Do you, or anyone you know, make stuff to sell?

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Two Much
    Established Member
    • Mar 2003
    • 365
    • Long Island, NY
    • (two) Ryobe BT-3's

    #16
    It's strictly a hobby for us. We make a lot of our furnature, and incorporate
    some of our stained glass (another hobby) in some woodworking pieces.
    Many have asked us to do stained glass for them, but I always refuse.

    Comment

    • Cochese
      Veteran Member
      • Jun 2010
      • 1988

      #17
      I've just received my first commission, a set of about 15 chairs and tables for the church I did the sets for. If I sell them for a dollar, I'll have achieved my goal of selling something out of my shop.

      I don't think I'll ever want to do this as supplemental income though, not with how easy my day job is.

      Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
      I have a little blog about my shop

      Comment

      • Richard in Smithville
        Veteran Member
        • Oct 2006
        • 3014
        • On the TARDIS
        • BT 3100

        #18
        I sell pens and things but only so it pays for itself. If I got into it much more then it would no longer be a hobby and I don't think I would find it as much fun.
        From the "deep south" part of Canada

        Richard in Smithville

        http://richardspensandthings.blogspot.com/

        Comment

        • cabinetman
          Gone but not Forgotten RIP
          • Jun 2006
          • 15216
          • So. Florida
          • Delta

          #19
          When I started out I was making lamps. My intentions were to make a half dozen or so samples, and offer them in different colors. I would set up displays at craft shows and flea markets. If that had worked out, the work would have been very systematic. I would know what materials I would need, and my cuts would all be pretty much batched.

          But, right from the beginning, it turned into a custom business, and after some months, the business turned into woodworking and cabinetmaking. There were always requests for something to be made, and since there were bills to be paid, I had to figure out how to make whatever somebody wanted.

          Word gets around and all a shop needs is a few designers and architects to keep busy. There is a demand for high end custom work. But now that I think about the last 40 years, I'm wondering how it would have worked out the other way. Whether certain lines would have been picked up in chain stores and sold all over sounds like a good deal for a shop/factory making them. But, I think about all I've learned, and the creativity involved, made my choices rewarding.

          .

          Comment

          • RMCWoodWorks
            Forum Newbie
            • Dec 2010
            • 15

            #20
            I have done a few craft shows, some juried, and recommend them as a way to get a sense of what sells and for how much. However, after you've done some you may find that ...

            - indoor is better
            - 2 days is plenty, 3 is overkill except possibly during November
            - concrete is hard, get one of those gel mats if you're serious about pursuing, also a chair ...

            I now have things on consignment in a gift shop at 40% commission. The commission is high, but they're there every day and I'm not. Sales are fine, but very seasonal ...

            Good luck!!

            Comment

            • Tom Slick
              Veteran Member
              • May 2005
              • 2913
              • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
              • sears BT3 clone

              #21
              For a few years I made a custom product for a specific model motorcycle. I did zero advertising, had no storefront, did transactions through email, and took payments by paypal and money orders. It was all word of mouth on enthusiast forums.
              I sold about 50 total and was tired of building them by the end. It was no longer fun and no longer felt like a hobby.
              Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

              Comment

              • cabinetman
                Gone but not Forgotten RIP
                • Jun 2006
                • 15216
                • So. Florida
                • Delta

                #22
                Originally posted by Tom Slick
                For a few years I made a custom product for a specific model motorcycle.
                What was it?

                .

                Comment

                • Tom Slick
                  Veteran Member
                  • May 2005
                  • 2913
                  • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
                  • sears BT3 clone

                  #23
                  A fender rack for a Suzuki DRZ400S

                  Here's a website from my biggest fan, you'd think he was on commission with how many people he referred to me.
                  http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/
                  Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

                  Comment

                  • chopnhack
                    Veteran Member
                    • Oct 2006
                    • 3779
                    • Florida
                    • Ryobi BT3100

                    #24
                    That's a nice bit of metal work and welding you did Tom! I love to see stories like this, where there is niche market that you would have never thought existed!! Did you own the same bike Tom? How did you happen on an opportunity like that?
                    I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

                    Comment

                    • Tom Slick
                      Veteran Member
                      • May 2005
                      • 2913
                      • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
                      • sears BT3 clone

                      #25
                      I had a DRZ400S and hung around the Thumpertalk forums. A guy posted a picture of a simple fender rack but wasn't interested in making any more. I made a slightly different design and posted a picture, a few guys ordered them. I then offered them in any size they wanted and they really caught on. There are a few other racks on the market but none were custom and none used the same mounting system.
                      They've been to Canada, Europe, Asia, and the middle east.
                      I made enough profit to cover my dirt bike habit.
                      I still get an email from someone wanting a rack on occasion but I'm not interested.
                      Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

                      Comment

                      • cabinetman
                        Gone but not Forgotten RIP
                        • Jun 2006
                        • 15216
                        • So. Florida
                        • Delta

                        #26
                        Originally posted by Tom Slick
                        I had a DRZ400S and hung around the Thumpertalk forums. A guy posted a picture of a simple fender rack but wasn't interested in making any more. I made a slightly different design and posted a picture, a few guys ordered them. I then offered them in any size they wanted and they really caught on. There are a few other racks on the market but none were custom and none used the same mounting system.
                        They've been to Canada, Europe, Asia, and the middle east.
                        I made enough profit to cover my dirt bike habit.
                        I still get an email from someone wanting a rack on occasion but I'm not interested.
                        I don't usually see a rack on a dirt bike. So, these must be dual purpose use?

                        .

                        Comment

                        • Tom Slick
                          Veteran Member
                          • May 2005
                          • 2913
                          • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
                          • sears BT3 clone

                          #27
                          They fit the Dual Sport and Super Moto versions only. I did get a few inquiries for the dirt only version of the DRZ but their sub-frame is different.
                          Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

                          Comment

                          Working...