[Sharonrae]

As a novice carver I feel that all comments on my work... (I am learning to make carvings of deer antlers for jewelry....and some small wood carvings for fun) the comments are great. When I show these to friends, I get good reports, and comments, but..I find that people don't realize the time and effort put into a piece. I feel that so many want me to give all my carvings, with glee !! Folks don't realize the hours of work, and diligence that has been put into even a small carving. Am I being too sensitive?? I love to give gifts, but feel that some people just want more than I am willing to share. I have gotten to the point that I do not show my carvings, as I don't want to go through the disappointment of saying no to friends. This is really bothering me. I am planning to sell my products at crafts fairs, and even went as far as pricing them... but that doesn't stop some for wanting me to part with my carvings for a smile... uh.........excuse me....But am I being too sensitive? Should I just be honored and share more??? I am so confused....Help me.. find the right path to take..............Sharon

[doris]

hi.sharon .....i experienced same, when i carved little stone pendants for necklaces. often took much more than 50 hours. people tend to think, the smaller the quicker the carving goes, which is simply not true. and, people often not know what kind of work is involved, maybe you could try to show them, so they see how long time you have to work for only one piece...then, i guess, they not will ask for getting it as gift, but rather if they can buy one... no, you are not too sensitive, you put all your work and love in it, and this is the value of the pieces. in my opinion, people have to learn to see this value... not you change your attitude, but only try help see them what a piece means in terms of work...

[squbrigg]

You are not alone. Many experienced that same frustration. One tip I will pass on to you, is when displaying your pieces, display them as individual pieces and not as part of a bunch of other carvings. Even go so far as to position each in their own small box or display case. By showing them individually, you indicate each as it's own work of art. Not just some mass, quickly produced thing.

Don't give up displaying them, just insure that your presentation shows the respect that your pieces are worth, even if it's just to show friends or family.

Bob

[sbirkes]

When I want a friend or family member (are they the same?) to have one of my carvings I offer it to them. If asked for a piece I reply with a polite "Ho, Ho, Ho" and go on with my business.

I figure if they ask me to gift them a piece then it is they that are being presumptuous and perhaps even rude. Not me for for ignoring their request.

Every artist I know realizes that they will seldom get a truly fair price for their work. When you figure the carving/painting time and the research time that goes into a work then few could afford the piece if you charged per hour what you make at a "real" job.

When asked for a piece you should not have to feel bad saying no. The "ask-er" should feel bad about putting you in a position of having to say no.

[kitaye]

I agree. I find it very rude when someone asks for something I've created, unless it is obviously said in a joking manner. If said jokely I respond with a "Yea, uh-huh." and keep going.

edited to add - I don't sell my stuff. I'm new and just learning the ins and outs of handling the knife (as evidenced by the blood on my last carving :shrug: . I either keep it as it was something I made for us here to be useful and pretty or it was made as a gift for someone else. Otherwise it goes into the not for human eyes box to be pulled out after I'm dead and buried.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I've been carving a long time and when people ask me how long it takes to do something I generally lie to them. If it told them the truth they would be suspect of my answer as it would be far less than what they expected. A lot of people, carvers included, think that the more time you spend on something the more value it has both in money and skill. That's complete baloney. I've seen carvings done in an hour outshine those done over days or weeks. Size? The smaller it gets the harder it becomes to do.

As for giving stuff away I never do nor will I. Nothing is free in this life and that includes my carvings. I even charge my sons but on a different level.....let us tease and love their children and they can take their choice of anything I've ever done!

[GAcarver]

I use to be one of those that would give carvings away because I felt guilty.
I got past that. I'ts hard but has to be done. I alway make a few small egg heads or dogs to give to the kids when I do a show. The only person I give
carvings to is my mother.

[Ashbys]

I think anyone that makes anything has this problem. Part of it is because how easy it is to get things in this world.

Our society has for years considered the work of others at less value than they place upon their own work. And often the concept that something they consider as a hobby or cute is given even less value. To add to this is the support of slave labor in the selling of items around the world.

Your work is one of a kind, but if there is anything that is close to that work that is produced and sold through Walmart, the value of your piece will be valued the same as the slave labor values of China. I realize this might be considered as inflamatory comment and if it is removed I understand, but in a society like ours where labor is considered the cost of an item , items that are bought at pennies and sold at dollars causes confusion.

Value your work and be honest with that value. If the people that see it also value it they will purchase it. But understand that the value of American labor was considered too expensive to be cost effective. So the world turned to China and all values now are placed upon the labor of a man being worth 33 cents a day.

[verebm]

You could always say something along the lines of, "I'm sorry. I'm saving them for a craft show, unless, of course, you'd like to buy it from me now."

[doris]

yes, that is certainly true... people compare art work with stuff made in series, in a fabrique, or by people who amost get nothing for their work. and thats why they expect to can buy a carving which has taken so many hours, for just 10 euro... and, of course, as pointed out, it is not only the hours of labour you put in, but the idea you had, the research time you had, the working out of design...

i do give away carvings as gifts--- sometimes---but never if i get asked for it...i once gave a very good friend a carving which i had just finished, and which i was very proud of, since i saw he loved it. not this "i want have it" but i saw he really saw something in the piece which he admired. he never said, can i have it, or can i buy it, but always looked so intensly at it, and study every detail...so i gave this carving to him, as a christmas present, since i wanted he can enjoy it every day... but this is completely different from people asking, for a gift. yes, this is kind of rude. and not you being rude by saying no. ...ah, most was said by others here, much better, but i wanted emphasis, you go right when say no to such inpolite question as asking carving for gift... making a gift is your (!) choice, and only yours...