Melting Pot Glass on the move
A$21,210
of $20,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 23rd Dec 2013 at 12:00AM.
We are Margaret River glassblowers, Gerry Reilly and Margot Edwards, husband and wife partners in the Melting Pot Glass Studio; locals, artists and long-term contributors to our vibrant culture and community in the south west corner of Western Australia. Many of you will know us as friends already.
We love to work with hot glass and we love to create and share inspiring environments.
Now we are realising our long held dream of buying our home of 20%20 years, moving our studio and turning our simple 1.5ha hilltop in a creative space to do the things we do well; blow glass, make art across many mediums, garden, grow trees, and connect with those who share these passions.
We've spent a lifetime getting to here and all our resources are tied to purchasing our block, with support from our families.
We invite you to help us, in an capacity you can, with a key stage in this evolving journey - raising the $20000 needed to move our studio to its new home.
There's some stunning rewards for our crowdfunders (which can be received in email voucher form for Christmas presents), plus an open invitation to have an ongoing connection with the studio as our foundation 'friends' and patrons.
Working together keeps us connected and inspired; and Gerry's vibrant art glass designs continue to capture a unique sense of place...bringing the glass home combines our many dreams and talents in a sustainable future:
- focus on design, commission and creation of art glass;
- minimise use of energy, and maximise use of waste heat;
- grow edible garden, fire-retardant trees and flowers for vases
- develop multiple creative spaces;
- nurture young artists in studio practice;
and give you the chance to collect, create or contribute as ongoing 'friends'....
If this potential fires up something in you, now is your chance to help us as we make the leap and come along for the journey...
image by Orien Harvey.
Previous image of Gerry Reilly blowing glass by Seng Mah, Venture Photography
We love to work with hot glass and we love to create and share inspiring environments.
Now we are realising our long held dream of buying our home of 20%20 years, moving our studio and turning our simple 1.5ha hilltop in a creative space to do the things we do well; blow glass, make art across many mediums, garden, grow trees, and connect with those who share these passions.
We've spent a lifetime getting to here and all our resources are tied to purchasing our block, with support from our families.
We invite you to help us, in an capacity you can, with a key stage in this evolving journey - raising the $20000 needed to move our studio to its new home.
There's some stunning rewards for our crowdfunders (which can be received in email voucher form for Christmas presents), plus an open invitation to have an ongoing connection with the studio as our foundation 'friends' and patrons.
Working together keeps us connected and inspired; and Gerry's vibrant art glass designs continue to capture a unique sense of place...bringing the glass home combines our many dreams and talents in a sustainable future:
- focus on design, commission and creation of art glass;
- minimise use of energy, and maximise use of waste heat;
- grow edible garden, fire-retardant trees and flowers for vases
- develop multiple creative spaces;
- nurture young artists in studio practice;
and give you the chance to collect, create or contribute as ongoing 'friends'....
If this potential fires up something in you, now is your chance to help us as we make the leap and come along for the journey...
image by Orien Harvey.
Previous image of Gerry Reilly blowing glass by Seng Mah, Venture Photography
How The Funds Will Be Used
Last year we invested $20000 of our funds in purchasing a custom built furnace and glory hole.
We now currently use the cleanest fuel available in the most efficient way possible.
In our new studio, we will be able to increase our energy efficiency further, and reuse the waste heat in a custom built facility eg. Energy generation, water heating, greenhouse propagation.
To move and set-up a professional hot glass studio to the required regulations requires:
infrastructure $10000,
gas installation $5000,
carpentry $5000.
Funds raised though Crowdfunding will cover these costs.
Any further funds received will go towards installing systems to maximise use of waste heat to heat water; and design for natural ventilation.
We now currently use the cleanest fuel available in the most efficient way possible.
In our new studio, we will be able to increase our energy efficiency further, and reuse the waste heat in a custom built facility eg. Energy generation, water heating, greenhouse propagation.
To move and set-up a professional hot glass studio to the required regulations requires:
infrastructure $10000,
gas installation $5000,
carpentry $5000.
Funds raised though Crowdfunding will cover these costs.
Any further funds received will go towards installing systems to maximise use of waste heat to heat water; and design for natural ventilation.
The Challenges
ENERGY
We are all living in an age of rising energy costs and artisan practice in handmade, custom made art glass is particularly vulnerable, requiring high levels of commitment and resilience.
Investing in a custom built furnace and glory hole in early 2013, in the face of fast escalating energy costs, was a vital and timely step, while still renting home and studio premises.
Finally being able to purchase our land, we are designing our simple studio to increase our energy efficiency further, and reuse the waste heat in a custom built facility eg. Energy generation, water heating, greenhouse propagation.
We will be able to timetable our blowing schedule for far better energy use and climate conditions.
There is a much greater potential for glassmaking workshops and open studio days/weekends; while also opening up our capacity to collabarate across mediums.
MARKETING and SALES
Evolving from renting a main street studio will require strengthening of our long term marketing strategies.
After 13 years in an industrial shed on the outskirts of town, we moved our Melting Pot Glass Studio and Gallery in 2003 to take up the lease on a former pottery in Main Street Margaret River. At this time, we changed our marketing focus from largely wholesale to retail selling.
In the past 5 years, we have moved much more strongly into online and commission based practice.
