Thread: Pearl Inlays

Like Wow! man.
Regards

Great work, I especially like the leaf inlays. I'll save your information for future, thanks for showing us

Thanks guys... I forgot to put one up before (my favorite), so I'll tack it on now.
This is one I call 'Girl of the Undead'.

Girl.jpg

Originally Posted by Malibu

G'day All,

At the risk of having this post bumped, or deleted all together, I'll take a punt and introduce this service that may interest the luthiers here.
...and, plus it gives me a chance to show off some of my stuff!

After a lot of searching for an Australian based inlay artist/manufacturer/contractor, I realised there's a big hole here for that sort of work. There's plenty in America or Vietnam, but none that I could find in Oz. It seems most instrument makers are doing their own inlay work, possibly through a combination of two things - being able to completely build the instruments and maybe out of necessity.

I figured there was a gap in the local market for those that may not have the time, or tools and equipment for this sort of thing. As I do engraving full-time, it's a natural progression to cover inlay work as well.

I've attached some samples of work I've done - some custom ordered and some 'on speck' - for examples.
All of these are done on CNC, so they have great accuracy with the benefit of repeatability in the case of headstock logo's, or as a production run of inlays.
The photo's are all inlays of white, black and gold pearl, as well as paua shell, but other materials I've worked with include recon stone and opal.
Some as can be seen are coloured to suit the design or theme, others are engraved and colour filled.
(Sorry, the photo's are pretty ordinary, my skills with a camera are dismal!)

If anyone is interested, please feel free to send a PM or e-mail and I can help out with any ideas or designs you might have.


Finished 001.jpgAcacia WIP.jpgTiger WIP.jpgFinished 003.jpgSwan Song Finished 001.jpgFlag Finished 1.jpg

Great work John, I don't think you need worry about having your post deleted there is most definitely a market within Austalia in fact with the quality of your work I would say world wide if your prices are competitive with what else is on offer out there, I will keep you in mind if any of my customers ask about inlay work as your work is outstanding. regards Bob

Great stuff. Definitely keep your details saved for the future

Bob,
Thanks for your comments; some international orders would be good! I haven't sent any pearl internationally, but I've sent a few plastic covers to the UK, Germany and Italy.
As a business owner yourself, you know competitive pricing is always a difficult thing to achieve with everyone having access to internet, and the likes of flea-bay.
It's almost impossible to run a competitive business against manufacturers and suppliers in China, Vietnam etc, and still turn a profit to at least pay for running costs. American suppliers are more on par with our pricing, but still quite a bit cheaper on most things... not just inlay work.
Hopefully, as my 'edge' in the local and world market, I'll manage to have a better quality product than anyone (another tall order!) with maybe a few unique designs and ideas, yet still keep a reasonable price for the products.
Another good reason for Aussie made vrs Overseas is the ease of contact. Generally, a 2 hour maximum time difference across the country means it's a lot easier to convey information by just picking up the 'phone and not trying to figure out time zones, international territories and the like. A frustrating thing sometimes!

Originally Posted by Malibu

Bob,
Thanks for your comments; some international orders would be good! I haven't sent any pearl internationally, but I've sent a few plastic covers to the UK, Germany and Italy.
As a business owner yourself, you know competitive pricing is always a difficult thing to achieve with everyone having access to internet, and the likes of flea-bay.
It's almost impossible to run a competitive business against manufacturers and suppliers in China, Vietnam etc, and still turn a profit to at least pay for running costs. American suppliers are more on par with our pricing, but still quite a bit cheaper on most things... not just inlay work.
Hopefully, as my 'edge' in the local and world market, I'll manage to have a better quality product than anyone (another tall order!) with maybe a few unique designs and ideas, yet still keep a reasonable price for the products.
Another good reason for Aussie made vrs Overseas is the ease of contact. Generally, a 2 hour maximum time difference across the country means it's a lot easier to convey information by just picking up the 'phone and not trying to figure out time zones, international territories and the like. A frustrating thing sometimes!

John, it is very hard work as you would know having your own business and it takes many years to get known out there in the big wide world.
You just have to keep at it and pursuer you work out your full running costs your time plus your profit that you need to make to survive and if your work is good you will survive stick to your guns on price tell customers that if they want a good product thats the price they pay, dont worry about flea bay Ect in fact dont worry about anything or what others are doing as that takes up space in your head then you cant concentrate in the job at hand and that is success at what you do. Cheers Bob

John, you get more of the below photos posted on your website with more design options then I will add a link to your website on my website.
Cheers, Bob





Cheers

Originally Posted by Malibu

G'day All,

At the risk of having this post bumped, or deleted all together, I'll take a punt and introduce this service that may interest the luthiers here.
...and, plus it gives me a chance to show off some of my stuff!

