Selling my Craft - Some thoughts on "What It's All About" for me

[Wild Rose]

First off this post is NOT to toot my own horn, but rather it is to share with my fellow makers and maybe even more important to give just a small over view for those of you who are thinking about making the step into this work full-time what it's all about - at least what it is all about for my wife and I......
After working on various projects today, including a web site for a fellow maker and along with doing the daily chores, going to town for groceries and the mail, I got to thinking on the drive home about an email we received yesterday. After mulling things over I thought I'd share this with those of you who like us sell their craft(s) for a full time living (sole source of income in our case) and for those who wonder/dream about doing the same
- the following is what makes the long hours, no health insurance, doing our own books, not getting work done on time due to healh problems, troubles with supplies and suppliers, getting something ALMOST done and then screwing it up....., and all the rest of the hassles of being a small business owner, worthwhile:
This first note is the one we just received - the one that set off this train of thought, but I figured a few others were necessary as well. Included are images of the items that the new owner is talking about.

"Dear Chuck, I got my rig today. It is spectacular! It was well worth the wait. thank you very much. I'm stunned! Thanks again . KM"

"Howdy Chuck, The package arrived yesterday right on schedule - actually I couldn't wait to see it, so I hunted the UPS guy down and waylayed him before I went to work. Amigo, your a man of your word and that means a lot in my book. Outstanding job - it's exactly what I had in mind. Your a craftsman of the first order. I will be wearing it at End Of Trail and will be telling em who made it. Thanks again. A

"Wow wow wow!
First off they are just amazing all by themselves. There's just so much depth to all of the different pieces that I'll still be finding new things about them years from now.
But on top of that they have this ... quality to them that I've seen in only a couple of pieces. When I first was looking at them they evoked this entirely different tradition in the way that only one or two swords have really spoken to me. Specifically a Kevin Cashen migration era Viking leaf-blade sword and a Don Fogg katana. In all three cases they distill a unique martial culture. "OH, I see" is my reaction. I've shown #5 and #6 to several people here at my office, and talked to them about it. A universal reaction has been along the lines of "that is so cool, it makes complete sense, so THAT's what it was like, and why have I never seen one of these before?" I'm struck by how much more familiar the martial culture of Japan or the Vikings is to myself and others than the North American tradition. Anyhow, I'm babbling. Just super cool on multiple levels. Thanks! G"

"Chuck,
They arrived!! Just at the usual time UPS gets here for us. (Along with the last and "lost" package I had been waiting for!) And they are wonderful!!
Thank you so much for the wonderful job you did, AND the extra special effort you made in getting this for me in time for Christmas. It truly means a lot, and is a big boost after having such a big downer with the broken neck and all. They are going to look absolutely fantastic with my SASS outfit!! Just perfect! Once I get out of this neck collar and leg cast and get all dressed up, I'll send you a picture of "Jessie Blue", Calamity Jane's better! :d ) Maybe I'll be well enough to do one horseback! And, from my family and I to yours; May you and your family have a most Wonderful Christmas, and a very safe, happy, HEALTHY, and prosperous New Year!!! Thanks again, LW"

Thankfully there are many more notes in this vein, and just as thankfully very few in the opposite vein, although even those can be important in their own way as a learning tool. Yep we don't have to punch a time clock and all the rest of the hassles of working for "the man", but those few words sum up what really keeps us going - that feeling of joy, of wonder, of sometimes even awe that our work can bring into another persons life. We were given the gift, but it is up to us to use it and most of all to share it....

Hopefully this will set off a spark in some one some where to follow their muse and also to remind us all of the joy of life when we do what we want/need to do......
Humbly yours -
Chuck & Linda

 

[Mark Williams]

Thanks for sharing that Chuck. Your (and Linda's) work is very inspiring. Ya'll definately have been given a gift and thanks for sharing it.

Mark

 

[george tichbourne]

It's responses like that which make it all worth while. I sometimes think that what we do is about the money but then one of my customers sends me an email or calls to thank me for the knife and I realize that what I crave is the recognition as well.

 

[peter nap]

That's an interesting post Chuck. I've posted about this before and it really should be said again just for the newer makers.
Wallmart sells knives and for thirty bucks you can get one that works well enough. A sheath generally comes with it and it works well enough.

This industry boils down to three professional groups:
The Artists.
The performance knives.
The fantasy knives.

I won't get into the fantasy knife group.

The performance group is by far the largest and the best known. It is also the most competitive. A maker in this category has to experiment with and use the products he sells. He is looking for the very best steel for a specific purpose and the very best handle material and the very best designs. In other words, he is looking for something that can't be made and sold by Wally World at a discount price. The users of these knives bet their lives on them and are willing to pay the price.

The Artists are generally performance knife makers, with a special ability to shape and package them into something that is elegant, beautiful, has a special meaning or message while retaining all the elements of the performance knives.

While the real number of performance knife makers is relatively few, the number of artists is even fewer. We are blessed on this board with a large percentage of both.

I enjoy sitting back and looking at the other makers here because I am not in the position of having to make my living from this. I can make what I want to use myself or GIVE/TRADE to someone.

I have watched the progression of some makers like Rodger who is just amazing at the speed he has attained both knowledge and skill. Dan Grey has to be one of the most solid and stable makers I've ever seen. The list goes on.

On the true artist end I have some special makers. Bruce E. Has always been one of my favorites as has Bruce B. Both can literally take a sows ear and make a silk purse.
Gib gas a unique way of taking new steel and turning it into an antique with style.
If I didn't mention your name don't be offended. I could almost take the members list and put it up for makers with all the makings.

I don't want to embarrass Chuck but since this is his thread....I will

I described him somewhere as a artist with a brain. He, as many of the others, does more research and experimentation than most normal people would even consider. His work shows it.

To wind up this somewhat lengthy post. Making knives is not the way to get wealthy. It's hard work, hard on your health, hard on the personal life. I think that without exception, the better makers do it for the gratification of creating something special and the pleasure they give to the new owners. That's what true custom knife making and related leather work is all about to me.

 

[Gib Guignard]

I think this is what is called satisfaction, the money is one thing but the joy and pride of ownership that our customers get from our work is the bonus we get for our craft.
As to Chuck, Well artist with a brain, yes and more, no one I have ever came across has more knowledge of the frontier than He and He is willing to share and help in any way He can. Answer man, leather work beyond compare,
knife maker, indian lore and process, any thing to do with history, when all els fails call Chuck and Linda is one Fantastic beadworker and helper.
Gib

 

[TCooper]

I have been making knives for about 10 years and my Grandfather (who initially taught me the basics and continues to teach me on a daily basis) has been making them for about 30. A few months ago I was out in the shop looking through some materials we had ordered and I made the comment that we made just about enough money off a knife to afford materials for another. That's when I got the it ain't about the money talk. A few days ago I delivered a knife that i made for a guy and he loved it. It was at this point that I realized what grandaddy was talking about. It ain't about the money, It's about the spark in the eye of the customer when they see their knife. Its about the ear to ear grin that you see.

 

[Ed Fowler]

Chuck: Thanks for posting your photos and thoughts. You have caputured the essence of the knives you seek and done it your way, absolutely beautiful leather work. One day I will have you build a rig for my Krull conversion.

Peter: you have great thoughts, Nice discussion.
Take Care