Decisions, decisions...

[Troutbum]

I'm struggling with a difficult decision, and am looking for opinions from you nice folks.
I have 20 wood spirit walking sticks on the rack right now, with three more in the shop almost finished.
The wife and granny says SELL! I am still on the fence.
I guess I will have make up my mind soon. It's that time year and people want to spend money.
Part of the problem is figuring what to sell them for. I don't want to undersell myself, but can't ask too much. The $10.00 an hour guideline doesn't sound too bad. That puts sticks at about $50 - $75 each.
That extra money sure would come in handy to support my fishing, camping, hiking, carving, etc... habits.
Granny has a space at a local, but very successful and well attended craft show this weekend. She says I'm welcome to a corner.
There is also a high-end art shop in town that I should get off my butt and go talk to the owner.
I do not want to turn a hobby into a job. I already have one of those.
What to do... what to do?
Opinions?

Troutbum

[JJireh]

What are the sticks doing right now? Collecting dust? Go for it there are woods full of sticks to make more. A job...nah think of it as 'paid practice'
Sean

[Ron T]

Hi Troutbum,

since you already have a couple dozen almost ready, why not just go for it. If you sell all of them you'll have $1000 plus to spend. Then you can worry about it being a job. Why not price them where you're comfortable and let the buyers decide. If they snatch them up real quick, you can raise your price on your next batch. If they donb';t sell, you can lower the price or let them sit in the rack.

I feel the same way about my sticks. They're in the rack gathering dust.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

I would start selling them what good are they to you unless you have about 40 arms and need that many to go hiking .

What Sean said sounds good "Paid Practice"
Carl

[Mike L Hasler]

Sell, Sell, Sell oh.. did I mention Sell.

All of our praise ain't nothin compared to someone PAYING for it. I started selling at 2.50 an hour, course it was taking me longer to do the same thing then. Now, I'm at 10 an hour, sales have slowed, but I'm gaining inventory again, hope to start doing juried shows soon.

Just remember commissions suck.
Mike

[Eddy-Smiles]

Troutbum...

If I was in your shoes and I did decide to attend that craft show I'd vary my prices on the sticks. I'd look over my work and price out my best pieces the highest while possibly pricing some of my so-so work minimally. I don't sell anymore but when I did it was my experience to have something priced for everyone's pocket book. Never let anyone willing to take their wallet out of their pocklet walk away empty handed!

[mateo]

what good are they to you unless you have about 40 arms and need that many to go hiking .

Carl's got a good argument for selling. Also the wife wants it done so get to it. You can always make more, right?

Matt

[dnstehly]

When I first started selling my sticks an experienced sculptor friend gave me advice. "What would you trade it for?" If the answer comes up "dinner for two at a nice restaraunt", sell it for $75, etc. I still keep that in mind when pricing my pieces. I am also very whimsical about my pricing. I price each piece according to how much I like it and want to keep it. As far as turning your hobby into a job, my advice is don't ever, ever do it!! I've been carving and selling sticks for 30 years and remain very adamant about carving what I want to carve when I want to carve it. To me, that's the only way it remains fun.