russ498 wrote:
Well, Can you make a profit turning? I'm 50 YOA and retired from a
Government job so I don't have to worry about putting food on the table.
That said, can you "turn" turning into a part time vocation that makes it
worthwhile? If so, how, where and what product line do you suggest. Pen
makers seem to be a dime a dozen at the crafts shows and craft show people
don't seem to want to dig too deep into their wallet. Ebay isn't much
different.

I would answer your prime question by saying yes.

But it is hard work and takes a while to figure out how to make it work
for you. By that I mean finding the right balance between what you can
make and what customers want, at a price that works for you and the
customer is willing to pay, at a sales venue you are willing to work and
customers will use, and in sufficient volumes that you can handle but
will at least pay your overheads. "I don't have to worry about putting
food on the table" is perhaps not the best place to be starting. Or it
could be the best place. It depends on what you want to make (or what
you are able and willing to make), and how you want to sell it.

Selling at craft shows, my own studio, making inexpensive items in large
volumes, then market like hell works for me. But if I didn't need the
income really badly, I doubt that I would be able to stick at making the
same thing day after day. And that is what I have found it takes to
efficiently produce sufficient quantites at the right price.

If I didn't really need the income, could risk an irregular cash flow,
and was seeking more to satisfy my creative urges, I would be looking
towards the high-end creative side of turning, and looking at getting
into galleries and exhibitions. That is not easy either. It all depends
what you want out of life, or even why you feel that you want to sell
your work in the first place.


--
Derek Andrews, woodturner

http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com
http://chipshop.blogspot.com - a blog for my customers
http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com/TheToolrest/ - a blog for woodturners