- The strength of the Western Australian corporate sector has lead us into further focus on commission work, keeping us in hot glass studio practice in the face of challenging world economic forces on tourism/retail and rising energy costs.
- Working from our home studio, will give us more flexibilty; more opportunity to focus on finding and nurturing our collectors and clients; and thus further strengthen private, government and corporate commission relationships.
- Working with Perth based marketing companies; face-to-face client consultations; studio based appointments for private commission clients; the new studio set up will also allow more time for social media marketing and website development.
- we will be continuing to retail through carefully developing potential partnerships in Margaret River, wider south west and Perth.
- a careful planned re-branding strategy will be developed to maximise customer awareness of our website www.meltingpotglass.com and where and how Gerry Reilly Art Glass can be purchased, commissioned or collected.
We are all living in an age of rising energy costs and artisan practice in handmade, custom made art glass is particularly vulnerable, requiring high levels of commitment and resilience.
Investing in a custom built furnace and glory hole in early 2013, in the face of fast escalating energy costs, was a vital and timely step, while still renting home and studio premises.
Finally being able to purchase our land, we are designing our simple studio to increase our energy efficiency further, and reuse the waste heat in a custom built facility eg. Energy generation, water heating, greenhouse propagation.
We will be able to timetable our blowing schedule for far better energy use and climate conditions.
There is a much greater potential for glassmaking workshops and open studio days/weekends; while also opening up our capacity to collabarate across mediums.
MARKETING and SALES
Evolving from renting a main street studio will require strengthening of our long term marketing strategies.
After 13 years in an industrial shed on the outskirts of town, we moved our Melting Pot Glass Studio and Gallery in 2003 to take up the lease on a former pottery in Main Street Margaret River. At this time, we changed our marketing focus from largely wholesale to retail selling.
In the past 5 years, we have moved much more strongly into online and commission based practice.
- The strength of the Western Australian corporate sector has lead us into further focus on commission work, keeping us in hot glass studio practice in the face of challenging world economic forces on tourism/retail and rising energy costs.
- Working from our home studio, will give us more flexibilty; more opportunity to focus on finding and nurturing our collectors and clients; and thus further strengthen private, government and corporate commission relationships.
- Working with Perth based marketing companies; face-to-face client consultations; studio based appointments for private commission clients; the new studio set up will also allow more time for social media marketing and website development.
- we will be continuing to retail through carefully developing potential partnerships in Margaret River, wider south west and Perth.
- a careful planned re-branding strategy will be developed to maximise customer awareness of our website www.meltingpotglass.com and where and how Gerry Reilly Art Glass can be purchased, commissioned or collected.
You'll be a 'friend' and receive a glass seed bead - which you can choose when you visit the new studio. Overseas/interstate 'friends' see $15 pledge inc postage
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
You'll be a 'friend' and receive a glass seed bead in the post. And please come and visit the new studio if you are in Margaret River.
4 chosen / 16 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
Choose a limited edition seed bead when you drop in to the new studio, get a mention on our 'friends' listing, newsletter updates and be eligible for 'friends' specials.
7 chosen / 13 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
For overseas/interstate 'friends' - receive a limited edition seed bead by post, get a mention on our 'friends' listing, newsletter updates and be eligible for 'friends' specials. Please visit the studio when in Margaret River :)
4 chosen / 16 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
For those who don't really need a reward. Collect your seed beed next time you visit, become a valued foundation friend of the new studio, receive newsletter updates with discounts for friends and a huge thanks from us for your support.
16 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 13
Choose a limited edition 'Crepe Myrtle' tree paperweight when visiting the new studio, a mention on our 'friends' listing, newsletter, and eligible for 'friends' discounts. Email voucher available for this reward as Christmas gift 2013.
6 chosen / 14 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
Locals - grow a tree! Donate $100 to buy 8 small Crepe Myrtle ornamental trees to grow above ground. Same reward as $75 pledge plus your own tree delivered in 3 years, ready to plant! Email voucher for this reward as Christmas gift 2013.
10 chosen / 10 available
Est. delivery is Jun 16
Choose a Gerry Reilly goblet when you visit the studio, a mention on our 'friends' listing, newsletter, and eligible for 'friends' discounts. Postage applies for overseas/interstate. Email voucher available for this reward as Christmas gift 2013.
9 chosen / 11 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Contribute to our cogeneration - developing hot water from waste heat - specifically contributing to water storage and plumbing. You get a special mention on our sustainability "friends' listing, and all the benefits of the $100 reward contribution.
2 chosen / 8 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
2 hr Glassmaking Experience with Gerry Reilly - for 2 people - and take home the piece you make; friends listing, newsletter updates with 'friends' discount offers. This reward can be received as email voucher for Christmas gift in Dec 2013.
4 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Mar 14
Commission a custom-made piece of art glass, created by Gerry Reilly value $800; ...and you can help him make it if you like! Choose a goblet; Patron pledge listing; friends listing, newsletter and eligible for Patron's discount offers. This reward can be received as email voucher for Christmas gift in Dec 2013.
3 chosen / 7 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14
Naming rights on one of our art or wood workshop spaces; set of two hand blown Gerry Reilly goblets; 1hr Glassmaking Experience with Gerry, Seed Bead, Patrons Listing, friends listing, Patrons discount offers in newsletter. This reward can be received as email voucher for Christmas gift in Dec 2013.
0 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Jul 14