Southern Flames Member Survey 2009

This survey was conducted in October 2009 and was sent to current 2009-2010 members and past members of Southern Flames.

Question/Choices/Responses	# of responses	%
1. What is your bead making skill level?
a. Beginner (Taken beginning glass bead making or are self taught and have had up to 150 hours on a torch (any kind))	5	8%
b. Intermediate (Have taken more than 1 class and can work comfortably on an oxygen-propane torch. Over 150 hours experience.)	23	37%
c. Advanced (If you’re advanced, you probably know it.	34	55%
Total	62	100%

2. Are you currently a member of Southern Flames?
a. Yes	53	85%
b. No	9	15%
Total	62	100%

3. How long have you been or were you a member of Southern Flames?
a. 1-3 years	26	42%
b 3-6 years	13	21%
c. more than 6 years	23	37%
Total	62	100%

4. If you're not a current Southern Flames member, why not? (mark all that apply)
a Can’t afford it	2	7%
b. Not beneficial to me	2	7%
c. n/a (please select this option if you are a current SF member)	18	67%
d. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	6	22%
i. Too far away
ii. Moved to SC
iii. Meetings very far away + too busy
iv. Unable to work for extended period of time
v. Too far away to benefit me
vi. Taking a break from making beads

5. Why did you join Southern Flames? (mark all that apply)
a. Torch time rental	4	6%
b. Networking with other bead makers	47	76%
c. Classes offered	41	66%
d. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	12	19%
i. Wanted to take boro classes
ii. not just networking, but fellowship/glass chat etc
iii. All of the above
iv. At the time, it was the closest ISGB chapter.
v. Networking W/artist even though I make Marbles
vi. liked to learn more about bead making
vii. all of the above
viii. My arm was twisted. :)
ix. All the above
x. I started the first incarnation of SF in 1996 :)
xi. searching for association with prof artists
xii. Desire to learn from other beaders and expand my c

6. What do you feel Southern Flames can do as an organization to be of more benefit to you? (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	33
a. Provide a method to help sell my beads through a co-op type arrangement. Maybe a committee can be formed to organize this and then we can participate in A&F shows as a group. All proceeds would go back to those participating.
b. Bring in big time instructors like Michael Barley
c. I enjoy SF membership
d. Buy your lampwork supplies from FlameTree Glass! lol (smiles) Please support FlameTree Glass as your local flameworking supplies distributor. Love you guys! Lance www.flametreeglass.com
e. instruction demonstrations, highlights of new materials and tools
f. Perhaps organize group buys with our size/muscle power. I as a member would be willing to head up a product I was interested in purchasing. Like classes we have; great price/location. LIke the idea I heard of having "mini courses" during this economic crunch. Shorter committment of time/money.
g. E-mail members a week before every meeting
h. Offer Boro Classes.
i. Can't think of anything specifically
j. Since I am outside of Atlanta, more weekend meetings would improve my attendence.
k. I'm not really sure. I love the networking with other beadmaker friends. Right now I just can't afford to take any classes and that's one of my greatest joys as a beadmaker. I love to learn.
l. I am unsure as I am a new member.
m. Bring in great teachers for great classes
n. How to market my beads and jewelry Specialized classes
o. Stop holding meetings on Wed night. That is reserved for church..
p. More utilization of experienced beaders to teach techniques and methods beyond the monthly meeting....cheap classes or workshops.
q. not sure
r. Provide reasonably priced classes and networking with other flame workers
s. more business oriented classes and group shows
t. I think Southern Flames is doing a great job, and I would like to thank all the board members who make it all possible.
u. Would love to attend more meetings! I am 75 miles away and Wednesday night meetings don't work for me. Would love to get to know more SF members...
v. Trade tips and techniques as well as network with other members.
w. more information about selling work, options that are out there for us
x. Increase classes offered from famous bead makers that have not been to Southern Flames like Margaret Zinser, JC Herrel, Dolly Ahles, etc.
y. Would love to see more workshops offered from outstanding lampworkers throughout the usa.
z. Can't think of anything at this time as haven't had a chance to attend meeting yet
aa. I truly think that we need more demo-oriented meetings... it's what gets people there. We need to use the talents w/in our organization more. Bringing in guest instructors is KEY as well... we have such great potential... we just need to bump it up a notch.
bb. Org is doing what charter saids to do and should not change to accomodate single interests.
cc. start a chapter on the NE side of Atlanta?
dd. The group is great. I'm just not working with glass right now.
ee. continue what it is doing
ff. Make the society more open to newbies. I often felt as though only experienced beadmakers were accepted. If you weren't in print or nationally recognized, you need not bother the society. The society never did anything to make me feel welcomed. If it weren't for the people there that I already knew, I wouldn't have lasted as long as I did. Now, I haven't been on my torch in over a year.
gg. SF needs a charitable arm to help during a disaster; such as flood. And be proactive with ISGB's efforts that way. How can SF leverage that etc. SF should just have parties once in a while; less formal more fun. Instead of a demo from a visiting artist just have a meet an greet party.

