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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Crabbyboater on June 16, 2011, 11:44:18 pm
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I made a desk cutting from oak, two lines that said "God, grant me serenity". I donated it to an auction for an Alanon fund raiser, not knowing if anyone would want it and it brought multiple bids, finally going for $25. Made me feel good that someone appreciated what I'd done. (My first sale too, Dan)
But now I've had inquiries about doing more. I've never intended selling any of my work, just giving it to family and friends. Selling seemed too much like going back to work, and I just want the enjoyment. So if I do "take orders" I thought about doing it as a charitable donation to either my church, or Alanon. To do this, I thought maybe having them write a check to me for whatever amount they felt the value to be, and I in turn could donate the money to the church. I get the tax benefit, they get the product.
So here's the question: Am I nuts? Is there a better way to do this? What would you folks recommend?
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Crabby, I'm not in this to make money, but it sure is nice when someone wants to pay you for your work.
We used to have a member (Janet), who sold on an online store. She donated all proceeds to a cancer charity. I thought that was a wonderful thing to do.
If this is what you want to do, Great!
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I tried a couple of 'craft' shows to little avail.
Donated three items to "Wings of Hope" for a silent auction. The 3 brought in $80. Got a very nice thank you letter and an invitation to submit items in their next fundraiser. Those three items have generated 7 'orders' for similar pieces from people who either didn't win the auctioned items or friends of the winners.
I also donated three items to a local civic choral group for their silent auction. Those three sold for $85 and have generated 4 orders for similar pieces.
Like you I don't want or need another job/career so I tell the people ordering that I will do them in my own good time and give them a price. If they accept on my terms we have a deal. If not...Oh Well!
Of the 11 orders I have completed 6 and in doing them I 'stack cut' the items and now have a back-up of pieces for additional donations or gifts as I see fit to use them.
AND I am happy and doing what I like and am not pressured by any 'deadlines'.
A quote form a good friend..."You do what you have to do to make you happy and the hell with the rest of the world!"
It works for me!
~~~GB~~~
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Depends whether you can afford to a hobby for fun I certainly can't that is why I sell all I make I give to family and a few close friends, I enjoy the craft fairs and have good success and sell at a low price, most of what I earn goes back into my hobby
Jimbo
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Like Jim, I sell most of what I make. I only do a couple of fairs a year but have pieces in a gallery and a couple of different locations. I still work at my own pace and do what I want. It is very rewarding to see that people are willing to pay for what I do. I have donated many pieces to charity and they always seem to do well at the silent auctions.
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Do what your heart tells you to do ....
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I don't sell, someone asked me to make something so he could buy that. I'm still not sure if I want to go that way.
Personal I like it when I give it away.
I mostly know for who I make something. if not it goes to my mind due working on it.
the joy in peoples eyes and the happiness when they find out that this is specially made for them is great for me.
I guess that part is gone when you donate, but as Marion said:
Do what your heart tells you to do ....
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The other thing if you keeping giving you could make it a full time job, then when you refuse a request what happens do you lose a friend?
Jimbo
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Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. Looks like I'm not alone in my feelings about selling as a business. This may be a one time situation, so I'm going to accept a check from her for whatever value she sees in my work, and then donate that to the "Feed The Hungry" program at my church. Have to admit that it's good to know someone is willing to pay, that they see value, but I'm not going to promote that. I'm retired and plan to stay that way! As for maybe losing a friend if I say no, she's more of an acquaintance than a friend. I couldn't take money from a true friend.
So thanks again. I value all of you here as friends I know, but likely will never meet.
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Oh, Crabby.... but we do meet every time we help each other or answer a question or make a comment or tell a story...we meet all the time!
Glad I have as many friends as I do, and most of them I have never SEEN in real life but I feel I have met them.
~~~GB~~~
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Ditto and amen, GB. We're blessed to have so many friends.
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I love giving my pieces away, but on the other hand, it gets very expensive buying wood and supplies. So, I give some, sell some. I am donating my first piece to an organization that helps the disabled, They are having an auction in Las Vegas, I'm excited about that. Being disabled myself, it is very fufilling to do the work and put a smile on someones face.
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I love giving my pieces away, but on the other hand, it gets very expensive buying wood and supplies. So, I give some, sell some. I am donating my first piece to an organization that helps the disabled, They are having an auction in Las Vegas, I'm excited about that. Being disabled myself, it is very fufilling to do the work and put a smile on someones face.
I find i great to have so many scrolling friends, with all a personal story.
Didn't know you are disabled, I can imagine that doing it this way it adds extra value to the whole give-away/donating subject.
thanks for sharing this.
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I'm going to accept a check from her for whatever value she sees in my work
I don't know if this works. Might be more efficient to call a "price + whatever they want to donate additional".
Otherwise you won't get orders because people will feel insecure about what to give.
