I was perusing Etsy as I am getting ready to fire my shop back up for the new year ahead, we have one child heading off to college next fall, and some other bills and expenses that need to be taken care of, so it's time for the ol man to quit playing on the weekends and get back to work. So I wanted some inspiration and ideas on arts and crafts and custom furnishings, and what sells well.

I came across this shop on Etsy and fell in love with their simple crafts of light boxes, these are completely awesome. The shop is Windows of Light Design. Way cool.

 

Here's a few words of wisdom from one who makes a buck or two from his shop.  Build what you enjoy, not just what will sell because if you build what will sell then your shop become another job not an expression of your creativity.  If you build what you enjoy then it will sell because your love for the craft will show through.  Just sayin'.

Thanks Ron. Great words. Remember, this aint the first go round for this ol Woodworker making a living at it. Been there done it. I know the business well. Just wanted to see what others are doing. I'll be delving into Colonial American pieces and chair building. But it sure is fun to see the creativity abound in our trade!

Edited January 4, 201610 yr by Courtland

I know John, but sometimes we all need a gentle nudge to remind us.

I agree with Ron. Does that make me wise, too? 

 

Quite a number of paying projects have came from my shop. I'd guess that 50% of them were of the creative kind and the rest were commissioned. Guess which 50% were more profitable. Not the ones I truly enjoyed making. 

 

The hardest to build projects, the ones which were the most difficult to bring to fruition, were those that first took shape in my head. Yet, regardless of their arduousness, those are the ones I most enjoyed making.  And so, I'm selfishly drawn to attempt others like them. I do not like working for any customer other than myself. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Ron Dudelston said:

I know John, but sometimes we all need a gentle nudge to remind us.

Nudge nudge! I felt it from here Ron!

Gene, we are as wise as we think we are. So I must be a genius! Till I get slapped down, over and over and over. 

Getting slapped down is a valuable activity. Wisdom is gained by repeating the lessons of life until they are learned while avoiding making the same mistakes and wishing for a better outcome. 

I've learned one lesson in the shop. Anticipate Murphy so you can hide your mistakes or........... burn them. Still, even when Murphy is contained, Howe manages to screw some things up.

 

 

That is really cool, Etsy does have a lot of great crafters.