[Graywolf71]

Got invited to my first craft show of the season. Let my wife take a few of my carvings into work, she could have sold them all but they were my displays, and her boss wants me to set-up with her. Let's say if i took orders i'd be up to my ears but as it is i've got alot to get done now, i was no where near ready seeing as i wasn't going to show this year but to set-up cost is halfed so i couldn't pass it up.
The work request, per my wife and her boss, is for 40 santa ornaments, 40 shelf elves, what ever characters i can get done in time and an assortment of walking sticks. OH....did i say the shows in September the weekend after labor day? And what do i have done now.....let just say stock is LOW! I have 5 santas, no elves, no chacters and very darn few walking sticks....which is one if i remember.
I'm working 10 to 12 hours a day on the weekends and cutting corners using the band saw to speed up the carving. I feel like i'm the only man in a carving factory....wait a minute.....i am the only one in this carving factory.
I'm going to go colapse now, so wish me luck and i'll let you know how it goes.....if i have enough strength to type.

Michael Gray

[chuckt]

Wow! Isn't that a GREAT problem to have? I mean, I know its a LOT of work but that's kind of exciting that your carving is generating such a demand. I hope to have that problem one day. One thought I had that may help, and forgive me if I am pointing out the obvious . . . but when supply is LOW and demand is HIGH - that's the right time to raise your PRICE. This has the double benefit of checking demand and increasing your profit. Getting the price point right is tricky - go too high and you'll choke off demand, but sounds to me like you are pricing too low right now.

Congratulations on the success of your carving in generating that demand though. It must be awesome to see your work that appreciated!

ChuckT

[susieq]

What Chuck said...... if you are that busy it's time to raise the prices a bit. Also, make sure you keep having fun. When it gets to be too much like a job, you might find you don't enjoy it as much anymore. When I started worrying about gallery deadlines and all the stuff that was expected of me, it affected my creativity big time. I couldn't think straight and my work suffered. Don't do that to yourself....

I finally emailed the gallery and said, no more deadlines. If I have something to send, I'll send it. That was more symbolic than anything, as the gallery has always been very nice to me, but it freed me from my impression that I HAD TO GET THINGS FINISHED, A LOT OF THEM AND SOON. Now I just carve for enjoyment and everybody is happy....
Remember, have fun.
susieq