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I wasn't sure whether this belonged in projects or blogs… but this was a project!! After giving away about 50 cutting boards, boxes and candleholders, someone told me I should try selling them. What a novel idea for someone who does this for fun and relaxation. I got myself into an Artisan's Fair about a month ago and sold out! I started with 43 items and brought back 3!! And… I got invited to participate in a 2 evening "shopping night" at a very high end furniture and gift store! So… now I have no stock and have 3 weeks to get enough to sell. Posted here are the "before" and "after" pictures. I had 34 boards of various sizes and wood configurations, 12 boxes and 3 candleholders. It is always interesting to see what does and does not sell. My boards with wenge in them did not sell… my boards with tigerwood (I had a sign about golfers) flew off the table! Everyone loves purpleheart accents in boards. In this case, size really didn't matter ;-) !! I am really pleased as several woodworkers who were shopping commented on my work… one even bought something!
Thanks for looking… and happy holidays!
Ellen

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Wow, thats a great set of items. Congrats…very nice work Ellen.
 

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impressive… so you've been busy haven't you?

please don't post these again, it makes the rest of us look like procrastinators (which some of us are) ;)

these all look fantastic! very refined. I like the designs
 

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That's Great News, Ellen, Congratulations!! All your hard work is paying off and it's no wonder, you're work is terrific!!
All the Best to You and Yours for the Holidays!!
 

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congratulations ellen .

it is always nice to hear story's like this ,
they encourage all to strive a little harder .

of course we LJ's knew you first !

now you can get those Jimmy Choo's ,
you always wanted ,
to wear around the shop !

maybe the purple ones ?
 

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Nice to make money doing something you love.
 

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Congrats! Fun and making money too, Life is good!
 

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wow great looking stuff and nice to here such an optimistic story i love living on the positive side of life… also your boards look lovely…
 

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YES! Great job Ellen. I like style of your line and the overall presentation is eye-catching. I just did my second Christmas show last weekend and am now also featured in a Kitchen supply and Knife store. I can't keep up either, looks like for the next four months of winter, after this Christmas rush, we'll both be building a inventory for next year. 12" to 14" Everyday Ellen's are hot also!
 

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Way to go Ellen Making money doing something you love that's "living the dream"
 

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Congrats! It's always sweet to have a good show. If your products went that quick, you should consider increasing the price. I had a similar dilemma in October where I had back to back weekend shows. I sold completely out of bread boards at the first show and had three days to build as many as I could before the next show. I increased the price by $10 each and sold out again on the first day.
 

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Congrats Ellen. Everything looks great. Looks like your show went well. I do one show a year around here and have plans to try some boards. Hopefully I will have half the success you did. (That is, if I have success making the boards.)
 

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Good job. Congrats on a good show. Nice products.
 

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congratulations - that's very exciting, good looking products, display - everything.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Congratulations on your sell-out Ellen. Judging from the appearance of your projects, it's not hard to figure out why they sold so fast. So how does it feel to be a professional woodworker?
 

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well done!!

interesting notes on the "what doesn't sell"
 

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Great designs, which are also displayed tastefully. I can see why they sell!

Cheers.
 

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Thanks everyone!
David - I'll buy a red dress first!
Closetguy - I really like people to think they are getting a bargain - they buy more! I could increase my prices but I just really want to stay ahead of the game here. I can't quit my day job on what I make in a "high buying" month!
It really feels good to make money doing this but, as all of you do, I do it for the enjoyment of working with the wood.
Thanks to you all for your kind comments. LJs is an inspiration for me. I have learned more from my friends here than I could ever learn from a book (although books can be good too!)
Ellen
 

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I am doing my first craft show this weekend and I don't have any idea what to charge for the cutting boards I have made. Any suggestions? They are various sized and all various hardwoods with purple heart, walnut and bloodwood accents and 3/4" to 2" thick.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Good for you Ellen. I don't know how many bowls I've made. Probably hundreds, and never sold one. I don't have many around the house here. Just the ones my wife wouldn't let me give away. I don't care, there's a lot of happy family and friends out there. Mike
 
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