Can I "sell" my work for a membership?

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Jun 13, 2007
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So I've been dabbling in knifemaking for a little while and just started working with leather. I can't really see selling knives, but this sheath thing is very interesting.

I understand, and abide by all of the rules of the board, I respect them and understand why they are the way they are. My question is simple. If I wanted to sell a sheath (obviously I'm only a gold member), could I make a listing for the price of the Knifemaker membership? I'd just consider payment made once the membership was paid for, and I'd then ship the sheath.

I can't be the first person who wanted to do this. Just seems like a win/win/win.
 
Should I take the silence as a yes? :D

Seriously though, I'd be very grateful if this would be okay. Of course I could also send my item first (to the customer) to view the work. A membership isn't cheap and I plan to make a very special sheath to make it a value for the buyer.
 
Hey Rev, or any other mod...

I've emailed and pm'ed Spark. I realize that he must be very busy, but I'm thinking that the question may go unanswered. Any chance I could bother one of you to contact him on my behalf?

I'd be most grateful.

Thanks,

Anthony
 
I'll try and shoot him an email. He was around for a brief time a day or so ago, he may not have seen this.
 
Just my opinion, of course...

If you want to make and sell sheaths, just go for it. :thumbup: Go Orange, man, it's fun.

Don't over-think it, and don't try to find ways to tiptoe around the rules. A knifemaker/craftsman membership here is, frankly, dirt cheap. If you can't afford $75 to get rolling... I gotta wonder how serious you really are.

Generally, the way business works is, you pony up an investment to get going, and then sell your work to pay yourself back. Sometimes, if you're good at it, you even turn a profit.
 
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Thanks for your input James. That actually brings up a concern of mine, but that's a discussion for a different thread, or better, another venue.

I'm not trying to skirt the rules. Quite the opposite actually. Over the years I've been approached more than once asking if I would consider breaking rules for my implied benefit, and not once have I ever considered it.

As for investment, I've invested multiple times what a Knifemakers membership costs. That was just for my basic tools, quality leather and other materials. Since then I've invested even more, and have another sizeable order pending. You should know that it isn't inexpensive to create a quality product, and I have no intention of selling something that I wouldn't buy myself.

Don't confuse my experience with poor ethics, or low standards. To that I take offense.
 
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Idea: Take a knife, put a sheath on it and sell the knife (not advertised as knife and sheath by you) just the knife. As a side benefit it has your sheath on it. Your not selling your work per say, and not breaking any rules.

Up to the judgement of the exchange mods of course, if I am off please do let me know. :)
 
That might not last long, other folks would start talking and it would come full circle in the end. More of a short term solution. I would also vote to buy the membership. I've bought several memberships in the past for myself and others. in this case it comes to around 5 cents per day. Considering the size of the forums, and the exposure it is a hell of a good deal for folks that want to generate income.
Strig, I emailed Spark. Nothing back yet.
 
Good ideas guys. Dwayne, great idea, only I don't have any knives that I care to sell atm. :D I didn't need to buy a gold membership for any , I bought it simply to support my favorite spot on the net. ;)

I've received emails from others wanting to do the same thing (no offense to those who have done so!), for that reason, and others, I'm pulling the plug on the idea. Originally I saw it as a creative way for the site, me and the buyer to get a good deal. I have been concerned from the outset that it would be viewed poorly (cheapen, if you will) on my charac, finances and percieved intended quality of my future work. None of these things could be more incorrect, but I encourage constructive criticism.

A special thanks to you, Rev, for going out of your way to assist me.

While I wish that the idea had worked in the spirit under which it had been concieved, I'm happy to just go through the normal channels. It'll take a while to get a quality product together, and at that point I'll be proud to wear the Maker moniker. :)
 
That might not last long, other folks would start talking and it would come full circle in the end. More of a short term solution. I would also vote to buy the membership. I've bought several memberships in the past for myself and others. in this case it comes to around 5 cents per day. Considering the size of the forums, and the exposure it is a hell of a good deal for folks that want to generate income.
Strig, I emailed Spark. Nothing back yet.
Yup, your right. I had a feeling something was off in my suggestion and you pinpointed it exactly. Thank you. :)
 
Strig, not a problem. Always glad to try and halp when possible. I have no doubt you will do well, especially if you have a passion for what you do. Keep at it.
Dwayne, the suggestion was a good one, but things tend to sour quickly at times.
 
That might not last long, other folks would start talking and it would come full circle in the end. More of a short term solution. I would also vote to buy the membership. I've bought several memberships in the past for myself and others

. in this case it comes to around 5 cents per day.

Considering the size of the forums, and the exposure it is a hell of a good deal for folks that want to generate income.
Strig, I emailed Spark. Nothing back yet.

Can you explain that amount ?


KnifeMaker / Craftsman / Service Provider Membership at 75 / 365= .0205

twenty one cents per day
 
Sounds to me like you are WAY over thinking this. As James mentioned, if you are serious about selling your sheaths, the membership should be a no brainer. It takes money to make money. I'm not really sure how this is even a topic. Another phrase I like to use is "being cheap is expensive". What is your time (and everyone else's now that you have involved so many people) worth? I mean the owner of this message board has now received multiple messages from you and others, mods have now been involved and everyone else that has read this thread and taken the time to comment. That's a lot of people spending their valuable time thinking about this mundane idea.
 
Well thanks for your input. I've been a contributing member for years. The services that I've used are services everyone is allowed to use. I think I explained why I pursued the idea. Whether or not you want to think about, post in this thread, or any of my threads is *totally* your choice.
 
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