The lucky winner of the Orchid Studio Outfit Raffle 2006 is. . . . .
Karen Lechner of Link by Link from Toronto, Canada
Congratulations Karen, You won $8,208.93! worth of prizes!!
Orchid Please do your part and continue to purchase supplies, books
and services from those who believe in the magic of Orchid and
Ganoksin.
3M
AJM/MJSA
Brynmorgen Press
Contenti
Foredom
Gesswein
Kraftwerks
Metalwerx
New Approach Jewelry School
Progress Tools
Racecar Jewelry
Rio Grande
Society of North American Goldsmiths
~ Progress Tools - Champion Setters Jewelers Workbench - $375
~ Rio Grande - Gift Certificate for $1,500 worth of tools - $1,500
~ 3M Goodie Box - $1,000
~ Foredom’s 2230, New SR motor, Jewelers Kit - $336.09
~ Foredom’s 2220, New SR motor, Jewelers Kit - $350.09
~ Gesswein - Gift Certificate for $300 worth of tools - $300
~ Contenti’s Bench Chair - $89.90
~ Contenti’s Shelfmate Tool Holder- $54.50
~ GRS Benchmate - $178
~ AJM/MJSA - Making the Most of your Flex-Shaft - $34.95
~ AJM: One year subscription - $47
~ AJM/MJSA - At the Bench - $30
~ The Platinum Bench - $25
~ The AJM Guide to Lost-Wax Casting - $35
~ New Approach - Bezel and Flush Setting Video - $179
~ New Approach - The Art of Setting Princess Cuts - $179
~ Brynmorgen Press - Japanese Patinas - $22.50
~ Brynmorgen Press - Theory & Practice of Goldsmithing - $70
~ Brynmorgen Press - Complete Metalsmith ProPlus Edition - $45
~ Brynmorgen Press - Practical Casting - $13.95
~ Brynmorgen Press - Classical Loop in Loop Chains - $35.95
~ Society of North American Goldsmiths - 1 Year Membership - $69
~ An “At Large” membership for the FSG - $40
~ Metalwerx - Gift Certificate - $1,000
~ Admission to Kraftwerks, lodging and airfare! - $500
~ Gold banner advertising account on Ganoksin - $1,599
~ Racecar Jewelry Mold Production Gift Certificate - $100
It is now over 16 hours since Hanuman phoned. My husband is laughing
at me because I am still not drifted down back to earth and expect
to be airborne for quite a while yet. As you can see I forwarded the
news to friends and relatives, a couple of whom inadvertently posted
to the Orchid List.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the organizers and
sponsors of the Orchid List for this wonderful prize. Rest assured
that every bit of it will be used to the fullest extent. Orchid is
the most wonderful resource. The archives are amazing and the email
postings are a delight to read every day. I so appreciate the sharing
atmosphere and problem solving approach of the posts. The people who
make up this community are very special. I had the pleasure of
attending the 2004 Orchid dinner and hope to be there in 2007.
I will write a proper thank you when I am less excited and more able
to concentrate. Most of last night was spent perusing the Rio Grande
and Gesswein catalogues and speculating on the 3M box of goodies! To
say nothing of visiting the websites of the sponsors!
Cheers,
Karen Lechner
(who has to teach at George Brown College tomorrow - so had better
develop some concentration FAST! I am teaching in the room next door
to Gerry- the Cyber-Setter, and after eavesdropping on just one
class, want to take his classes next time they are offered.)
As it was my teaching day at my class of Gem Stone Setting, at
George Brown College, my next door mate teacher told me this morning
she is not on the ground yet, (she looked pretty fine to me)… must
be something in the Toronto air today. I knew it was windy and lotsa
rain with snow. “wots with her today?”…well she said smiling she had
a telephone call at 2:00 A.M. from our dear Hanuman and heard that
she had won the Orchid raffle. She is one delirious happy teacher.
She was up all night looking at all of the tool books. She didn’t hit
the pillows again till after 6:00 a.m.
She said she always pays for the raffle tickets all the time, but she
won big this time…many thanks Hanuman and Orchid and all the
suppliers who donated to the raffle, for bringing some cheer into her
dear heart and soul. I am damn proud she won the prize. She is one
heck of a very devoted teacher in wire sculpturing. She totally
deserves the winning…she is unaware of this posting, but she will
write later in recognition and ‘thanks’…
Heck, I buy tickets every year as another way to pay back the
wonderful things I get from Orchid, but it would have been nice to
hear my name. Oh well. Maybe next year. Use all those exciting new
toys in good health and keep on sharing with Orchidians.
Judy in Kansas, who returned from Tucson to some cold temps. Oddly
enough everyone said that during the time I was gone, the weather was
balmy… just like Tucson.
