Thread: Boxes. What for?

I too make a lot of boxes and sell at a local market. My primary reason for making boxes is that they use small quantities of timber and offer a large scope for a bit of artistic licence. What then do you do with 200? boxes. The boxes are made from recovered or left over local timbers and that governs the size, with no reference to the 'golden mean', or 'function', just the fun of making a box. Size doesn't seem to matter so long as it is seen to be a 'reasonable' price. They all do sell. Some of them were sold at a local gallery for prices that surprised me.
At a market, they definitely need to be sold, not one of my stronger skills. It would appear that at this local market, local timber, hand made with hand made bandings and being able to talk to the maker, (me), is a strong selling point.
Pricing is always a problem. I tried to 'make a living' from handcrafts in wood, but found very quickly that prices must reflect the surroundings. Gallery prices have to be high because of gallery markup and other costs, whereas market prices should be just that, and can be 'just samples' for the 'better stuff'. Either way the bank balance is about the same, but the ego level may be higher with gallery sales. Now I price to what I reckon I can get for it. When challanged, "Why is that one dearer than that one", I waffle on about the quality, scarcity or unusual colour of the wood etc. This situation was also reflected in woodturning sales, even when when it is said the stuff I make is ok.
As for 'quality', many of the boxes I thought were only so so, and "encouraged" by swmbo to take to the markets, sold quickly.
The bottom line imho, is if you enjoy making boxes, go for it, and do with them whatever makes you feel good.
Just my thoughts on the matter..
Jim