Was wandering the halls of the local shopping mall the other day, overwhelmed by all the people and all the merchandise but had this generic idea. Let me explain first and perhaps others will post to expand on this: With all the products in the marketplace, where is the market niche for fine woodcraft? Should professional woodworkers then try to compete for the consumer dollar by making/ selling both high end (custom) and low end (production) pieces? What does it take to get a wooden product into the “mall market”, catalog, or for that matter into a furniture store? Is there economic possibility for these more mainstream ways of selling our work?
I guess that I feel that craft shows, galleries, and word of mouth commissions built on reputation are in sum a “blue sky” way of doing business (economically speaking). Any business people out there who can expound on these topics? Any woodworkers out there who have found success selling work in more of a ‘typical’ storefront like fashion?
sawick
Replies
Finding your niche can be difficult. I've never walked a mall thinking I'd like to see my work there but the crafts end of this business can be viable.
I've marketed through galleries, interior decorators, shows, architects and the internet. In addittion to that I have an exclusive sales rep for a geographical area of this country. What have I learned? Don't ever assume that one method of marketing will work. I cannot count on any one of these ongoing methods for all of my work. Together they keep me as busy as I want to be but none stand alone as the answer.
I think I'll explore the middle end.
Lee
Furniture Carver
When i started woodworking for a living, i asked a very successful potter whether i should concentrate on custom work, craft shows, or wholesale. He said, "Yes."
Now one has to add the Net, too.
I haven't seen a lot of what I call really fine craftsmanship woodworking items for sell. The best I've seen commercially is Ethan Allen and their prices are to me quite reasonable, for the quality you get. I bought an entertainment center a few months ago cost $3000. The materials for it would have cost me almost half that.
If I was good enough to sell what I can build, I think I would find some things I like to build and build on speculation. If someone is so picky they have to have to have something custom built, they are going to be hard to please.
I'm in the printing business and every thing I do is custom made, most of my customers are business people Exxon, Bayer, Fina and etc.. they want something functional, something they are going to use to make money with (Invoices, Letterhead, Business Cards,Tags). They are pretty easy to deal with. Then I have the customer come in and wants to order Wedding Invitations or Personal Stationary. They have no idea what they want usually and sometimes when they get it they don't like it, sometimes it is not a whole lot of fun to deal with this type of situation. Many times I have swore I would never order another wedding invitation again. This is what you are in for dealing with the general public.
Good Luck and God Bless
Les
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