Woodturning - Potential business??
Richard
would be viable to start a small business - either part or full time. I was
thinking of selling mainly at local craft fairs.
I would welcome any advice.
Thanks,
Richard.
Ken Bullock
and clothed so I guess it is going alright...
DON'T quit you day job until you find you are making enough turning to more
then replace your salary.
Money spent on tools and equipment that do not directly improve your bottom
line are bad for the bottom line...... Money not spent on these items is
profit, so it you don't need it don't buy it......
Make only things that sell well and can be made quickly enough to pay
yourself well. Don't forget that there are materal and tool cost associated
the item you are selling. (we often forget that we are spending a couple of
thousand dollars a year on sand paper for example, the customer has to pay
for that stuff, add it into your price instead of writing it off as part of
your salary)
Take a good look at the Price, Product, People, Place, Promotion (5 P's of
marketing) when you start trying to sell your work...
When I first started, I stuggled with how I was going to sell all the stuff
I was making.... A couple of years into it, I struggled with how I could
make more stuff, faster to meet the demand for my product.... A couple of
years later, I stuggled with how could I make the same amount of stuff and
make more money..... Now, I stuggle with how I can make less stuff and make
the same amount of money..... SO, I have come to conclude that no mater
where you are in your business, you will have your chalanges to deal
with.....
I think the bottom line is to enjoy yourself at no mater what is going on in
your business. Self employment is about life style....... Have fun and enjoy
your freedom from the grind.......... Good turning to you....... Ken......
--
Ken Bullock (Woodturner) New Brunswick, Canada
Visit my web site for woodturning Tools, Videos and E-Books
<http://www.oneofakindwoodturnings.com>
"Richard" <rjbr...@supanet.com> wrote in message
news:b6ppvk$5dm$1...@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
Kerry
stoppers? Yo-yo's? All of the above? None of the above?
I've been thinking of doing the same thing recently, but I'm having a hard time
figuring out what to make. I would hate to make a whole bunch of pens (for
instance) just to find out that they won't sell.
Kerry
Bill Badland
pay for tools, lodging travel etc. Not many woodturners make a living
solely on woodturning. Bill
Ken Bullock
I have at various times sold that sort of turnings and others. A pen for
example, one can easily spend more on the wood and mechanisium and box then
they would make selling the pen. Bottle stoppers can be expensive to make as
well, if you buy the plastic box, dowel, and predrilled cork.
They all sell, but are you going to make the kind of money you would like
per hour on them after paying for the parts. And are they going to sell at a
rate that would make them profitable at a show. That is to say, if you make
$10/each after cost and the craft show costs you $100 and you only sell 10,
then there is nothing left for you. If you sell 20, you clear $100, how much
is that an hour for all the time you spent at the show, making the pens,
etc..... If it took you 5 hours to make the 20 pens, and 5 hours to sell
them then you made roughly 10/hr.... These are just examples ofcourse.
I have made and sold many things from pens to large elagant vases. Prices
ranging from a couple of bucks to a couple of thousand dollars. I have found
the most profitable and sellable items to be simple wooden bowls, I have
sold litterally tens of thousands of bowls. I find them quick and easy to
make and best of all the customer is impressed enough with them that the
will buy them readily.....
My thoughts only....... Good turning to you ..... Ken.........
--
Ken Bullock (Woodturner) New Brunswick, Canada
Visit my web site for woodturning Tools, Videos and E-Books
<http://www.oneofakindwoodturnings.com>
"Kerry" <loga...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20030406165655...@mb-ci.aol.com...
cindy drozda
The more I see, the more I think this is true, and not just for
woodturners. Artists in all media seem to, with only a few exceptions,
have something "else" to supplement their income. Things like: a trust
fund, inheritance, retirement (or 20 years at a job that allowed them to
buy a house and mostly pay for it so their overhead is low), a spouse that
supports them, a part-time non-art-related job. Then there are the ones
that supplement their imcome with art-related things like: demonstrations
or teaching in the medium, sales of tools that they invented or
popularized, writing books. It's depressing what this says about our
society that an artist can't be respected for a high degree of skill
even enough to make a moderate living. There are some at the top of the
field that are making a living solely on woodturning, they seem to sell at
the best galleries and the top shows. How many years did they spend
supporting themselves in those other ways before supporting themselves
with woodturning became possible?
Just for the record, my "other" income at the moment is credit! I don't
have kids, own a house, or drive a car newer than 18 years old. I do eat
well and stay warm, and work the schedule that I choose (mostly). I feel
like my life is being self-directed towards what is best for me and my
passions. My goal with work is to spend my time doing things that I like
to do (mostly).
