Throwing in the towel #1: Bagging it...

Sorry to hear that Myron. As you say, at least you have your health and a shop full of cool toys! You also have a job lined up, which is also pretty good these days.

-- a little bit of stupid goes a long way

California is a hard place sometimes. Things are really up and then things are really down and seldom are they in a normal state. Hang in there and keep your imagination alive and your eyes open for opertunities.

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

Myron, Don’t feel bad. After over 30 Strong years in Construction, I had to get a job more in tuned to my inviroment. I really don’t mind now that I simplified my life and now I have the advantage to say no to jobs I don’t want. If I can’t do it from my shop, I don’t want it. Economy is bad right now, not the first time, certainly not the last either. By the way, which valley do you live in?

Just looked at your profile. You’re just north of my family in Chula Vista. I almost bought a house in Temecula before I came here to Bakersfield.

-- http://www.webshots.com/user/jahness

Probably a case of unlucky timing more than anything else. That’s the story of my life when it comes to finances. Keep a good attitude and everything will work out. When you have your health, you have everything.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I can’t imagine making a living from my woodworking. Even if I was significantly better and faster than I currently am I still couldn’t see it as more than supplemental income. I have great respect for those that try to make a career out of this hobby.

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

Hey Myron, Don’t be too hard on your self. I’ve taken a number of classes with people that are in the woodworking business. They all say the samething, with the exection of one. It’s almost impossible to make a living building furniture. The one exception builds replicas being sold at high end auctions for the original owners of the piece. He is paid from the auction house. You have a shop your happy with. Enjoy your hobby and if you can make some spare change enjoy it. Tim

Myron Sorry to hear it. Good luck in your new employment.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I always feel the shockwaves when I read something like this.
Good Luck.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Hey Myron
I feel for you and hope your change in direction helps you to a quick financial improvement. best wishes

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

I send my best wishes—hoping that the silver lining from all this will be FANTASTIC

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

HI Myron;

I hate to hear this. Todd put it well, about feeling the shock waves. None of us are immune to this, regardless of knowledge or experience.

I certainly wish you the best.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Sorry to hear that Myron, but it seems like you have the proper attitude to handle it. like you said – good healthy contributes to good thinking, and that leads to more possibilities down the road.

just another bump that needs to be passed.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Jeez.. Ya.. Like tom said..I feel the shockwaves all the way down here in So. Cal..I have been trying to get a woodworking/cabinet business off the ground for about 6 months now and its like trying to use a house for a kite..just so hard to do..I basically had to rethink my entire approach and while I love to make Maloof rockers that are dead on identicle to Sam’s.. No one buys them.. I was told to build stuff that people can actually use..the rocker is stricktly a luxury item and NOT a necessity.. So I am trying with things that people would want and need..like my tv lift and stuff.. But hearing about those that are hanging up their apron..just really hits me hard.. Hang in there myron..THINGS WILL GET BETTER

-- Randall Child

Sorry to hear it. This economy is really taking it’s toll. Good luck, whatever you do. Just don’t give up woodworking altogether. Now that would be miserable.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

Sorry to hear it as well Mike – Don’t know you ‘old field’ hopefully it is doing better in the present economy.

I cannot imagine trying to be a small business owner in California these days both with the economic and political climate of late. Seems it would be easier to push a rope uphill.

With everyone pinching pennies – it is hard to convince someone who needs a dining table that the 349.99 table with 6 chairs is the wrong way to go… sure it will only last a few years, but if there is a big ‘hole’ in your dining room and your not sure about your job security, the long term view is pretty fuzzy.
I long ago concluded that furniture would not be self sustaining, only a potential supplemental income.
To make it (during good times) it seems you need to be a cabinet shop – that also does some fine furniture in order to have the inventory turn-over and volume to sustain a business, but until the economy inproves that is a tough road as well.

-- Its never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words and encouragement. Just to be clear, though, my business was not making furniture, but repairing it. We did a lot of moving claim estimates and insurance reports- only two people ever called me back to actually fix anything. They would take the check and live with the scratch.
Furniture repair is a luxury service, and in this economy, not a lot is getting fixed. Most folks will put off repairing furniture, especially when they can go buy a new piece of crap from China or Vietnam for less than the cost of repair.

-- The days are long and the years are short...

Hey myron..I know exactly how u feel..I once got a chair that was in this family’s line for over 100 years and the arm was completely broken off and part of the leg was cracked in 3 or 4 different areas.. I not only completely rebuilt the arm and leg and stained it and finished it to match perfectly.. Where you couldn’t even tell it was ever broken.. But they balked at the 130 cost of the repair!!..” Gosh..why so much??”..that’s the only repair job I have ever gotten in all the years I have worked wood

-- Randall Child

Well Myron, I’m sure that the HO was putting God first in this situation, ya know, lots of prayer for you and whatnot (rather than practical support).... oooh, did I say that out loud…..? ;-)

oh, don’t get me started…..

-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...