islamic prayer times clock

Franky for your chess sets they would look absolutely gorgeous. When planing them them smell like mint or like vicks if you have them in the states.

I’m going to have a rant because I now understand what Paul has been trying to drum into my head all along and when I say mine I mean all of us except that I read the post so I take it as if he’s talking to me directly. Ok so your wondering what am I raving on about, I’m talking about devaluing my work and myself as a craftsman.

In another post I wrote I’m selling that desk organiser for $50 because that’s what the market dictates or people are willing to pay, bullocks; who in their right mind would sell themselves short like that. I put a lot of thought into that project, then drew it up, then redrew it and I still have to finish the drawing off as I completed the rest just on the fly. Every joint is flawless and the drawer slides in and out effortlessly and I’m going to sell that for $50??? The hell I am I will put a price tag of $75. My clocks that I make are also way too cheap and from this day forward I am going to sell them for what they’re worth. No longer will I undercut myself just to compete with Chinese prices, let’s face it’s degrading. I absolutely feel under valued as a craftsman and as a humanbeing when I sell a clock or whatever I make dirt cheap. All the materials I use I never got dirt cheap in fact I get brushed aside because I don’t buy in large quantities so I pay extra just to be served. My time, my knowledge none of that is free nor was it just given to me but years and years of hard work and determination has brought me to the level I’m at so why would I disrespect myself, my knowledge, my skill, my craft and my products and undercut myself the way I have.

By selling at reduced prices is devaluing your worth and your work and believe me it hurts and hurts and hurts to the point to where you just want to chuck it in and just do it as a hobby. So if any of you want to work wood on a full time basis then run it as a business and never undercut yourself. If your item is worth $1500 then sell it for that don’t flog it off for half the price like I have done because you will never feel good about yourself and that will reflect in your work, your mojo will soon start to fly out the door with the stuff you gave away.

Thank you Paul I finally understand what you have been saying all along.

Glad Dan pointed you in the right direction I would never have found them.

George I was at a jewelers store and they are selling boxes out of MDF veneered with burl, yes they look nice but cheaply done and obviously mass produced. They command $425 and other boxes that are larger go up to $600. For a mass produced item made out of MDF they can shove that price tag up their butts however if it was hand made out of solid timber and veneered out of some exotic species then hell yes it’s worth that and will be worth more as the years go by. Look at your work and price it accordingly, don’t undervalue yourself and strive to always be better and price your work accordingly. If you undervalue yourself so will the market but always be humble and never let pride take control of you.

So true and even though I have been doing this for so long I was trapped into a belief that people will only pay a small price for an item I took great care and skill into making. So yes your confidence level will drop but that is far from the truth and of course not everyone can afford the price you demand but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth that much nor does it mean it will never sell. Everything has a price and every item there is a buyer.

The stuff you give away to people you hold dear to you has more meaning and more worth than anything on the market in fact it is priceless. Like Paul who gives a free class to those who are truly needy I too give to those I feel will bring a smile to their face. It’s not always about selling it’s also about giving and that’s the part I love the most.