[TheForge] re: a living

[Gladish Family]

OK, if I ever can't sell my wares or run out of customers, I'll never go
hungry- I've developed quite a taste for eating crow!
Your comments make more sense than what I was telling myself, so maybe it's
time to adjust my thinking...
Thanks,
Andy G.

PS. Don't you all just hate older guys who know what they're talking about?


Dan Tull wrote:
I didn't mean you sell them for nothing. I was relating to the
theory that factories employ many, therefore much stock is
divided. I don't want to make 400 of any thing, even @ my price.
I agree if you get your price, don't care what they sell them for-
as long as they sell. Higher prices help us all. Plus, a good outlet
for those that have trouble "selling".
What I am noting is:
	There is more money to be made( profit margin) in
one high end project, than 400 at wholesale. Think   wear and
tear on equpt. and body, consumables, and even fixed( you
pay more rent, elec. , etc. in 6 mo. than 3) cost.
	Ok, there aren't that many high end customers
out there. What's wrong with some rest time, or time to
build a portfolio, sample pieces that your wife would love
to have in her house, or those you could put out on consignment.
	George D. once told me, just after he finished an $850
per foot railing( mine go for about $350/' ) , that " there are more
customers out there that can( and will) pay that much, than there
are B/S that can or will do that quality of work".
	How does this relate to the hobbiest that, 90% of what
he makes, he gives away as Christmas presents? If you want to
make J hooks, and sell to make gas money, fine. If you price
them high enough, you might be saving for a power hammer.
Fine! But ever strive to assemble simple steps into complicated
( read expensive) pieces that affluient customers will pay you
what one-of-a-kind 'stuff' is worth.
	I have a friend that was excited to make $200 @ a
craft show. He would come help me in my shop make a gate
that sold for $4000. Paid a rate of $10/hr. , in two days, he would
make more than he made selling his own works. Didn't take
him long to change his criteria.