This should be an interesting topic. I am semi-retired now, so I pick up a few jobs remodeling rooms. I have been thinking about putting some of my small build in a couple of shops in the small town here. I have one that might be interested, need to stop back in and see what kind of a deal we can come up with.
I’m in a college town, so the only real hope I’d have to sell something locally would be small projects, or art. Probably sold at the Farmer’s Market or maybe at one of the boutique style stores. But I’d imagine both would be pricey to sell through. Dunno. It’s an interesting topic.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
ive thought about doing some craft fairs when i retire ? not really to make money but it would give me something to do and pay for the hobby which isn't cheap as we all know.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
The craft shows would be good. There is one in the small town here in the fall. Maybe a few others in the area. But yes not a money maker, but enough to keep the hobby active.
Maybe not fair as I did it (boatbuilding) for a main business but marquetry has been good to me as a side, both commissions and the school. I’ve been very lucky.
The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.
As a shopper, I’d love to buy anything wooden for my kitchen:
Wooden spoons, spurtle, spatula, bench scraper, rolling pin, cutting board, measuring spoons and cups, ladle, bowls, long handled and short handled scoops (from tiny for spices, to large for bulk food bins)
A recipe book stand with a drawer underneath for pens, bookmarks, ruler;
Have made several things over the years for charity auctions or sales. Have had a couple of people then ask if I would make them a similar object but at a price less than sold at the auction. Said no. to low. Find it is a small market for a lot of things as most do not realize the cost of the wood, hardware, etc. let alone the time to make it. Example: Pennsylvania Spice Chest. Person seriously ask if I would make them one, would pay $500. The Walnut and hardware, cost close to or more.
Do see items on Etsy and similar sites. Interesting subject.
What sort of items would appeal to you, your skills, and resources. Do you want to make individual or unique, artistic, items? Or would you prefer to make production type items; say folding TV type tables or cutting boards. Selling could go in several directions from weekly farmers markets, to annual craft fairs or consignment shops and finally on line like Etsy. Will it be profitable enough to require income tax reporting, and getting a small business license as local laws might require?
There is a site in the US called ArtfulHome, where crafts-people can sell their work. Similar to Etsy, but potential sellers must be Juried, that is, your work is judged by other members of the site, and only the highest quality is accepted. Exceptional quality photos of your work are a must. https://www.artfulhome.com/About-Artful-Home#artists
I would apply to ArtfulHome for membership but they are almost exclusively carrying American and Canadian (resident) artists.
Side business has the word business in it, so it assumes profitable to some degree. I also think the new term is "side hustle". I'm looking forward to retiring soon so I've been doing a little research. I've had some spoons on Etsy for about 6 months. I don't think I'll be carving many more to sell.
I forgot one more thing. I think internet sites may now be required to report any sales that total over $600 for the year to the IRS. Has anyone heard any more on this?
I forgot one more thing. I think internet sites may now be required to report any sales that total over $600 for the year to the IRS. Has anyone heard any more on this? Bold
This is true. Anything over $600 will be reported as income unless you prepare like a business
Eight years ago my daughter asked me to make her a mediation bench that would break down so it could be packed in a suitcase when she traveled. Pretty soon some of her friends asked to make some for them. Then a friend of my wife's..... I may not be the brightest but I was beginning to see a trend. At the same time I was wanting to buy a new jointer/planer combo unit but I couldn't really justify the expense. It was a want not a need. So I decided to give it a run on etsy and it was successful enough for me to get the jointer/planer combo unit. But it also consumed most of my shop time that it really did become like a job so I stopped making them. But I learned a lot about streamlining repetitive tasks (jigs) and the value of fast drying finishes.
So if you've ever had something that a number of friends have wanted you to build, maybe that's your ticket.
I have a booth at local gallery/gift shop in town. We get lots of travelers passing through or staying a few days for fire academy training or explosives training at local facilities. This means a variety of customers/tastes.
The booth rental is $45/month and the gallery cut is 15%.
I do well as far as sales volume, but no real profits. I keep spreadsheets for each project that include all the material costs, tooling wear, supplies, etc, and decide on a price from that. Basically I'm recovering all my expenses except for labor.
I still work full time so I can't really go crazy with a bigger inventory until I retire, but I have experimented with higher prices on some items. More elaborate boxes and my lamps are selling at the higher prices, tables and bigger pieces not so much. Definitely a "sweet" spot for moving stock at lower prices versus waiting for a sale for some time at a higher price. There is one "big" crafts show in town each year that attracts a lot of visitors (Festival of the Cranes at the local wildlife refuge). Even time I've attended, sales have been good, but the prices are not changed from my gallery booth.
I like this arrangement since I can work at my own pace and build what I want. A few commissions come along, but then I have to go 100% to get those complete. More profit, but much lower volume.
$50 a month and 15% sounds like the average then. Another place in the local town is asking 20%. Guess I need to get an inventory establish and have a go at it. Not into it for the big money but enough the support the hobby.
