rusty baker

For several years, I designed, built and sold a lot of children's furniture. Mostly unique table and chair sets. Over the last two years sales have dwindled to almost nothing. I know some of you do this strictly as a hobby, but for those that sell, are you selling much? What is selling? I donated a truck load to charity to keep it from sitting. But I really can't afford to build much if I can't sell some.

thekctermite

How are you marketing your products? Ebay, craigslist, craft shows, childrens stores, website, word of mouth?

rusty baker

Have tried craft shows, furniture stores, e-bay. Craft shows have almost died out. Furniture stores that I have sold to in the past, tell me people are only buying foreign-made mass-produced cheap junk. Didn't have much luck with e-bay. At one time I did great at that Mound City, Ks. show, but it is dead.

Jason W

I know a couple of Cabinet/Furniture makers here in Vermont. Everyone is really slow right now. No new orders coming in at all, but they are subsidizing by doing repairs.

Maybe that would help get you through until people start spending money again.

rusty baker

My primary trade is carpet installation, but the housing woes have hurt that, too.

sweensdv

With the new regulations on toy making, I don't know how you could possibly keep making them and comply with all the regulations. The overhead alone just to comply with the bureaucracy will be staggering. For more info in this, read this.

__________________
Dave

BHOFM

I do custom order clocks for a business supply house and
have not had an order since July.

It is not my primary source of income.

I had been doing one a month or so for over a year.

__________________

joesdad

I won't even get into this too much, it makes my head hurt. Yeah, it's bad. I lost two of my winter jobs right before Christmas because..."My husband's bonus check wasn't what he thought it was going to be. Maybe in the spring, will you be available then?" Sure mam, just stop in the grocery store near my house, I'll be there stacking oranges.

__________________
"Well... it looked good on the drawing" :http://armandj.com

Daren

We are all feeling it...I run a sawmill and supply guys like you all who can't move a product, well I guess that you know where that leaves me with the raw material .

__________________
Sawmill and tool sharpening

Facebook page

Terry Beeson

A friend of mine who owns a local fishing resort told me his business is doing fine... As good a December as he's ever had. Everyone else is moaning the blues.

With all our wood lying around, at least we'll have heat. Just not sure if there is enough ranch dressing to make the sawdust taste good...

(Thank you Lord that I have a job and no layoffs in sight...)

__________________
I cut that board three times and it's STILL too short!!!...
http://www.geocities.com/capt9992002

Hexhead

I think this sticking economy is good in some ways. People are starting to dust off their thinking caps and improvise. people are hanging on to their money but are taking a harder look at things that will last. I think were going to see a turn around and we'll to be all right if we don't loose our heads. Had a guy buy a wood piece the other day and said you know I'm starting to look to hand made stuff again. Ca Ching!

goingenoan

Let's hope there will be better times ahead. I just met with some folks who were really excited to have me build some built-in bookshelves spaning one entire wall of their livingroom with the gas stove and big screen plasma tv as the center pieces. I gave them a bid and haven't heard a word since Maybe it was just too much for them to stomach right now. I tried to bid it fairly so everyone would be happy but everyone has got their limits, including me. I guess I just have to wait and see; maybe we can stretch that sack of rice out for a few more weeks

LarrySch

I think the feeling of the economy is being felt by all. Too bad the government will not bail out the tax payers like they did the banks and auto industry. If everyone can hold on - its going to get better - but will take time. For the person doing woodworking as a hobby - the sales on lumber are pretty good. For the construction worker in the housing industry - it sucks.
We have four sub-divisions that are being taken over by banks. Some are just being started and some have as many as 5 to 10 houses on them - without anyone living in them. Later someone is going to get a steal on houses. Hope each one of you can hang on - I agree with Rusty - those craft shows have dried up almost totally in my area - and it seems that when there is one - all the items - are being imported in - instead of being built by the craft person. And that is just plain WRONG.

__________________
Larry

" have you hugged your pet today"

johnep

I stopped going to craft shows when found most of the items were imported.
johnep

cabinetman

Might be a good time to open a liquor store.

dbhost

FWIW, a friend of mine from college is doing interior carpentry, and although new construction work is as dry as the Sahara, he says remodels are booming because folks are holding onto older homes and fixing them up instead of trading up for a bigger / nicer house.

__________________
-- Trying to follow the example of the master...

windstorm

For those who make a living using a saw, my hat's off to you. I honestly believe things will get better by mid-year. Hang in there.

thekctermite

As a building inspector, I can assure you that's a fact! Seeing a lot of remodels going on for sure.

mike65072

Wow, interesting...I work for a small woodworking shop (also in Missouri) and we are doing fine (http://www.hollowwoodworks.com/). We specialize in personalized kids items (name stools, coat racks, chairs, sports balls, name puzzles etc). The guy that owns the company targets our products towards the high-end consumer. He goes to numerous craft shows throughout the country, but only those with the demographics he is looking for. He has built a reputation and has a lot of return business. He has a strong wholesale base (he just left for a large wholesale show today). Our products are certainly not cheap (I actually think are fairly expensive), but they are high quality and made in the USA by a bunch of old farts like me.

He has targetted a certain part of the market and knows it very well. While I don't think he'll ever get rich, he seems to be doing just fine and has plans for numerous addition products this year.

rusty baker

Do you have plans to comply with the new law about toys being tested? At $4000 each, I would think it could put a small toy maker out of business.