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| Woodturning (rec.crafts.woodturning) To discuss tools, techniques, styles, materials, shows and competitions, education and educational materials related to woodturning. All skill levels are welcome, from art turners to production turners, beginners to masters. |
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#1
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Craft fair reality check
The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my
neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" The guy was an ARTIST.. looked at his stuff while talking to his wife, and when he came back to the booth, the only thing that I could say to him was "I'm not worthy".. He had a lot of stuff on display, nicely set up on shelves with shavings scattered artistically under them... most of them were in the 10" to 20" rage and were so well done that they could have been used as examples in a turning school.. his walls were near perfect thickness, bottoms just thick enough to add balance, well done bowl bottoms that looked good and kept the bowls level, etc... His finishes were EXCELLENT... on his walnut collection, they had a semi gloss finish that was as nice as most cars... he wouldn't say what the finish was, but his wife said that it was a salad bowl finish.. damn, they were beautiful... We talked turning for a while.. he was trained in Sweden and has been turning for a hobby for years, this was his 2nd show.. He was very up front about not expecting the income from the booth making him a living, but his wife worked and he could support his habit from sales and keep going to classes... (it sure looked to me that he should be GIVING classes) I don't think that he sold very much, but you never know.. the booth was $250 for 3 days and i'm guessing that he had to spend at least $500 to do the show.. (booth, place to stay, food, etc.) It seems that you need to do really well to make enough profit to cover those kind of expenses.. Bottom line: my wife has been encouraging me to sell some stuff because we're filling up the garage... but after this weekend, I don't think my stuff is near ready to sell... this guys work was SO good.. a very humbling experience.. mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#2
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mac davis wrote:
The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" The guy was an ARTIST.. looked at his stuff while talking to his wife, and when he came back to the booth, the only thing that I could say to him was "I'm not worthy".. He had a lot of stuff on display, nicely set up on shelves with shavings scattered artistically under them... most of them were in the 10" to 20" rage and were so well done that they could have been used as examples in a turning school.. his walls were near perfect thickness, bottoms just thick enough to add balance, well done bowl bottoms that looked good and kept the bowls level, etc... His finishes were EXCELLENT... on his walnut collection, they had a semi gloss finish that was as nice as most cars... he wouldn't say what the finish was, but his wife said that it was a salad bowl finish.. damn, they were beautiful... We talked turning for a while.. he was trained in Sweden and has been turning for a hobby for years, this was his 2nd show.. He was very up front about not expecting the income from the booth making him a living, but his wife worked and he could support his habit from sales and keep going to classes... (it sure looked to me that he should be GIVING classes) I don't think that he sold very much, but you never know.. the booth was $250 for 3 days and i'm guessing that he had to spend at least $500 to do the show.. (booth, place to stay, food, etc.) It seems that you need to do really well to make enough profit to cover those kind of expenses.. Bottom line: my wife has been encouraging me to sell some stuff because we're filling up the garage... but after this weekend, I don't think my stuff is near ready to sell... this guys work was SO good.. a very humbling experience.. mac Please remove splinters before emailing Mac: Where was the show? Have you got a link for the show? It's actually nice to hear that the work impressed you. I have always felt that good competition is the best competition. There is definitely a lot of nice work out there. -- Will Occasional Techno-geek |
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#3
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Mac, you MUST think of the work that inspired you as being an
inspiration for your own! If you think negatively then your style will suffer and any potential customers will switch off even when it is obvious your work is inspiring them! I have been attempting to survive on my turnings for the past 5 years and I too get the blues when I view the most excellent work from others but I always try to see it from the point of view that ONE DAY I too will be good enough to inspire others! Never give up or you will join the many thousands of those who did and thought the same! Get out there and show them just what you can do. Apologies if this is out of line. Regards, Peter Charles Fagg Freshwater, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. www.petersplatters.co.uk Each can do but little! But if each DID that little, ALL would be done! |
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#4
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Mac, oh yes you _are worthy, cheer up. The qualities of craft that mean
so much to you might mean less to the buyers at the fair. Remember that a fair is not a show and tell display of talent at your club. Venue for turnings is like location for real estate; everything! One of the craft qualities that people look for at a fair is a nicely finished (aka affordable) price tag. People usually want to buy something at a fair, but they usually want an inexpensive memento of the day that need not be junky trash nor fine art. I suspect your present work fits nicely in between. I wish your wife had taken an exit poll a few booths away to get a true "reality check" and report it here. You, a woodturner, would probably be the last to know.  Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
