather Machine Co., Inc. to be one of the sponsers of this awesome event! You can count on us next year, and for years to come. Best of luck to all that have, or will be entering. Steve

Steve,

We are very happy and honored to have Leather Machine Co. as our "People's Choice Leather Carving" Sponsor.

What impressed me the most was when I called Steve and was giving him my best sponsorship sales pitch and I barely begun and he interrupted me and said "I'm in, how much do I owe you?"

He said he will do it if it supports the makers, "I want to support the makers!"

As you can see from his post above he supports ALL of you!!!

Thank You Steve & Leather Machine Co. for your Sponsorship!

Casey

[roo4u]

i really wanted to enter this year....but I just dont have the money to send right now....I know its only half for the deposit but still cant do it...guess i will have to keep my fingers crossed that the braiding doesnt get canceled before i can come up with some spare dollars. :-(

[Spinner]

At present we have the following entries in each category:

Boots: 2

Braiding: 2

Cinches: 9

Chaps: 2

Engraving: 4

Hats: 1

Leather Carving: 2

Saddles: 2

Spurs: 1

Youth: 1

Hey Casey,

With just one week left to enter, how about an update on the counts?

[Casey Jordan]

Hey Casey,

With just one week left to enter, how about an update on the counts?

roo4u,

We would love to have your work entered. No entries from Nebraska yet this year!

Here's the updated total of entries received so far.

Boots: 3

Braiding: 2

Cinches: 10

Chaps: 2

Engraving: 8

Hats: 2

Leather Carving: 5

Saddles: 5

Spurs: 2

Youth: 1

I have received several entries this past week and I know I have some coming.

We had probably 20 people ask, plead and beg for us to add a Chap category and we only have two entries??!!

We added it because there was enough interest and you asked.

Here's the list of countries that are entered so far.

U.S. - I think about 15 states so far.

Czech Republic

Canada

Germany

Australia

I have had interest from several other countries including Argentina, France, England and Japan. All countries welcome!!!!

You can enter online through our website http://www.artofthec...pplication.html using a credit card or through Paypal to my email address: casey@artofthecowboymakers.com

Any questions or comments Please just ask!

Casey

Edited December 24, 2011 by Casey Jordan