So, Richard, if you choose self-employment you may have to
reorganize your life style, and you absolutely will have to like the idea
that you and you alone are accountable for everything! I'd never go back
to a "real" job, even though sometimes I envy the jobworkers their extra
"spare" time and money.
Best of luck and enjoyment!
-CD-
boulder, co
Darrell Feltmate
to the house, at least not enough to encourage them to come. I would
rather talk turning at home. Ken Bullock is the turner for King's
Landing Historical Site, a wonderful restored village of the life of New
Brunswick, Canada in the eighteenth century. His customers come by the
shop by the hundreds. Ken makes a living. Somehow you have to find what
sells for you in your location, to your customers, turn it quickly and
at high quality, and sell it competitively. That is at a price that
makes you a dollar and neither demeans the craft nor undercuts the
person making a living at it. Better to give it away to friends than to
undermine the market. Example: I am making flower pots for my wife,
mother and aunt. They would sell for C$10-20 I think, but take a couple
of hours to hollow. Not worth selling but fun to make and they will like
them. Give them away. I have a bunch of roughed boxes that must be dry
as dust because I can not sell them in my market. When they start
selling, I will get turning. Pens, I turn pens. Some people can not give
them away. Try a craft fair. See what sells. See if you like turning a
hundred of something. The first mushroom was fun. Now I go on automatic
and turn 20 to the hour. Then I turn a piece of burl for fun, knowing it
may not sell for months, but every time I look at it I will be in awe at
the incredible wood and I was first to see it. That is turning.
To paraphrase Chet Atkins who said it of his guitar and picking with his
fingers:
"happiness is living in the country, someone giving you a lathe, and you
turn wood with tools you make yourself."
Enough rambling. Keep the day job. Keep turning. Sell some. Give some
away. Keep some. God bless.
--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS, Canada
http://www.roundthewoods.com
George Saridakis
I would recommend starting part-time and reading Wendy Rosen's "Crafting as
a Business" (2nd edition) which delves into many items which people normally
don't think about when enjoying their woodturning. The results and
experience from your part-time business will help guide you further.
George
"Richard" <rjbr...@supanet.com> wrote in message
news:b6ppvk$5dm$1...@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
Derek Hartzell
costs us $20/month and my wife has to work there free for one day a month.
But we keep our whole sale price.
So far, my other outlet in a good tourist town nearby is better as they have
sold an item a week and this is the dead tourist season. We live on the
east side of a mountain pass that is closed every winter. I set my prices
at this store and the proprietor keeps 40%. I am happy since I don't pay
for my wood so my costs are the capital equipment, electricity and sanding
and finishing products. If I had to pay for my wood, it wouldn't be worth
it. I contact tree surgeons and get trees they fell. Sales are what I
need. I set my prices pretty reasonable (about $45 for an 8" bowl down to
as low as $10 for a very plain 6" bowl). So far I have had smaller items,
but I just got some bigger trees and have roughed out a number of 12-14"
bowls. I see the defects in my products (I've only been turning very much
for about a year) so I expect that my prices will climb somewhat over time.
The one thing about either a craft fair, a co-op, etc. is you have to spend
your time selling. I don't mind dropping products off at an existing store,
paying no monthly fees and paying a commision. Try both and see what you
like.
I have another business. I think I will have to expand to a number of
stores before I start making much money in this woodturning business. If
you are retired, this could be a good business. Either way, your sales will
start small and will take some time to develop, so don't quit your day job.
Derek
Twisp, WA (near Winthrop at the east side of Highway 20 over Washington pass
in the North Cascades)
"Richard" <rjbr...@supanet.com> wrote in message
news:b6ppvk$5dm$1...@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
Jeff Jilg
As far as free wood...I've talked to several tree fellers and neighbors.
Typically I'll pay someone $5 to help me load a heavy log. Recently
neighbors have been asking for a bowl in return for the free wood. The
tree-fellers are more generous because their wood is generally going to the
chipper anyhow.
What are other woodturners paying for free wood?
Thanks,
Jeff Jilg
Austin, TX
========
"Derek Hartzell" <nospam_...@methow.com> wrote in message
news:f1ika.563$PC5....@news.uswest.net...
> In March I started my hobby business. I sell to a co-op in our town. It
> costs us $20/month and my wife has to work there free for one day a month.
> But we keep our whole sale price.
>
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Leo Lichtman
"Jeff Jilg" <jeff...@nospan.dell.com> wrote in message
news:3e923...@corp-goliath.newsgroups.com...
> Good information Derek.
>
> As far as free wood...I've talked to several tree fellers and neighbors.
