Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Dec 24, 2002 05:42pm | #1

   Galleries and craft shows would be a start.  There's a few magazines that are dedicated to your cause one of which is http://www.craftsreport.com  Be wary of the tons of marketing scams that advise on helping to sell your work that can be found on the web.   The Crafts Report is legit and has been around for years.   Most areas have a small business service that can be helpful.  Check your local phone book or the nearest larger city.  Services are free in my experience. Marketing is as important as the actual making of the work. I've seen mediocre artists who excel at marketing and manage to make a living and the reverse is true.  I know some fantastic craftspeople that can't make a dime off their work.
2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 24, 2002 08:23pm | #2

   Ooops, pic doesn't seem to be showing up.

   This type of woodworking would probably lend itself very well to a web-site marketing venue.  Doesn't have to be your one-and-only, but it could provide a big percentage of your sales with relatively little investment:

   1. Find a good web designer to set up a small site for you, say 2-3 pages to start.  Cost?  I'm not sure, but probably less than $300 or $400.
   2. Get some quality photographs of your best pieces and set them up within the web page
   3. Run a number of auctions on eBay, using a minimum bid (not a reserve) to protect your price.  Following whatever the most recent rules are on eBay, provide a link to your web site for people to visit.
   4. Keep in the forefront of your thoughts that it doesn't matter if the pieces sell on eBay.  What you want is advertising!
   5. Print up some nice business cards with your web address on them, and of course have it on your brochures also.

   Other approaches that can be dovetailed in would be to contact some interior designers (be sure any printed material you send them is top-notch).  Ask them for suggestions on shows that might be appropriate to demo your work in, or other contacts they can think of.  Is there an organization or club that attracts people who have a passion for the carousel horses?  Do they have a publication?

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Sancho | Dec 24, 2002 08:40pm | #3

   That would be a difinare niche market. Cool its a good way to go.  

   At Darkworks  Customer satisfaction Job One..Yea yea were all over it , I got my best guys on it.........

2. 
   nealh | Dec 24, 2002 11:24pm | #4

   Thanks, I'll give that a try.  By the way, how do you post pictures on this site?

1. 
   fredsmart48 | Dec 24, 2002 11:59pm | #5

   scroll to the bottom of the posting page there is button that say attach files  click that.  it will leads you to more instruction. 

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 25, 2002 12:11am | #6

   If you can't find the "Attach Files" (or whatever) button, you might be in Basic View instead of Advanced View.  In that case, you'd have to go back to a regular message page and switch views. 

   Happy Holidays.  If you need anyone to bounce ideas off of, feel free to email.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   Splintie | Dec 25, 2002 06:20am | #7

   Here's how Chuck does it.

   And he made this happen.