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#5
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mac davis wrote:
I don't think that he sold very much, but you never know.. the booth was $250 for 3 days and i'm guessing that he had to spend at least $500 to do the show.. (booth, place to stay, food, etc.) Not to mention at least 3 days wages for time spent at the show. No, better make that 6 days since his wife was there too. -- Derek Andrews, woodturner http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com http://chipshop.blogspot.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toolrest/ |
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#6
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I agree
If you look at the stuff people are buying at craft fairs, it is usually not for the quality of the item but that it fits their particular needs/wants + pocketbook. I turn for fun but I've noticed that even some of my failures are desired by some. Arch wrote: Mac, oh yes you _are worthy, cheer up. The qualities of craft that mean so much to you might mean less to the buyers at the fair. Remember that a fair is not a show and tell display of talent at your club. Venue for turnings is like location for real estate; everything! One of the craft qualities that people look for at a fair is a nicely finished (aka affordable) price tag. People usually want to buy something at a fair, but they usually want an inexpensive memento of the day that need not be junky trash nor fine art. I suspect your present work fits nicely in between. I wish your wife had taken an exit poll a few booths away to get a true "reality check" and report it here. You, a woodturner, would probably be the last to know. Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
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#7
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Mac,
Considering all of the things that you know about what make his turnings art, I would expect that your turnings are very close in quality to his. The only real difference would be experience, which most of we turners would notice, and most of the public wouldn't. I have been selling my turnings for 7 years, and when I look at what I turned then compared to what I do now, there is a world of difference. Doing shows is a risk. Every show is one person's best show and another persons worst show. There appears to be no apparent reason other than because. I have found that it can take a year or three to build up a clientel. If they like your stuff, they will come back and bring their friends. Well established shows are better, but more expensive. Avoid shows with 'manufactured' goods. Trading is also fun. If you have a bad show, you trade for other vendors product because you want to come back with something. If you have a good show, you trade because you are happy, and want to splurge. I also enjoy the other woodworkers who come by to check out your work, but not buy. Many are beginners and hobbyists and they are curious. I never can resist talking shop and hope that I can offer some inspiration and encouragement. Others do wood but don't turn. Others just love to look at wood. Have a lot of variety of sizes, shapes, prices and things to sell. If you are local, a show is also a good source of wood; we have this big cherry tree that we are taking down, can you do anything with it? You may do fine, you may not. If you like to talk to people, give it a shot. It may give you a way to help support your habbit. robo hippy |
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#8
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#9
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I used to photographs weddings and portraits. Own my own part time
studio for about 17 years. I found that lots of people liked my photographs even though other places in town did better work. BUT lots of places did really bad work. Every customer has there own comfort zone when it comes to buying something they like. I've met some real good photographers that had terrible personalities and couldn't work with the public. Lots of people would rather buy from a nice guy they can talk to and relate to even though the work is a little less than perfect. I've been turning for 3 years now. I am doing my first ever craft show in about 3 weeks. I have sold a few bowls here and there but never spent a whole day at it. I have looked at a lot of bowls over the past few years. Lots of people can turn thinner and better than I can. But...I when I saw some hand turned bowls in a fancy store the other day I couldn't believe what I was looking at. The price tag was high and the quality was low (very low). The stuff was crap. But people were buying it. I new then that it was time to start selling instead of giving the stuff away. Hope this helps. Good Luck, Ted |
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#10
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Mac
I think the "Reality Check" is that a member of the buying public thought your work is the same value. Remember that most of us turn for other turners to appreciate and forget that 'other folk' don't appreciate what we think is 'good'. At our club's booth at the county fair we put a variety of small pieces on display. It is incredible how many times something I think is a piece of dreck is the most admired piece by the visiting public. If you want to sell something, give it a try. You might be surprised what others are willing to pay for, and love. David mac davis wrote: The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" |
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#11
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On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 13:32:31 -0400, WillR
