NEW WEBSITE : Fionna's Bonsai Pots
I'm using a new website for both Blog Posts and for Selling my Bonsai Pots. Click the above blue link to be redirected. Thankyou.
_____________________________________You'd think that once a bonsai pot was completed and taken out of the kiln, that would be the end of the process.But for me, that is probably about the half way point.
1. Check each pot over for cracks and flaws.
2. Bring them all inside to take individual pictures/sometimes redo/upload.
3. Measure each of them in Centimetres and Inches. (not everyone is using metrics)
4. Make up a tag and label each one (tags all hand made by me)
5. Sort through SOLD/ON HOLD pots on the blog for a gap. Pick out the best picture of each pot and add number/caption and export to the blog.
6. Remove already SOLD pots from blog once received.
7. Check emails regularly for orders. Reply/quote shipping/waiting on replys/payments all take time. I normally wait a week for a decision on a HOLD pot, for some I wait a bit longer, but I need to tighten up on this.
7. Then once the pots are selected I go back and check I have the correct delivery address, check to see if address given is a sneeky Rural Delivery one. (yes, I've been caught out by people not mentioning they live in the middle of nowhere) Some try to avoid paying extra RDelivery costs - it then comes out of my pocket, and believe me...they aren't that full. It only happens once, as I put a big note against their name in case they try it again!
8. Then I finally get round to actually packing the pots up.
I've learned that to skimp on the packing is just plain stupid. There have been a few comments about my packing....most say "well done", a few will say "over done". Really I'm not too bothered if they think it's over done, at least the pot got to them in one piece. Don't even get me started on the cost of bubblewrap, I now have an arrangement with a chap in town who gets it by the bucket loads! After all, there is such a thing as a recycle bin in New Zealand. They quite like to gobble up newspaper and bubblewrap and the odd cardboard carton. We all have to do our bit with recycling after all.
9. Then after packing and weighing (to make sure I haven't gone over the weight limit) it's out to the car for the trip into town.
10. Yes, I live in a rural area, so I need to make a special trip into town to send off Courier parcels and parcels being sent via NZ Post. (ahh yes...the cost of extra petrol that I don't pass on for postage)
11. Filling out the paperwork for Courier Dockets has become fairly automatic and a daily occurance at times. All of these need to be filed away until after the package has been delivered and the buyer has emailed back to say they're happy with them.
12. Then there is the occasional parcel that seems to get stuck in transit somewhere and needs me to harass the Courier Company to find out "why". There appear to be alot of "New Courier Drivers" taking the blame for delays etc. Sometimes a parcel going to Auckland may be delivered the next day, while something much closer to home like Dunedin will take 3 or 4. It's something I have no control over.....everything else in the bonsai pot making process is controlled by me....but not that.
13. Then before you know it, the process starts all over again.
So if I am a day or two late in sending the odd pot away, just think about the process I go through. I'm it.....no helpers now...just me and the clay.
Happy days.
