By the Professional Power Tool Guide
Can I sell my woodworking projects? With the right products and a place to sell them, many woodworkers find they can sell their projects. The first consideration is to figure out who your target market is. For the home hobbyist, family and friends are the natural recipients of your projects. But, they are not your target market to sell to. Take some time and investigate who would want to purchase your products. Explore local craft fairs and speak with other woodworkers and see what they are selling. Check out online markets such as EBay to see what types of wood projects are selling. Some woodworkers do pieces by special order only.
After basic research, the next step is figuring out what products to focus on. Some woodworkers create unique sculptures. Others create practical home items. And still others make furniture pieces. You need to decide where you want to start. Smaller pieces often sell to the most people if the price is right. But, the larger pieces that require more work should sell for higher prices. Many woodworkers who sell their projects have a mixture of small pieces and a few larger show pieces. This helps grab the most people.
If you decide to do projects on special order, then you will need to have some samples available. Whether sculpture or furniture pieces, the customer will want to get an idea of what they are buying. Take pictures of projects as they are completed. If you have some pieces in your own home, they can often become hands-on samples. And try to work in a variety of woods and techniques if it interests you. This will allow your customers to feel that you can handle the choices that they make.
Some woodworkers focus on creating the pieces that other woodworkers do not want to tackle. Table legs are a prime example of this. If a home hobbyist wants to make a table, they may get intimidated by the thought of creating intricate legs. If they can come to your shop or your online store and see what options you have, ordering is the next logical step. If you have access to old wood, then there are niche markets out there of people who love old wood. Take a moment and investigate what niche you can fill with your wood working skills.
Your website looks really good. Being a blog writer myself, I really appreciate the time you took in writing this article.
My name is Jim, l have for the past 7-8 years buying up all tools, machines for my workshop.
Buy many dozens of books, magazines a few DVD’s, to teach myself.
I am as well trying to promote myself, to l hope be able to sell what l make to help my wife meet bills etc.
I have been on a disability pension since 1988, now only getting $ 694.91 a month put stress on my wife. She goes to work in pain sick no matter, am proud of her and lucky to have her.
My thinking is l live on a country road close to lake ontario and down my road one side 3 camp grounds other side 1/2 mile l guess another 2 large campgrounds.
So am thinking about now right into late summer of making flower boxes for railings, decks, bench with square flower box on each end.
Make patio tables, side end tables, a few kids sand boxes,
barbque carts etc.
And as well year round make coffee end tables/end table sets, book shelves, DVD/Cd shelving units, childrens book shelves toy boxes etc am allowed to make $ 4,500.00 a year.
If works out my goal is to get off pension maybe after 1-2 years am only 51 have 20 or so years left lol.
Just need opinion of above products and other idea’s to add to it and how to price them to sell.
Having hard time using word 2000 to make a basic web site, have front page but sympatico don’t support it.
Need idea’s of above and others idea;s, views etc please email me anyone.
Thanks
Jim