How many are making a living on the crafts?

[will8989]

If I told you what I think of his 1.5 inches shorter and 3 inches narrower they would ban me from here. lol On the other hand that's why special orders are paid for in advance. And I would still raise my prices.

[JohnB]

I'd have to agree with the comments "Be careful what you wish for" and making a business from a hobby can really suck the enjoyment out of it.
I started making wooden toys when I was retired medically unfit from the Police Force. I was luckier than most as prior to joining the PD I had completed a cabinet making apprenticeship and even ran my own cabinet making business for a few years, so tools where not a problem.
The problem came along a few years ago when I started making "Name Trains". I have steadily inched my prices up, but they are all I seem to make at the moment, and I can assure you, making letters gets ordinary very quickly. I look at all the things I'd like to make and have to keep putting them on the back burner. I don't think I could make a living making wooden toys, at the standard and quality I strive for and I am not going to reduce that for anyone. Maybe I'll contract the work out to China and still sell the stuff as "A Wholly Australian Owned Company"

[paul44224]

I know what you mean, John! I'm doing 1,000 pieces, 100 each of 10 different simple designs for another crafter. Really boring cutting. I'm averaging $7 clear an hour. If it wasn't for stack-cutting, I wouldn't have done it. On my last 100 now. Never again! Ha-ha!

Paul

[Jan]

Originally Posted by will8989

If I told you what I think of his 1.5 inches shorter and 3 inches narrower they would ban me from here. lol On the other hand that's why special orders are paid for in advance. And I would still raise my prices.

LOL, Betty! My own comments weren't fit for print. In spite of your good advice as well as Janette's, the prices aren't going to be raised. The poor man just paid $395 for that egret even if it's too tall and too wide. The shop owner and I agree that we don't want to create a museum with pieces that stay there forever. He sold the Blue Heron for $525. I thought that was about all the traffic would allow. That one stayed in the shop for 2 weeks before someone with more money than sense bought it.

The best part of working through the gallery is that I don't have to worry about marketing or taxes. They're the art shop guy's problem. I'm just taking my time, getting in a day of golf now and then and planning to spend a couple of weeks playing with my grandson who is coming to visit later this week and staying for 2 weeks. I see kayaks, canoes, beaches and fun stuff in my immediate future.

Jan

[bstark]

Originally Posted by JohnB

I'd have to agree with the comments "Be careful what you wish for" and making a business from a hobby can really suck the enjoyment out of it.

Agree 100%. Woodworking for me is a hobby and I want to keep it that way. No stress... just stress relief. If I ever do sell anything I'd probably use a site like etsy.com and use the money to buy better tools and more wood to continue the hobby. I will defintely make a lot of gifts... so in a way I am saving the money I would spend on other gifts.

[Janette]

Hey Jan - If you need some help to get a break, send the gallery guy to me! I've got lots of pieces that aren't selling on this end of the country - maybe your area would be better

[will8989]

There you go Jan and Janette - networking!!! Works like a charm. Enjoy the grandson!! My grandkids sang Itsy Bitsy Spider on skype Sunday night. Not the same as being there, but funny just the same!!

[Lou]

Hey, Jan. I just caught the later entries in this thread. 1.5 inches shorter and 3 inches narrower. Priceless! It's too early in the morning to laugh that hard! I am really glad, though, that you're doing so well and have no doubt that the area where you live has a lot to do with it (mind you, your work is first rate). I get to try to sell to the poor Nova Scotians who can't afford to go to where you are for six months of the year! And times are tougher. For three seasons I sold through someone else's booth at a market where the cruise ships dock in Halifax. The first year was great, the second year good, the third year just dreadful. Not just my stuff wasn't selling; none of vendors had a good year. I haven't even heard from the folks I sold through this year, so I'm glad I'm not heavily reliant on the income I make through selling intarsia, but it does mean the travel plans might get pared down somewhat. Not to worry. Fortunately, I like it here. (Not planning to become a snowbird and compete in the Florida marketplace with you!). I've got heavily involved in music and am having a great time. I could likely even get some paid gigs, but have decided I'm not going there. Turning one hobby into a business was enough! I don't need anyone telling me they aren't paying up because my song was 40 seconds too long and in the wrong key!

Cheers,

Lou