On 10/2/2012 6:00 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
SonomaProducts.com wrote:
I spend hours getting my Stickley reproduction designs as exact as
possible, measuring from eBay photos and Stickley catlogs. I did a
run of very small round tables, in Cherry (not classic). Something
you might use as a plant stand. I exercise exacting detail. I did an
oil finish (tried and true) that took a few weeks to complete. I give
one to a dear friend for his birthday.

His wife says "Hey great, we can use it as a stool in the shower!" I
help them understand maybe it won't hold up to the use in a wet
environment.

Now a few weeks later I get an email. "Hey I want to give one of your
stools to a friend. Do you have another one? Could you whack an inch
off of the legs and add some adjusters to the bottom in-case they
have an uneven floor?"

Maybe I can get him something from Ikea. He won't know the
difference. :-(

Yeahbut - they liked your work. What more can you ask for? One thing you
have to remember is that when you make something for someone, it is their
eye that beholds the beauty - not yours. It's hard to let go of a baby, but
if you can't take their value of your work, then don't give your work away.
What is really wrong in what they asked?...



Totally agree with letting the customer have what he or she wants. Put
yourself in their shoes. But on the contrary, I do not have a problem
letting go of a piece no matter how nice it is, I would rather have the
money in my pocket. I can always build it again for myself if I want it
that badly.