I recently posted a link to a Rockler Mini where Mike Salguero the CEO of CustomMade.com came by my shop. He interviewed me on a number of topics around marketing that woodworkers deal with on a regular basis. While he was there, I decided to turn the tables, and get Mike's thoughts on the future of custom built furniture, the barriers, and even the generational elements of the craft.
3 comments:
Rob -
Great interview. I sent it to a friend that is a retired shop teacher. I know that he will find it interesting.
Also, I wrote a blog piece on "Wood Shop Class" on the WW forum ...
http://woodtalkonline.com/blog/66/entry-432-wood-shop-class/
After watching this I went straight to your blog, and found myself here wanting to ask you a bunch of questions if you don't mind?
But I will tell you a little bit about myself. My names Molly, I'm 18 and I fell in love with Woodworking/Carpentry, when I was a freshman in high school, I've always been good at it, and had a knack for it. Well I've been doing this every since my freshman year. I went to a trade school up where I live and graduated at the top of my class, me being the only girl in the class. I found myself wanting to be an architect since I could remember. But in my senior year I realized that I wanted to make furniture, EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING!! But my biggest thing is finding a way to pay for a lot of this stuff. I have already acquired a table saw (industrial), band saw (full length), and a mini lathe. I don't have to space for the money to keep my tools anywhere and I'm just sort of wondering how you got started off.
Molly, first off I appreciate and share your passion (otherwise I'd never be able to keep this blog up). I got started with fine woodworking when I bought a house that had a basement big enough to accommodate a shop. I even pay $200 a month to store things that used to live in my basement, since that is much cheaper than the $800/month or so I'd have to pay for studio/shop space elsewhere. I have the advantage that I do have a day job that pays well enough that I can afford to pick and choose the woodworking commissions I take. If you are looking to get into the craft, look for share shop space or collaboratives in your area. This can give you access to the heavy iron you might need to expand your craft. Or look for work in a custom cabinet shop, which can help you hone your skills, and give you access to bigger tools you don't have the space or money for yet. I'd also suggest you take a look at the Timberworks Studio blog, where Dale is going to document the year in the life of a furniture maker. This could be a great look at the good, bad and ugly of making a go at it. Since I'm only part-time, I can't offer you the same perspective as Dale. His blog is at http://timberwerksstudio.blogspot.com/
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