Sunday, while listening to KGSR radio, I heard Jody Denberg (http://www.kgsr.com/jocks/jody.aspx) chatting with a writer from Rolling Stones magazine regarding certain albums and songs. Specifically, they discussed a new song by Bruce Springsteen and one of them stated it really had “legs”. Since this was a uniquely different context to when we ranchers talk about legs, I listened carefully. My take on their discussion was that sometimes you hear a new song and think “Wow” this is going to be great, but later, after repeated listenings the song just doesn’t have legs. My understanding is that if it has legs, it stands the test of time.

Applying this to the ranch business, we may look at a bull and take note of his thickness and straight back and how great he looks, but does he “have legs” in the sense that Denberg was using? Here at Dreamcatcher, we look beyond his initial appearance and examine his data and the type calves he is expected to sire in order to find whether or not he “has legs” and will be the type bull to make a positive impact on a herd.

So what could this possibly have to do with design work? Oft times, I may think I’ve hit on just the type of new design that customers will love. I’d call that a “wow”. Later, however, when that WOW doesn’t sell or bring rave reviews when I wear it myself, I have to face the fact that my WOW does not have legs! Last summer, I had such a great time making a particular bracelet design, that I completed ten or so in various colors and bead types before I realized it. Unfortunately, they were not popular and ended up in the “let’s make a deal” basket. The problem seems to be how to determine if a design that is a winner in my personal book will be a winner from a business standpoint. A big part of what makes a design Wow for me is the enjoyment I get from creating it and this doesn’t necessarily mean that others will like it as well since they are only wearing it.

The last couple of evenings, I’ve enjoyed working on embellished right angle weave bracelets. The one on the left was made very closely to the pattern suggestions, while the one on the right took flight. I’ve completed these two and would enjoy making another because these are WOWs for me. However, based on previously learned lessons, I’m going to get some customer opinions before making more of these and find out whether or not my Wow has legs and the design will endure. If not . . . I’ll have two new bracelets and have had fun!