Well – I am trying to decide – which directions do I want to go next. Just can’t decide.
First of all – where am I.
1. Currently in two craft malls and quite frankly – SALES SUCK!
2. Going to an Arts and Craft show this weekend and hoping for the best.
3. Posting everything I make on Facebook and lots of lookers but very few sales.
4. Thinking about ETSY but have not made the jump – just can’t decide.
Second – what do I want to do.
1. I want to make craft because I enjoy doing it.
2. I want to make some money – not a lot but cover expenses and a little change.
3. I want to see the smile on peoples face, or the thank you’s E-Mail, when they get on of my products.
What does the wife want.
1. This to be a low end hobby and not much more. That is the sticking point.
SO what do I do. Quite frankly – I DON’T KNOW.
-- Just learning the craft my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ practiced.
3 comments so far
Nighthawk
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423 posts in 522 days
#1 posted 240 days ago
The day your turn your hobby into a job is the day the enjoyment will cease
-- Rome wasn't built in a day... but I wasn't on that job? ... http://www.southernrider.co.nz/projects/
davidroberts
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952 posts in 1651 days
#2 posted 240 days ago
I would not consider scroll saw work high end wallet pain. Your raw materials can be cut down to working size using hand power tools or the manual kind. Like any other money making venture, you must control your expenses and maximize your profits. Don’t kid yourself, if you want to sell something on a regular basis, they call that a business. Finding markets that pay you verses the other way around is never easy, except for trades we should not discuss on a family website. This is something most folks don’t want to hear, but I’ve know several hobbyist that pick up a part time job just to help support the startup until they hit on that one item people must have. If making money from scroll saw work doesn’t work out, at least you didn’t lose any. Local publicity never hurt either. You may be a candidate for a fluff piece in the local newspaper or local news. One last thing, and I’m not sure why this is true, the more you give away, the more you make. I’m talking more about volunteering, local involvement. Not money. But making a few cute scroll items for free distribution seems to pay dividends. Think about a company that needs a 1,000 whatumacallits to give as advertisement to clients. Churches, and other non-profit organization that may give small items away for marketing or as gifts. I lied, this is one last thing, in today’s world you sometimes need to go big or go home, to break out of the mindset that it’s only a hobby. Selling small and occasionally is never ever easy. Just some random thought here. Wishing you the best of luck.
-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.
redryder
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1579 posts in 1267 days
#3 posted 240 days ago
I see you got a short answer and a long answer. I took a look at your “projects” pages and I see a recurring style. You do good work and are very skilled but is your style best suited for the senior center or the mall. The folks at the senior center seem to be tight with a buck while the younger generation will buy what’s cool on impulse. You may need to get “hip” like this guy. Good luck on those sales and hobby…......................
-- mike...............
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