Hello Kirk,

Yes, we have completed our initial line of sink molds. Our current website will be scrapped when we launch our new site. As usual, the new site has taken much longer than anticipated. The development firm assures me it will be ready any day now. The new website will feature an online store, online class registration and a Find a Contractor section that will allow contractors to place a free listing. It is our hope that more small artisan firms will place a listing, allowing homeowners all around the US to locate a company that fits their style. If you like, drop me an email at brandon@goredesignco.com with your email address and I will notify you when the new website launches.

Brandon:

This is exciting because I was beginning to get discouraged. We have friends who recently remodeled their kitchen with concrete countertops (two years ago...) I was considering that material but became dismayed because all I could find regarding the material on the web seemed to indicate that it was difficult to work with and when factoring in a contractor, was not a cost savings at all.

I found this thread doing a web search for alternative countertop materials, and I'm glad I did.

Keep those ideas coming!

Tony

The first DIY'er class held in our studio was an overwhelming success! The class created extremely artistic pieces with an integral sink, drain board and soap dish! They wanted to be adventurous, so they created a glass mosaic as well as two-tone countertops (please see the photo to the right. This is the actual countertop made by the class). Needless to say, these weekend warriors were creating countertops that are at the very pinnacle of the design envelope.

We have received a lot of interest from individuals interested in taking the class, but scheduling has been the primary issue. To make the class more convenient, it is now scheduled for the following 4 weekends:

10.15.05-10.16.05
10.22.05-10.23.05
11.12.05-11.13.05
12.10.05-12.11.05

If you are interested in taking the class please drop me an email at brandon@goredesignco.com and I will email you a class registration form.

The following is a list of the classes we currently offer:

W.W.1 - Weekend Warrior / Level 1
Cost: $700 per person, $600 per each additional person in group
Duration: 2 days, Approximately 8 hours per day
Included: Light Refreshments, Lunch
Prerequisites: None
Class Dates: 10.15.05-10.16.05, 10.22.05-10.23.05, 11.12.05-11.13.05, 12.10.05-12.11.05

Weekend Warriors rejoice! We have heard your requests for a condensed class targeting basic concrete countertop fabrication and developed this course specifically for you. You will learn how to create a beautiful, functional concrete countertop with an integral sink and drain board using readily available materials and tools.

C.S.1 - Contractor Series / Level 1
Cost: $1100 per person, $1000 per each additional person in group
Duration: 3 days, Approximately 8 hours per day
Included: Light Refreshments, Lunch
Prerequisites: None
Class Dates: 10.28.05-10.30.05, 11.14.05-11.16.05

This 3-day class was designed specifically for persons interested in learning the skills required to capitalize on the increasing demand for high quality concrete countertops. You will learn how to create a professional industry-leading countertop with an emphasis on integral components. In addition, topics ranging from sales and marketing to pricing will be covered. This is the class you should take if you are considering entering the concrete countertop industry as a profession. This class is also beneficial to existing concrete countertop fabricators who are interested in learning new techniques for forming as well as sales and marketing.

C.S.2 – Contractor Series / Level 2
Cost: $1700 per person, $1550 per each additional person in group
Duration: 3 days, Approximately 8 hours per day
Included: Light Refreshments, Lunch
Prerequisites: C.S.1 Member
Class Dates: 11.04.05-11.06.06, 11.17.05-11.19.05

This is the premiere advanced class for individuals who want to stand apart from the crowd and create works of art. Building on the techniques taught in C.S.1, you will learn advanced techniques to form complex countertops. Emphasis will be placed on curved seams, drop down edges and glass infused countertops. We will cover workshop design/theory and you will learn the secret to gore design co.’s glass like surface. Sign up now to learn the skills needed to offer what everyone wants and no one else has.

G.F.R.C. – Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Class / Level 1
Cost: $535 per person, $485 per each additional person in group
Duration: 1 days, Approximately 8 hours per day
Included: Light Refreshments, Lunch
Prerequisites: C.S.2 Member
Class Dates: 11.20.05

AoCC offers training that is not found anywhere else. Individuals who complete our C.S.2 class are eligible to enroll in our G.F.R.C class (glass fiber reinforced concrete). This exciting program will show you how to create amazing pieces by “shooting” concrete. These pieces
are lighter, require no additional reinforcement, and the turnaround time is much quicker. Learn the skills needed to offer designs that would be cost prohibitive or impossible to produce using wet cast. Enroll today to set yourself apart from your competition

Specials
We are currently offering the following training specials:

Gold Contractor Package
Cost: $2500
Save $300 by signing up for C.S.1 and C.S.2 at the same time! You will learn all facets of wet cast concrete countertop fabrication, from basic skills to advanced techniques. You will also learn invaluable sales and marketing skills and workshop design/theory. This is the package for individuals who want a turnkey training program for concrete countertops.

Platinum Contractor Package
Cost $2985
Save $350 by signing up for C.S.1, C.S.2 and G.F.R.C. at the same time! In addition to learning wet cast, you will be one of the few contractors with the knowledge to offer GFRC! You will learn to create complex pieces much easier and increase your profits by attending our GFRC class.

In regards to our product line, as some of you have noticed, the new website is up. However, many of the features are not yet functional. Online class registration and credit card payment should be done by the end of the week as well as the online store (hopefully ).

Should anyone have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me directly at brandon@goredesignco.com.