Name of your website?Raincloud Rustics
Your name?
Clay Bowser
Your Location (city, etc)
Sierra Vista AZ
Please give us a short summary of your website?
my website is set up to sell rustic furniture and rustic decorative artwork made by my own hand. My rustic furniture is of a loose free flowing design with an attempt to bring out the inner beauty of the wood.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I was looking for more ways to broaden my customer base and increase exposure to the general public for the products I make.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
This is my first website and it has only recently been up and running.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
It is a play on words. I am a realist and I know that sometimes things don't always go as good as they could. For that I have been called a "Raincloud" by overly optimistic people. I believe I am still positive because the person that always expects the best is quite often let down when the best doesn't happen. For me when the best does happen I am extremely encouraged because I don't always expect it. Raincloud Rustics is my way to express something positive, for unlike other climates, a raincloud in the desert is very uplifting and refreshing reprieve from a hot desert sun.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
I used black and white print to give the feeling of an old time photo graph or old newspaper. I then used color to excite the eye to the projects I am selling. I put my personality into my site.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I know it sounds crazy but my eventual goal, and I know I am a long way from it, is to do work before and for kings. To be the best artist and skilled craftsman that the life I am given allows me to attain.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
Right now I am just getting started on this journey so my time outweighs my success. But each project I get behind me the better and faster I get. Success is definately a process.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would buy alot more tools and interesting materials to incorporate into my projects. I probably would also hire a few helpers to help in the preparation between raw trees to refined furniture, like bark peelers and log handlers.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
I feed on challenge. I have never missed a deadline and I have put in several 36 hour days of straight work as it stands now. So my answer is resoundly yes.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
tool failure and availability of resources. I work with mesquite, a wood that is very hard and dense. I have broke or burned out many a tool on it.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Marketing. As an artist I would much rather spend my time in the studio cranking out projects and experimenting with ideas.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
As of now it has been by word of mouth. When you do good work word travels
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
I am not a computer guy so it has been hard waiting on others more qualified to implement the changes. I want things done now, but it doesn't always work that way.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
I just got it going and I hope to maintain it until I retire or die.
Why do you do what you do?
I would say its a choice but not really. It is a burning passion. I create art because I have to. Some idea is birthed within me and I act on it out of compulsion. Without art as an expressive release of creative force something in my being would suffer.
What is your website address?
Raincloud Rustics
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