Thread: Professional Turners

thanks for this question.........none. this all for the effort of getting my head out of my own business at least one day of the week. if i sell a pen great, other wise i just like making pens (and other things)

laurie

What she said.

I know is, but other than that not many. As was said above a lot will sell some of their work, but not enough to make a living, but enough to keep them in wood.

Me i'm not good enough

Hi Mick,

I started my woodturning business up about a year ago, turning in any spare time I have and am slowly building it up. I have several regular clients and have done a number of commissions. I also demonstrate around the UK. The only advertising I've done is through my website. My aim is to build my business up to the point that I am a full time woodturner within the next 18 months or so. Feel free to take a look at my site!

Cheers,

Richard

I am suppose to use it to help out with an income but most pen sales I give back to Jim or froggie to feed the addiction. So if I had to use it to feed me I would be now at goal weight..Whooo hoo perhaps that what hubbies got to do..LOL
bye Toni

I think more money goes out than comes in by far but I love the addiction

Lots of toys as well

I love wood, I love turning pens, I would love to be able to make a living at it, but, it is slowly, slowly, as she goes. Meanwhile, i keep working at my business to be able pay for more kits, Amos

Money from turning pens or just money from turning?

In general, I think my shed income breaks down to something like: the pens pay for the next lot of kits & blanks, other turnings pay for the turning tools (chisels, chucks, etc) and my other woodwork (ie. client's work ) covers the BIG tool expenses.

The more I enjoy it, the less money it makes. Mainly because I don't try to sell things... it just "happens."

I have a friend in America and he does the pen circuit in America, yes there is one. 90% of his pen are acrylic and only 10% timber, the bolder, the brighter the acrylic the more pens he sells. The kits he uses are Emperor, Statesman and Gentleman pens 80% in 22k gold the rest in Black Ti. The majority of them are fountain pens and he said you must talk fountain pen fluently. with the cheapest fountain pen starting at $250 he will clear nearly $ 10 000 a show, but he carries at least 300 pens with him and has his lathe set up in his motor home so he can make pens on the road while the missus is driving. Got to find a missus like that. He says that if yopu can not turn and complete 4 to 5 pens in an hour you will be losing money. With acrylic it is possible but he is very good and has been doing it for some time.
Darren

I used to work as a trade turner for 6 years, it was my income for that time but repitition and dust got to me so i gave it up. I still want to get a lathe though for home one day and continue this as a hobby.

Originally Posted by bdar

... turn and complete 4 to 5 pens in an hour ...
Darren

I am amazed someone can do it that fast, even with acrylics being faster. But I agree, you would need to make that many to be profitable

I make mine for pleasure and sell the excess. When I do retire I'll probably make more to sell at markets, but then it will be more about just meeting and talking to people, the money will still be "pocket money".

How to make a small fortune from wood turning . ANSWER Start with a large fortune .