wrote: mac davis wrote: The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" The guy was an ARTIST.. looked at his stuff while talking to his wife, and when he came back to the booth, the only thing that I could say to him was "I'm not worthy".. He had a lot of stuff on display, nicely set up on shelves with shavings scattered artistically under them... most of them were in the 10" to 20" rage and were so well done that they could have been used as examples in a turning school.. his walls were near perfect thickness, bottoms just thick enough to add balance, well done bowl bottoms that looked good and kept the bowls level, etc... His finishes were EXCELLENT... on his walnut collection, they had a semi gloss finish that was as nice as most cars... he wouldn't say what the finish was, but his wife said that it was a salad bowl finish.. damn, they were beautiful... We talked turning for a while.. he was trained in Sweden and has been turning for a hobby for years, this was his 2nd show.. He was very up front about not expecting the income from the booth making him a living, but his wife worked and he could support his habit from sales and keep going to classes... (it sure looked to me that he should be GIVING classes) I don't think that he sold very much, but you never know.. the booth was $250 for 3 days and i'm guessing that he had to spend at least $500 to do the show.. (booth, place to stay, food, etc.) It seems that you need to do really well to make enough profit to cover those kind of expenses.. Bottom line: my wife has been encouraging me to sell some stuff because we're filling up the garage... but after this weekend, I don't think my stuff is near ready to sell... this guys work was SO good.. a very humbling experience.. mac Please remove splinters before emailing Mac: Where was the show? Have you got a link for the show? It's actually nice to hear that the work impressed you. I have always felt that good competition is the best competition. There is definitely a lot of nice work out there. Couldn't find a web site... it was the "vintage fair" at Fresno State college (save-mart center..gag) in Central Calif.. mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#12
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On 18 Apr 2005 11:17:46 -0700, "Peter Charles Fagg"
wrote: Mac, you MUST think of the work that inspired you as being an inspiration for your own! If you think negatively then your style will suffer and any potential customers will switch off even when it is obvious your work is inspiring them! I have been attempting to survive on my turnings for the past 5 years and I too get the blues when I view the most excellent work from others but I always try to see it from the point of view that ONE DAY I too will be good enough to inspire others! Never give up or you will join the many thousands of those who did and thought the same! Get out there and show them just what you can do. Apologies if this is out of line. Regards, Peter Charles Fagg Freshwater, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. www.petersplatters.co.uk Each can do but little! But if each DID that little, ALL would be done! Peter.. that was my point, I guess... that his work was at a much higher level than mine, but I still consider myself a beginner... I do appreciate the encouragement, though, thanks! mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#13
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#14
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On 18 Apr 2005 13:22:59 -0700, "robo hippy" wrote:
Mac, Considering all of the things that you know about what make his turnings art, I would expect that your turnings are very close in quality to his. The only real difference would be experience, which most of we turners would notice, and most of the public wouldn't. I have been selling my turnings for 7 years, and when I look at what I turned then compared to what I do now, there is a world of difference. Doing shows is a risk. Every show is one person's best show and another persons worst show. There appears to be no apparent reason other than because. I have found that it can take a year or three to build up a clientel. If they like your stuff, they will come back and bring their friends. Well established shows are better, but more expensive. Avoid shows with 'manufactured' goods. Trading is also fun. If you have a bad show, you trade for other vendors product because you want to come back with something. If you have a good show, you trade because you are happy, and want to splurge. I also enjoy the other woodworkers who come by to check out your work, but not buy. Many are beginners and hobbyists and they are curious. I never can resist talking shop and hope that I can offer some inspiration and encouragement. Others do wood but don't turn. Others just love to look at wood. Have a lot of variety of sizes, shapes, prices and things to sell. If you are local, a show is also a good source of wood; we have this big cherry tree that we are taking down, can you do anything with it? You may do fine, you may not. If you like to talk to people, give it a shot. It may give you a way to help support your habbit. robo hippy wow.. a lot of good points! I made sure that I told him (and his wife) up front that I was there to talk, not buy... and that I didn't want to waste his time.. He didn't talk a lot of shop, but did mention that he had "a few" vacuum chucks and several lathes.. he must have at least one huge one, some of the bowls had to be 20 or more inch diameter.. He also mentioned that although he prided himself on his finishes and got many compliments, that some folks didn't realize that they were "wood" and that hurt his sales.. a point well taken by my wife, who does the staining, top coating, wood burning, etc... mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#15
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On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 16:26:21 -0500, Patriarch