7. When was the last time you attended a class offered through Southern Flames?
a. 2009	21	34%
b 2008	15	24%
c. 2007	7	11%
d. 2006 or before	6	10%
e. never	13	21%
Total	62	100%

8. If you answered "never" to attending a class offered through Southern Flames, why not? (mark all that apply)
a. Classes didn't cover topic I was interested in	3	19%
b. I felt my skill level didn't meet the requirements	6	38%
c. Classes cost too much	3	19%
d. Classes not offered on dates/times convenient to my schedule	7	44%
e. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	5	31%
i. Just moved here
ii. Just the economy. Classes are fairly priced
iii. some classes seemed too advanced
iv. Not Southern Flames fault - travel for work
v. The classes were only for those deemed acceptable.

9. Have you attended Southern Flames meetings in the past year?
a. Yes	41	66%
b. No	21	34%
Total	62	100%

10. If you have not attended a Southern Flames meeting within the past year, why not? (mark all that apply)
a. Date and/or time of meetings don't fit my schedule	10	40%
b. Location not convenient	9	36%
c. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	11	44%
i. Need more Saturday sessions
ii. Live in Wilmington, NC -- too far for meetings.
iii. just joined
iv. Space too small for size of group.
v. I am new and there has only been 1 meeting so far
vi. I live out of town and it is not always convenient
vii. Forgot one time & weather/traffic too bad second
viii. Attendng college and did not have time
ix. Membership expired
x. not working with glass right now
xi. I can not make Wednesday night meetings

11. What additional topics would you like to discuss/learn about at our meetings? (Mark all that apply)
a. Information related to selling beads/work on line (etsy, e-bay, etc.)	27	53%
b. Advertising/marketing your beads	24	47%
c. Submitting applications for juried shows	25	49%
d. Studio set up (ventilation, workspace arrangement/tips, etc.)	26	51%
e. Kilns and annealing programs	24	47%
f. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	15	29%
i. Discuss how great FlameTree Glass is!
ii. Anything glassy!
iii. bead techniques
iv. mini techniques at meetings,maybe a 15 minute demo
v. Business-related topics (taxes, legal, startup)
vi. Member demonstrations
vii. Related arts - e.g wire wrapping, fusing
viii. Discussion among members about beads they've made.
ix. Demos on the torch
x. craft show table displays & marketing
xi. All of it, plus talking about techniques
xii. Metal smithing
xiii. DEMOS DEMOS DEMOS DEMOS DEMOS... seriously
xiv. The business of artistry
xv. Spreading the art of glassbeadmaking to new artist

12. Would you be interested in purchasing items with the Southern Flames logo on it?
a. Yes	35	61%
b. No	22	39%
Total	57	100%

13. What Southern Flames logo items would interest you? (mark all that apply)
a. T-shirt	31	78%
b. Bead making apron	13	32%
c. Stickers/decals	13	32%
d. License plate holder	9	22%
e. Tote bag	12	30%
f. Coffee mug	19	48%
g. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	6	15%
i. A really nice apron.....
ii. Hot plates
iii. L/S denim shirt/jacket or chambray shirt
iv. Iron-on Patch
v. This is the last thing you need to focus on.
vi. I'd be interested in changing the name

14. Do you use the Southern Flames Yahoo group?
a. Yes	21	34%
b. No	40	66%
Total	61	100%

15. If you don't use the Yahoo group, why not? (mark all that apply)
a. Don't see the benefit in using it	6	15%
b. Didn’t know about it	20	51%
c. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	13	33%
i. I just forget about it.It isn't very busy.
ii. don't have the time
iii. don't know what it really is or the benefits
iv. Not a yahoo fan.
v. Too busy right now
vi. I don't use Yahoo
vii. don't often, forget
viii. no time lately
ix. Not used by enough people.
x. Have my own professional website
xi. Online groups only cater to the elite
xii. Don't spend too much time on computer
xiii. Never took the time

16. Southern Flames currently has many very experienced Beadmakers. If full day classes were offered on Saturdays by a Southern Flames member on one specific technique or skill (e.g, Using Enamels, Dichroic, Silver Glass; Sculptural flowers, Making murrine, etc), for either $50 or $75 would you be interested in taking a class?
a. Yes	58	94%
b. No	4	6%
Total	62	100%

17. $25 is the current dues amount for Southern Flames, how do you feel about that?
a. Dues are too high	1	2%
b. Dues are just right	52	84%
c. Other, please specify (below are open ended responses from participants not predetermined choices)	9	15%
i. Depends on what the money is used for.
ii. Need to be increased to meet increasing costs
iii. Dues okay, I would be willing to pay more if nec.
iv. Dues are fine, our issues were personal.
v. I think that we are EXTREMELY fair.
vi. Does not matter-Whaterever org needs from members
vii. amount fine, but I do not have a job currently
viii. The dues are fine -- the society needs fixing
ix. Should be $50

18. Throughout the year Southern Flames holds the following events. Please rank them in order of importance to you with 1 being most important.

Top number is the count of respondents selecting the option.
Bottom % is percent of the total respondents selecting the option.

very very important

very important

more important

important

somewhat important

not very important

least important

Garage Sale

7
12%

12
21%

29%

14%

12%

Monthly Bead Challenge

10%

12%

24%

16%

21%

Bead Exchange

12%

16%

18%

25%

14%

Dessert/Appetizer Challenge

20%

16%

12%

34%

Holiday Tree Raffle

20%

11%

16%

20%

18%

11%

Silent Auction

18%

12%

19%

18%

11%

ISGB Postcard Project

32%

19%

12%

11%

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