TEMPLI
I don't know why we abandoned this project when we were so close to making it real. Maybe because we looked at the Marek's employer from the devotional trade, who was a wealthy man, and we needed money very much. Maybe also because when we talked about our willingness to make wargame miniatures, everyone said that there would be no money from it in Poland. As soon as we mentioned that we could also make religious figurines, everyone said it was a great idea because Poles like it. There are many churches and parishes here, but we wouldn't make it for them. So instead of sculpting the dwarves and elves, we planned to make crosses and busts of saints. By chance, we found a spec, who was to make us a metal casting machine, but eventually, after many months of talking, we ordered them from Italy. We have renovated our headquarters to receive clerics, and the queues for figurines already lined up in our dreams. When our three wonderful machines arrived, each 200 kilograms, we were very excited. To have them, we've spent all our and borrowed money. While waiting for them, we have sculpted many models in the meantime so that we can start production quickly when they arrive. The machines were perfect for precise casting, which is why our 30mm saint models had many wonderful details. After finishing the first series of models, we started to call parishes and churches to make contacts. We were not discouraged by the average interest until a nice lady running a religious shop told us what the trouble was. She explained that all these beautiful details on our figurines have no meaning and few people will buy them. She added that customers are often old, have poor eyesight and usually buy the cheapest figurines, because they always got lost anyway. Ours cost 3 EUR, and it was way overpriced. It wasn't a good day...
SECOND CHANCE
From time to time we had orders for our small models, but we decided that something had to be figured out - we had machines and commitments. The year of Chopin was approaching, so we decided to make Fryderyk Chopin's figurines for souvenir shops and
museums. We also made great souvenirs for Warsaw. Of course, all measured about 30mm. It was much better, but we felt that we were not doing what we wanted. Apparently our models went to Chopin's enthusiasts from around the world, but souvenirs from Warsaw were a rather specific topic. Unfortunately, as one of the souvenir sellers described it, the best period has passed and now tourists prefer to buy ice cream than figurines. Probably sitting with tea in my hands, Marek and I looked at our religious models and souvenirs, thinking about our future. Which one of us said these words, I don't remember, but they were sure: "If we're going to go bankrupt, it's better at what we love."
We brought out the masters of miniatures for Umbra Turris and it was time for SPELLCROW.
I've been thinking about the name and logo for a long time, but I also wanted Marek to like them. Fortunately, he did, so we went with the production of figurines. We were not wealthier, but much happier. Marek suggested that we should also make conversion bits, because it is an easy topic and may give us the second line of products. Initially, I didn't like this vision, because we started as a figurine company, and the bits were not even for our models. But I knew that to do what I want, I must learn to do what gives me money. I made the first sets of bits sitting on the bench in front of our small headquarters. It came very easily. As it turned out, they sold easily as well. After this we continued to create models in a scale of around 30mm, but instead of selling them for 3, we sold them for 7 EUR. When the first order from the store for 3000 EUR came, we didn't believe it. We dreamed about it from the beginning, but being afraid of risk and listening to the opinions of others, we went to religious themes. Finally it seemed that everything is going to be great. But it wasn't...
"YOU WON'T DO IT ALONE"
It wasn't easy for us to embrace everything in two, so we had many delays and troubles. Unfortunately, we were also unable to afford an employee. A friend with his own business has given us advice: "You must hire a man no matter what, because you won't develop." Marek was not convinced, because we often had not enough money for ourselves, but soon someone came to help. Then more people came, and with them - more problems. We had to learn how to assign tasks, verify progress. It was also necessary to change the headquarters from 20m to 120m. We have also set the main goal of SPELLCROW - a satisfied customer.
We were exposed to many attempts, but it taught us persistence and humbleness. We understood how many production and running processes work. Today, thanks to experience and constant improvement of our procedures, we achieve what we have never even dreamed about. To be closer to our customers and understand them better, we became Spellcrow Ltd. We travel around Europe, visiting conventions and events. We work with many great, talented freelancers and subcontractors. Finally we do what we love... and this is just the beginning.
We wish you great moments with our range and service!
