My Journey Back Into The World Of A Fulltime Woodworker

So since I have not had a shop all winter I have been writing a business plan, and searching for a building that I can lease or rent for a shop. We have been working on our products that we want to sell at craft shows, plus we plan on doing custom orders and a line of chairs that we want to offer thru a web site. Oh when I say we, I mean my wife and I for she is going to be my partner in this venture. For she doe’s stain glass and ceramics tiles. We plan on combining both with my woodworking to make what I hope is some usually and marketable pieces.

First I know all the pitfall, as this is not my first rodeo and I am sure I’ll get thrown down and stomp plenty of time on this journey, however I have to give it one more chance in my life before I give of on it. I have been in business for myself before, both as a trim carpenter sub contractor, and a cabinet shop owner. I have done kitchen and commercial cabinets in the pass. I always was able to find fill work that help to keep my shop hovering just above the red in the early years. I’m hoping I can repeat that luck. I also I my carpentry skills, so I know how to market my skills to builders and other subs. But buildings slow here and its pretty cut throat out there and I haven’t worked in the building trade for the last four years, so I don’t have a lot of fresh contacts there. I live in an area that is big into antiques so there is always work for stripping and repair work and I have experience at both, although its not what I really enjoy, but I’ll do it if pays the bills.

Just so you all don’t think we lost our minds completely we both plan on keeping our jobs until this venture either proves we don’t need them no longer or the vice versa. Which any case my wife will more than likely keep hers just for the insurance.

I will keep this blog going as I progress, because I know there are a lot LJ out their want to know what its like to do this but can’t for reason or another do it themselves. I wont lie I wake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat thinking WTF am I doing, you’ve been there and done this before I say, and then the sawdust in my blood lull me back to calm and I smell the faint smell of cedar from my closet and I smile and go back to sleep knowing that its all I am meant to do.

-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/