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rmaxa · 01-14-2008, 07:46 PM

There are several woodworkers out there that are making money. I met Kelly Mehler at a woodworking event here in Rochester, NY. He was telling the audience how he made a furniture piece for a customer that took him 2 years to build and charged $60,000. Now he's been doing woodworking for 28 years, but there are people making money. I wish I was one of them.

**harrysin** · 01-15-2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobj3

Hi reikimaster

Making things to sell can be a trap with many doors,,,

If you love making things out of wood ,like I do ,don't make them for sale, it will become a JOB and the fun will be gone...

We all need a job to make money to live on and buy the toys but making things out of wood for sale is a real hard one and takes big bucks..

Most start out with just one or two then the craft shows/flea markets and so on....trap with many doors..

Many cabinet wood shops,at one time started off in the home shop at one time, same thing for many furniture mfg.,...

If you sit down with pen and pencil and get a true cost what it takes to make a item ,it will blow you away...the shop,the heat,the lights,the tools,your time,the wood stock,etc..you will see you put out 200.oo dollars to make a wooden shelf ,sign,toy,etc. that you can sell for about 15.oo bucks or so...you can get the over head cost down by making more of the same type of item(s) but only to a point...the true cost of making items for sell...

But this is just my 2 cents

Turning your fun time into a J.O.B.

not good

===========

Bj., you can at times be really eloquent, and this is one of those times, I and the following posters agree totally with you, one has to decide if it's a hobby or a job, I can understand George charging $50.00 for that stool restoration, a fraction of what a professional would have charged, but that was a one off and an interesting one at that.

**Glenmore** · 01-15-2008, 09:23 AM

When I charge for something done it is usaully for just cover the material. Now my pen turning I'm going to be in one or two craftshows this year and hope to make a profit so I can stock up on blanks and pen kits but no actual money to put into the bank. I just love woodworking that much. I don't think I would want for a per say a job. It's like fishing I do it because I enjoy it and you see these people that do it for a living where is the enjoyment in that. They have to catch a quota for there show and they take the enjoyment of just sitting there quietly catching nothing to be relaxed in nature. So there a some evilness in working for some real cash with wood working. I refinished some chairs a couple of years back for my some relatives for a some of 10.00 a chair plus materials in all it come to 55.00 and twenty of it went for the sandpaper and stain and poly. So that is how it goes with me.

karateed · 01-15-2008, 09:45 AM

I'm hearing a sentiment that I don't totally agree with in this thread. I can understand why people would want to keep this a hobby and not have it as a job.....and there is certainly nothing wrong with that....each has his or her own reasons why they do something.

However, (and there always seems to be a however)....I remember somewhere that it was said by someone that when you find your passion, it never becomes your job.....I suspect that for some of you at least, you could make money at this endevour and never consider it your job.....it would just be your passion......

Having said that, of course when you need to earn money at even your passion there are mundane parts that creep in to the process. That's probably what people are concerned about in this thread because I certainly see the passion from many here.

Ed......:-)

Drugstore Cowboy · 01-15-2008, 12:41 PM

To me- turning a hobby into a career -
is a lot like turning a wonderful friendship into a marriage.
When it works -- its wonderful --
But too many times all you end up with is the worst of both.

I've had people compliment my work --
and -- knowing how much I enjoy it - and how frustrated I get with what I do to pay the bills -- ask me why I dont do it full time.

For me -- two main reasons -
1- PACE/TIME
I work at my own pace - and like it that way.
I spent just enough time doing production work in a factory to know I hate it.
To make a living at it - I know I would likely have to work harder and faster than I want to and it would stop being fun.

2-CHOICE
I like being able to choose what projects I do based on what interests me
and I like being able to choose who I do them for. If you are trying to make a living at it -- unless you are very successful -- you rarely have the luxury of turning down a job or a client.
Or - as some have pointed out -- you find yourself having to make multiple copies of the same thing over and over --- thats just not me.
Most of my stuff is 1-offs. Specific projects for specific people.
To me it is just much more pleasant to do something as if it were a gift (which it is as often as not) and to count any money I make in return -- as a plus.