You will get another chance sooner than you think. Stay tuned!
As the Ganoksin Raffle Organizer, this is a labor of love. Susan
Bucknam read a beautiful speech about her oddssey as the last years
winner.
“What winning the Orchid Raffle meant to me…”
Karen Lechner, the winner for 2006, was just as excited, and who
wouldn’t be? Many, many thanks to those of you who donated items and
who purchased tickets.
I just returned on Tuesday after a brief visit in Santa Barbara. My
lovely mineral specimens are lined up on my shelf in my office. They
are amazingly beautiful. What a great time in Tucson!
Karen in Waltham, where I left 75 degree balmy weather to 18 inches
of snow.
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857 http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio
As the Ganoksin Raffle Organizer, this is a labor of love. Susan
Bucknam read a beautiful speech about her oddssey as the last
years winner.
While I in no way begrudge the happiness of these winners, I really
think it would be better to divide the “spoils” into ten or twenty
prizes, and spread the fun around. Less dramatic, perhaps, but many
more thrilled participants. Why not? Am I the only one who thinks
this?
While I in no way begrudge the happiness of these winners, I really
think it would be better to divide the "spoils" into ten or twenty
prizes, and spread the fun around. Less dramatic, perhaps, but many
more thrilled participants. Why not? Am I the only one who thinks
this?
Even though I’ve never participated (no clue how to yet?), I had the
same first impression as Noel (with two dots over e that don’t show
up).
While it is GREAT to have one winner, consider the possible GREATER
benefits of splitting it up…
Different people would win different prizes, and if they don’t need
a graver cuz they already have three, there could be a “trading
tickets” session among the winners.
There could be for instance 10 “small” (but significant) prizes,
and then 1 grand prize (a hefty package).
Perhaps there could be categories for raffle entry, like
“Waxworking Package Raffle” with Kate Wolf tools, a nice wax pen, and
a few books from various authors on wax. This way, people interested
in waxworking could enter that particular raffle. It would avoid
someone winning (as examples) books they may already own, winning a
tool they already own three of, or products that they don’t ever plan
on using because it’s not in their interest or field, etc. This
method would direct the prizes to people who are interested in and
need the specific prize categories.
With one winner it’s kind of like a single firework going off and
then the excitement is short-lived (for others involved). But if it
were spread out multiple winners, it’s like a grand-finale firework
that has multiple spectacular explosions and lasting excitement among
all winners, and encourages more participation for the next year.
As Orchid is a community, shouldn’t prizes reflect the community
spirit? In other words, it’s not only about one person, it’s about
everyone-- so the idea would be to extend prizes in some way to a
group of winners, rather than one.
Thankfully this time the “spoils” went to a very well-deserved and
diligent individual (and many blessings to you!). But I cringe at the
thought of at some point in the future a certain person wins the whole
lot, and unbeknownst to everyone else the tools end up on ebay; or
even worse, they sit unused and untouched gathering dust while maybe
only 2-3 of the tools are used. With the amount of awesome people
involved, that scenario is highly highly unlikely, but still remotely
possible.
All said, I may be completely off… I just like to play with
possible solutions and ideas in any situation.
Another perspective, I am a long time Orchid member and have
attended almost all of the Orchid Dinners in Tucson and also in other
areas.
Please be aware Orchid is for the most part a totally volunteer
effort. It exists because of the vision of Hanuman, the able
assistance of Ton, and the behind the scene efforts of Charles Lewton
Brain.
Orchid as we know it today exists because of the efforts of many,
mostly quiet wonderful supporters. Their names are legion, they seek
no individual glory. This Raffle should not be viewed as a “Winner
Take All.” It came about over the last few years as a way to totally
set up one member with a complete studio. Changing the parameters to
"spread out the prizes" completely alters the intent and purpose of
this specific raffle. There was so much joy when this concept came to
fruition, it would be a shame to change it.
Consider the companies that support this total studio concept, would
it be as meaningful if the individual prizes were spread around the
world? The logistics alone could present a barrier.
As it is now, the number of tickets sold is limited to the total
value of the studio package. I can see a logistical nightmare in
breaking down the package and limiting bidding to a single item up to
the cost of that item. Multiply that by the number of items in the
auction to see the difficulties.
IMHO this is a wonderful event and can be enjoyed by all.
