Where should I do research on chess sets? Specifically, prices (to compare mine with). I am making chess chests, and would like to market them to perhaps galleries. They are rather large, say 21x21x10, with a drawer. I’m making them out of nice wood, eg. the one I’m making now is made of quartersawn oak and birds-eye maple, and the next one is honduras mahogany. I’d also like a source for nice wooden Chess men.
Thanks all…
P.S. When I am done the Craftsman style one I’m working on now, I’ll try posting pictures. It’s turning out real nice
Replies
I'd start by doing a Google search at http://www.google.com
I've done this in the past when pricing a display case. Also, cruise some galleries.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Also cruise eBay. Maybe even list one for auction there.
eBay auctions aren't, IMO, a good place to sell fine hand-made woodworking merchandise. I certainly wouldn't list there without having a strong reserve in place.
It is, however, a great place to do some not-so-stealth advertising -- list an auction, include a link to the business web-site. Let people see what that kinda stuff really costs.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Oh, I agree, especially about the reserve. I wasn't suggesting it as a normal sales channel, but as market research. If you can pick the right category and come up with the right description, you can reach a much broader sample of the market you're aiming for than you can depending on the people who walk into one store or who cruise the web looking for fine handicrafts.I agree with you about advertising, too.
W/out the pieces. I ususally price them at around $400, but That is a tough price point in a gallery, as they would resell it for close to $800. I have done them for custom commissions only.
I buy pieces at game stores, and havee found that a nice set of weighted pieces retails for around $80-100, which is a bargain for what I would have to charge to make them.
Peter
jpswoodworking.com
A chess set needn't cost the earth. Here's one that's in the Tate in London.
View Image
IanDG
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled