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, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

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.

-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com

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

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

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

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://amcraftsman.com

pm me

maybe i can help you?

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

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

-- http://www.north40custom.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.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson 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, houston area, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but that has never been a problem for me."

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.
...

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

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 ~

your work isn’t “too weird”—it is STUNNING and continues to be “my favourite”.

I, too, wish I had the answer for you re: how to make it a viable business. As said before, I think that the market for your work is there, it’s just finding it. In the meantime, well, I guess that is where you stand right now. There are still bills to be paid.

Whatever direction your path takes you at this point I hope that your artistry remains part of your life. You have been given a gift and you owe it to yourself and the world to use it.

Continued best wishes.

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

Ouch. I can understand your disappointment and the thought of putting things away, if only for a while. It’s difficult to put yourself into something and walk away empty. Yet, based on the work you posted here and your site, it is who you are and I firmly believe you’ll continue to do it in one way or another. Like many here, I would gladly help if I could, but as a hobbyist, I don’t know anything. Hopefully, when you’ve worked through this, you’ll find the outlet you need for your work.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

Dennis, this makes me very sad. I had great hopes that you could carry on. there is nothing wrong in your work. Your skills are some of the best. I think I understand .

-- Thos. Angle

SORRY TO HEAR YOU ARE GIVING IT UP. BUT WITH THE INTERNET NOWDAYS I THINK WITH RIGHT MARKETING YOU MAY MAKE MONEY. LIKE DAN SAYS TURN TO EBAY AND OTHER SITES. THERE ALWAYS A MARKET FOR CUSTOM WORK. PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS LIKE YOUR WORK.

-- BIGSKY

dennis : in 45 years , i have given up all hope 3 times , and decided to do something else .
but what ?
the only thing i know is building !
once i decided to become a computer repair man ,since i speak spanish , i figured that i could work the latin american circuit . you know , sit by the pool in some fancy hotel and wait for part #rj 527549 and hang out with the secratary’s that needed me to fix their computers . then take out my screwdriver and replace the part and move on to new lady’s in computer trouble , all at some corporations expence !
well i called ibm , and found out that they wanted me to go to their school , from 9 to 5 , 5 days a week ,for 3 years,
at a cost to me of $ 8,000.00 a year !
so i sucked it up and went down the street and got a job framing houses for $ 10.00 an hour . at least i was eating !

your talent is a gift from God , it’s not a job , it is your lifes work !

i feel that if i don’t use it , then He might give it to someone else .

i have never sold 1 single thing in my carrer(?) in the gallery circuit, and have had honorary shows at
bank of america world headquarters , and the california redwood association , and many others .
i have also been featured in Design magazine and restaurant trade mags. and in the sanfrancisco newspaper,
and t.v. . all to no avail .

ours is a tough calling , but you got to soldier on , for your own good !

i have made maybe 500 art boxes in my time , and sold maybe 25 of them !
the rest i give away so that i can be free to make new and better ones , if i shut off the tap , the water stops !

sell shoes in the mall , if you have to , but keep your gift alive .
things will turn again , and you will be redemed (?) !

we all feel your pain and confusion , and togethere , WE at least CARE , and so do YOU !

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

Never let go of a dream…

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

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” Robert H Schuller

See if you can find this book. About 20 years ago my wife bought it to help me through some rough spots. It helped me a lot. Change what you must, but don’t give up.

-- Insert clever tag line here

Sorry to hear that boss. But don’t just give up like that. Like Kindlingmaker said, never let go of a dream. Your talent is a gift from God. Use it and explore and push your limits.

-- Hold on! Let me get the board stretcher!

Dennis,

Your designs and furniture do have a market I am sure of it. Have you tried any places in Jackson Hole Wyo.? If not placing your items somewhere over there maybe some sort of fliers. There is a great deal of money in that market and your style I would think would do well. Also another thought, Candy Hicks does the juniper tables and lamps might be a source of information for you to tap into for any suggestions. They seem to be doing OK with there ventures and I am sure would share any ideas they may have. We all must make decisions sometimes based on necessity but don’t let your gift of woodworking go unused.

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

Are you still going to do Kitchen cabinets?

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

Thanks everyone. No the dream won’t die. I’ll die wanting and trying to do something creative. Yes I have tried Jackson Hole and Sun Valley….and the internet…and the art shows.
Something I heard that stuck with me is creation comes out of destruction. Maybe I’ll go back to painting wildlife.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Yes ! use your art skills … life is a game. Roll a Yatzee !!!

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

“Maybe I’ll go back to painting wildlife.” I could never get the deer to hold still while I pour paint on ‘em

Sorry to hear about you situation, I know I have “Closed Shop” many times, then I get that “itch” and just can’t stay out of the shop. I think you will try again. We all do.

Jeremy

Jeremy…you really need to try the new paint ball guns. They work pretty good, unless you want to paint fish. Then you have to catch em!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I like the way you think dennis.
...

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

I’m sorry to hear about your dilemma, & we wish you all of the success in whatever you decide to do.

I was thinking this morning, after looking at your website, that maybe you could try selling

unassembled log furniture. You could put your Logman tenon maker to work for you.

I think a lot of people would like to tell their friends that they built the chair, or whatever,

they assembled that they did it themselves.

It would be much easier to ship the parts, than the whole chair.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

That is an idea, Dick. The sad part is I could charge just as much as I do for a finished piece!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

There are places online charging as much unfinished log furniture as I do for finished log furniture….go figure.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I’m with Doug B., and a musician.

I can’t count the times I worked for someone else while I’ve worked my love-craft.

Do your best to keep the tools, pick up some cash doing something that isn’t the dream, but keep on keepin’ on!

My thoughts are with you!

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Dennis,
Some people will pay more for something they say they built it themselves, even if they didn’t.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Dennis I really hate hearing this news!I was looking forward to seeing you at the Western Design.I definitly would not call your work wierd I think you have a great style.I have almost given up on many occasions but stuck thru and at this point glad I hung in there but,only you can make that choice.I wish you the best but hope you will reconsider it would be a shame to lose your talent in the woodworking community

-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com

Ya Scott I was really looking forward to meeting you there. The designers at the show have just not been interested in my brand of rustic. One ray of hope would have kept me going, but I’m just not seeing it. Your work should do well. I wish you the best of luck!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Did you find your paint brushes ?

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

Brushes I could find. Tubes of paint require a trip into the big city.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com