Can you make a living carving?

I should have a answer to this question in about six months. Starting mid October I will take a break from furniture making and carve full-time in the new studio. I will base my income only on work that I have done or will be doing. Sales from tools or carvings from others will be totaled seperate.

At this time I am guessing that most of my work will be mantels and architectural carvings maybe some repair work. In addition to carving I will also teach a few classes and offer a sharpening service. I am actually really excited about carving full-time.

I will keep you all posted on what it is like making a living as a carver. I will also let you know how I attract customers and comissions, example word of mouth, walk in's, or advertising.

Dale

[AlArchie]

Dale. I just checked out the Cedar Creek home page. Given the location and proximity to major markets, and tourist trade, I would think that with your drive and abiliies, you should make it!

I'm not one to give advice......couldn't sell much of anything, but you sure look like a winner from here!

Al

Al

Thanks for the encouragement. I think having the great location I do will play a big role in attracting buisiness.

Dale

[Colin-Partridge]

Dale,
Although I am retired I make a fair living from carving although I have only been at it a few years. I dont know if location is as good as reputation. For the first few years I did all of those small craft shows and sold my wares for very small price. But now I find that my reputation is my secret to sucess. I also tell my customers that I am not satisfied until they are and will go to any length to make sure they are satisfied. I never do an inferior carving I take my time and make sure that I would be proud to display the carving in my home or yard. It sounds as if you have done your homework I see no reason you should not be sucessful. All the best and please keep us posted as to your progress. I have always said that you can do anything if you have a positive attitude, and attitude always determines sucess and you have that positive attitude you will do just fine.
Colin

[Callynne]

I agree with the guys, Dale, sounds like you have a great location and you definitely have a great attitude towards it. I wish you loads and loads of success!! Callynne

Thanks for the positive words everyone. The TV commercial ran for the first time today and it brought in a man looking to have an old relief panel of a Dragon repaired. The head of the Dragon has been destroyed so a new one will be carved and matched to the panel. Exciting and a bit of a challange.

Dale

Hi Dale, you ask a good question. From what you wrote you have a good backgroud for the architecural work. I don't seek carving jobs but I have done a few custom jobs that were refered to me by people who had seen my work. One was a set of 4 bed post,I designed and carved in walnut, price $3000.00 time spent one week. Another one was two mantels, 7 feet long, eight inches high and carved to a depth of five eigth's. The carvings were going to be painted white because the client saw some mantels in Charlestion and wanted some, she didn't know they were cast plaster. The carvings were acantus leaves and sweeps, along with a shell center piece and vines. It took me a week and a half to do each one of the mantels. Now I had never done this large of a job or this type of carvings. So I onley charged $2000.00 per mantel. I was also asked to design and carve four walking stafts for a client, he wanted dragons and garoyles, I sugested he needed Merlin to keep the others under control. He said 'Do Merlin first.' The price $350 to $450.00 each. As a rule I never carve anything twice, so they are all one of a kind, that makes a big diferance. I do all of my carvings with a heavy duty Dremel Flex-shaft machine. I hope this helps. If you would like to see pictures of these emaile me. Jack D.

[Colin-Partridge]

Jack,
We would all love to see pictures of these carvings you have really tweeked my interest. How about posting some of them in the Picturetrail web site for all to enjoy.
Colin

Jack

I would love to see some photos. As mentioned place them on picture trail or you can send them to me at

dale9091@aol.com

Thanks
Dale

I think location is a big factor. I live in a small community but still sell quite a few. I don't think I could make a living at it though. A lot of carvers make their living doing seminars and classes as well as selling their roughouts. It all helps though.