wrote: (Arch) wrote in news:13782-4263FBB0-85@storefull- 3175.bay.webtv.net: snip I wish your wife had taken an exit poll a few booths away to get a true "reality check" and report it here. You, a woodturner, would probably be the last to know. A friend, who turns the most beautiful segmented pieces, with price tags in the multihundreds, told me last weekend that the 'mushrooms' outsell the fancy pieces, both in unit and in dollar volume, and are far more profitable to produce. And he has a PM3520 to pay for. I don't know that I could do 'mushrooms', even to pay the rent. I think I'd rather wear an orange apron. Patriarch ME TOO!! If it becomes work, I can make a lot more money sitting on my butt doing web pages... mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#16
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Its like photography. I used to do lots of photography and got really
good at it. I could look at a photo I took and see all the defects, all the things I wished I could fix. I used to throw away grocery bags of slides several times a year. I also looked at a lot of photos taken by others. As the artist/craftsman you tend to be more critical of your work. You are also much more familiar with what is good and what is bad. The key to being an artist is being self critical about your work and continuing to try and improve. The key to being a salesman is not telling a buyer what is wrong with it and selling it with a smile. If the buyer is happy you have succeeded. Every time I'm not 100% happy with the result (which is still more often than not) I tell myself that wood is organic. It is not supposed to be perfect. Scratches and nicks are part of the material. It shows that it was hand made. Ted wrote: I used to photographs weddings and portraits. Own my own part time studio for about 17 years. I found that lots of people liked my photographs even though other places in town did better work. BUT lots of places did really bad work. Every customer has there own comfort zone when it comes to buying something they like. I've met some real good photographers that had terrible personalities and couldn't work with the public. Lots of people would rather buy from a nice guy they can talk to and relate to even though the work is a little less than perfect. I've been turning for 3 years now. I am doing my first ever craft show in about 3 weeks. I have sold a few bowls here and there but never spent a whole day at it. I have looked at a lot of bowls over the past few years. Lots of people can turn thinner and better than I can. But...I when I saw some hand turned bowls in a fancy store the other day I couldn't believe what I was looking at. The price tag was high and the quality was low (very low). The stuff was crap. But people were buying it. I new then that it was time to start selling instead of giving the stuff away. Hope this helps. Good Luck, Ted |
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#17
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to reinforce the point made by others - there was a "christmas fair" where I
used to work, some of the ladies brought in little decorated ornaments, plates with goodies glued to them, and so on - I decided to participate and brought pens - they sold well. Next year I brought some pens, some nice turnings, and a box of discards - stuff I felt was truely worthless - badly executed, and ugly. I put the ugly things out at a dollar, and every one of them sold. But the nice stuff didn't - not even noticed, by the way. So, you can sell drek, but it has to be cheap. "David Wade" wrote in message ... Mac I think the "Reality Check" is that a member of the buying public thought your work is the same value. Remember that most of us turn for other turners to appreciate and forget that 'other folk' don't appreciate what we think is 'good'. At our club's booth at the county fair we put a variety of small pieces on display. It is incredible how many times something I think is a piece of dreck is the most admired piece by the visiting public. If you want to sell something, give it a try. You might be surprised what others are willing to pay for, and love. David mac davis wrote: The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" |
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#18
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mac davis wrote:
My wife brought up one point today... that she really doesn't know anyone that buys "art"... and especially not at a fair.. Our neighbor made the point well when she said that most folks look at all the expensive stuff and think it's cool.. then pick up something for $20 or less to take home.. To some extent it depends on the show, the area it is in, and how it is promoted. It's a numbers game. In most areas the amount of people who can and will spend three figures on 'art' is limited. If the show was promoted solely to that crowd, the attendance would be low, the promoters wouldn't make anything at the door, and most vendors wouldn't sell enough to make it worth coming back next year. As you go up in price, the number of people who might buy an expensive piece is going to go down. It could be 1 in several thousand. So for most shows, if all you have to offer is items over a certain price, it is going to be a real crap shoot. Your success may depend on whether that one person is going to come by that will make a purchase. It becomes much more of a gamble. At the end of the day, you have to make stuff that people are willing to spend the asking price on. As the price goes up, customers have to be much more motivated to buy. It has to be something they fall in love with and just can't do without. It has to have a 'wow' factor, and everthing that goes into it's design and production has to be just right. My main focus, besides getting better, of course, is that you'd have to sell a TON of $5 to $20 items to made a buck after paying for the booth, etc.. I think it is better to start at the bottom and work up, than it is to start at the top and not succeed. OK, starting at the top can be done successfully, but not by many. I think it would be very discouraging to do shows and not sell anything. There is a definite learning process to being successful at shows. They do give you a great opportunity to get feedback from people about your work, especially from those who put their money where their mouth is. If two thousand people tell you your work is wonderful, fantastic, beautiful... but don't buy anything; that tells a different story. -- Derek Andrews, woodturner http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com http://chipshop.blogspot.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toolrest/ |
