I think it's easy to get confused on what you as the individual want out of your work. For some, it's just for the love of doing it, for others it's a livelihood, and still others somewhere in between.

An interesting way to look at it I saw on another site was basically that perhaps we should be allowing ourselves to make just for ourselves, and then if we happen to sell what we made, all well and good, but to remember that nothing has been lost in the making even if we don't sell it.

 

It's an age-old challenge that many will have different opinions on. For me, it's about the journey of learning. What I can do, what I want to do, and how I can do it. I'm enjoying what I do, and I'm not looking to make it a business. It's for me personally, but if someone wants something I can make and to pay me above the materials costs I'm happy to do so. But it's not why I do it.

I will make something to replenish my slush fund for stuff I want.  So my criteria for that "something" is a couple of days away from the house at most.  Or something I can make in an afternoon and then do my finish work a little each day.  This keeps my other projects going and at the same time gives me slushy funds. 

13 hours ago, 1fizgig said:

I think it's easy to get confused on what you as the individual want out of your work. For some, it's just for the love of doing it, for others it's a livelihood, and still others somewhere in between.

An interesting way to look at it I saw on another site was basically that perhaps we should be allowing ourselves to make just for ourselves, and then if we happen to sell what we made, all well and good, but to remember that nothing has been lost in the making even if we don't sell it.

 

It's an age-old challenge that many will have different opinions on. For me, it's about the journey of learning. What I can do, what I want to do, and how I can do it. I'm enjoying what I do, and I'm not looking to make it a business. It's for me personally, but if someone wants something I can make and to pay me above the materials costs I'm happy to do so. But it's not why I do it.

Very well put. 

Keep in mind folks, this topic was created for those who do want to make a living with their work, or at least a partial living. It's great advice.

This site is crampacked with talented woodworkers who could undoubtedly make some cash with their work. Many do, too. 

7 hours ago, John Morris said:

Keep in mind folks, this topic was created for those who do want to make a living with their work, or at least a partial living. It's great advice.

And it is very important that those who do actually get paid for the hard work they undertake. I have no issue with that, and to be honest I wish there were more people that appreciated the craftmanship and paid appropriately and were easier to find (I know, this has been done to death in another thread, so this is not an invitation to elaborate).

 

However my response was based on other comments starting to go down the other paths and it felt like it needed a gentle reminder that there are many reasons we do what we do, and they are all valid. I do think we can sometimes get so wound up chasing money that we forget why we do it to start with, and that is the most important thing. With no heart in what we do, we are wasting our talents. And it will start showing in what we produce.

For those that make a living from it, that is awesome and I hope that continues and goes well, but please don't lose the essence of your love for the craft, that would be a shame.

I worked in cabinet shops from 1983 till 2013. I spent my daily duties doing what I told building what they had sold. When I got off work I walked in my shop to build what I want the way I want ed.  Shops today don't  teach you box joints, dovetails,m&,t,etc. This is something a hobby woodworker these days can take advantage of as he or she can take the Time to learn. Most cabinet guys these days just want to work and get payed on Friday .

 

So to me.... enjoy it as a hobby. I do, it's okay to make extra money , I do...

 

Remember I'm a professional 8-5 but after that I'm a hobby woodworker in my shop just like everyone else...

Edited December 4, 20196 yr by BillyJack

I sell at craft shows or if someone asks for something. Had a request of where I sell my turnings so I started a website on Square and it is free. The main reason I started selling is to publicize our turning club. There is as Gene said  depends on how much ffun the build as to the selling price. As to making a living at it not in this area at least.

4 minutes ago, Gerald said:

I sell at craft shows or if someone asks for something. Had a request of where I sell my turnings so I started a website on Square and it is free. The main reason I started selling is to publicize our turning club. There is as Gene said  depends on how much ffun the build as to the selling price. As to making a living at it not in this area at least.

Gerald, can you link your new site here please?

3 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Gerald, can you link your new site here please?

Three Rings Woodshop Here it is John

Just now, Gerald said:

Three Rings Woodshop Here it is John

Wow! Nice job Gerald! Love it!!!!!!

These jobs came out in magazines years ago from Cabinet Maker Magazine. I'll have to find the dates. These are jobs from years past to show the variation of pricing across the country...Average always the best... you can decide....

 

11 hours ago, BillyJack said:

These jobs came out in magazines years ago from Cabinet Maker Magazine. I'll have to find the dates. These are jobs from years past to show the variation of pricing across the country...Average always the best... you can decide....

 

Those are some very interesting results. Now the question on that last one is how much overrun will the low bidder have?

I'll have to see if I can find the ones that have Missouri  in the bidding.