career pen making

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cwolfs69

cwolfs69

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Joined
Apr 24, 2011
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portsmouth, va
just wondering. having taken up this "addiction" in February after retirement and having a little luck with selling myself both individually and at a few shows, am i to believe that this is actually a career for some of those on IAP. I get the feeling reading threads sometimes that this is actually a job for some. I'm amazed that there is really that much call for high end pens out there. if possible, i would like a little discussion of this subject. Having invested so much into it now and having the time, i may consider making it more of a small "business" than just a hobby. Your thoughts as well as any tips you may have. would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

charley
 
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I only know of one "non-retired" person who made a living on pens at craft shows. He was successful for less than five years, then gave it up.

Now, if you are retired, on social security or some other support mechanism, you are not trying to make a living, you are augmenting your income. I have seen dozens of such people exhibiting all kinds of products at craft shows--successfully. They made a couple grand in a weekend, which was all they needed.

As to the poll---$100,000 a year in INCOME is NOT a living if it comes from the "show circuit". Assume at least 33% product cost, now you have $66667--you are at a show at least 30 weekends, probably 90 or more days--entry fees upward of $10,000. Each show has hotel fees, food,etc--for 30 weekends, figure another $10,000 (this is LOW) and then add gas, depending on how far you travel. But, we are already down to 46 grand.

BTW, this also works out to over a thousand dollars per show day of income. This can be done. But NOT by most people.

If you are retired, you can use shows as an alternative to entertainment--AND you make a few bucks. But don't spend it, until you've got it. I have had days where I didn't sell $300 (fortunately, not many), but the booth was still $150--not a lot of room there.

For those who don't know, Dawn and I did craft shows for over 10 years, up to 26 weekends per year, 4 days a week in the Christmas season. I am not speculating---we quit, in part, because the income kept going down and the fees kept going up. Most of the shows were closing, due to lack of buyers---it ain't as easy as it looks.
 
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yes ed, i retired in February. I assumed that the 100k was gross not net from the way it read. Your expressing what i was thinking. Im not looking to make a living, i spent 50+ years doing that. Not even extra income per say, but the fact that is is positive cash flow not negative was what i want. My retirement and the wife's work more than cover living. I was looking at the possibility of making it a form of self financing hobby, payed for weekend trips. do a show in SC, pays for a weekend there etc.
understanding all of that i was more looking for tips on how to find shows, which ones to go to, how often to go and that sort of thing. Tips on the ins and outs of not losing our butt.
 
Charley, there is a ton of info on the net. Google art and craft shows to get an idea of how many are out there. You need to subscribe to get the more info. I get one mag that also reviews the various shows. You want to look for the Art and Fine Craft juried shows. They cost more but attact the kinds of buyers you'll need. Many of the better jruied shows require applications to sent sent in many months ahead of the show. Planning 6 months ahead is not uncommon.
This site also has lots of info on booth set ups and displays. Many of our members do exactly what you're thinking of trying. I sell at a Saturday Arts Market and plan to venture out and do more shows next year. In the South the better shows seem to be in the Spring and Fall and Summer finds us going North.
Start here in the Marketing section and feel free to post all the questions you like.
 
yeah, i have already found that the arts and craft shows are far better than the festivals, pig pick'n type events for selling. it seems that the arts and craft show visitors are there specifically to buy or at least look at items. At the festivals, as in "Blackbeard Festival" they are there having a good time, watching shows and eating. they do buy but not as prone to as craft events.
 
Using shows as a means of "financing" a weekend out is, in my opinion, a GOOD plan.

We often talked about touring the country when we retired, doing a show every weekend or two to keep everything as "business trips" and the tax advantages of that.

That could be done, I believe. Especially, if you like living in a motor home (which I don't). There are always a dozen or so BIG motor homes with really nice people---makings of a great evening around the fire, with a general theme of conversation---"Show idiots", or "potential customers", the people that entered your booth today--you get some FABULOUS stories, well enhanced--

Free entertainment!
 
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I think Brian at Edison does this full time. I don't know him and have never met him so I don't know for sure. It appears that it can be done although not easily (as Ed has alluded to).
 
CHARLIE,

You have both the skill and craftmanship to make it my friend !!!! So everyone knows, I sent charlie a few of my Wheeping Willow blanks and he made me a pen and WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! It is beauty !!! Well Done my friend !!!!!!!!! You have the knowledge most of us take many many years to get !!!!

"WELL DONE"
Thanks from one Nam Vet to another and welcome home !!!!!!!!!!!

Joe and Linda
 
nsfr1206 said:
There was a poll a while back iirc asking how much people had sold. Some of them sold around 100k. So sounds like a living to me.
Click to expand...

This depends on HOW you define "a living"!
Let's do a quick "break down" on a $100,000 of gross sales.

let's just use some numbers thrown out by members here as "standards".
For example a "3 times mark up" means $33,000 is product costs. Leaving $67,000.

