Great video Jeff. Very encouraging and positive words. Just hearing you say that you make your living from your craft gives me hope that I too can achieve that goal. Keep it coming!
Its really not super hard, its a balance of skill in your craft and a business mindset, because to earn a living you need to learn how to sell yourself, which is generally the most difficult thing to do
Great video, you had some excellent points and I couldn't agree more. I found your channel a few hours ago, subbed after watching the first video. Don't worry, you don't come across as knowing it all, you come across as someone who is being open and honest and interested in sharing what you know, and what you are learning along the way.I started into carving a couple of years ago, but haven't done much yet. I did do one spoon, it was very rough but I was still proud of it. I recently came across some additional carving tools, and have got the bug again to get back to it. I hope to see more videos from you soon, and look forward to learning a lot more from you. Thank you :)
Great points, Jeff. I think sometimes (maybe most times) the "you're selling out" comments come from people who lacked the courage to pursue their passions in life and wound up stuck in a life that isn't what they wanted for themselves. Maybe they had people in their lives who discouraged them back when they came to the same crossroads earlier in their life. Maybe some think that if you were to succeed at your passion, it would almost be rubbing it in that they could have done the same thing but chose not to. Whatever their reasons, they should be politely ignored. If you know that this is what you want to do (or whatever it is you want to do in life), then don't trust someone else's words over your own feelings and experiences.
earning an income, especially one that replaces the main career people start out in life with, is the height of independence and skill. if you value your creations, then why wouldn't anyone else? also, making and trading things is the oldest non-taboo job on the planet. I love the peace it brings to me, making something worthwhile/useful. plus I can get monies for it?!?! lol oh, yeah! Love your videos, Mr. Ballantyne!!!!
I know for me it's real easy to sell my craft/products/ services for less than I should. Because of my OCD and being very critical about my work, I tend to have my wife way in on it. I will see faults in my work that nobody else sees, so I use her as "tester/QC inspector". I've even had customers tell me I've undercut my self and a few have even taken upon themselves to pay me more than price quoted.
Nothing wrong with making a living making woodworking/ craft items for sale. Been doing it myself full time now for 9 plus years from a 2 car garage converted into my own woodshop. I'm also in Ontario as well Jeff.
As a hobby woodworker I have 3 problems that I face. The first is time, it's hard for me to set aside time to be in my wood shop. Second. I only have found 1 local source for lumber and their open hours, prices, and selection aren't that great. And last. I can't sell anything I make. I've got a small stack of heavy cutting boards and French rolling pins in my house that I've got listed on etsy and Facebook but I've got no bites. I'm not looking to start a business, but I do want my woodworking to sustain itself as well as financially spill out into my other hobbies. Where I live there are just a few craft shows every year. I've not done all of them (I plan on trying a new one this December) but the ones I have done were mostly sad. Most I made back my buy in fees but a couple others I lost on. Only 1 went well giving me a profit over all fees, time, and lumber. What advice do you, or anyone else reading this for that matter, have for a hobbiest trying to sell his product?
If at first you don't succeed try something different. Maybe try some new products. I'm no expert but it seems to me that there are a lot of products that one could make that would sell well at shows. Do you make things at the shows so people can see you in action?
Well I charge $97 for my book, most of the time I'm paying $400 per weekend and earning about 4 times my expenses.. I don't think theres a small bit of advice I could give you that wouldn't involve all the valuable information I have written up!
I do a fair bit of carving for fun, and I know there is this divisive ideology - some think it's okay to sell the fruits of their labours, others don't, presumably because to them it is "just a hobby" and to do it for anything more would take the fun out of it. I think it's awesome that you have put yourself out there and ground it out to the point where you can successfully provide for yourself and your family. You do beautiful work, and regardless of what people say, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, or no wrong, in selling your craft. The only thing I would advise is don't delete the negative comments - don't respond to them either. Use them as motivation to humbly rise above others that, for whatever reason, take offense to what you do. There's no need to suppress their opinions - everyone is entitled to one, even if they are wrong. Instead, let them show their true colours and just keep plugging away and showing yours. I greatly enjoy your videos and work.
Thanks Jeff! This was a wonderful pep talk today on break from my leatherwork. I'd love to hear more about your selling strategies and hope to be apart of the community you've rallied around yourself. Keep them coming. 🤘
Check with tree service companies, they're de-limbing and or cutting down trees on a daily basis. I've gotten rounds, limbs and chips from a couple of local tree companies in my area. Also check with city, county and state agencies that are involved with downed trees do to storm damage, accidents and or nuisance trees. I've also found adds on Craigslist for people trying to get rid of trees, limbs, etc.. You could also place an add on Craigslist looking for whatever type of wood you're looking for. Hope that helps you.
+Lyle Kobberstad totally agree. Craigslist is great for free wood. Also be on the constant look out for downed limbs after storms. And always have your saw in you vehicle.
+The Bearded Carver - Before I was forced into retirement, I worked in rural county areas and always kept a saw with me. I once cut a downed tree out of a customers yard, got six twelve foot sections plus the top eight feet. My buddy milled it down and built a cabin on his mountain property. I made a $1000 on the deal between the two plus I got the top, the milling of it and use of the cabin whenever it was empty. Free wood can be very profitable.
