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joe
06-04-2012, 08:02 PM
Workshop 2012

It took place in a beautiful rural setting. There was scant traffic. All roads we winding through a dark green forest. At times I'd see kids swimming in the clear streams as I wondered through the countryside. On my return to the airport I was rushing until I came across two Amish horse and buggy's driven by women. I followed them for a long time. It was very peaceful. From there on I wasn't worried about the plane. At All. That set reset my priority clock.

It was one of the best workshops I've ever attended. That was because the attendees were as good a students as I've had. Everyone left there ego's behind and came to learn. Each was eager to help one another and the instructors. You gotta give Robert credit for putting on the shindig. He has the insight for choosing and organizing everything. Poor Deb, his sweet wife, worked like a slave making sure everyone was taken care of including meals.

INSTRUCTORS:

Each of us have our specific desiplen. We are 180 degrees different in our techniques. Our approaches are nothing alike but equally successful. This gives the students a better understanding. One thing that is the same for all of us is, we are all high production people. All of us are nationally known. And all of us are open to helping the Router Sign community. I didn't see the slightest hint of ego's. For those who don't know what I talking about; My work is all hard edged. That's the nature of cut, pocketed and applied graphics. I seldom use 3D. Jamie is mainly about 3D and his handsome signs have a much softer edge. I didn't have the opportunity to peek in on his classes but Jody, his beautiful wife, would come by and fill me in on the processes. I learned so much about the way they work. Never before had I considered glazing with latex paint. I'm grateful for that lesson. It will be used on some of my current work. Mellisa and Jason Jones, from Nice Carvings.com rounded out the pack. I have so much respect for what they've done. In a five year span they have jumped on the market with excellent 3D work as well as pocketed pieces. They gave an excellent presentation on marketing and on-line suggestions. I'm sure to include them in future work also. At this time I have one piece at Jamie's studio. He's building a 3D model for me. We should hire our friends to help us along.

Future:

I've encouraged Robert to consider a couple of camps each year. I'm also hoping he will include another instructor or two. That would increase the number of students and we could cover more topics while keeping the class size down. I work best one on one. We had a great time with that at this camp. What fun it was.

I trust I'm not out of order with this but. The instructors, Robert and I are kicking around the idea of a forum. It looks like Jason my take the lead. He has the knowledge and lots of fertile idea's. There could be topic headings on materials and processes. Lets say one of these could be “Substrates” under that materials could be listed and their uses, weaknesses, and strong points. Mellisa suggested these be primarily video's. We are still kicking it around but it should happen soon. Very Soon.

All of this is ambitious but we might have the right team to pull it off.

Thanks again, to all you kids, for making the best workshop ever. I have much respect for all of you, taking time out and spending the money to improve yourselves.

Joe Crumley

sebago_signworks
06-05-2012, 04:13 PM
well said Joe. If they held another meet this year, I would be there. I had a Great time. The only this I would do different is try to bring my family and explore the beautiful area of Bridgeton Indiana. It was an honor to get to spend some one on one time with you as well Joe; thank you. When this opportunity comes up again and you missed it this time, sign up. Robert mentioned 29 spots, well 30 but I am coming back again! Again, thanks to all.

joe
06-06-2012, 08:10 AM
Greetings Devin,

Glad you made it to the workshop..

Soon I'll be looking for suggestions about topics to cover next year and I'm looking forward to getting your input. Roberts new schedule will give us plenty of time. I'll have a full day with each of you. From where I stand it looks as if there is more exploration to be done on finishing. As you know that topic is best done live.

One of the difficult topics that needs more investigation is masking. It's a poser for everyone. Not only that, everyone needs to do some of it. I'll call the factory to make sure there is plenty of "Dr. Crumley's rootin tootin snake oil Mask" and other necessary masking materials. This will always be one of those topics without a single answer. Cats like us have keep changing our minds about substrates. Every substrate has it's own challenges. More on this topic later.

Cheers

Joe Crumley

pkirby
06-06-2012, 09:38 AM
I couldn't make it because my wife was having a baby, but if you guys do one again this fall, I will definitely be there:)

joe
06-06-2012, 12:43 PM
Paul,

How's the baby. That's what's important. We missed you at the workshop.

I received Email this morning from Robert letting me know the openings for the upcoming workshop is filling up. As I remember he posted about 8 reservation have been made so far. I'd keep checking in to make sure there was an opening for you.

No where on this planet is there a workshop with three experienced instructors giving all they have like this one. The price is a bargain. It's only through the good will of Robert to open up his large facility for us.

