Author Topic: sad day (Read 3150 times)

tramp · « **on:** September 21, 2009, 06:46:59 AM »

calling it quits on my woodworking
haven't sold anything in two months
had a guy sneer at me when i told him the bench he was looking at was $40 a piece not two for 40
giving the stuff i already built to the kids
gave it a try

Tom in Newcastle......Ontario · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2009, 07:21:27 AM »

That's sad................I know the feeling,that is why I just do it for my own enjoyment

Most people expect mass produced prices for handmade quality........

Gordon · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2009, 08:07:24 AM »

You don't have to quit woodworking. It's the selling you're having trouble with, right? Just quit selling it and make things for yourself and your friends & family.

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2009, 08:32:59 AM »

Next time someone does that, stand on the piece (if you can of course) and say " you cant do this with that cheap crap you buy."

azuredesign · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2009, 08:43:29 AM »

Shoot the Sunday edition of the New York Times costs almost $40. You're marketing to the wrong crowd. I'm sorry you're frustrated with trying to sell your work, but perhaps a website or a presence on-line would be more satisfactory.
Good luck and don't give it up if you enjoy the making part.

mlinder · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2009, 10:54:55 AM »

Hell, make an ebay store with your stuff.

Or your own online store.

Just because people in your immediate area can't appreciate craftsmanship doesn't mean there aren't a bunch around the country that are the same way.

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2009, 11:14:48 AM »

Instead of working and selling, spread the word that you take orders. Even if you have no orders pending, give a wait time of a couple of weeks. For some reason, people don't come into empty restaurants and rather wait in line to be seated in the restaurant besides, and that even without knowing either of them.

333 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2009, 11:34:20 AM »

I would suggest volunteering. Here in the D.C. area, I found a place (See sig below) where I could do woodworking(on boats even!) and give back to the community at the same time. My creativity has been sparked quite a few times, and not just for them.

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2009, 12:20:00 PM »

Quote from: mlinder on September 21, 2009, 10:54:55 AM

Hell, make an ebay store with your stuff.

Or your own online store.

Just because people in your immediate area can't appreciate craftsmanship doesn't mean there aren't a bunch around the country that are the same way.

I agree with mlinder. Do an ebay store.

A lot of people have no concept of quality I think. But there are still people that do. Those would be your customers.

clarkjh · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:04:01 PM »

I know the feeling. I got hit in the Gov cutbacks and was thinking of doing my woodworking full time, but there is no market in this area to sell and make a living. Not very often you find somebody ready to pay $250-$300 for a jewelry box.

I had a guy ask me how much for a Grandfather clock. I priced it up and the total was $4500, he thought it was high.

James

333 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:12:13 PM »

I was in a clock store this spring, and the cheapest grandfather were twice that, and I don't think it was hand made.

74cb750 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:20:48 PM »

I know how you feel. I also made small items out of wood, right in fornt on peoples eyes.
The prices were on the items and still they would try to talk me down.
Finally gave up wood working as most people would rather buy some
cheap knock-off from China.

Two of my neighbors build stuff:one makes wooden chairs/tables and trailers, the other makes fancy iron-works. Both have seen their sales plummet this year. SO maybe it's not you, but the economy.

peace,
michel

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:45:22 PM »

We have some kick-ass items made of wood at the gallery- it rarely sells.
Where're the ding-dong pictures, anyway? Hells-bells- the wood would cost more than $40! What the heck? This is all useless without pictures.

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2009, 01:59:44 PM »

That reminds me of my sister in law, that since many years ago makes a living as a hairdresser, but she studied embroidering.

She did cool things -well, at least to the eyes of housewives- such as towels, sheets etc. Today it would be impossible to make a living, with the widespread of computer-aided- embroidery machines.

Long story short, once she put things for sale in a local fair. Wanna know what she sold out? Embroidered handkerchiefs. People wanted to buy a souvenir, something fancy and unique, but didn't want to buy a sheet or towel set.

Small wood items such as letter magnets for the fridge or carved names -for gifts- can be a way to sell stuff. After all, they are a great gift idea, and sure thing there are not two the same.

tramp · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2009, 04:31:17 PM »

i tried posting pics on this sight and my photo's are too large
suffice ti say my stuff was 40 to $120
not fancy just well made with dowels and bisquits sanded nicely
all straight painted and or stained
it would take about a day to make a cupboard and another to paint it
two doors, shelves routered into the legs rabbitted corners with wood dowels
all sanded smooth for $80
if i added a drawer on top i charged $120
wife doesn't want me to stop but i need to make money here
if no one buys no money

Johnny5 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 22, 2009, 04:39:16 PM »

Wood's not cheap either and for projects like this, it also takes money to build and with the economy in Michigan, it's just tough all around.

I feel for ya, man.

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2009, 06:22:12 PM »

Tramp, sure wish I had the answer you need but, other than mlinder's ebay idea, I don't know. Is there any kind of Craft gathering that opens up on a regular basis, like War Eagle does in Northern Arkansas?

http://www.wareaglemill.com/events.html

tramp · « **Reply #17 on:** September 23, 2009, 03:44:31 AM »

the problem with craft shows is that they want $100 for a weekend
thats like giving them one of my cupboards

bill440cars · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:36:05 AM »

Quote from: tramp on September 23, 2009, 03:44:31 AM

the problem with craft shows is that they want $100 for a weekend
thats like giving them one of my cupboards

Whoa! Didn't think about that, shoulda known.