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#19
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mac davis wrote:
The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" The guy was an ARTIST.. The more that good work is shown, the more it advances the situation for all craftspeople. I think that is clear after reading all the posts. My hat goes off to the Swedish Turner and all like him who show artists quality work and the best that can be done. It makes it easier for people to understand and buy our work in the future. Another good point was that about "baubles". Once people buy one item -- they will buy more (IME) -- so take lots and sell them -- and if they are good enough make sure your name is on them. Maybe you will see them again one day in the home of a new friend or acquaintance. Maybe you will not sell that person more, but a fellow turner might, and vis versa. Also -- when people see stuff they like in the home of a friend -- it primes them to buy a similar item. (So sell, sell sell --- and enjoy yourself doing it :-) ) -- Will Occasional Techno-geek |
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#20
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 11:26:18 GMT, Derek Andrews
wrote: mac davis wrote: My wife brought up one point today... that she really doesn't know anyone that buys "art"... and especially not at a fair.. Our neighbor made the point well when she said that most folks look at all the expensive stuff and think it's cool.. then pick up something for $20 or less to take home.. To some extent it depends on the show, the area it is in, and how it is promoted. It's a numbers game. In most areas the amount of people who can and will spend three figures on 'art' is limited. If the show was promoted solely to that crowd, the attendance would be low, the promoters wouldn't make anything at the door, and most vendors wouldn't sell enough to make it worth coming back next year. As you go up in price, the number of people who might buy an expensive piece is going to go down. It could be 1 in several thousand. So for most shows, if all you have to offer is items over a certain price, it is going to be a real crap shoot. Your success may depend on whether that one person is going to come by that will make a purchase. It becomes much more of a gamble. At the end of the day, you have to make stuff that people are willing to spend the asking price on. As the price goes up, customers have to be much more motivated to buy. It has to be something they fall in love with and just can't do without. It has to have a 'wow' factor, and everthing that goes into it's design and production has to be just right. My main focus, besides getting better, of course, is that you'd have to sell a TON of $5 to $20 items to made a buck after paying for the booth, etc.. I think it is better to start at the bottom and work up, than it is to start at the top and not succeed. OK, starting at the top can be done successfully, but not by many. I think it would be very discouraging to do shows and not sell anything. There is a definite learning process to being successful at shows. They do give you a great opportunity to get feedback from people about your work, especially from those who put their money where their mouth is. If two thousand people tell you your work is wonderful, fantastic, beautiful... but don't buy anything; that tells a different story. we've been doing sort of a neighborhood survey, as most of us went to the show.. (hell, it was free) Almost everyone bought SOMETHING, as several folks have said here.. nobody seems to have spent over $20, except my wife.. she couldn't decide which style hair bolo thingy to buy for $15, so she bought 2.. We went on Sunday, which was the last day and weather was in the 80's with no breeze.. in the hour or so that we were there, I'd guess there were over a 1,000 people there, but I'm really bad at estimating numbers... just say that there were 8 or 10 booths on each side of each row, at least 20 rows, (not counting food and band area) and every row had enough people walking around that you had to avoid being bumped or separated from your party.. no idea how many attended on Friday or Saturday... I'm watching the local paper in hope of stats.. From what I saw, everyone stopped and admired the jewelry, candles, wind chimes, etc. but few bought any high ticket items.. My neighbor got a toe ring, seemed to be the "hot" item as there were 5 or 6 booths for them.. She said that they all had the same rings and about the same prices and were doing god sales.. she felt that they could be a result of the "start your own business" seminar that was at the same arena last year.. *g* Surprisingly, the guy selling spas and high end bbq's did very well.. said that he would have done about 1/2 to 2/3 as well at his store that weekend, and his store was still doing average sales volume with his kid running it.. (we knew him from buying a spa, so he was pretty willing to talk numbers) We're thinking now of "partnering up"with someone with a booth and sharing expenses.. maybe a candle or jewelry stand.. My wife thinks that the turned boxes would compliment the jewelry and might sell well there if priced in the $5 to $15 range.. We have nothing to lose, and we can always take a few crates of 'em with us when we move to Baja, and sell them to the vendors in town.. those little kids can sell ANYTHING to th gringos *g* mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#21
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 08:00:50 -0400, WillR
