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carvenaked β wooden boxes
Published: 2009-08-03 13:33:38 +0000 UTC; Views: 1778; Favourites: 27; Downloads: 106
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Description
Not much carving going on at arrikworld, the last month has been 'boxmania'. I was down in my inventory so I started a run of fifty wooden boxes using oak, birch maple and walnut. Here are the latest five to come off the bench yesterday. These range in price from 35.00 to 60.00. I make all kinds and sizes of boxes, these are all made from wood I sawed and dried myself. They are finished simply and nicely with penetrating oil and then waxed. These are just now drying.Generally I work to make one of a kind objects... but I do three or five up for certain projects. I'll be listing these on my etsy store at [link] if anyone is interested, I can ship anywhere and gladly accept custom work.
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Comments: 16
These are exquisite!
I've got a serious thing for boxes, you have no idea, lol!
That, and baskets. Can't get enough of 'em!
You don't really need carving when the joinery is singing it's own song to the world. It's delicate and lovely. I love it!
One criticism I will make though - you aren't charging nearly enough for them!
I know what this is like, because as a crafter myself, I strongly suspect that I don't charge enough either, but because of the unique nature of my work (mostly bonecarving, and no, not kiwi stuff. Mostly medieval and viking, but other stuff as well) it's just so damn hard to price, because no one does anything similar, so I can't compare readily.
I'm actually really terrible at figuring out prices for stuff, but try something closer to the $100 mark, for starters....maybe even $150?
Seriously...have you seen the crap on Etsy lately? People throw their money at the darndest things!
Heft your prices up a bit. Pretty sure you'll get them, with the quality of work you do!
Good luck, fellow crafter!
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You are too kind Sasha!
Β I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and I agree that I do sell cheap.Β
Β But..
It really boils down to economics. Many people love the boxes and the fact that they can't really afford hand made craft is not really their fault. When I first started to sell boxes, and art, I always priced high figuring people would talk me down.. and they did. Β But before long i had hundreds of items. Now I love to make things, and I'm sure many crafters, including you, do it for love as well as the hope for gain, but at some point the stuff has to move and even if you only get half or a quarter of what we think it is worth.. at least we survive. In the global market we are 'forced' to sell in, people with as much skill and passion as we have can work for five dollars a day, so if I can squeeze even 15 dollars an hour and compete well then in some ways I win. At that rate, 15 an hour and materials free I started to sell and have sold across the sea and almost every state on etsy. I went into vacation mode three years ago to concentrate on a house I'm building but I plan to open up again this year and my new intention is to try to lower prices by avoiding the one of a kind trap. I'll design a 'model a' and try to make fifty. Then a 'b'.
Β Of course I'll always make one of a kind things as well but I hope to offer price points. Other crafters have also accused me of selling low and I realize it is true but really it is just me trying to make a modest living and now in my fifties, with a shop, woods, a sawmill all paid for, I can actually survive on fifteen an hour. In making sculptures I am luck to get ten dollars an hour!
Β In the past I did quite well as an industrial designer and at that can command a nice wage but in that arena, there are real budgets and goals that if met, create profit for every one. Sadly art and craft is not like that at all and the client is not a factory or company but more often working men and women living a simple life in a world that has more value for almost anything but art and craft. Art and craft will continue I feel, indefinitly in spite of that because so many of us do it for love of making. If we catch the publics attention maybe the celebrity of it will raise our wages but that will only happen to a few. Me I hope!
Β Β I have seen that Etsy has become more a market for cheap goods.. and they certainly damaged my prospects by taking the 'box' catagory off the front page. Now to see boxes you have to search or click through several screens, before it was two clicks. I complained and was told 'tough!" I hated that but the world keeps turning and those who want to stay on for the ride have to turn with it.
Β I do hope to command more for my work but for now that is a problem to solve while I work and play and live!
Β Thanks again Sasha! Best to you!
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Freakin A! I didn't know you had an etsy store...you need better advertisting
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I don't do any advertising right now.... i only opened the store three months ago and i an currently building inventory for christmas.... how would you advertise?
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Oh...I don't actually know. I was kind of joking. I did visit your store to check out the goodies.
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Well... joke or no, you were right on sister, I do need to get the word out!
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my mother would kill for one of them. what size they range ? beautiful work.
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Glad you like them. I make them 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 up to... any size! I suppose my biggest so far would be blanket chests or 2 handed ag totes.
Always working on new ones!
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i wish i seen your work 2 xmass's ago. i bought my mother a hand carved chest off ebay. its nice but doesnt compare to your work.
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There's always this christmas!
you are too kind!
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if shes good. lol
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