Well it's happened, LOML has put an allowance cap on my spending -- so that simply saving would take me at least a year before getting a decent bandsaw. It's time -- I've got to start making this hobby pay for itself.
Has anyone else been in this boat? How did you get started? How did your first sales go? Have you been able make your hobby self-sustainable? How much experience did you have before making pieces marketable?
I'm mostly concerned with HOW to get the items sold. Is eBay really the way to go? Does anyone here sell through eBay, and if so, do you consider the prices you get enough to compensate you? I can't see myself with the time to do big shows. What about local boutiques? Would small stores carry my items and sell things on commission basis? I just have no idea how this kind of thing works....
I'm mostly into making small jewelry boxes. So I started brainstorming and came up with a neat design for a locking false-bottomed secret compartment jewelry box. I figured something like that would attract attention over other pieces if I go the eBay route.
I've seen books that would appear on-target but they seem to be directed towards people who want to make a living woodworking. I am doing pretty good with my day-job, so I'm fortunate in the making-a-living arena. But I do want to get some decent tools and work with some good wood....
Sorry for the bombardment of questions like this. I'd appreciate any stories, suggestions, or possibly even some encouragement.... URLs would be good too!
david