Come one Come all.....
Your opinion is welcome.
So here I am a furniture maker trying all he can do to make a living in woodworking. I am graduate of a furniture making school. A school known as FIM. The education was priceless and well worth it. Yet you can't learn everything. I was informed how hard surviving can really be, yet who really knows how hard it is going to be without going out into the real world. Now I have gotten commissions and commissions are slowly being offered, but what is being offered are these jobs that everyone else says "NO WAY!!" or "HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK I CAN MAKE MONEY ON THAT". I also get the OH let me help the young kid out. Well these people want a Seymour Repro for pennies. So thanks but no thanks. Or should I rethink that offer and take it. Should I take because, it will look good in the portfolio. I just don't know. Nine out of ten it sure isn't worth it. If you really break it down it is probably more profitable working at a customer value store.
I know what some are saying work is work. Yet one great craftsmen told me that "You start making money once you start saying NO". I know the economy is awful and I should take the work I can get, but is it really worth it? Many furniture makers have informed me that I am so far ahead than they were at age twenty-six (26). Yet the times have changed and everything cost so much more. Some who know me say I am lucky and I would agree. Yet all the youngsters or newest graduates always ask how is business Freddy? So what do I tell them? Everyone tells me to always say business is great and I am so busy, because you want to make yourself sound good, but give me a break. I guess I am asking the question that everyone wants to know, but already knows the answer. The answer is????? Drum roll please and that is just keep working hard and see where life will lead you.
Yet your input and experiences would be greatly appreciated not just for me but for all the newbees.
Thanks,
Freddy Roman
One who is trying to continue the craft of Cabinet/Chair Maker
Your opinion is welcome.
So here I am a furniture maker trying all he can do to make a living in woodworking. I am graduate of a furniture making school. A school known as FIM. The education was priceless and well worth it. Yet you can't learn everything. I was informed how hard surviving can really be, yet who really knows how hard it is going to be without going out into the real world. Now I have gotten commissions and commissions are slowly being offered, but what is being offered are these jobs that everyone else says "NO WAY!!" or "HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK I CAN MAKE MONEY ON THAT". I also get the OH let me help the young kid out. Well these people want a Seymour Repro for pennies. So thanks but no thanks. Or should I rethink that offer and take it. Should I take because, it will look good in the portfolio. I just don't know. Nine out of ten it sure isn't worth it. If you really break it down it is probably more profitable working at a customer value store.
I know what some are saying work is work. Yet one great craftsmen told me that "You start making money once you start saying NO". I know the economy is awful and I should take the work I can get, but is it really worth it? Many furniture makers have informed me that I am so far ahead than they were at age twenty-six (26). Yet the times have changed and everything cost so much more. Some who know me say I am lucky and I would agree. Yet all the youngsters or newest graduates always ask how is business Freddy? So what do I tell them? Everyone tells me to always say business is great and I am so busy, because you want to make yourself sound good, but give me a break. I guess I am asking the question that everyone wants to know, but already knows the answer. The answer is????? Drum roll please and that is just keep working hard and see where life will lead you.
Yet your input and experiences would be greatly appreciated not just for me but for all the newbees.
Thanks,
Freddy Roman
One who is trying to continue the craft of Cabinet/Chair Maker