Ned Bulken
06-03-2006, 8:33 AM
Somewhat 'inspired' by Shelley's post about marketing her transformables, I thought this review might be helpful:
A few weeks ago, I visited my folks, and I had the pleasure to receive a copy of this book. It is by Kerry Pierce, published by Popular Woodworking in 1998 ISBN 1-55870-462-0 for those interesed in the book itself
Mr Pierce travelled around the greater Ohio Valley, and visited 9 different shops , 7 gentlemen and three lady woodworkers (one husband/wife team). Each of whom earn part or all of their income from their home woodworking shops. The shops make everything from bandsaw boxes to turned jewelry, clocks to dulcimers, intarsia to fine wooden toys, fine art boxes and some clever clog-dancer carven characters. Each shop is given its own chapter, and every one has as unique a slant on our shared craft. He spent enough time with each shop to showcase their strengths, whether it be exuberant energy of the proprietor, or time management and the benefit of workstations for special tasks.
A common theme that all of the shops shared was production runs and their aid to streamlining the process of making several items. I found that enlightening, it is definitely applicable even to those of us who are not trying to make money at our craft. How many of us get repeated requests for something we make. How much more effort would it be to make several copies of that trivet, or a few cutting boards vs one at a time?
They all showed adaptability, changing their product lines as the markets change over time; One gentleman makes wooden parts for street sweepers. Not 'fine woodworking', but I bet those repeat orders sure keep the lights on nicely.
They discuss the merits of wholesale vs retail shows, as well as how to break into various markets.
Other topics touched upon were that you don't need the latest greatest gee-whiz-bang gizmo. Ingenuity went a lot further than gizmos in nearly all of the shops. Two were focused on the machining process, but as a means to the ends of creating beautiful pieces multiple times.
I enjoyed Mr Pierce's writing style, sounded a lot like the educational posts here, with very good black and white photography throughout.
I know for a fact that batch production helps, I had to make 20 or so small cutting boards recently. I glued up two at a time so that I could run them through my planer, which really was the only way I could safely plane them down to thickness.
I would recommend it to anyone who might be thinking of either making money with their shop, or simply interested in production run or woodworking in batches vs single pieces. Each and every chapter had Something which I found applicable even to my little shop to be.
I do have to get the shop constructed first though.
A few weeks ago, I visited my folks, and I had the pleasure to receive a copy of this book. It is by Kerry Pierce, published by Popular Woodworking in 1998 ISBN 1-55870-462-0 for those interesed in the book itself
Mr Pierce travelled around the greater Ohio Valley, and visited 9 different shops , 7 gentlemen and three lady woodworkers (one husband/wife team). Each of whom earn part or all of their income from their home woodworking shops. The shops make everything from bandsaw boxes to turned jewelry, clocks to dulcimers, intarsia to fine wooden toys, fine art boxes and some clever clog-dancer carven characters. Each shop is given its own chapter, and every one has as unique a slant on our shared craft. He spent enough time with each shop to showcase their strengths, whether it be exuberant energy of the proprietor, or time management and the benefit of workstations for special tasks.
A common theme that all of the shops shared was production runs and their aid to streamlining the process of making several items. I found that enlightening, it is definitely applicable even to those of us who are not trying to make money at our craft. How many of us get repeated requests for something we make. How much more effort would it be to make several copies of that trivet, or a few cutting boards vs one at a time?
They all showed adaptability, changing their product lines as the markets change over time; One gentleman makes wooden parts for street sweepers. Not 'fine woodworking', but I bet those repeat orders sure keep the lights on nicely.
They discuss the merits of wholesale vs retail shows, as well as how to break into various markets.
Other topics touched upon were that you don't need the latest greatest gee-whiz-bang gizmo. Ingenuity went a lot further than gizmos in nearly all of the shops. Two were focused on the machining process, but as a means to the ends of creating beautiful pieces multiple times.
I enjoyed Mr Pierce's writing style, sounded a lot like the educational posts here, with very good black and white photography throughout.
I know for a fact that batch production helps, I had to make 20 or so small cutting boards recently. I glued up two at a time so that I could run them through my planer, which really was the only way I could safely plane them down to thickness.
I would recommend it to anyone who might be thinking of either making money with their shop, or simply interested in production run or woodworking in batches vs single pieces. Each and every chapter had Something which I found applicable even to my little shop to be.
I do have to get the shop constructed first though.