$:-\$ Sorry!

Ogri · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2009, 05:14:37 AM »

Check out this guy:

http://www.holteyplanes.com/

He makes wood planes, prices start at $2500, I doubt whether he sells to many people in his local neighborhood; that doesn't make him no good.

Have you considered making beds? Everyone needs beds, everyone wants nice wooden beds, people expect to pay for a decent wooden bed. I'd make beds.

Tretnine · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2009, 06:13:46 AM »

Quote from: tramp on September 21, 2009, 04:31:17 PM

i tried posting pics on this sight and my photo's are too large
suffice ti say my stuff was 40 to $120
not fancy just well made with dowels and bisquits sanded nicely
all straight painted and or stained
it would take about a day to make a cupboard and another to paint it
two doors, shelves routered into the legs rabbitted corners with wood dowels
all sanded smooth for $80
if i added a drawer on top i charged $120
wife doesn't want me to stop but i need to make money here
if no one buys no money

Before finishing college I worked in a furniture store (was a lot of fun) Most people DO just want something to fill the space, but I learned the difference between crap and quality - and it's huge. Furniture stores have a huge volume of people going in and most people do NOT buy the high end stuff, especially when the economy is down. We also sold Amish, bench made furniture. (Phenomenal stuff by Borkholder, at least, I became very enamored of it) Most people didn't see what the fuss was about. Others realized they would be able to give the stuff to their grandkids.

Anyway, I agree with the other guys. Sell to a larger market if possible. Maybe start with one set so people can buy more pieces from you if they want to at a later time. Take photos of you standing on your quality work. (there was a company who did just that, had a picture of a guy or a couple of guys standing on a drawer) Talk up all your pros.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #21 on:** September 23, 2009, 09:43:55 AM »

e-mail me some pictures and I'll post them- I can make them smaller.
cursethedarkness@charter.net

Tretnine · « **Reply #22 on:** September 23, 2009, 11:16:36 AM »

I would also be interested in seeing what you've made.

tramp · « **Reply #23 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:22:39 PM »

lets try this pic

tramp · « **Reply #24 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:31:06 PM »

here's some more

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #25 on:** September 23, 2009, 05:04:22 PM »

I am a woodworker myself but I only build for myself or friends and not for profit. So I know what you have into these pieces and you are not getting the price you deserve. Most people are happy with Walmart quality and it is impossible to compete with that. Like others have said you need exposure into a larger market or develop a specific higher demand product so you can streamline the production process.

tramp · « **Reply #26 on:** September 23, 2009, 05:29:02 PM »

here's a few more
35 for the bench
$120 for the cupboard

Achmed · « **Reply #27 on:** September 23, 2009, 06:40:49 PM »

With good joinery, those prices are low! Only craftsmen use biscuits and dowels anymore.

Tretnine · « **Reply #28 on:** September 23, 2009, 08:05:30 PM »

I'd have to say that if you do quality work the prices are worth what you're asking. You may be running into stylistic problems more than anything else. Furniture is such a personal and specialized item that it's possible people want a different look more than anything else. I know this was huge in the furniture store. It doesn't matter what the quality is, you have to start with the style people want and move to quality.

tramp · « **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:14:06 AM »

always got compliments
wanted to make a bed but i'm gun shy now
hate to invest the money, lug it around for a month and not sell it
even made a bench with a storage compartment for gloves ant the what not
got alot of compliments, no money
it's just the economic times

Ogri · « **Reply #30 on:** September 25, 2009, 08:54:38 AM »

Love that blue cabinet, really really nice. I prefer light wood to dark stained wood but everything looks like it'd fly out the door of a trendy/expensive shop here in London.

lynchj · « **Reply #31 on:** September 25, 2009, 09:47:54 AM »

Very nice stuff, I love the Adirondack chairs, I'd buy a set of them, shipping to CT probably would be a bit pricey but I'm not sure how you would do that.

tramp · « **Reply #32 on:** September 25, 2009, 10:07:56 AM »

they sell templates for the chairs
go down to the local wood shop, i paid $30 for the templates
about $30 for the wood and paint and away you go

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #33 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:14:33 PM »

If it makes you feel better tramp it isn't just you.

Up until May we were doing about 10 grand a day in sales. I'm lucky now to get that in a month.

I changed the name, now Simply Amish Furniture, and put on a huge event for 3 weeks. Had the radio, TV, newspapers all in on it.

I maybe made 16k a week and spent almost as much for the publicity.

www.simplyamish.com

I'm a regional manager now. I have no idea how they can promote and give raises with this economy in the tank.

If you want I can send you pictures of some new stuff and our accessories catalog so you can get ideas. I've been doing this for a long time, what you are charging is peanuts compared to our stuff. And the quality is almost as good. You should be rolling in the money.

Sorry man wish I could help.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #34 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:42:35 PM »

I sure hope you do better with a srewdriver than you do with a camera.

That kind of thing can easily get twice what you're asking in places like Asheville. Getting it here would cost you some, though. Too bad. I need a microscope to see your painted-on-the-head-of-a-pin pictures, but I suspect you're a victime of your location. You need to be selling where people are moving or have the money to re-decorate (like relocated retirees). Atlanta and Asheville are prime examples.

E-mail me some decent-sized pictures, plus some large detail close-ups, willya? I might get a line on pickers that get up that way.

News:

Author Topic: sad day (Read 3150 times)