[TheForge] Future of blacksmithing

[Jerry Frost]

Jeff:

If you're figures tell you you have to charge $60/hr to stay open, your 
production needs to actually turn out about 3X that number. In other words 
you need to be able to make that $20 item in about 6 mins to realize your 
$60/hr goal.

This isn't unrealistic though, just make sure you calculate your time 
accurately.

Another thing about events like swap meets, or better yet, demos is keep the 
item price under $20 and pocket or purse size. An under $10 piece just 
doesn't have the bragging rights and parting with less than $20 is pretty 
easy.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/


From: "Jeffrey Polaski" <jeff.polaski at rgs.uci.edu>


Just to add my $0.02...

Please keep in mind that I have no experience with this, but I'd like to
share my thoughts on making this smithing thing a business. I've been
looking into making this a full-time thing, working into it over a few
years.

I think one of the keys to making a successful go at this is to offer
something that's customized to the buyer. For example, if someone wants
a fence for their house, try adding elements that reflect the owner's
life. Maybe kids playing, or their favorite pet, or their car... you get
the idea. You need to make something they can't get elsewhere. The
people I've talked to have all emphasized that you can't skimp on
quality or creativity. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's an
easy way to go or anything. Just that it's important to do your best and
produce a quality product. Otherwise you're competing with cheap
imports, and I just don't see how you can win that battle.

Still, you need to get your name out. I was thinking of going to
swap-meets, SCA events and such. I figure if I can make three $20 items
an hour, and sell them, then that's $60 an hour. So I'd like to try
making bottle openers, railroad spike knives, that kind of thing. The
goal for the swap-meet isn't to make a lot of money, but advertising.
The only problem is I doubt the swap-meet crowd would be willing to fork
over a lot of money for custom smithing. But I figure it's worth a try.


Jeff Polaski
Research and Graduate Studies Webmaster
University of California, Irvine
http://www.rgs.uci.edu/
949.824.6363