[MJC4]

Just got home from the local Hometown Fest. Basically its music, crafts, foods, games, flea market, pony rides etc. we had booth. Actually sold 4 sticks and a few ornaments. Seems the folks around here prefer the "simple" pieces with the wood burned images(oak leaves, deer heads) as opposed to the pricier carved pieces. I think I might have rethink what I'm making and make a few more of the plain hiking sticks. Pic is the end of a L-O-N-G day.

 

[CV3]

Nice display Mark. It is good to have a selection plane and carved.

 

[Rodnogdog]

You look pretty tired, I hope you had fun. I'm not retired yet, I don't have the time to make a lot of sticks with the idea of selling them so I am making what I like. It is interesting that people are choosing the simpler ones.

At one time, I was doing custom paint jobs on high end road racing bicycle frames - some beautiful stuff that took many hours. I took my work to numerous shows and was often asked if I would paint one for the person looking. When I told them what I would charge for what they were asking for, that was usually the end of the conversation. The sad part was that if I considered how much time it took to do it and what the materials cost, I was only making a few dollars an hour. The point of my story is that most of the folks looking at your sticks probably have no idea of what went into making them and therefore no idea of why you priced them as you do.

 

[MJC4]

This was my 1st craft show, not sure if I'm going to do another one.

I did not actually make any of the sticks I brought with the sole thought of selling them and the Santa ornaments I had made were to give away to my large family. ( I did manage to PO my wife as I sold one stick she was fond of using herself! )

I make sticks for the enjoyment of the craft. I have progressed from making simple hiking staffs and canes to wood carved pieces over several years. The results of several years of sticking are in the display. My family suggested I attempt to sell a few if for no other reason than the to relieve some of my "inventory" that is basically overrunning the downstairs family room and perhaps make a few bucks to pay for tools and materials ( sand paper, stains etc.)

People admired and complimented the more detailed pieces, but seemed more willing to part with $25 - $30 for a plain or wood burned staff than the $60-$100 I was asking for a detailed carved ones. I don't think my pricing was outa line, I just think the people attending this end of summer celebration were not the right target (lots of young folks with kids) for "our" type of craft and September is still a bit to early for people to be buying for Christmas, though the ornaments went OK. The reason I said not sure if I'll do another craft show is I really hate the thought of reverting back to making simple hiking sticks just to make sales. However when booth space at craft shows runs $75 - $ 120 selling items to pay the costs is a must. So its a damned if U do damned if U don't proposition to me. At least the show at this weekends town fest the booth space was free. Not the case with the indoor fall shows coming up.

 

[Alaska Rabologist]

MJC4,

As a collector of walking sticks, I really admire your work. If still available, I would like to purchase a couple of your walking sticks. Particularly, the one with the owl topper.... Could you contact me at [email protected]

Many Thanks!

 

[cobalt]

people always like sticks but when it comes to get a fair price for them they shy away.

I have started to sell mine but expect to get 80- 100£ about 100-`150$

The pig on a cardigan stick has been sold as was offered 80£. but considering the time it takes its not much, but at lest it will go towards tools etc.

I am planning to put a few on the handcrafted facebook site asking for reasonable offers to see what response I get .Several guys do very well on there and get a fair price for there stuff of about 150£. As long as its good quality and well designed you always get a reasonable offer .I did have several offers for the cardigan stick after I agreed to sell it so its worth waiting a week before accepting a offer