Hello to all.

[Foamcutter]

Hello all.
I came across this site whilst browsing a couple of Blogs. (Trying to pick up some tips and hints for business blogging)
Some useful articles here, but I hope I might be able contribute at some stage.

[Swastik]

Hey,

Welcome, you seem to be from the same place Fergal belongs. :)

Great to have you here. :-)

[Foamcutter]

Hi Swastik,
yeah I think I know Fergal. If it's the same person I'm thinking of.

Cheers

[Nazreen]

Welcome to the Business Advice Forum Foamcutter.

Yes, you and Fergal are definitely from the same county/city. Looking forward to seeing more of you in the forums. :)

[scifi]

Hi Foamcutter!!
Welcome to the BAF community!!

Hope to see you more active on the forum soon ...

[Fergal]

Hi Foamcutter, welcome to Business Advice Forum and thanks for joining.

Please feel free to send me a PM and let me know who you are.

[flashgordonweb]

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place; lots of friendly folks.

[link7881]

Admin Edit - Post moved to here (http://www.businessadviceforum.com/showthread.php?t=1985).

http://www.businessadviceforum.com/showthread.php?t=1985

[Kay]

Hi, Foamcutter, welcome to BAF! :) Nice to meet you. Probably a silly question but did you make that figure in your avatar? It looks like a foam sculpture. :) Do share more of what you do.

[Foamcutter]

Probably a silly question but did you make that figure in your avatar? It looks like a foam sculpture.

Thanks for the welcome Kay.
Yes we did carve the snowman in my avatar. It was for a Dublin based department store and was part of their Christmas promotion in 2007, (they also used it again last Christmas in a different location). It was approx 8' (2.4m)tall and sat outside, on a canopy, above the heads of shoppers on one of the main shopping streets.
My handle indicates my occupation, we cut polystyrene foam (styrofoam) to create a wide range of items for different industries.
I don't want to over step the mark on self promotion but hopefully I will be able to add a link to our site in a future signature.
Cheers
Fran

[Kay]

What a fascinating job, Fran! I'm really impressed by that. Have you got any more pics you can show? (And it's not self promotion because I'm asking LOL). ;) I'd love to hear more about your business. I've never heard of that. :)

[Foamcutter]

Hi Kay,
thanks for you comments.

What a fascinating job,
Yes it can be, but it's like other jobs it can be tiresome too, we just work with an unusual material.
People have their own ideas of what polystyrene is about e.g. coffee cups, packaging and food trays so if we create a large sculpture or 3D sign it does have a certain WOW factor.
To get a better idea have a look at our site. madeinhollywood.ie (http://www.madeinhollywood.ie) (not allowed to insert a link yet)
There are many US based companies that do this type of work, some specialising in prop creation, signage or architectural moldings as those markets would be larger than here in Ireland.

[Nazreen]

I was wondering why you used the handle Foamcutter Fran. Now I know that you meant it literally that you're a foam cutter. :) That's really an interesting job you got there and I have to admit that I haven't met a foam cutter personally before.

I thought at first that your avatar was a statue of Buddha hehe.

[pendelton]

How much does an 8 foot tall Foam Person cost?

Cost per foot?

[Foamcutter]

Hi Nazreen.

I haven't met a foam cutter personally before
We're an endangered species there isn't many of us out there, other than that we are fairly normal and of no particular religious persuasion. ;)

@Pendelton

Pricing can vary, creating a tall person with 8 feet may be more expensive than a person 8 foot tall :D

[Fergal]

Fran, I've added a link to your post above. Now that you have made two posts or more you should be able to add a link in your posts and in your sig.

Your site looks great, congratulations on it and on the excellent work you have in your portfolio.

What is the lifespan of the architectural pieces you make?

[Foamcutter]

Fergal, thanks for your comments and the link. I will update my signature later.

What is the lifespan of the architectural pieces you make?

One of Polystyrenes properties is that it doesn't decompose or decay (200+ years that I have read) it's a major problem in the waste/rubbish stream but can be useful for solving some construction & civil engineering problems.

The render & glassfibre coatings that we apply can last from 5 to 25 year+ dependant on application.

The render that we use is the same that's used on Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) & Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) buildings, so it's made to last.

[Kay]

I love the chairs, Fran! Very funky and cool. :) You have a great site there, very nicely done indeed.

I bet you get tired of answering a million questions about what you do though at times. :D

[Foamcutter]

Again thank you for your comments Kay.

I bet you get tired of answering a million questions about what you do though at times.
Not really, because there is a real buzz explaining how versatile polystyrene can be and see the person grasp the idea and start to see what they can do with it.

[Kay]

You're right, I have a possibility in mind as we speak. Would you make me one of my ex and add a dartboard to it? :D

[Foamcutter]

Kay, I see that you do grasp the concept, although we've heard this idea before. ............... ummm 6' polystyrene profile cut-out with photo image applied, supplied by the client. Marketed to those in love & those out of love.
More and more possibilities opening up using polystyrene foam. ;)