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The recession took a bite out of big-ticket item sales, no question. But if you have the right big-ticket items, such as statues with personality or flair, you still can find a place in the hearts of your customers. During your next buying foray, look for items that add drama, whimsy or a focal point to landscapes. Or look for something that makes the customer stop in her tracks and say, “I want that!” Either way, these four lines will serve you well …
 What is it? The Steady Fox from Orlandi Statuary. Why should you sell it? A mixture of sand and stones is cast into the surface of this striking piece using terrazzo-like techniques. The surface is then sandblasted and chemically treated, followed by an acid stain to give the appearance of aged stone. As it is reinforced with a fiberglass backing, it remains lightweight and is less fragile than concrete. Besides all that, it’s “way cool” looking. Where to find it? www.orlandistatuary.com What is it? The line of crocodile stepping stones and lawn décor from Athens Stonecasting. Why should you sell it? These attention grabbers lend a certain element of “whoa!” to the lawn, for sure. In fact, one placed in a landscape in a Kansas City suburb recently not only drew a “whoa!” but two gunshots from the police, who had been called to get rid of an alligator in a resident’s yard. True story. Where to find it? www.athensstonecasting.com
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What is it? Potina’s “The Bird Girl.” Why should you sell it? You might recognize this statue from the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” The estate of its creator, Sylvia Shaw Judson, granted Potina the rights to reproduce the famous piece, and now it’s available for retail sale. A marketing tip: Buy a copy of the book, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and place it near your display. Where to find it? 
nsas City Art Statuary. Why should you sell it? Every piece of Kansas City Art Statuary is individually molded and hand-finished, so all pieces are of consistent quality, but otherwise no two are ever quite alike. Your customers can be assured their statuary selections will have individual character. When properly cared for, each piece will last a generation. Where to find it? 
Explore the July 2011 Issue
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