new person here!

[robin's feather]

hello, new member and new carver here. i'm getting into walking sticks with an eye towards resale. does anyone else resale? rightnow I'm having fun learning how to carve. my current wood of choice is hazelnut. grows wild around here and has a beautiful creamy white when sanded down. very strong when it dries.

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Robin. I'm a stick carver, too. Good luck with your carving. Please post some of your carvings.

[mpounders]

I sell whenever, whatever I can, but I enjoy carving more when it's for fun! I forget where I saw it , but someone once said: " Any fool can learn to carve.....but it takes a genius to figure out how to make money at it!" Good luck and welcome aboard!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome to the forum.

Dave

[Ted Wooller]

I have only been carving for about two years. During that time I must have carved at least 20 sticks all given to sons, daughters and friends. I am looking forward to the day when I may be able to sell one or two!

[sashadoc]

Welcome! Where is "around here"? I just started also and use Poplar for the same reasons with the added bonus that it carves like basswood.
Again, welcome.
Tim

[Waitpinga Whittler]

G'day from Oz.
I started about 8 years ago and like everyone else, it was, and remains, just a hobby. But it can be a lucrative one. At first I just kept or gave away everything I did, but after a while, when every one I knew had six of everything I could carve and all the shelves in the house were full... someone suggested I load a bunch of it in a box and take it down to a local craft fair and sell it. Been doing that once a month ever since.

I find the key to success is to be consistant. Turn up with your stuff every week or month (however often the fair or market is open). Even if you don't sell much at first, people get to know you and start to expect to see you there. Even if they don't buy something, talk to them, tell them about your hobby, carve while you are there, do demonstrations... it all helps people remeber you for later on when they are looking for that 'special' gift.

Eventually, they'll start asking you if you teach... and then the fun really starts!

[woundedthumb]

welcome,
I started the same way, giving stick to other vets at my local VA. I got hooked on diamond willows and, hate to sell them, but it doesnt take much arm twisting. My only suggestion is join a local carving group, ours is great.
lew poorman