Happy Day I am an Artist. LOL

SteelSlaver

SteelSlaver

Joined
Feb 17, 2007
Messages
3,375
Well , I set a booth up at the local artists street fair and found out I am an artist. Always thought I was just a guy who liked to make things. The older guy who carves these wonderful birds in the booth beside me explained it, if you use you hands to make things you are a laborer, if you use your head and your hands to make things you are a craftsman and if you use your heart, your head and your hands to make things you are an artist.

Anyway I found out people are more than willing to shell out good money for my knives and I sold 4 that were over $200. I was kinda sad to see them go, but, I am getting a new KMG so I can use my hands a little less. LOL, I had a great time and enjoyed it and although I am not a salesman I found it easy to talk about something I really enjoy. Tommorrow is the last day.
 
Congrats on the sales. I also enjoy setting up at shows and talking all day.

I clicked on your profile because you live in the Pacific Northwest also. Maybe we know each other?

Nice art knife on your profile page. You are an Artist.
 
Good for you!! That's a special feeling the first time you sell knives at a show to people you've never met before.

Congratulations! :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the nice words. Bruce I don't know that we have met. Only been to Walla Walla a few times years ago. I would like to meet some more people nearby that are in the knife trade and would love to do this full time.
 
ib2v4u said:
Thanks for the nice words. Bruce I don't know that we have met. Only been to Walla Walla a few times years ago. I would like to meet some more people nearby that are in the knife trade and would love to do this full time.
Click to expand...


Congrats on the first sales! Where are you at in the Pacific NW? I'm in Vancouver, WA.
 
I live a bit N of Seattle in Mt Vernon. I sometimes get down to Vancouver and see people. I used to live there and ran the floor in a steel fabrication shop. Maybe we could get together some weekend and exchange tips and whatnot

360-336-6569
 
If you approach your work as art; when it comes time to sell that art; you experience two things: the good feeling of having a little money in your pocket, secondly, knowing that someone else enjoys what you do and is willing to pay you to do it.

I agree with Bruce, that is a fine piece on your profile page, it shows that you
approach your work as art.

Keep in mind, that doing something you love full time, can lesson the experience.

Congrats on your sales, Fred
 
Thank you, and I do keep in mind that some of the joy would be gone if I did it for a living. But I am getting very burned out on my job and at nearly 56 it is starting to take it physical toll. Mixed feelings. When I make a knife I can't help but become a bit attached to it and when I sell it I feel it a bit.
 
ib2v4u said:
Thank you, and I do keep in mind that some of the joy would be gone if I did it for a living. But I am getting very burned out on my job and at nearly 56 it is starting to take it physical toll. Mixed feelings. When I make a knife I can't help but become a bit attached to it and when I sell it I feel it a bit.
Click to expand...
I can relate.
I get so attached to some of them that I now have them in my own collection.
I am a full time maker, at 63 and turning out a fine knife still carries the thrill.

My comments were not meant to dampen your enthusiasm. Best of luck to you, Fred
 
Nice thread guys. Congrats on the first sales. ib2v4u, you need to be showing us more of the knives that you make.:thumbup:
 
Thanks guys here is my first folder. I cheated by using an existing knife as my pattern for the lock and location of the pivot pins etc. Chemical blued damascus, matching bolsters, amboyna scales, brass liners file worked spine, lockbar and liners. Its a bit bigger than a buck. Kind of like an Old Timer I used when I would spend every fall hunting in my home state of Montana.
 

Attachments

  • folder.jpg
    folder.jpg
    25.6 KB · Views: 38
about the letting go of things you've made, I find it easier to give things away rather than to charge money for them. If it wasn't for the fact that materials and time have a cost, I'd be happier with handouts. I don't mind letting my stuff go after I have had time to play with them a while. If it makes somebody else happy and they are going to use it, It feels pretty good to let it go.
 
nice work..
I find I still have reservations letting go of some knives
you're letting a part of yourself go with each one ,, that's the best way I can say it,, :)
 
ib2v4u said:
Always thought I was just a guy who liked to make things. The older guy who carves these wonderful birds in the booth beside me explained it, if you use you hands to make things you are a laborer, if you use your head and your hands to make things you are a craftsman and if you use your heart, your head and your hands to make things you are an artist.
Click to expand...

I come from a long line of folks who would love that quote. :thumbup:
 
Dan, I think that is it. I put a bit of myself into each one. It was nice that several of the people that bought mine told me they had a small collection. My next step is setting up to mark my knives. I have a mark in mind and I used to make my own circuit boards and masks for them, so I think I will go that way
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top