Sparks from the welder's flame
I read plenty about the new Internet economy and social media. Plenty of self-styled experts are expounding on the importance of branding my identity, etc., etc., etc. How do they monetize harping and nagging anyway?
So I took their advice, sort of, and drove down Highway 89 to Mt. Pleasant to meet my rancher-friend Reed Thomas's personal brand-consultant, Dan Oldroyd. Dan knows how to make stuff, real stuff, in his shop full of anvils, tongs, furnaces and a personal hobbit-sized train engine he built. He and a buddy are laying track for it on 5 acres in Mt. Pleasant, but we'll save that for another time.
And while I made photos, Dan made me a brand. It's not registered (yet) so I can't show it to you. I deferred to the experts as far as the particulars, and Dan put a nice loop on the end, turning it into a "wall-hanger" since I don't as yet own any cattle needing a brand. Note that "as yet" part. I'm thinking about it.
Apparently, I was quite lucky to get these shots without also getting a corneal burn. So if you go get your own brand fabricated (and Dan of Dan's Machining in Mt. Pleasant, across from the now-defunct winery, will be quite happy to see you. Tell him Ann from the big city sent you), don't look at the welding light.
And if you are a social media maven type, you can follow me (anntorrence) on Twitter too.
Comments (6)
GREAT post! Your version of branding is so much more fun. Really like the color on this. And I'm glad no one burned her cornea!
Posted by Erin Alberty | December 8, 2008 4:02 PM
Posted on December 8, 2008 16:02
how much do they charge for a custom brand?
Posted by kim guanzon | December 8, 2008 4:09 PM
Posted on December 8, 2008 16:09
Cool post and a really sweet photo, Ann. I like the story and especially appreciate the irony, since you're a regular Twitter user and there's no shortage of branding posts on Twitter.
Posted by Photo-John | December 8, 2008 4:14 PM
Posted on December 8, 2008 16:14
It's always good to have a brand, you never know when you may use it. My dad and grandpa have their own registered, for their cattle of course. My grandpa made me a couple growing up that have been lost or broken. I used them regularly on our wooden barn walls and just about anything I could leave my mark on. I may have to try to re-create it when I'm up to my dad's and can use his tools. I miss the smell of the torch and the welder.
Thanks for bringing back some good old memories of my youth. I'd be interested in seeing what he put together for you one of these days.
Was on Highway 89 this weekend and thought of you, snapped a few frames of the metal dinosaurs on my way home from Star Valley.
Posted by Scott Smith | December 8, 2008 9:42 PM
Posted on December 8, 2008 21:42
Welding shots can certainly be tricky, I've done a few myself. I was more concerned about my camera's sensor than my eyeballs, go figure!
Posted by jk | December 9, 2008 10:50 AM
Posted on December 9, 2008 10:50
How appropriate! Branding expert @nicktjohnson is going to talk to the utfreelance.com gang about creative branding. =)
Posted by Eric Hamilton | January 2, 2009 3:32 PM
Posted on January 2, 2009 15:32