I really think it would be better to divide the "spoils" into ten
or twenty prizes
Ditto… How many of us could use SOME but not ALL of the prize
package…? I assume there are quite a lot of folks who have modest
studio’s set up and already own many tools- there are so many prizes
(WOW), but wouldn’t 3 or 4 things just be wonderful to add to your
collection? I also am very happy for the winners! Yay for them! But I
second the idea of splitting up the prize packages and increasing the
odds of winning “something”. Heck, if I won a book or a couple new
hammers, or a box of assorted drill bits or setting burs…I think
I’d be pretty darn thrilled. ;>
I totally concur with you…“winners are great”, but maybe sometimes
some of those winnings do tend to sit on the bench, or shelf and
hardly get properly used, pity! Maybe it could be a better idea and
let some of those who are hard pressed for tools make use of them,
too!..not all of us on Orchid are bulging with extra tools, and I’m
sure of them are “going without”…:>(
It’s also like winning the “mega-umpteen, gazillion dollars”, why?
you can only spend so much at once, give some of it away to those
who quietly and desperately need it…
As the Organizer for the Ganoksin Raffle, I have been reading the
posted comments with great interest. Thank you all for your comments
and suggestions in making these raffles successful for providing
funds necessary to maintain the health of Ganoksin.
Organizing the vendors and the prizes each year is a project that I
take on with great enjoyment. When I first took on this task, there
was only one prize to collect, so only one winner was selected.
However, so many wonderful people have come to assist us in this
project, that now the raffle’s structure can and should evolve.
Therefore, I would like to announce, that because of you speaking
up, we listened! There will now be three winners for the raffle, a
First, Second and Third Prize.!
I am also pleased to announce that we will be having TWO raffles
this year. We are working towards one for July and one for the
February Orchid Dinner Event held at Tucson.
If any of you would like to either donate an item to be put in the
Ganoksin Raffle, please contact me offline.
A personal thank you to all of you who purchase tickets and support
this amazing forum.
For a better Orchid,
Karen Christians
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857 http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio
I think another reason to have the raffle be winner take all, in
addition to the practical matters already mentioned – is that it
seems to me that it is more enticing if there is a chance you could
win it all. It encourages you to buy a ticket more than if you would
win just one little thing.
I think a setup of of a complete studio is a dream thing and if I
had 39 dollars i would have bought a ticket.
I am still happily struggling away with my shelving unit 'workbench’
and a board for the hammering and use of my formerly edison wired
buffer grinder that is held together with electrical tape and a
prayer.
My soldering stations is a fire brick with a magnesia block on top
sitting on an old old slide viewing table that folds up…where there
is a will there is a way…but what a dream a full studio what I
could learn and do with that!
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! I have only an x-acto knife and two
antique gravers and look at what cameos I carved!
I was playing the winning scenario in my mind as to what I would do
with all the stuff. I was definitely keeping the comfy chair,
probably the workbench, all the gift certs.
But then there was the stuff I knew I couldn’t use in the near
future, like the casting setup. I had visions of Ebay dancing in my
head, Katrina relief possobilities came to mind in bed.
Winner-take-all is easiest for the contest adminstrator, and nets
the most for Orchid. Let the good-hearted recipients (and we are
that!) figure out the distribution of the unwanted items. Who knows,
it might even manifest in MORE FOR ORCHID!
I would like to thank personally our supporters of the Tucson Raffle
for February, 2006.
3M
AJM/MJSA
Brynmorgen Press
Contenti
Foredom
Gesswein
Kraftwerks
Metalwerx
New Approach Jewelry School
Progress Tools
Racecar Jewelry
Rio Grande
Society of North American Goldsmiths
The Florida Society of Goldsmiths
Your contributions to Ganoksin help us work safely, more efficiently
and communicate to others about the passion of the bench.
You will each receive a thank you letter in the mail, but I also
wanted to say thanks publicly on this forum.
For you Orchidians, when you think of making your next purchase, use
the vendors that support what you believe.
OK. I’m weighing in here. The Orchid raffle is a voluntary effort.
Having given many hours of volunteer work, I am highly respectful of
such efforts.
I also know that to break out items for separate raffles would
create much more work for someone… do we have a volunteer??
I’m grateful for the wonderful companies and individuals who donate
items for the raffle, and to Rio Grande for their work in
coordinating the Tucson dinner. Who among us would not appreciate a
step up in tool quality or having an extra flex shaft. People (myself
included) who buy tickets are primarily interested in supporting
Orchid, and if the raffle winner cannot use every tool in the prize,
those items can become part of a future silent auction.
I say, leave things alone… if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Judy in Kansas, who probably said this badly… but just had to shoot
off her mouth.
I also know that to break out items for separate raffles would
create much more work for someone... do we have a volunteer??
Well, since I’m the culprit who started this ball rolling, I should
put my “money” (effort) where my mouth is, so, yes, I volunteer to
help with the raffle. Karen, want a hand?
