Revisiting Scott Riggs in 2012

Revisiting Scott Riggs in 2012

By James Kearney

Today we meet again our old friend Scott Riggs of Southern California. Back in 2004 Scott collaborated on an article that was featured in the March/April 2005 newsletter so we thought it would be a good idea to catch up on what Scott has been doing and how the Great Recession has affected his business. As you remember, Scott is one of the few members whose full time occupation is making Tiffany reproduction lamps.

Some changes that have occurred include his home move from Huntington Beach to Costa Mesa, California, and Scott moved his work from his home workshop into a new commercial workshop a couple miles from his house where he has more space to store his growing stock of glass. He does most of his work at his new shop but still prefers to do all his patina at home. It's much different going someplace without the comforts of home, plus much more lonely. Scott works with two parrots and a Chihuahua with him at the shop all the time to keep him company. The animals enjoy listening to Scott talk to them.

Scott has reduced his annual production from 30 shades a year to about 15-20 a year but takes more time on each shade. He used to work 50-60 hours a week but has since pared that down to a more reasonable 40 hour weeks so he can enjoy life a bit more. He says his level of production has slowed a little, not for a lack of interest but because of his move to his new studio after working at home for the last 25 years. Of course, how many he can produce in one year depends on the complexity of each shade. He now spends much more time on glass selection so every shade takes longer to plan. Scott feels he's at his appropriate level of production capacity.

The recession never really bothered him too much. Overall Scott thinks his business is basically the same as 2004. His success is partly due to the extensive communication he maintains with each client which includes sending lots of photos of the process to keep them involved with the creative process from start to finish. Scott devotes whatever time is needed to answer all questions and emails from people everyday. Customer interaction is an important part of the process to let the customer get to know him. It does take time but is very necessary. He usually starts his mornings checking his computer for inquiries. He gets a some calls from people wanting him to fix their import shades but he has to explain to them that it would cost more to fix it than the price they paid for it. He tells them he would be happy to build them a quality art piece and display it on a quality lamp base.

When people who have seen one of his shades call Scott, the first question they ask is the cost. He explains the many variables that are in every shade which can vary the end prices but he always gives them an approximate estimated price. The more they talk, the more he can refine the price of the lamp. He knows from experience how long every shade takes to build and the costs when using quality glass. In addition, Scott always buys the finest glass and spends more to get the best parts of each sheet of glass. He pays close attention to all details when cutting every piece of glass, ensuring the foil is perfect and making sure all the lines are even and straight. He does quality patina and does every aspect of every shade by himself for quality control. By paying attention to quality, his clients keep returning for more.

At one time before the recession, Scott had 5 big 28" magnolias on his pending order list to build but 3 clients cancelled, partly he thinks because of financial situations plus the waiting time. Some people just cannot wait or they are too excited to get a shade fast but this is impossible. Most clients are very patient and know the wait is worth it. One client downsized to a less complex more affordable shade. In early 2011 his pending order list got down to 3 shades but picked up again in late 2011 and he has been getting many new clients in 2012. His sales of shades are sometimes local when word gets around in California. However he says that about 70% of his orders are from all over the country. He has some very loyal clients in Michigan who have become great friends. His biggest fan and collector is a client in Michagan who has just ordered 2 more shades and bases which puts her at about 31 in the collection she owns. All these shades are on different Odyssey bases and spread throughout 2 homes in Michigan. The whole group has bought 50 shades from him and are all collectors, not people reselling Scott's shades. Someday Scott hopes to make a video one day of the Michigan lamps.

 

Scott's eye catching website www.tiffanyshades.com was given to him as a gift from a client in MI. Her talented nephew Derick Cummings built the site. Since the site was made Scott has finished approximatemy 40 shades so it's time for a site update. Derick is a webmaster so if anybody needs his assistance please contact Scott at scottriggs@tiffanyshades.com. As you will see, Scott has added the Odyssey bases to his website to show people examples for all the shades he can make. He usually sells a base and hardware with almost every shade or a hanging apparatus of some kind but he just passes on his price of the base to his clients to help them keep costs down. Scott rightfully mentions that, whether we are hobbyists or professial, all of us in the ASGLA need to support Odyssey to keep this great source of products alive because without Odyssey and Paul Crist we are all out of business. While Scott does not sell glass or other supplies, he's always happy to tell people where they can get good supplies or quality glass and who the great glass manufacturers are for lampshades.

To date Scott has taught about a dozen people how to make shades. Some just watch him work. Some have driven across the country to learn his techniques. Teaching does distract from production so he teaches in two different ways. When giving instructions full time, the students pay and they get Scott's complete attention. Others want to just watch and learn which is fine if they are serious because Scott likes the company. Usually these student turns into friends and it's difficult to charge your friends for your time. Scott also solders a lot for other people's work because, for some reason, most people struggle to learn the art of soldering a shade. Scott loves soldering and he's good at it after the more than 500 shades he has made in his career.

For packing and shipping, Scott has a system. He packs and ships all shades 20" in diameter and smaller himself but has all shades 22" in diameter and above packed by a friend with foam injection for safety. He uses giant rolls of bubble wrap and quality double walled boxes and just packs them up when the patina and polish are finished. Scott ships all shades via Fedex with no problems so far. After the shade is boxed and shipped Scott cleans his tables, gets out the clear layout of the next shade and starts pulling glass.

Scott makes lamps exclusively on commission but once in awhile he will do one for himself to add to the 15 shades he already has in his house. Right now he's thinking of 10 shades that he wants to build but just can't find the time. He has glass stashed for a 16" Pansy for himself but doesn't have the 100 hours needed to build it correctly. He also has a bunch of Koi fish cut for another shade for himself but no time right now to finish it. Then there's the 22" turtleback shade he wants to build for himself one day. He has had full time work and shade orders for about 10 years now due to the internet and his website. He feels very blessed to be doing what he loves to do. Lots of people think he's making a lot money when he sells a shade for $5000 but after all the time, energy and expenses are considered, lamp making pays about the same as any other job. The best part of the jobs is that it's so satisfying and keeps a smile on his face. We wish Scott continued success and look forward to seeing the works of this Master Glass Artist in the ASGLA calendars every year.

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The artistry captured and expressed by Scott Riggs is of museum quality and he will create a personal art treasure to be admired and appreciated by all who are fortunate enough to share in its beauty and historical value. A lamp masterfully created by Scott will indeed be a treasure to be handed down from family generation to generation. As with Louis Comfort Tiffany, Scott too desires to add grace and beauty to every home at very affordable prices. If you would like to own a one of a kind, extraordinary custom created treasure of art to grace your home or office, contact him with your specifications.