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  1. #1
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    Question woodcarving as a liveing

    hey just thinking is there anyone out there who carves full time as a liveing?
    its somethink i thing of doing more and more now days

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  3. #2
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    Dec 2007
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    I think it would be pretty hard in this country when people can buy imported carvings for next to nothing. I sell some of my works, but i would not like to rely on it to put food on the table. Im happy if i can get enough money to buy more timber and tools.

  4. #3
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    Default For living...

    Have any of you any experience with placing pieces in galleries or on consignment in gift shops?

  5. #4
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    yeah i use to stick some of my works in a gift shop back in nz but didnt like the mark up the place was makeing off my works

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by nz_carver View Post
    yeah i use to stick some of my works in a gift shop back in nz but didnt like the mark up the place was makeing off my works
    I'm new to the wood carving thing - but I've some experience in working with businesses/ investors in art. The main thing I've learned: NEVER try to calculate your per hour rate unless you happen to be an economist and understand that there is a "leisure" offset to compensate for the potentially endless hours invested in making something *just right*. I'm really liking working with small bits of beautiful wood and stone. I'm hoping to sell some of my work, but I doubt I can part with any of my "fine" pieces. I have one that I'm still working on that I must have already put over a hundred hours into. It is beautiful - (I lay credit to the wood, I just listened to it and let it say what it wanted to say). The only time I could see selling that is with an attached display contract to a prominent gallery. And, not that it matters really, but I don't have a big head. I have no idea how other people are going to receive my work, but I'm impressed with myself and have thought that I might someday be able to find a niche with the little pieces that I do. Might be pipe dreams, but I'm holding onto the idea that my experience with design and display might give it that edge? Who knows. How much of a markup? I wouldn't mind the markup - I would only mind if I wasn't getting a fair value, which for me is, so far, quite hard to calculate, as I spend so much time on detail, just figuring out the material science of these different woods!

  7. #6
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    [quote=grainspeaks;794603 but I doubt I can part with any of my "fine" pieces. I have one that I'm still working on that I must have already put over a hundred hours into. It is beautiful - ![/quote]
    love to see some pics of your work grainspeaks

    what if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by underfoot View Post
    love to see some pics of your work grainspeaks
    Thank you! I will, but since my mom still hasn't gotten any pictures yet, I figure it might be a minute. Weird thing: I'm a photographer. But when I'm carving, I don't feel like taking pictures. I'm sure I'll get over it once I reach a learning plateau. But really, thanks. I'd like to hear people's opinions.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by grainspeaks View Post
    Thank you! I will, but since my mom still hasn't gotten any pictures yet, I figure it might be a minute. Weird thing: I'm a photographer. But when I'm carving, I don't feel like taking pictures. I'm sure I'll get over it once I reach a learning plateau. But really, thanks. I'd like to hear people's opinions.
    how come your mom has to get the photos for you
    cameras are easy to use

    and welcome to the forum start a new thread when you get them photos ,always look forward too seeing work for a new Carver

    most carvers think like what you said in post 5 but some carvers are better like underfoot and some are coppers like me
    smile and the world will smile with you

  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by SPIRIT View Post
    how come your mom has to get the photos for you
    cameras are easy to use

    and welcome to the forum start a new thread when you get them photos ,always look forward too seeing work for a new Carver

    most carvers think like what you said in post 5 but some carvers are better like underfoot and some are coppers like me
    To be clear, I was making a little perspective-joke that since I'm a photographer, and even my overseas mother has not received any photos, that I think it might be a while until I get around to taking any. It is not laziness, it is a headspace thing. I am a semi-professional photographer. I think that you might think of it like this: you never buy a mechanic's car. I'll get to it - someday. My husband keeps saying he will take photos, but doesn't.

  11. #10
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    Hmmmm hoist on your own petard I think Spirit

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by grainspeaks View Post
    The main thing I've learned: NEVER try to calculate your per hour rate unless you happen to be an economist !
    unless of course you wish to make a career of wood sculpture, then it is vital that you do the maths (as uncomfortable as that can be)
    it requires passion, persistence and hard work (sort of like success in any endevour) but it is worth it if thats what you really want to do,( and you would like to have someone pay you to do it)
    grainspeaks, if you like small intricate carvings , have a look at australian netsuke carver Susan Wraight, her (egg sized) work is in high demand here and internationally at between $5000-$20,000 per piece.

    what if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by iggy View Post
    hmmmm hoist on your own petard i think spirit:d
    :b
    smile and the world will smile with you

  14. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by underfoot View Post
    grainspeaks, if you like small intricate carvings , have a look at australian netsuke carver Susan Wraight, her (egg sized) work is in high demand here and internationally at between $5000-$20,000 per piece.
    Funny you say that, I just wrote something very similar for schaf. Must go and check up on Susan now...

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