There is an old Tommy Collins song about a street singer in Nashville who was so popular people kept asking him why he didn't go pro --
These lines from that song sum it up for me -

Itold him once that he could be what people call a star
And he said why boy I'm happy how many of them folks are
I'd hate to have to force a smile and feel myself turn sour
There ain't no put on in my face when I pick the wildwood flower

**Mike** · 01-15-2008, 12:46 PM

There is nothing wrong with charging money for projects you have built. You do not have to take a business approach, just recoup enough to cover your materials and a bit more towards the tools. Woodworking for me will never be a job, I enjoy it far to much. Perhaps a good example of this is the kid's potty chair I build. The chair is built from pine, one section of 1" x 10" x 4' is about right. It requires a bowl, and I get a stainless steel bowl with a lip on it at the dollar store. About a foot of dowel is common for the chairs I build. It is safe to say the material cost is under $10. I sell these chairs unfinished for $50, and they sell as fast as I build them. It delights me knowing that this simple item will become a family heirloom or with a minor alteration give great humor to those watching their dog "drink from the toilet." Doll colectors love these chairs for posing their dolls. A chair with no cut out serves as a "Time out" seat. Word of mouth spreads quickly and you will have a minor source of income which is in no way a job but a joy. Selling custom built wooden pens for $20 or more is an easy way of bringing in some extra cash to help pay for projects or tools. Small wooden storage boxes with a simple lock can be donated to shelters for those in need, or toys for kids too. These items are appreciated and you can get a nice tax deduction. There are many ways to help recoup expenses, just use your imagination.

larryg · 01-15-2008, 06:27 PM

I am very fortunate. I have been doing the wood thing for a number of years. I have had a shop at home for 25 or so years and have gotten a really good collection of tools. About 6 years ago I got to retire early and moved back to my home area of Nashville. I am a dumb old country boy who somehow lucked up and got into computers in the early 60's and managed to fool enough people to get into senior management. (That's how I could afford to get the early out) I worked with my oldest son the next 5 years in his trim business. He did mostly high end houses and I got to learn quite a bit more about wood, building and construction in general. Last Jan he sold his business and moved to the coast of Miss and is just building stairs now. Good move for him and since his wife was from that area it has worked out well. Since he has gone I have been busy building a variety of built-in's, specialty cabinets, mantels, bookshelves, etc. I made quite a few contacts when we were doing the houses and they have come back to me for things they want. People who build high end houses usually don't say much about price so it is pretty lucrative and supports my tool/wordworking addiction. My one rule if that if they need it in a hurry, they should find someone else. I had taken care of my normal living expences through retirement investments etc so any income is a bonus.

So I guess what I am saying is that for a long time I did woodworking as a hobby and invested a good bit of money on tools etc. Now it is paying me back with something that is fun, quite a bit of diversity and it keeps me active and occupied. I don't how much I would enjoy doing the same thing over and over. No, I guess I do know that it would drive me up the wall. If you got in a situation that required you to do this to live, then you do what you have to do. This just kind of happened and has worked out really well for me.

My opinion is if you keep doing it for fun, it is good. There are enough jobs out there in life.

lg

My grandfather told me that opinions are pretty much like rear ends, everyone has one and they usually stink.

**bobj3** · 01-15-2008, 07:20 PM

Hi Mike

Nice job on the "Potty Chair" Mike,,,,,, BUT it cracks me up LOL LOL LOL hahahahaha

Magazine rack on one side and a holder for TP on the other,,,cracks me up, LOL LOL plus it a bit wide I think,,, one of grandkids is about 4 years old and still needs little help wiping her bottom....LOL LOL ,she was about 2 years old when she last used the potty chair and a roll of TP for her to play with may be a bit of over kill.....LOL LOL ..but it would be a good way to show them what the bath room is for.. ( library is for ) LOL LOL ...

=============

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

There is nothing wrong with charging money for projects you have built. You do not have to take a business approach, just recoup enough to cover your materials and a bit more towards the tools. Woodworking for me will never be a job, I enjoy it far to much. Perhaps a good example of this is the kid's potty chair I build. The chair is built from pine, one section of 1" x 10" x 4' is about right. It requires a bowl, and I get a stainless steel bowl with a lip on it at the dollar store. About a foot of dowel is common for the chairs I build. It is safe to say the material cost is under $10. I sell these chairs unfinished for $50, and they sell as fast as I build them. It delights me knowing that this simple item will become a family heirloom or with a minor alteration give great humor to those watching their dog "drink from the toilet." Doll colectors love these chairs for posing their dolls. A chair with no cut out serves as a "Time out" seat. Word of mouth spreads quickly and you will have a minor source of income which is in no way a job but a joy. Selling custom built wooden pens for $20 or more is an easy way of bringing in some extra cash to help pay for projects or tools. Small wooden storage boxes with a simple lock can be donated to shelters for those in need, or toys for kids too. These items are appreciated and you can get a nice tax deduction. There are many ways to help recoup expenses, just use your imagination.

**challagan** · 01-16-2008, 12:18 AM

Pretty much fund it all. I have done the craft show circuit many years ago. It was a ton of work and became like a another job.. every night and weekends. I made enough money one season to pay for all the equipment I had purchased back then... I wouldn't ever attempt to do that again.

Corey

reikimaster · 01-16-2008, 08:46 AM

Interesting discussion. I know about the slippery slope of turning something that's fun into a job. I had a flight instructor (many years ago) that loved flying. for fun! Small planes. We would go to various fly-in breakfasts and WWII air shows and stuff. Always flying. For fun. Then he got a job as a pilot for an airline. I don't think he ever flew just for fun any more.

