Money boxes???

[woody67]

Hi all - being a very amateurish woodbutcher compared to many of you awesome individuals, I am currently off work due to an Achilles rupture an am wiling away the hours making boxes. I've made several of which relatives, swmbo etc have said "you could sell these you know etc,etc" which got me thinking that in rural Cumbria, I maybe could! Question therefore is what is a reasonable price? Mainly recycled redwood with occasional inlays of mahogany or beech, either lidded or hinged and no more than jewelry box size - man hours, roughly 12.

In anticipation Woody 67

 

[Vormulac]

Hi Woody, no idea about pricing (I'm another relative rookie), but I would love to see some pictures of your work.

Cheers,

V.

 

[DomValente]

Hi Woody we need good pictures.

Dom

 

[woodbloke]

Woody - as Dom says, we need good pics - Rob

 

[woody67]

Oh oh - therein lies the rub! I MUST figure out how to post pictures! I know - I'll try and do it now - I'm not going anywhere! And thanks folks :lol: :lol:

W

 

[woody67]

At last!! Here's the photos. It was easier than I thought! . Would greatly appreciate all comments as I'm just a fledgling - no Scheppach here just a (whisper) B&Q table saw jobby an an (even bigger whisper) Aldi bandsaw

 

[j]

Wow, they look very nice.

I'm making a money box for the competition, and may get some inspiration

Edit:
Again, wow, if you're an amature, what am I?
I'd love some WIP pictures if you have any.

If my competion entry comes out half as good as these, I'll be happy.

J

 

[woody67]

Sorry j - will try better next time - it's my first dabbling into image posts.

 

[Nick W]

Please could you do it to this post? An apparently little known feature of the forum is that the originator of a post can edit it using the button at the top right of the post labelled Edit.

 

[rjb]

They are really nice boxes and I'm sure lots of people would love to buy one, but I wouldn't like to put a price on them. In my experience it's very difficult to charge a realistic amount for your time for something like this.

If you're serious about selling them I would look at ways to reduce the production time - maybe you could standardise a limited number of designs and make them in batches.

To get the best price you need a good quality outlet. I think I would see if an up-market furniture or interiors shop would be interested in displaying them and selling on a commission basis - that way you'd have no overheads. Alternatively you could try selling them yourself at craft fairs etc, but that would involve more time and costs.

RJB.

 

[DomValente]

Alternatively you could try selling them yourself at craft fairs etc, but that would involve more time and costs.

RJB.

Absolutely agree with everything else you said except the above, retailers will give very little for your product and if you have the charisma, or in this case the snowballs to eskimo skill, you will fare better.

Dom

 

[woody67]

Thanks rjb and Dom - your words of wisdom are just the impetus I need - apart from sheep shows, Cumbria's full of craft fairs at Summer time!!

Woody

 

[Gill]

I'm curious - if others have told you that you could sell your boxes, why haven't they put their money where their mouths are and bought some from you?

Although they're nice boxes, I'm not sure they would sell.

Sorry to be negative .

Gill

 

[spadge]

You should look in local craft type shops and see how much similar boxes go for. If you do I think you will find there are lots of imported boxes that sell for very little say £5 to £15 and the shop will probably pay half that.
So is it worth spending 12 hours to make an average of £5.00 (or 40 odd pence per hour)?

Sorry to sound so negative but I think thats the reality.

Good luck.

 

[rjb]

I think you will find there are lots of imported boxes that sell for very little say £5 to £15 and the shop will probably pay half that.

I agree about the imported boxes and it would be impossible to compete on price. I think some people would be prepared to pay more for something that is good quality and hand made locally, but probably not enough to cover 12 hours labour.

In an earlier message I suggested asking shops to display them because at least that way you won't lose anything if they don't sell. Independant shops will often display items on a sale or return basis and only charge a small commission if they sell. You could potentially sell more at a craft fair, but if they are too expensive and don't sell you could easily end up losing money.

It's probably best to start by doing some market research and also see how much you can reduce your production time. You should then be able to see how viable it is. Another option would be to concentrate on bespoke or personalised boxes as you wouldn't be competing with imports then.. , but you'd need to find the right market.

RJB

 

[woody67]

Thanks so much for that rjb - it's restored my faith. I'm not looking to make money, I'd be quite happy getting a fiver and the thrill of knowing someone liked my work! People haven't put their money where there mouths are as I think it's a bit miserly to sell to my wife or relatives don't you think!? My mate "commisioned" the redwood box with mahogany banding for his wife and no money will be changing hands, maybe a bag of biscuits - number 10 and 20's! To be honest, I don't mind putting in the man hours - it's the joy of producing something of my own design and be they not up to "professional" standard as noted by previous posts, I am in no way a professional but merely an eager and enthusiastic amateur with a converted summerhouse full of second rate tools-all be they well looked after.
Maybe one day when I can justify the purchase of state of the art tools, I will be able to realise what potential - along with enthusiasm that I feel I possess.
Oh by the way, my user name doesn't reflect my belief that I am a master woodworker - my surname IS Wood and I was born in 1967 - hence Woody 67!
Thanks also for everyone elses comments.

 

[Gary M]

Thanks so much for that rjb - it's restored my faith. I'm not looking to make money, I'd be quite happy getting a fiver and the thrill of knowing someone liked my work! People haven't put their money where there mouths are as I think it's a bit miserly to sell to my wife or relatives don't you think!? My mate "commisioned" the redwood box with mahogany banding for his wife and no money will be changing hands, maybe a bag of biscuits - number 10 and 20's! To be honest, I don't mind putting in the man hours - it's the joy of producing something of my own design and be they not up to "professional" standard as noted by previous posts, I am in no way a professional but merely an eager and enthusiastic amateur with a converted summerhouse full of second rate tools-all be they well looked after.
Maybe one day when I can justify the purchase of state of the art tools, I will be able to realise what potential - along with enthusiasm that I feel I possess.
Oh by the way, my user name doesn't reflect my belief that I am a master woodworker - my surname IS Wood and I was born in 1967 - hence Woody 67!
Thanks also for everyone elses comments.

=D> =D> =D> couldnt have put it better myself !! its not about making money as you say woody, its about making something unique and special for someone who appreciates it !!
your work is top class!!!
just to keep your chin up here is a link to a friend of mines website http://www.hawthornecrafts.com/
check out the prices for the boxes :shock: :shock:
good luck with your boxes.

 

[woody67]

Gary M - Thank you. Your friend and his work and indeed your goodself are an inspiration! 200 quid for my boxes it is then :wink: :wink: .

Thanks fella

Woody