wrote: mac davis wrote: The wife and I went to the "Vintage Show" (crafts fair) this weekend, cuz my neighbor went the day before and reported "there is one booth (out of about 400) with turned bowls there and his stuff is just like yours... a little bigger, but the same quality, and his prices are between $30 and $200!" The guy was an ARTIST.. The more that good work is shown, the more it advances the situation for all craftspeople. I think that is clear after reading all the posts. My hat goes off to the Swedish Turner and all like him who show artists quality work and the best that can be done. It makes it easier for people to understand and buy our work in the future. Another good point was that about "baubles". Once people buy one item -- they will buy more (IME) -- so take lots and sell them -- and if they are good enough make sure your name is on them. Maybe you will see them again one day in the home of a new friend or acquaintance. Maybe you will not sell that person more, but a fellow turner might, and vis versa. Also -- when people see stuff they like in the home of a friend -- it primes them to buy a similar item. (So sell, sell sell --- and enjoy yourself doing it :-) ) they all have my name and the year on the bottom... a result of the wife moving up from wood burning (inexpensive) to pyro graphy... kind of like going from a craftsman bench top saw to a Delta cabinet saw.. *lol* mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#22
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On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 10:02:07 -0700, mac davis
wrote: He had a lot of stuff on display, nicely set up on shelves with shavings ... most of them were in the 10" to 20" rage ........................................ Freudian slip? ^^^^^ BG Bottom line: my wife has been encouraging me to sell some stuff because we're filling up the garage... but after this weekend, I don't think my stuff is near ready to sell... this guys work was SO good.. a very humbling experience.. Bear in mind, Mac, that there are markets for everything. I know a turner whose work can most flatteringly be described as "sturdy" who can hardly turn out stuff fast enough to keep the craft fairs supplied. This is good in that he gets to sell a lot of stuff, but it doesn't really challenge him to get any better, and indeed, his work has remained virtually identical in the 3 years that I've known him. Which is my way of saying, regardless of your perceived level of expertise, if you are confident and enthusiastic about your work, there is likely a segment of the buying public that will be happy to lay down their money to own it. The secrets are, figuring out where they hang out and how much $$ they're willing to part with. -- Chuck *#:^) chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply. September 11, 2001 - Never Forget ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
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#23
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Another funny thing about shows, as already mentioned, what sells one
year, may not sell the next year. This is just like when you get a number of people asking if you can make something, so you make a bunch of them for the next show. After you have them in stock, no one wants them, so after a while of carrying them to shows you start to drop the price just to move them. They slowly sell out, and you swear to never make them again. Sure enough, the first show you go to without them, several people ask you if you can make them. This must be a variation of Murphy's Law. robo hippy |
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#24
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My wife thinks that the turned boxes would compliment the jewelry and
might sell well there if priced in the $5 to $15 range.. How in the world can you sell a well crafted box in the $5 to $15 range? Granted the wood is probably free but you will probably spend the better part of an hour making it. Not just the turning time. Don't forget the preparation time before you get it on the lathe and the time spent finishing it. |
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#25
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Another option is to sell at a gallery. You can consider various types of
stores. I sell at one that is a co-op all-local craft store, one gallery with a large variety including intarsia, painting, pottery, fossil ivory carvings, rustic furniture,etc. that is owned by a sole proprietor, one fruit stand with an upscale gift shop, a gourmet bakery, and then several port city galleries. This frees your time up, but you pay a commission that ranges from 20% (which I negotiated at the bakery & fruit stand which don't generally sell on commission) to 40% at some others. Some places are 50%/50% split, but none of mine. If your stuff is nice, you could probably get more income this way than attending local shows that don't focus on quality art. Remember that if people are on vacation they are prepared to spend money, so look to sell in tourist areas. Derek |
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#26
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Harry, there is a way to sell boxes of modest quality at fairs for $5 to
$15. Doing the math it's clear that in order to eat, a subsidy is necessary. Perhaps a grant to study boxes? Grantees don't have to _do anything except appear important...lots of time for turning boxes. There is a great unmet need for important box studies. FDA-pill boxes, Voting Commission-ballot boxes, witness boxes, penalty boxes, box seats, box offices, boxing rings, boxed ears, soap boxes, 'one to the box', boxcars' hot boxes...the list goes on. Being an Episcopalian, I'm unsure about phylactery boxes. ? Harry, there are many ways to sell boxes for ten dollars and survive... just another decision to agonize over like art vs craft, plagiary vs in the style of, cutting vs scraping, green vs dry, LDD vs alcohol, carbon vs HSS, Stubby vs Harbor Freight, ...and stick to business vs silly & off topic posts like this one. Get a grant, Mac, your study will be on the evening news. Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
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#27
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Arch wrote:
