Does fame equal fortune???

usually $$$$$ =/= wholesale

$$$$ furniture usually goes through private designers, and designers show rooms and similar marketing paths, not through mass production.

and even then – don’t expect to be selling large quantities… hence the $$$$ per item which needs to cover for the lower demand, and less sales.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I see the same thing. I believe you have to make yourself “known” by writing a book, being published in magazines, having work in galleries, etc. You have to put yourself out there. You have to think of it like Nike vs Voit or the like. Nike will charge more because it’s a name brand, but it doesn’t mean they will last longer. There are tons of woodworkers that make Maloof rockers, and in my mind their work is just as nice. But because of who he is they will never be able to sell their piece at the same price as theres. It’s just how it is.
I prefer fortune over fame too, but in woodworking it seems as though you can’t have one without the other.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

Looking back at my past business experiences, I have always done better shoveling pennies than chasing dollars. In the woodworking business, which is still very new to me, I seem to be evolving as a bootmaker to kings. You would be surprised how many kings need shoes.

-- rob

I think this is all mater of luck or who you know. This question is asked in all the arts why them ,I’m a better artist. Look at Norm he was a carpenter and not a furniture maker and all the true furniture makers back east dished his show and projects and even his appearance in FWW but if you put most of there salaries up against Norms salary I would imagine none of them made what Norm made even though there talents exceeded Norms from day one. Look at some of the biggest talents here in Ljs some have had very successful blog cast made award winning furniture but still struggle to make ends meet ,were some dead furniture makers lounge chair brings $ 18000. Some make good money because they get a well to do client that loves there work, some are just smarter than most Like Thomas Moser and some just luck out.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I agree with Jim….and reiterate it is mostly luck….there are lots of very skilled artisans…but only a few get the recognition they deserve. Then there are the ones that get the recognition and don’t really have the skill…the only thing us “amateurs” can do is keep pluging along and enhancing our skills….someday perhaps we will get collected or “famous” – for me though…I’m not holding my breath…LOL

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

it isnt luck..it’s marketing.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I agree with Dan, it’s marketing. As I said, you have to make yourself known. Not only that you have to have great customer service and a great product. Referrals are a must. You can advertise out the wazzoo, but if you don’t market a good product you will fail anyways. But unless you get your name out there, nobody knows you exist, hhhmmmm….now I feel like a nobody….oh wait I am. LOL

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

Hello! Billy Mays here for MIGHTY PUTTY! Does this ring a bell? Or the dirt drill?

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I’m going to say smoke and mirrors. I’ve kept track of a known show with some amazing piece of work…most of which sit in the builders house. You might charge big bucks but after dragging a piece to five different shows and having it sit in two different galleries the profit drops real fast. The real questions is “Are these guys even making any money?”

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Hard to say. One technique in marketing is private treaty sales agreements. ie: ” I will sell you this piece for 100 bucks and 900 bucks discount if you agree to make sure everyone knows you paid a grand for it.”

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I think it is more about branding. Once you have your brand developed, you market that. I don’t think anyone becomes an overnight “success.” They’ve had failures along the way and then favorable conditions come together and it gives the appearance that they “made it” overnight.

... just a little philosophy during the ALCS ball game waiting for tung oil to dry.

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

I think if its in the cards for you to be noticed you will be. I myself love to work the wood and if fame comes from it, all the better.
Although I dont feel my work is good enough for me to become famous its fun to think about.

-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.

I’m going to agree with Dan; it isnt luck..it’s marketing.

My twist is you have to market to the architect/designer doing the upscale redecorating up-front. Even in the rare air I don’t think anyone pays those outrageous prices for pre-made or showroom pieces or anything that may be duplicated previously. You may even need to have a private showroom of past work just to get their attention. The great money is for custom made pieces that are built to dimensional specification from the architect/designer. The LJ will have an input into type of wood, finish and joinery.

The dark side of this is it takes quite a bit of time to wine and dine the architect/designers for the work. The discussions could take 100 hours over 3 months before you get a commitment. Unless someone knowledgable in the shop capabilty/talent is doing the footwork and other are working, it leaves few deliverables over a year.

I think some of the “name” people have most of this business due to having a structure in their business to account for this. Plus, the architects/designers have seen their prior work and know they can count on them to deliver on time. Also, that market may be so relatively small that only a few can survive.

In the end, the margin may not be as much as you may think.

Steve.

I putter. I used to drink and gamble. Now I putter. I’ve probably not spent AT LEAST 100K by puttering instead of gambling and drinking Blue. I do miss the thrills, though.
Gene

-- Gene

Incredible sex appeal doesn’t hurt—-Or I guess it doesn’t, I wouldn’t know

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

I think I must be putting too low a price tag on everything. It doesn’t sell even then.

I’m going to mark everything up, way up. Maybe that unbelievable price tag will impress someone.

-- Making Sawdust Safely

Its a simple matter of perception. In my world I am famous and rich. Show me someone who says they got rich cutting wood, and I’ll show you a liar. I mean $10,000 is a lot for a piece of furniture, but if you only sell one piece a year, well that ain’t getting rich.

-- http://www.efcabineture.com/ You can be tired, or you can be broke, but you should never be tired and broke.

I think that dennis is closest to the truth. A lot of talented folks – say David Marks with TV shows and all, spend a lot of time working shows, doing demo’s teaching classes etc. ANd those pieces are not made in large numbers – so if you want to be Grossing 120K/year in sales – - no counting the cost of materials and transport and overhead, which is easily 40% of the cost. so a 1 man show salary of 72K before taxes.
You need to make and SELL 6000 in stuff on average every month.

In reality – you will have pieces out in galleries, and in your garage, and travelling to shows, which is seasonal. So few are making a fortune of any sort.
Think about the Maloof chairs you see at the art shows. You see them each day – how many actually SOLD for 5-7K at the show??
It is the steady work that pays the bills – selling a big comission piece is just gravy on top. I would liken the golf analogy from Jack Nicklaus?? You Drive for show but you Putt for Dough. It is the short game that decides winners and losers, and not an extra 15 yards off the tee.

-- Its never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.