Selling carvings

#1 03-06-2003, 05:51 AM

The funniest thing happened yesterday, I have been lurking on this board for several months posting once or twice. I have wanted to pick up some ideas to help me finish my whirligigs. I did not like what my figures looked like. So I started by printing out a few Santas from another thread. I had three finished and figured either to give them to one of the many Grandchildren, or stick them in the scrap heap. My wife who with her sister has a shop at a local flea market took them ans strange as it may seem sold all three for a total of $28.00 dollars. It just proves that Americans especially Floridians need glasses. LOL

steve

Colin_Partridge · #2 03-06-2003, 11:03 AM

three carvings for $28.00 ??? sounds like someone got one hell of a deal. I dont know about being blind they just knew a good deal when they saw it. I sold my first carving for $85.00 and everyone told me that I gave it away.
Colin

#3 03-06-2003, 12:28 PM

steve, see , don't be hard on yourself. the more you carve the better you get. be proud, and if you get too many offers to sell them...save a few out for the grandkids.
art (the bark guy)

wow! colin you must be good

Colin_Partridge · #4 03-06-2003, 10:08 PM

Art,
Why do you say I must be good, when you figure how much time you put into a carving that is not a lot of money, I sure get a lot more for my carvings now. I notice that you signed out as the bark guy, do you carve bark if so would love to see some of your carvings. I also carve bark not cottonwood it doesnt grow in this part of the country, just Black Poplar and Black Locust.
Colin

#5 03-07-2003, 02:56 AM

Congratulations on your sales, Steve!! And now that you know how much people like them, you can put them in a local shop in town...or ship them out to galleries...and...well, the world is at your fingertips! At least get your wife to up the price - even at a fleamarket, you should be able to get a bigger price next time!!

Yay, Steve :-)

Teri

#6 03-07-2003, 06:08 AM

Thanks, but I still don't think that they were very good. When I look at other carvings I still can't believe anyone bought them. As far as the time it took to carve them. It didn't seem like it took any time at all, it was fun. If I give her anymore to sell I will try and raise the prices LOL.

Thanks

steve

Plain_Ol_Ed · #7 03-07-2003, 06:52 AM

Steve - People buy hand carved items because they are different .. If they wanted 'same' they could just buy plastic cast stuff. There's nothing wrong with you carvings, they are different. Different = style .. that's your style and people will pay for it.

#8 03-07-2003, 03:00 PM

Absolutely, Steve!! I'm still amazed when people want to buy my santas - I've been around here long enough to see what REAL carving looks like and I have a VERY long way to go. But, people are attracted to many different styles for many different reasons. Seems to me the guys that I like the least are the ones that seem to sell first!!

As for your prices, yup, git 'em UP THERE!

Teri

#9 03-07-2003, 03:56 PM

Plain ol ed: Your right I guess my carvings were different, if that makes them sell so much the better, but I would rather sell several dollhouses. Those I do some what better.

Teri: Comparing my santas to yours is like comparing a fingerpainting to the mona lisa, I love your santas, and I hope someday to get that good.

Thanks

steve

#10 03-07-2003, 08:59 PM

Don't compare your work to others' work, Steve....that's the first thing to learn. Everyone develops their own style...and finds their own way on this wondrous journey we all get to travel together. We can throw each other suggestions, and point out some of our own mistakes along the way...but in the end, it's just you, a few chisels and a piece of wood.

The joy of it is in putting ALL our Mona Lisa's together to shine to the world!! What a cool thing we have, huh?

Teri