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 COMMENTARY
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POST YOUR NEW DESIGNS AND GET
SOMETHING FOR THE EFFORT
A powerful web site coupled with extensive use of social media is the new way to promote business to existing and new customers – and it works ! We spent a small fortune changing our web site and after a lot of debating – and arguing – we went on line last year. The results were almost instant and what is more, the hits are continuing.
With a background in journalism, I thought I had all the answers, but not so. And I can tell you, it pays to consult the experts. Yes, it costs, but when you see the payback, the results are clear.
Ice Carvers have their own closed site and it is proving very useful – tips, ideas, designs, a little whining here and there, but overall, it serves a purpose and has become very popular. I use myself it a fair bit and make comments and pass on a few helpful hints here and there, as well. And I get a lot out of it, too.
Most important it is fast – complete a project, take a photograph and post it – it’s as simple as that. Almost certainly, you will get an instant reply from colleagues which provides immediate gratification.
But remember, this is a site for carvers not customers. If you have a great new design – and there are many posted almost every day – why not tell people about it. Promote your business. Sharing never hurt anyone and if another carver jumps on your idea and can use it, so much the better, but you should also tell your customers about it, as well.
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GENERAL INTEREST
DX GALA MERGES BALLOONS
AND ICE SCULPTURES
The Design Exchange (DX) Black & White fundraising gala in Toronto honored Canadians behind two unique global practices – designer, Karim Rashid and Asymptote Architecture (ASY): Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture.
Karim Rashid is recognized as one of the most accomplished industrial designers in the world and he has more than 3000 products in production in more than 35 countries – with works featured in 20 permanent museum collections.
Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture have produced powerful and innovative architecture around the world. Karim and Hani were born in Egypt and were raised in Canada, Lise was born in Montreal and raised in Ottawa.
Ice sculptures merged with balloons were a key element in the décor for the event and the after-party on the historic trading floor. Custom pieces were created around the three honorees and arranged around the room.
Large replicas of Karim Rashid’s Garbino garbage cans lined the bar and Hani Rashid’s pencil holder was re-imagined as a candle holder and floral centerpiece – all in ice. In the all-black reception space, illuminated ovoid ice sculptures, mimicking the the honoree’s fluid designs, served as centerpieces on every cocktail table. 
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COMMENTARY
SHARING - THE WAY TO GROWTH
February, 2005 saw the launch of www.adviceinice.com a resource web site for ice carvers and those associated with the industry. It was intended primarily to help those engaged in ice carving as a primary source of income. At that time, the National Ice Carving Association (NICA) was more focused on the competition side of ice carving and there was little information available for those concentrating on business.
Over seven years, that position has changed, and today there are a number of web sites, newsletters and information sources to help the business ice carver. Aaron Costic with his Elegant Ice newsletter, the Ice Sculptors Group web site, Dawson List’s Ice Carving Secrets and NICA with its weekly newsletter, all have information covering the business aspect of the industry.
In addition, there is a new attitude within our industry today - one of sharing. We see it on-line and in action during competitions and other events. Carvers share information on machinery and equipment, techniques, ask questions and get answers and post opinions; and they do so at a level we have never really experienced before.
NICA recently had a very successful co-operation with Cater Source at the Show in Las Vegas and through live demonstrations and informative presentations was able to show how ice can be used to make food presentation that much more effective.
We like to go into a little more detail with our stories and we would like to ask you to help. When you share your new designs with others on the Ice Sculptors page, please also send a copy to www.adviceinice.com and find the time to add a few more details. If there isn’t enough information, we will give you a call.
We reach special event planners, meeting organizers, wedding specialists and a good number of corporations who definitely have a major interest in ice. We want to do a little more than simply duplicate postings. We want to help those industries understand just what can be done with ice. In the long term that will help us all.
We still need your help so we ask again, when you complete a function and feel you have something to shout about, please tell us. Any ideas you may have for making a particular event better, any tips you would like to pass on, any problems you encounter – let’s keep our sharing mojo working.
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GENERAL INTEREST
US, JAPANESE AND RUSSIAN CARVERS
HELP PRODUCE HAMBURG SHOW
Top ice carvers from North America, Japan and Russia worked closely with Christian Funk, of Funk Brothers the internationally- known ice sculpting company based in Berlin, Germany.
From the us came Aaron
Costic, Ohio; Heather and Steve Brice, Alaska; Kevein Roscoe,
Washington; and Peter Slavin, Pennsylvania. Junichi Nakamura and Sone Hideyki represented Japan and Vladimir Zhikhartsev, Russia.
The Hamburg Ice Magic Show at the Deichtorhallen venue in Germany featured a 10,000 sq ft display of some amazing ice sculptures and visitors could wander through the show in their own time.
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TRIVIA
UNDERSTANDING STRESS
A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full ?'... She fooled them all ...
'How heavy is this glass of water ?' she inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz.
She replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'
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GENERAL INTEREST
PEPSI MAX ICE BOTTLE BIG DRAW
AT SNOWBOARDING WORLD CUP
Oslo, Norway hosted the Snow Boarding World Cup in February following a successful World Cup Skiing Competition in late 2011.
Mr Iceman, Oslo participated in both events. And for the major sponsor, Pepsi Cola created a 60 sq meter outside ice lounge where visitors could sample Pepsi Max.
Ice blocks with Pepsi Max cans embedded inside the ice provided the seating and two ice bars were located strategically for serving the beverage. The focal point was a three meter high Pepsi Max sculpture complete with straw.
At another function in Oslo for the magazine, Feelgood, Mr. Iceman captured the Treasure Hunt theme with a large ice chest.
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PEOPLE
$175 FOR ONE, $150 FOR TWO...
Price cutting seems to be the norm these days and it doesn’t matter what business you’re in. Ice carving is no exception. The pressure is on and everyone wants more for less.
There is always someone who will deliver a full block sculpture and set it up for less than you will - it’s become the way things are done anymore.
So what do you do ? You fight it by claiming better service, you throw in a drain tray and perhaps, lighting. You can stand your ground and claim the Ruskin theory – ‘I have no quarrel with those that sell for less, they know what their stuff is worth’.
Chances are you are going to lose the job to the lowest bidder. The recession is lingering on and playing havoc with business. So how is the ice carving industry is reacting ?
Gary Ross, Ice Sensations, in Charlotte, NC went through the normal reactions you might expect from a company that has been in business for 25 years and has built a successful franchise operation in and around the Carolinas.
He whined a lot like all of us, then he decided moaning wasn’t getting him anywhere so he bit the bullet and did something about it.
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