To do $100,000 means you need about 20 shows of $5000 each.
Average show and jury fees, utilities $500 per show x 20 shows is $10,000. This leaves $57,000.

For us, traveling to shows that will AVERAGE $5k per usually equals "show fee"... Another $10,000, leaving $47,000.

Equipment for shows, big tools, etc $10,000 depreciated over 10 years = 1,000 per year... Leaving $46,000.

Insurance (better shows don't allow exhibits without insurance), permits, accountant, $2,000...leaving $44,000

Credit card discounts (most sales are cc and 2 % is average rate) = $2,000,
Leaving $42,000.

Telephone, Internet, power to run tools $2000 yearly, leaves $40,000.

THEN, since you are self "unemployed" you get to pay for All Social Security and Medicare at 15% (and NO, they don't discount for small business) 15% of $40K =$6,000, leaving $34,000.

Since YOU OWN the business, you get no health care insurance from your employer. Let's just say you take Lipitor and Niaspan. Your elevated premiums will be approximately $5,000, leaving $29,000.

OR YOU COULD GO TO WORK AT Home Depot for $28,000 per year, with free health insurance, 7.5% medicare and S.S. tax and discounter employee stock purchasing.


BUT the ORANGE APRON Brigade, don't get the "chicks" like us "artists"......It's all about the chicks, dude:) Sorta like being a "Roady" in a rock group, actually!
 
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Andy says:

BUT the ORANGE APRON Brigade, don't get the "chicks" like us "artists"......It's all about the chicks, dude:) Sorta like being a "Roady" in a rock group, actually!



I believe I did the WRONG shows!!
 
Oh yeah, one other thing...those 20 shows you picked and paid for 6 months in advance better all be "winners' and the weather "perfect".
 
ed4copies said:
For those who don't know, Dawn and I did craft shows for over 10 years, up to 26 weekends per year, 4 days a week in the Christmas season. I am not speculating---we quit, in part, because the income kept going down and the fees kept going up. Most of the shows were closing, due to lack of buyers---it ain't as easy as it looks.
Click to expand...


A lawyer, a doctor and an pen turner all win a million dollars in the lottery and are interviewed on the evening news.

"What will you do with your winnings?", the news anchor asks.

The lawyer replies, "I'm going to buy a huge house and a sports car".

The doctor responds with "I'll write a big check to charity and take my family on a vacation".

The pen turner thinks it over for a moment and says, "I'll just keep doing craft shows until the money runs out".
 
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thanks for the accolades Joe

hey Joe, (shadetre_1) appreciate the accolades, but i sure feel like i have a ways to go yet. still picking up on the casting, need to do more segmenting, and have to get organized enough to do a kit less. But i have managed to sell about 200 pens so far. Working on getting better.
by the way jpe, i got the cactus today an started working on a pen for you from that also. not sure how you guys do that stuff but i got something in the works i think will turn out okay for you.

thanks again. and thanks to everyone for the return comments. looks like others are gleaning from this as well. :smile:
 
The first ten years I sold pens, nothing was fancier than antler on a regular, stock, pen kit. I sold quite a few (hundreds) of each type.

Consumers don't see IAP. They marvel at a well made pen---be it wood or resin or "other".
 
I'm a full time pen turner with a job related pension and full insurance coverage, also I am nearly full time at another job and have some investments that keep us going. We make some money on the art fair business, enough to send one child to college and save some for two more who will be going off to college next year.

As long as we are making good money at this we will keep on doing it until all the kids are out of college. Before I retired from a full time job as a senior executive making big money I only worked 50-60 hours a week. I work a lot more than that now.

Absolutely you can earn good money at this, it is hard work and there is not much room for mistakes in terms of shows to attend, merchandising decisions or tarvel planning. A couple bad shows, a jury deciding you don't get to come back to a great show, a vehicle breakdown or accident, and a long list of other risks that are largely out of your control could wipe out the profits for a year.

I recommend giving it a try, we are enjoying it.
 
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Chasper said:
I'm a full time pen turner with a job related pension and full insurance coverage, also I am nearly full time at another job and have some investments that keep us going. We make some money on the art fair business, enough to send one child to college and save some for two more who will be going off to college next year.

As long as we are making good money at this we will keep on doing it until all the kids are out of college. Before I retired from a full time job as a senior executive making big money I only worked 50-60 hours a week. I work a lot more than that now.

Absolutely you can earn good money at this, it is hard work and there is not much room for mistakes in terms of shows to attend, merchandising decisions or tarvel planning. A couple bad shows, a jury deciding you don't get to come back to a great show, a vehicle breakdown or accident, and a long list of other risks that are largely out of your control could wipe out the profits for a year.

I recommend giving it a try, we are enjoying it.
Click to expand...

thanks for the information. by the way i have always marveled at Santa Claus, Indiana. we always go through there on the way to my mothers house in MO.

thaks again
 
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