Grumbles from the shop #8: Hanging it up

dennis…I am sorry…you are an amazing craftsman and I love your work…I KNOW things would be different if the economy had any improvement…but I know you cant make a decision like this without lots of thought…

keep us posted…what are the next steps?

-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007

I hate to hear this Dennis. Maybe taking shelter with a job “workin’ for the man” for the short term is a good idea in economic times like these. I hope you don’t have to sell off equipment and such. Your work is certainly not too weird – it’s beautiful, unique and well-crafted. I have always hoped that you would find your patron.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I’m sorry to hear that you feel it’s come to this.

You have tremendous package of talent.

link that might spark an idea for you

http://lumberjocks.com/DanWalters/blog/1432

http://lumberjocks.com/DanWalters/blog/2339

have you tried making a music stand and selling on ebay ? if you could use up your shorts and sell one a week on ebay, it might pay a few bills…. I think there is a market for high end music stands on ebay … send me pm if you want to duscuss

-- keeping myself entertained

Sory to hear it, but I feel for you. You’re not the only one in the boat.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

Hate to hear it Dennis. Your work is always so good. Hope something works out in your favor.

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas only 4 miles from the mill

That’s unfortunate. I’ve known three incredible wood craftsmen that had plenty of ups and downs. It’s a hard business to stay consistent with well paying clients.

You never fail until you give up.

Best of luck…...............

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

Dude -

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

pm me

maybe i can help you?

-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso

Dennis – I hate to hear this. You do beautiful work.

-- http://www.peteroxley.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

Dennis, sorry to hear about this but keep up your spirit. You have lots of talent and lots of us are going through hards times. It bound to change sooner than later I hope.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Dennis: My prayers are with you. I know you are working on some cabinets with some junk hardware. I hope that it keeps you busy until people start knocking you door down for your skills and workmanship.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

i visited your website and really like your sofa table and lodge furniture. in todays global economy there is always a market. the problem is finding it, at the right time and place. wish i had some advise that would help you. as a side note i watched a couple of youtube videos of Spirit Williams, a lady wood carver. she mentioned she is still making a living doing relief wood carving. i wondered just what kind of living she was making. at the end of one of her videos she said she kept track of her time doing about half administrative work to run a business and the rest actually hands on carving. she said it came out to about $10/hour with no benefits. but she said she was very happy and quite content. man, for the quality work she displayed, i was floored.

-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.

For me wood working is nothing more then a glorious hobby. I have always been afraid to make it on my own and admire anyone who is brave enough to try. Wish I had an answer…. I can only offer my sincere encouragement to hold to your craft, keep your chin up, make some thoughtful adjustments and go with the flow.
...

-- keeping myself entertained

Custom woodworking is a tough business and a lot of people are shutting their doors. It’s been said, you are definitely not alone. I shut down quite some time ago and have been looking for work since. I’ve got nothing, and have been very worried. I’ve decided to take a stand. I don’t deserve to fail. I lost my home, wife, etc. I won’t put up with losing my business. So I’m taking a stand and am struggling to get back into it. Giving a few bids here and there, planning on doing the work from my garage. It’s tough, but I’m sick of waiting for someone to pick me up and carry me. I’ve done it on my own since I started working 16 years ago (I’m only 30 and have been through the ringer). You need to take a stand too. Forget the galleries. They take your hard earned money anyway. Hit the streets, post ads in towns that you know will accept your work, hunker down and make yourself known. Use lumberjocks and other sites to network. You can make a come back.

You will never get rich or have a lot of money in this business, especially with custom unless you invent something, become production based, etc. Like I said, woodworking is a difficult business to make a living. But you are making a living doing what you love. And if it’s not working out, change careers. But don’t lose it as a hobby.

Good luck to you, and to everyone in this situation.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~