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

[Two Much]

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.

[Cochese]

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.

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[Richard in Smithville]

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.

[cabinetman]

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.

.

[RMCWoodWorks]

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!!

[Tom Slick]

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.

[cabinetman]

For a few years I made a custom product for a specific model motorcycle.

What was it?

.

[Tom Slick]

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/

[chopnhack]

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?

[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.

[cabinetman]

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?

.

[Tom Slick]

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.