After a lot of searching for an Australian based inlay artist/manufacturer/contractor, I realised there's a big hole here for that sort of work. There's plenty in America or Vietnam, but none that I could find in Oz. It seems most instrument makers are doing their own inlay work, possibly through a combination of two things - being able to completely build the instruments and maybe out of necessity.

I figured there was a gap in the local market for those that may not have the time, or tools and equipment for this sort of thing. As I do engraving full-time, it's a natural progression to cover inlay work as well.

I've attached some samples of work I've done - some custom ordered and some 'on speck' - for examples.
All of these are done on CNC, so they have great accuracy with the benefit of repeatability in the case of headstock logo's, or as a production run of inlays.
The photo's are all inlays of white, black and gold pearl, as well as paua shell, but other materials I've worked with include recon stone and opal.
Some as can be seen are coloured to suit the design or theme, others are engraved and colour filled.
(Sorry, the photo's are pretty ordinary, my skills with a camera are dismal!)

If anyone is interested, please feel free to send a PM or e-mail and I can help out with any ideas or designs you might have.


Finished 001.jpgAcacia WIP.jpgTiger WIP.jpgFinished 003.jpgSwan Song Finished 001.jpgFlag Finished 1.jpg

Originally Posted by woodturner777

John, you get more of the below photos posted on your website with more design options then I will add a link to your website on my website.
Cheers, Bob

That's an offer I'd be crazy to reject, and one that's most appreciated. I'll take that up, but may be a while before I can get back onto the website. It's one more of those business things that take more time than what you first think!
I'll send a PM when I'm organised, if that's OK?

Good words of wisdom on the business side of things too Bob. My idea of a good business ethos is to give good quality and service and everything else will look after itself.
On my rare outings for dinners recently, I had a piece of eye fillet that cost me $37. Wow, what a magnificent meal that was and I'd go back there for it again. Another one I had was a chicken fillet for $18. Absolute rubbish and they'll never see me again.
It all comes down to quality and service

A recent e-mail comment I received from one of my customers on the Seed Pod inlay (see above) after delivery -
"We are all blown away by the fingerboard inlay, it's really amazing! Just the way the shell reflects differently and contrasts on different angles, this coupled with the fineness of the work , I couldn't be happier."
That sort of comment (and not the only comment the customer has made) makes it all worthwhile, in my book

Link to you website now on my links page john, more than happy to support an Australian business that supplies a good product.
Regards Bob

Originally Posted by woodturner777

Link to you website now on my links page john, more than happy to support an Australian business that supplies a good product.
Regards Bob

Thanks Bob!

A good bit of attitude that helps everyone all 'round.
The page is a little in the rudimentary stage at the moment, but it'll get there in the end! The direct web site link is Labels Extreme Custom Pearl Inlay
I've linked to yours as well. Thanks for the prodding to get it done...

Originally Posted by woodturner777

... I will keep you in mind if any of my customers ask about inlay work as your work is outstanding. regards Bob

G'day all,

Here's another one I've finished and sent to Bob as a sample. I figure it's better that someone gets a first hand look at something if they're willing to recommend to others.
Bob knows about this one, because he's already received it (and hopefully making good use of it!).

This is a business card holder (of course sent full of MY business cards ) and it's done with 51 pieces of White and Black pearl, plus a couple of pieces of Paua shell, set in figured redgum. The text in the logo is 4.8mm high.
The holder itself is made of 3 pieces, with a top block, a base (which has a recess to hold the cards) and a separate face which the pearl is set into.

Again, sorry for the dodgy pictures!

To say john has got talent is an understatement To all of you budding luthiers out there if you require that something specail for your next custom build please contact John and he will work with you or if you just require a business card holder again contact him, I love mine John it has pride of place in my shop.
Here is a few samples of a private project John is workiing on for me.
First photo Thylacine Tasmanian Tiger to go on pick gaurd' photo 2 Scottish thistle to go on headstock there is one more piece we are still working on that I will post latter as this is a bit of a secret project for now.
Regards Bob

Thylacine Proof Ver 2.jpgscotthistle.jpg

Bump

Ill bump your thread again,

John, your product looks very good. We are exactly as you mentioned, luthiers who have been doing it for ourselves due to the lack of availability of someone that can do it well here in australia. Times money and we never have any time.

Id like to get in touch if I could.