Look forward to seeing you there. Is there a topic you are most interested in? I'll make sure it's covered.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

pkirby
06-06-2012, 03:45 PM
Joe,
After I made the post, I saw where he is taking reservations for next year:D So I'm going to go ahead and send in my deposit. The baby is doing well and definitely keeping me busy.

As for next years topics, I would like to learn the procedure to create a sign with 3D elements similar to this sign done by Melissa:
15599

I'm no dummy, so therefore I know that the quality displayed in her work would be impossible to teach in 3 days, but I would like to learn the development process of it. Basically, give a general overview on how to take a 2D sketch then convert it into a 3D CAD file then toolpath strategies, and then techniques for finishing it. If I can learn the basic processes, then I will hopefully be able to refine my skills over the next several years.

rej
06-06-2012, 07:01 PM
i have good news for you paul, not only will you learn all of the things you listed but from the makers of the sign!
i learned alot from joe without him speaking or doing anything. yes, he was speaking and doing, but i learned alot from his demeanor. just the way he interacts, the way he thinks before he speaks.
he never speaks to hear his voice, he always has something of value to say.
you can hear his experience come from his voice.
its hard to explain, you'll have to experience it.

mjindustry
06-07-2012, 02:48 AM
Robert is correct, I will be one of the instructors at next years workshop. I am also looking for suggestions on what people would like me to teach. Keep in mind you will only have one day with me, one with Joe Crumley and one with Jamie Oxenham. I am going to work around Joe's topics since some of our techniques are similar. No matter what the topics are you will learn some great sign making skills!

Melissa

joe
06-07-2012, 08:10 AM
Thank you Robert and Melissa.

When I think about overlaps of information it won't be a problem. If all three of us were teaching the exact same thing, side by side, no one would be the wiser about duplication. I'd love to sit in on your and Jamie's class.

I may be too early with this, but I would like to make a completed sign for each class. That would mean lots of pieces and parts to be painted and textured not to mention the lettering. Perhaps a panel or two. Most of it would come together at the last minute. Everyone could get in on the process. We'd have to get permission from Robert to attach it to a wall. The workshop would start to look like a museum.

Just a thought.

rej
06-07-2012, 11:32 AM
whatever you 3 want is fine with me.
just get me a material list and i'll get the stuff!

joe
06-09-2012, 12:11 AM
I'm thinking........ ... . .. ...... ..

It would be fun to have three signs with different themes. One for each class to be finished in one day. Robert is keen on doing the basic routing which would let the students do the finishing and fabrication. That way they could see it all come together. The down side would be they wouldn't leave with a personal project in hand.

One of the lessons I wanted to show at the last workshop is how fast and easy finishing can be. Lets say a 3'X8' panel takes half a day on the router table. That means it needs to be finished the following day if you want it to be profitable. Sometimes the finishing materials will slow you up. Like Epoxy or SN which takes a little time. But when you have several panels in the works you don't loose much time.

Presently we have two apartments to complete. They are upper class. We are thinking is will take twenty days. That will be our goal which is 1K each day. All the materials are in house ready to go. We'll start in a week. It will be a rush to the end. I'll post the progress as it goes along.
Probably should start a new thread for this one.

Joe Crumley

pkirby
06-09-2012, 12:30 AM
Joe,
I like your idea of the 3 seperate signs and learning quick finishing techniques. It doesn't bother me that I would be without a personal project in hand.

rej
06-09-2012, 07:44 AM
just a note that each student will take home a completed sign.
it will be finished in either jamies or melissa's class. i can't remember which one, maybe it was jamies.
also, there will be finishing samples each person will do and can take home. the sign you get will be 12x24" and designed by jamie. it will be awesome, because every thing he designs is.

thanks
rob

mjindustry
06-12-2012, 06:10 PM
Here is a slideshow of the 2012 camp set to John Cougar's Small town. It's listed as a review of the camp, which I myself haven't truly got to just yet. There have been some reviews throughout Shopbot's forum as well as some others. I invite you to the newly formed 3D Sign Forum to post your reviews or chat about Rob's camp anytime.

Indiana Rob's Workshop Slideshow at the new 3D Sign Forum (http://3dsignforum.com/workshops-camps-17/review-of-rob's-indiana-workshop-june-2012/msg10/)

Clicking the image will take you to the new forum where the video is embedded. (hopefully!)
http://www.3dsignforum.com/campvideoscreen.jpg (http://3dsignforum.com/workshops-camps-17/review-of-rob's-indiana-workshop-june-2012/msg10/)

Be sure to check back here because I for sure will be eventually doing a larger review of the camp. For now we have pictures and slideshows!