> Typically I'll pay someone $5 to help me load a heavy log. Recently
> neighbors have been asking for a bowl in return for the free wood. The
> tree-fellers are more generous because their wood is generally going to
the
> chipper anyhow.
>
> What are other woodturners paying for free wood?
My experience with tree men has all been positive. They help me load, they
cut to order, and offer useful leads.
If you should offer a free bowl to someone who has been expecially nice, or
especially generous, DON'T FORGET to follow through. A casual promise, made
on the spur of the moment, may be remembered for a long time if it is not
fulfilled. It could affect, not only your relationship to that particular
person, but in the long run, it could also affect the way the wood providers
look upon us scroungers and gatherers.
Arch
praise for their personnel file would be worthwhile. Most are surprised
and appreciative that I actually follow thru.
Leo, casual promises (or invites) reminds me of when I first brought my
no-nonsense Boston bred bride to the South. People would say the
automatic "come to see us" then be taken aback when she would ask
"when". :) Arch
Fortiter,
Ruth
Richard queried: "......wondering whether it would be viable to start a
small business - either part or full time. I was thinking of selling
mainly at local craft fairs."
Richard,
In my many, many years of experience, I've learned that if you have to
ask, you should not do it, yet.
First, "making a living" is a bogus term. It is purely relative, you
should only ask this question of turners who are your double. Meaning
live where you do, in the manner you do, turn as you do and items you do
to get a true answer to your query.
Where are you located? How many fairs have you done? How far and
often would you travel for these fairs that will support you? What sort
of turnings are you going to sell? Are there other turners at these
fairs? What are they selling (not what are they offering, rather what
is selling)?
Oh yes, you have to make 50 of everything because at one fair you'll
sell out of bowls and pack up all the pens and at the next fair you'll
be prepared with 100 bowls, 10 pens and the opposite will happen!
Always does.
Finally, if you take the advice of someone who has been successful, do
it and are not, you will be disappointed, maybe bitter. If you take the
advice of someone who did not fare too well, did not try it, you will
always wonder.
This is, of course, my opinion and what I learned from 12+ yrs. of
turning and 7 or 8 yrs. of supporting myself with my turning; albeit
most from production work.
Good luck with your final decision.
One more observation, of all the turners I know who do this as a
business, it sort of just happened or evolved rather than was a
"decision" (a decision After they knew it was feasible).
Ruth
Woodturners Logo
My shop and Turnings at
http://www.torne-lignum.com
Knotsburls
only add that as one gets better known, they should have a niche-market
strategy and plan their shapes and style to that market. If one decides to
target the "high-end" market, every thing should be geared to that target;
advertising; prices; one-of-a-kind work.
I have found that the higher priced pieces will sell more consistently if the
client can visit my studio/shop, because each of us has a portion of ourselves
in the work we produce which the buyer will recognize and enjoy.
Don Thur
www.knotsburls.com
Don Thur
http://www.knotsburls.com
Muskoka,Ontario
Canada.
Richard
I plan to build up a collection of pieces and try selling at some local
craft fairs and see how it goes.
It would be nice to think that one day I could give up my day job, but
that's not something I will be rushing into. I was really just wondering if
it was a realistic aim, but I understand that it depends largely on my own
particular circumstances.
I will proceed one step at a time.
Thanks again,
Richard.
"Knotsburls" <knots...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030408122541...@mb-ct.aol.com...
cindy drozda
the show, you would have a better chance for success if you went to the
show as an observer the year before you plan to exhibit and just see what
kind of work is there and if yours will fit in. Also give yourself more
than one chance, even if the first try seems like a total flop. There are
so many variables, so many different levels and types of "craft show".
Talk to as many other artists of all media as you can about the particular
shows that you are looking at. They all will have something interesting
for you to learn, hopefully minimizing the lessons that you have to learn
the hard (expensive) way.
Best of luck, and be sure to have fun!
-CD-
boulder, co
grai...@gmail.com
My question is, do you spend time and effort on the stuff you want to do, or focus on what sells
graham
> Hi, I have kind of fallen into starting this as an income, my boss stopped giving me work at the same time I started thinking “I could sell this”
> My question is, do you spend time and effort on the stuff you want to do, or focus on what sells
>
minor percentage of your cash-producing time to what you want to do, and
if this sells well, increase that percentage.
Ralph E Lindberg
I don't enjoy making say rolling pins and pepper mills, but they pay the bills.
It's the high end "artish" items where we make the profits
All that being said, it's really hard and really hard work making an
real living at this. All most of us can do is have a self-funding
hobby. I figured out a couple decades ago that most of the people that
actually make a living at this do so by providing goods and services to
other turners
"Do you know the difference between a professional woodturner and a
large pizza?
A large pizza will feed a family of four"