Design &Production advice from the pros

Circ Candleholders - Stacked steel rings with deckel-edge texture
9" $125, 12" $135, 15" $145 order any size or mix-um-up!

Thinking about our next project, it was a no brainer to ask the Girardinis advice about their production line.

I emailed Julie about it and told her how i thought using materials and time effiecently, keeping inventory in stock for large orders, having time management, etc were all important.

She replied:

"I'd also suggest setting up your work space so you can easily move through finishing pieces of the same size. Like when we use the stops to brace the material. Have your finishing supplies well stocked and at close hand. This is true in cutting material as well - set stops so you can do multiple cuts.

One thing I have always wanted to do is keep one bag of all the parts it takes to make one piece, then rather than take the time to measure, you can use the parts as your pattern and eliminate the need for any measuring.

Also, Ken takes digital photos of the welding set up and they are in the file of how to make each piece. It may sound stupid, but sometimes you may not remember how to put it together.

Anytime you can tumble finish a piece rather than hand finish saves time.

Basically it helps to streamline the whole process, have separate work areas for all aspects of what you need to do to the piece. IE, the welding area, the spray booth, the grinding area - even a photo area, this saves lots of time."

THANKS JULIE=) All these things work for them and their business. It may be different for all of us but it's the experiences that help us find out what will work.