Harry, there is a way to sell boxes of modest quality at fairs for $5 to $15. Doing the math it's clear that in order to eat, a subsidy is necessary. Perhaps a grant to study boxes? Grantees don't have to _do anything except appear important...lots of time for turning boxes. Sounds like it would be perfect for Canada. (TIC now) Perhaps a sponsorship program. There is a great unmet need for important box studies. FDA-pill boxes, Voting Commission-ballot boxes, witness boxes, penalty boxes, box seats, box offices, boxing rings, boxed ears, soap boxes, 'one to the box', boxcars' hot boxes...the list goes on. Being an Episcopalian, I'm unsure about phylactery boxes. ? I am sure that here in the Great White North we can come up with "Far More Important Boxes" -- perhaps for use in a certain governing party who shall remain unnamed and hence unknown. Perhaps a coffin style box... Harry, there are many ways to sell boxes for ten dollars and survive... just another decision to agonize over like art vs craft, plagiary vs in the style of, cutting vs scraping, green vs dry, LDD vs alcohol, carbon vs HSS, Stubby vs Harbor Freight, ...and stick to business vs silly & off topic posts like this one. Get a grant, Mac, your study will be on the evening news. Yes -- but will it show him in Orange Overalls with "Escorts"? LOL As usual Arch -- very "thought provoking" -- well provoking anyway. Hope Mac doesn't live nearby. g Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings -- Will Occasional Techno-geek |
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#28
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On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:41:55 -0400, "Harry B. Pye" wrote:
My wife thinks that the turned boxes would compliment the jewelry and might sell well there if priced in the $5 to $15 range.. How in the world can you sell a well crafted box in the $5 to $15 range? Granted the wood is probably free but you will probably spend the better part of an hour making it. Not just the turning time. Don't forget the preparation time before you get it on the lathe and the time spent finishing it. you can't, if you're doing it for a living, Harry.. but it would support my habit and pay for another cord of firewood.. also, most of the boxes are from branch wood and are 1" to 3" diameter, so not much you can get for them.. mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#29
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Hi Arch,
Harry, there is a way to sell boxes of modest quality at fairs for $5 to $15. Doing the math it's clear that in order to eat, a subsidy is necessary. Perhaps a grant to study boxes? Grantees don't have to _do anything except appear important...lots of time for turning boxes. But Arch don't you realize that if enough turners applied to our government for grants our taxes would likely increase in order to fund the grant program. The next thing you know, bowl turners would be applying for grants too. Then the guys who turn ornaments would want to get into the act. All these requests would require additional tax increases. Then we would probably need a cabinet level group to oversee the grants. Of course this would no doubt cost at least triple the amount of the grants. I think your suggestion is irresponsible and very likely to wreck what is left of our economy. Spoken with tongue fully imbedded in my cheek, Harry |
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#30
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"mac davis" wrote in message ... On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:41:55 -0400, "Harry B. Pye" wrote: My wife thinks that the turned boxes would compliment the jewelry and might sell well there if priced in the $5 to $15 range.. How in the world can you sell a well crafted box in the $5 to $15 range? Granted the wood is probably free but you will probably spend the better part of an hour making it. Not just the turning time. Don't forget the preparation time before you get it on the lathe and the time spent finishing it. you can't, if you're doing it for a living, Harry.. but it would support my habit and pay for another cord of firewood.. also, most of the boxes are from branch wood and are 1" to 3" diameter, so not much you can get for them.. Next to "hollow forms," boxes are the most difficult for me to sell. Especially when they're under about 4" in diameter, where people say "too small to be useful." I've pretty much given up on them. Maybe two/three ready for any day sale, and that's it. At about 45 minutes each, I have to get $20, but I doubt people would buy at half that, because they just don't collect them. I sell ornaments at $22-32, and they leave at a steady rate. Go figure. |
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#31
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"Harry B. Pye" wrote in message groups.com... But Arch don't you realize that if enough turners applied to our government for grants our taxes would likely increase in order to fund the grant program. The next thing you know, bowl turners would be applying for grants too. Then the guys who turn ornaments would want to get into the act. All these requests would require additional tax increases. Then we would probably need a cabinet level group to oversee the grants. Of course this would no doubt cost at least triple the amount of the grants. I think your suggestion is irresponsible and very likely to wreck what is left of our economy. Spoken with tongue fully imbedded in my cheek, But with "progressive" taxation, it would only soak "the rich," who don't pay their fair share anyway. I stand ready as a bowl and ornament lover to take up boxes if I can, by that means, become an agent for soaking those undeserving b*stards. Uh-oh, wait a minute. It's folks with money that buy my stuff now. Never mind that redistribution scheme my evil twin mentioned.... |
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#32
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#33
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What is this "phylactery boxes." ?
