Cavegirl Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I'm starting up a small itinerant business producing historic and artistic green wood pieces using a pole/ spring lathe and wood carving techniques. Has anybody else tried this? I'll state from the beginning I'm doing this for love, the money doesn't interest me and I know I won't make much and my lifestyle won't need much- in fact I'd prefer to barter pieces for useful items! Could anybody here provide any advice on anything related such as ease and cost of setting up stalls on craft fairs, any useful guilds or groups to join or the art of selling your products? Would love to hear how you've got on in business whether in wood working or any other craft or trade.
kruella1986 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 hi hun glad you want to do something u enjoy! i setup my own business last aug painting glasswear and have been selling it on ebay. its not been mad busy but its bumbling along! you can find free website hosts that let you build your own website and i would suggest setting up with paypal. even though you arent in it for the money you will still have to declare it so keep it all above board its a slow process but you will get there good luck! kim x
Cavegirl Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Hi Kim, thanks for the good wishes I've been looking quite a bit into ecommerce and I'm thinking of setting up an Ebay shop so it's good to know that you've had some success with this. Your hand painted glasses are lovely, I particularly liked the rose ones, and I wish you the best of luck also for the future.
kruella1986 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 thank you! ebay has been ok but make sure you factor in all the fees etc. if you want any more help u can pm me look at weebly.com thats what i use and u can sell usin paypal on there. i hope it takes off for you hun! thank you! kim x
Vanadium Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Hi there, try contacting a chap called Robin Wood, he uses pole lathes for turning and also makes stuff with carving knives etc. he recently made some stuff for one of the hairy bikers shows i recall. van see here http://www.robin-wood.co.uk/
Cavegirl Posted January 7, 2012 Author Posted January 7, 2012 Thanks Vanadium. I know Robin Wood's work quite well, as I did a lot of internet research on him a while back. I particularly like his technique of making several increasingly smaller bowls from the same blank. I don't have a lathe suitable for bowl turning yet, but I'm on the lookout for a good set of plans.
rwss Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 Hi - just letting you know that it might be worth you contacting the new visitor centre at Ecclessall Woods off abbey Lane, there are lots of exciting wood craft people on site and there are sometimes events / fairs etc. Also there is the Working Woodlands Trust, based in Sheffield, which might be able to help - good luck with the new venture, its hard work running your own business, but it's the best thing and most satifying thing if you're a creative soul! - Emma from Running with Scissors http://www.rwssheffield.co.uk
buddyboy1 Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks Vanadium. I know Robin Wood's work quite well, as I did a lot of internet research on him a while back. I particularly like his technique of making several increasingly smaller bowls from the same blank. I don't have a lathe suitable for bowl turning yet, but I'm on the lookout for a good set of plans. Hi I also like the idea of creating small items from wood - just as a pleasure activity - and had a Myford ml7 lathe a few years ago but never had the time to use it so am considering replacing it with another now i am retired
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