The idea itself is wonderful!
regards
Torsten
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Most people have a job and a hobby, when the hobby pays more than the job, give up the job, but then they need a new hobby!!! a high price to pay.
iggy
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Torsten, I recognize the pressure it puts on the buyer to set their own price, but I really don't know what to ask otherwise. I've only had one piece sold, and that was the one I donated to the silent auction. Folks there often bid more than they would pay otherwise, recognizing it's a form of giving. I'll know Tuesday. That's when I deliver and get the check. I'll let you all know how that goes! And I promise not to be disappointed if the check is $1.00, lol.
Regarding being disabled, I'm seeing more and more scrollers who are truly disabled. The folks selling the Hawk saws even have a stand with spread legs so those in wheel chairs can still scroll. I'm fortunate that I can still walk, although not far and using a cane, but I know my day will come sooner than I want. My diabetes is taking it's toll, even though I now have it under control. I had to sell my beloved boat because I no longer have balance, and that's when I decided to scroll instead. Have to give thanks every day for what I have, and not complain about what I don't.
I just brought my wife home from the hospital after suffering three heart attacks. Fortunately they didn't do any real damage to the heart, but they did have to use the paddles on her each time. Finally implanted a combo/fibulator unit to get it all under control. More to give thanks for. I kid her that I now have a bionic woman for a wife!
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I started scrolling for fun - still do. However if I can sell a piece or two I do. I'm not working and would like to stay that way, but that means that I really need to start selling pieces somewhere. Several years ago I had an order from a gallery for 100 snowflakes of various sizes. My choice re: which patterns. I was working 50-60 hours a week and only had about 2 months to get them done. I hated each and every one of them. However, I got paid enough to be a used Hegner saw, so it was okay after all.
I have donated to silent auction and was very disappointed the first time. Since then I set a minimum bid (knowing that if no one bids it that I will donate that amount to the charity). The pieces sell for more which benefits the charity even more. It helps to be sure that the information supplied with the piece that tells how the piece was cut with a scroll saw by you. I've had folks assumed that the piece was cut with a laser. Adding a little personal info helps.
Cathy
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I make a lot of stuff and sell none. Most every thing I make goes to family, friends and a few raffles ( about 20). There is no time limit on anything I make. If something is going to a raffle or a charity I will pick something I have already made and donate it with the request that I would like to know how much they made on it. (got to feed the ego). I feel that if I were to try to make it to make money then it becomes a job. I am not rich but I don't need to take away dollars from someone who needs to make items for the income. I enjoy my hobby and that is all it is.... And I hope it stays that way.
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Just a quick update on my dilemma about selling and pricing. The lady who wanted the two pieces picked up the one I had made last Tuesday, and gave me a check for $50 for both. I'm satisfied with the amount and have already given it to the Feed The Hungry program at my church. BTW, the pattern I used was Steve Good's "Hello God", and cut from oak, without the clock. Now I have to make another, and hope I do as good a job on it as I did on the first!
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Congratulations Crabby. Not a bad price!
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yeah, congrats! well done!
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the pattern I used was Steve Good's "Hello God", and cut from oak, without the clock.
I officially declare this to be a project that needs to be documented by the rules of the community and the scrollsawer's codex ;D
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I have done cutting to order for years mostly to crafters that want to decorate or finish the items. It can get tedious for sure such as the lady who wanted 100 2" hearts but at least it helps pay for this addiction. I recently donated a couple of Harley Davidson pieces for an auction at Amvets to raise funds for the honor flights. Don't know how they sold.
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I had a group I worked with, "Telephone company". I worked outside, some crazy hours - my wife never knew when I'd be home. Some things I gave away. Then people would insist on paying. Who am I to say no, unless I felt it was to much. I worked nights and week-ends on cutting wood - it took the stress out of the job. What money I did make I sunk the money I made into tools, wood and glue.
The "mail boy" came to me one day and had someone that wanted to know if I could make a bed. I said sure, but I need pictures of what she wanted, and I want you to help me make it - we'll split the money we make. A couple of days later, he comes over to the house with an arm full of books. In each was what she liked and what she didn't like. I drew up a picture of her likes and quoted her $900.00. I had gone out and priced beds sort of like this. We made $25.00 each, do to the changes she came up with along the way. The women was very happy with the bed. I learned a lot ,as did the "Mail boy", who over years become the VP of the company.
Over the years I ended up with $25,000.00 worth of tools and for the most part, all with the scroll saw.
PS: Don't short change your self - Time is money. But I still can't put a price on the fun.....Vince
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Just had to tell my scroller friends how my donation ended. When I did the first "Hello God", the buyer gave me a check for $50, which I accepted as payment for both items she wanted. I later finished the second "Hello God", and mailed it to her. She sent an email saying she wanted to pay me for the postage, and I responded that she had already paid me in full, nothing further expected.
Today I received a thank you card, and a check for $55.90! She apparently checked the cost of the postage and then paid me a second $50. Now I know I'm not that good, that the scrolling I did for her wasn't truly worth $100, but that's the value she placed on them. The second check is headed for my church and the "Feed the Hungry" program. They'll be happy! There are good people in this world..
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"There are good people in this world..
Sounds like you are one of them!
Ther are others here in this group of Friends!
Gabby