I have several other things in my life that I do just because I WANT to do them. They feel good. I can officially marry people. It's fun. I've officiated at weddings for free for friends and I've done some for money. I consider the money a bonus. I teach meditation. Sometimes for free, but other times I will teach a group and charge for my time (very SMALL charge... heheh... but it's there). Same with some other things I do on a spiritual level, but a LOT of that you do for free for a whole lot of reasons.

I mentioned in another thread that I was once very active as an artist. And that I sold some pieces for thousands of dollars. Back then I looked at the money as a surprise "gift" and I never really considered art as a career. Certainly something from which I got so much joy could never be a viable career.

I think I will pursue the woodworking thing in much the same way. I'll do things because I want to do them (or because my wife wants me to do them.. heheh) and if I do something that someone likes enough to say, "hey! I'll give you real money for that!", then I will consider it a surprise gift..... and carry on.

Kinda like finding that $20 in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn since last year.

01-14-2008, 07:46 PM	#11
rmaxa Registered User Forum King Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rochester, NY First Name: Rolf Posts: 562 View rmaxa's Gallery	Report This Post! There are several woodworkers out there that are making money. I met Kelly Mehler at a woodworking event here in Rochester, NY. He was telling the audience how he made a furniture piece for a customer that took him 2 years to build and charged $60,000. Now he's been doing woodworking for 28 years, but there are people making money. I wish I was one of them. __________________ Rolf http://www.rochesterwoodworkers.org/index.html
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01-15-2008, 09:23 AM	#13
Glenmore Forum Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mountain Top Pennsylvania Posts: 1,614 View Glenmore's Gallery	Report This Post! When I charge for something done it is usaully for just cover the material. Now my pen turning I'm going to be in one or two craftshows this year and hope to make a profit so I can stock up on blanks and pen kits but no actual money to put into the bank. I just love woodworking that much. I don't think I would want for a per say a job. It's like fishing I do it because I enjoy it and you see these people that do it for a living where is the enjoyment in that. They have to catch a quota for there show and they take the enjoyment of just sitting there quietly catching nothing to be relaxed in nature. So there a some evilness in working for some real cash with wood working. I refinished some chairs a couple of years back for my some relatives for a some of 10.00 a chair plus materials in all it come to 55.00 and twenty of it went for the sandpaper and stain and poly. So that is how it goes with me. __________________ Glenmore Days without wood working are days not worth getting up for.
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01-15-2008, 09:45 AM	#14
karateed Registered User Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Squamish, BC Posts: 710 View karateed's Gallery	Report This Post! I'm hearing a sentiment that I don't totally agree with in this thread. I can understand why people would want to keep this a hobby and not have it as a job.....and there is certainly nothing wrong with that....each has his or her own reasons why they do something. However, (and there always seems to be a however)....I remember somewhere that it was said by someone that when you find your passion, it never becomes your job.....I suspect that for some of you at least, you could make money at this endevour and never consider it your job.....it would just be your passion...... Having said that, of course when you need to earn money at even your passion there are mundane parts that creep in to the process. That's probably what people are concerned about in this thread because I certainly see the passion from many here. Ed......:-)
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01-15-2008, 12:41 PM	#15
Drugstore Cowboy Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Worth, Tx Posts: 439 View Drugstore Cowboy's Gallery	Report This Post! To me- turning a hobby into a career - is a lot like turning a wonderful friendship into a marriage. When it works -- its wonderful -- But too many times all you end up with is the worst of both. I've had people compliment my work -- and -- knowing how much I enjoy it - and how frustrated I get with what I do to pay the bills -- ask me why I dont do it full time. For me -- two main reasons - 1- PACE/TIME I work at my own pace - and like it that way. I spent just enough time doing production work in a factory to know I hate it. To make a living at it - I know I would likely have to work harder and faster than I want to and it would stop being fun. 2-CHOICE I like being able to choose what projects I do based on what interests me and I like being able to choose who I do them for. If you are trying to make a living at it -- unless you are very successful -- you rarely have the luxury of turning down a job or a client. Or - as some have pointed out -- you find yourself having to make multiple copies of the same thing over and over --- thats just not me. Most of my stuff is 1-offs. Specific projects for specific people. To me it is just much more pleasant to do something as if it were a gift (which it is as often as not) and to count any money I make in return -- as a plus. There is an old Tommy Collins song about a street singer in Nashville who was so popular people kept asking him why he didn't go pro -- These lines from that song sum it up for me - Itold him once that he could be what people call a star And he said why boy I'm happy how many of them folks are I'd hate to have to force a smile and feel myself turn sour There ain't no put on in my face when I pick the wildwood flower __________________ The one who says it can't be done -- Should avoid interrupting the person doing it.
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01-15-2008, 12:46 PM	#16
