Thread: Something different this way comes...

They look nice !
Good challenge to work with a time limit. Finally it was the problem with my hairstick wich was "highly unmarketable"
Keep on showing us your results !

Originally Posted by Robthechisel

Hi Whittling, I thought of Jarrah for it's hardness but yes it is a bit open grained. I guess there is plenty of other dark wood options or stains. I have a fair bit of experience in online sales as I do it myself a lot & work part time in it. There is a lot of cheap stuff online & although it opens up new areas for you to sell too ( worldwide if you want ) you may struggle to get your price as people don't appreciate the quality & uniqueness of your product. Perhaps best to stick to what your doing for now.
Cheers
Rob.

Hi Rob, I think you are right about other dark woods. I'm going to try some blackwood soon. I also think walnut would work well with this. I've got some small bits of walnut around somewhere.... from an old piano leg I think. I remember using a bit of it a few years ago and was impressed with it. Now ... to remember where I've put it..

I'm not in a hurry to do the internet selling thing. I'm not having trouble moving what I'm making now, but I would value your opinion about a site called 'Etsy'. Seems targeted at art sales. Do you know anything about it? Comments?

Thanks Copeau, I know it can be a touchy subject with some... the balance between 'art' and saleable work. Some few have broken though the 'invisible ceiling' where their work commands sufficient money to make what they do a career on which they can live. Most of us are not that fortunate and have to find a compromise. Its the old dilemma about carving for money or for love... cause its damn hard to find a way to do both!

I'll post new designs as I can.

Hi Whittling, I haven't heard of Etsy before but just had a look, it looks ok and their fees are reasonable, I noticed they have carvings from $10 to $1000's, good range which is what you want as long as the site gets enough traffic it's probably worth a try. Another one you could look at is yessy.com, very similar to Etsy, they charge a fee of $59.00 a year no commission 14 day free trial, pretty good if you have plenty to sell. I believe they do get good traffic. Hope that helps.
Rob.

Thanks Rob, I'll have a look.

Love the work whittling. your standards are something I aspire to achieve. Love your work.

Thanks for the kind words Robba. Much appreciated. I'm only just beginning to realise the commercial potential for this stuff. I had a two day market this weekend and put this stuff up to the public for only the second time. I got a bit of a surprise at the interest (and sales) they generated.

My wife, who is big into whale and dolphin research and conservation, twisted my arm and got me to make her one of a leaping dolphin so she could wear it as a knitted scarf broach/pin, to a whale and dolphin watchers conference here in Victor Harbor on the same weekend. (There wasn't time to do a whale as well so she went with just the dolphin...) I now have firm orders for another seven and I fully expect, when the 'whale' pattern is done, I'll have more.

The beauty of this kind of thing is that you can tailor your motif to appeal to just about anything.... from Australiana to flower species to steam trains (or whatever).... The potential for markets seems limitless. The preparation of patterns is not all that difficult once you've set up the basic 'circle in an oval' framework. You just have to find a 'google' line drawing of your subject and superimpose it on the fame and presto... one pattern.

I don't think I've come anywhere near touching the bottom of this particular well yet. I'll try to post new designs as I get a chance.

It sounds like you've created quite a business for yourself with these, Whittling. A good way to make the hobby pay for itself.

I got a similar response to mine, but it takes me too long to make them to consider it profitable. Only made the two so far, I guess I'd get faster with time. I got an order for 20 hair pins and pendants from a local shop, but I'm mainly making pendants, especially since my scroll saw is temporarily out of order.

A coincidence you mentioned the dolphin - it was suggested to me a couple of days ago that I should make some. Haven't got around to drawing one up yet. I've been playing around with carving knots.

Well done on creating a niche market for yourself.
I've been wondering if many people actually wear the hair pins and pendants, or buy them as show pieces.