Ideas needed for art show

[Tom-H]

This spring I'll be participating in a large art festival/sale. I have no trouble coming up with the higher and moderate priced carvings. Noahs Arks, cottonwood bark carvings, pins, and tree ornaments. What I need to have available, is some very inexpensive wood carvings that will sell, on impulse. By inexpensive I mean, $5 to $10. And of course they would have to be carved quite quickly, and maybe not even painted.

Anybody have any ideas they can share?

Thank you,

Tom H

[markken5889]

Hi Tom.

How about bird feathers? I don't do shows, but have made several as gifts. Quick 1-3" carving with some easy woodburning and quick painting cardinals, bluejays, chicadees, goldfinches and many ducks aare pretty quick and easys. I then glue a small rare earth magnet or pin on the back. Seal it all up, and she's done!

Good luck!

-Mark

[DADDIO]

tom my wife and i set up in the spring and summer at the local farmers market they opened it up to hand made cradts this past year and we did very well there. i sold a few higher end pieces which surprised me but alot of the doctors and lawyers and their wifes go there,along with just us common folk!!lol
but i came up with several good items for quick sell,those whittled chickens sell very well there,carved pencils with faces are good,i use the fatter ones also the ones that look like a small branch. you can use small branches or a piece of 1"x1" to carve faces in and i attach an eye on top with a keyring and you have a keyfob. i also do small cowboy boots there good ones make cool toothpick holders!! just my thoughts good luck.

[tnartist05]

I really dont know what to tell you Tom. I paint alot of things besides carving so I have some cheaper painted items in my booth,cheapest is 20.00 I paint alot of the beautifull creek stones and rocks I pick up every where around here where I live which sell pretty good in this area also.

I dont sell pins!!!!??? Last time I did that my old pants fell off me to the ground!! LOL

Wish I could have helped you more Tom! Forrest

[William]

This may be an inexpensive wood carving that would sell on impulse. Just a little detail to make it your own "I'll do it when I get a Round Tuit"

I got one and still can't get things done lol

The photo of the "Closet Buddy" is by Eddy Smiles, the Aromatic Cedar would also be an attraction. I'm trying to find the cedar so I can make a few for next Christmas.

Bill
^v^

[Coffeeman]

Tom, to meet your request of "impluse $5-$10"....why not cut out some blanks of your various pins & small ornaments and have then for sale too? Many people passing your booth might just want to give it a try, you always here a spouce say "honey you can do that", goodluck with the show. Bill

[K Karver]

Good morning Tom,

Glad you asked the question. I, too, am always looking for small stuf to hand out or have on hand for shows. I like the faces on pencils and round tuit ideas. I beleive Harold Enlow has some ideas. Was it he who had a "quarter pounder," small square of wood with a slot to slip a quarter in leaving part exposed, then a small hammer to beat the quarter with? I like the idea of having small, long squares of bass with faces on the edge or maybe do faces on a wide variety of different woods - small gift and expose people to different woods - osage orange, butternut, bass, etc. Might look colorful enough in a basket to attract attention.

I did read through Fred's thread (have forgotten his last name right now), "the cellist" carver, and mentioned $5 ideas to him. I know, beneath his work, but who knows.

God bless

John

[William]

Woodlore has small aromatic red cedar blocks to use in dresser drawers and they are
approximately 2" x 3" x 1/2" for $0.75 ea that could make nice ornaments and they would make that nice artificial tree smell like a cedar.

I ordered 12 yesterday for my new scroll saw (that I don't have yet..hehe) the one I want is about $500 but it will not fit in my budget so I'm still shopping but plan to get one soon.

The pictures were in my ornament folder but I'm not sure who did them.

Bil
^v^

[Tom-H]

I knew the board would not fail me. Lots of good ideas. Mark, the feather idea is super, but the last time I tried a feather it looked like it went through an oil spill. And Daddio, I'll probably be doing a few faces on some smaller tree limbs. William, I've already done a few round tuits.And Bill (Coffeeman) your idea of having some pin blanks ready for those who may want to carve one them selves is a super idea. John (K Kraver) quarter pounder sound fun. Bil (William), I have some red cedar, that I can make into some little hanging ornaments for the closet. Great ideas all. After I carve some I'll post photos. My plan is to have a basket of small, inexpensive (.50 to 5.00) stuff.

Thanks for the suggestions and the help.

Tom H

[Clifford_Parker]

"Closet buddies", keyfobs, leaf, flower, and/or feather pins, and small characters are all quick to make and can be sold at a lower price range for those "impulse buys".