Flak-tery, is that how you pronounce it? You made that up, right? R. Raffan, Mr. Box-maker, would tell us students that he sold very, very few boxes in any of the galleries he supplied in Oz. He said that his best customers were the turners that he met at conferences and workshops when he traveled. Doesn't stop us from having fun making them, however, ;-) Ed. |
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#34
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"Jo-Anne & Edward Tabachek" wrote:
What is this "phylactery boxes." ? Flak-tery, is that how you pronounce it? You made that up, right? R. Raffan, Mr. Box-maker, would tell us students that he sold very, very few boxes in any of the galleries he supplied in Oz. He said that his best customers were the turners that he met at conferences and workshops when he traveled. Doesn't stop us from having fun making them, however, ;-) Ed. phy·lac·ter·y n. pl. phy·lac·ter·ies 1. Judaism. Either of two small leather boxes, each containing strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures, one of which is strapped to the forehead and the other to the left arm; traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning worship, except on the Sabbath and holidays. 2. a. An amulet. b. A reminder. |
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#35
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Lobby D. Thank you very much. I had seen worshiping men wearing those
little black boxes and wondered what they were. Much obliged Ed |
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#36
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"Jo-Anne & Edward Tabachek" wrote in message ... Lobby D. Thank you very much. I had seen worshiping men wearing those little black boxes and wondered what they were. Much obliged Ed The explanation. http://www.torah.org/learning/halach.../chapter8.html Orthodox and some reformed. |
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#37
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"George" george@least wrote in message ... "Jo-Anne & Edward Tabachek" wrote in message ... Lobby D. Thank you very much. I had seen worshiping men wearing those little black boxes and wondered what they were. Much obliged Ed The explanation. http://www.torah.org/learning/halach.../chapter8.html Orthodox and some reformed. Read before posting. Of course I meant conservative. Reform might as well be Lutheran. |
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#39
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On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:05:20 -0400, "George" george@least wrote:
But with "progressive" taxation, it would only soak "the rich," who don't pay their fair share anyway. I stand ready as a bowl and ornament lover to take up boxes if I can, by that means, become an agent for soaking those undeserving b*stards. Uh-oh, wait a minute. It's folks with money that buy my stuff now. Never mind that redistribution scheme my evil twin mentioned.... it's the old "trickle down" theory, George... those that **** on us also spread their wealth in our direction in order to become wealthier.. mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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#40
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On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:58:40 -0400, "George" george@least wrote:
"mac davis" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:41:55 -0400, "Harry B. Pye" wrote: My wife thinks that the turned boxes would compliment the jewelry and might sell well there if priced in the $5 to $15 range.. How in the world can you sell a well crafted box in the $5 to $15 range? Granted the wood is probably free but you will probably spend the better part of an hour making it. Not just the turning time. Don't forget the preparation time before you get it on the lathe and the time spent finishing it. you can't, if you're doing it for a living, Harry.. but it would support my habit and pay for another cord of firewood.. also, most of the boxes are from branch wood and are 1" to 3" diameter, so not much you can get for them.. Next to "hollow forms," boxes are the most difficult for me to sell. Especially when they're under about 4" in diameter, where people say "too small to be useful." I've pretty much given up on them. Maybe two/three ready for any day sale, and that's it. At about 45 minutes each, I have to get $20, but I doubt people would buy at half that, because they just don't collect them. I sell ornaments at $22-32, and they leave at a steady rate. Go figure. my thought was to buy a bunch of ear rings at the dollar store and put a pair in each little box... "ear rings - $20" "Free jewelry box with each purchase, for limited time only" mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
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