Mike Senior Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Detroit, Michigan USA Posts: 3,372 View Mike's Gallery	Report This Post! There is nothing wrong with charging money for projects you have built. You do not have to take a business approach, just recoup enough to cover your materials and a bit more towards the tools. Woodworking for me will never be a job, I enjoy it far to much. Perhaps a good example of this is the kid's potty chair I build. The chair is built from pine, one section of 1" x 10" x 4' is about right. It requires a bowl, and I get a stainless steel bowl with a lip on it at the dollar store. About a foot of dowel is common for the chairs I build. It is safe to say the material cost is under $10. I sell these chairs unfinished for $50, and they sell as fast as I build them. It delights me knowing that this simple item will become a family heirloom or with a minor alteration give great humor to those watching their dog "drink from the toilet." Doll colectors love these chairs for posing their dolls. A chair with no cut out serves as a "Time out" seat. Word of mouth spreads quickly and you will have a minor source of income which is in no way a job but a joy. Selling custom built wooden pens for $20 or more is an easy way of bringing in some extra cash to help pay for projects or tools. Small wooden storage boxes with a simple lock can be donated to shelters for those in need, or toys for kids too. These items are appreciated and you can get a nice tax deduction. There are many ways to help recoup expenses, just use your imagination. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mike Please edit your profile with a name and location so we can better assist you. Last edited by Mike; 01-15-2008 at 01:45 PM.
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01-15-2008, 06:27 PM	#17
larryg Registered User New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5 View larryg's Gallery	Report This Post! I am very fortunate. I have been doing the wood thing for a number of years. I have had a shop at home for 25 or so years and have gotten a really good collection of tools. About 6 years ago I got to retire early and moved back to my home area of Nashville. I am a dumb old country boy who somehow lucked up and got into computers in the early 60's and managed to fool enough people to get into senior management. (That's how I could afford to get the early out) I worked with my oldest son the next 5 years in his trim business. He did mostly high end houses and I got to learn quite a bit more about wood, building and construction in general. Last Jan he sold his business and moved to the coast of Miss and is just building stairs now. Good move for him and since his wife was from that area it has worked out well. Since he has gone I have been busy building a variety of built-in's, specialty cabinets, mantels, bookshelves, etc. I made quite a few contacts when we were doing the houses and they have come back to me for things they want. People who build high end houses usually don't say much about price so it is pretty lucrative and supports my tool/wordworking addiction. My one rule if that if they need it in a hurry, they should find someone else. I had taken care of my normal living expences through retirement investments etc so any income is a bonus. So I guess what I am saying is that for a long time I did woodworking as a hobby and invested a good bit of money on tools etc. Now it is paying me back with something that is fun, quite a bit of diversity and it keeps me active and occupied. I don't how much I would enjoy doing the same thing over and over. No, I guess I do know that it would drive me up the wall. If you got in a situation that required you to do this to live, then you do what you have to do. This just kind of happened and has worked out really well for me. My opinion is if you keep doing it for fun, it is good. There are enough jobs out there in life. lg My grandfather told me that opinions are pretty much like rear ends, everyone has one and they usually stink.
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01-16-2008, 12:18 AM	#19
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! Pretty much fund it all. I have done the craft show circuit many years ago. It was a ton of work and became like a another job.. every night and weekends. I made enough money one season to pay for all the equipment I had purchased back then... I wouldn't ever attempt to do that again. Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/
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01-16-2008, 08:46 AM	#20
reikimaster Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 233 View reikimaster's Gallery	Report This Post! Interesting discussion. I know about the slippery slope of turning something that's fun into a job. I had a flight instructor (many years ago) that loved flying. for fun! Small planes. We would go to various fly-in breakfasts and WWII air shows and stuff. Always flying. For fun. Then he got a job as a pilot for an airline. I don't think he ever flew just for fun any more. I have several other things in my life that I do just because I WANT to do them. They feel good. I can officially marry people. It's fun. I've officiated at weddings for free for friends and I've done some for money. I consider the money a bonus. I teach meditation. Sometimes for free, but other times I will teach a group and charge for my time (very SMALL charge... heheh... but it's there). Same with some other things I do on a spiritual level, but a LOT of that you do for free for a whole lot of reasons. I mentioned in another thread that I was once very active as an artist. And that I sold some pieces for thousands of dollars. Back then I looked at the money as a surprise "gift" and I never really considered art as a career. Certainly something from which I got so much joy could never be a viable career. I think I will pursue the woodworking thing in much the same way. I'll do things because I want to do them (or because my wife wants me to do them.. heheh) and if I do something that someone likes enough to say, "hey! I'll give you real money for that!", then I will consider it a surprise gift..... and carry on. Kinda like finding that $20 in the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn since last year.
	Top - Reply with Quote

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