Idle thoughts about lasers and hand made.....

[dansnow]

I was just wondering about craft fairs, hand made items, and laser engraving/cutting machines.

 

I take a piece of wood, tape a pattern to it and then have at it with drill press, scroll saw, sander and lots of time and elbow grease. I consider the result hand made.

 

Now, if I take that same piece of wood, clamp it to a base, make some selections with a computer mouse, a few taps on a keyboard, then hit start and walk away till it's done. is that also hand made?

 

Okay, I'm picking nits and I'm sure I've over simplified the steps required to make something on a laser machine, but I think the question is valid.

 

So what brought this on you ask? This month my wife and I committed to a minimum of 3 months attendance at a new monthly farmers market/craft fair. The venue is small, an old industrial building with room for 4-6 produce booths and about 15 to max maybe 18-20 craft vendors. Only requirement is that all craft products have to be hand made, no resale items.

 

The first show this month went reasonably well considering it was the first one and foot traffic was light, so we're looking forward to going back.

 

Then we were informed today that the organizer is bringing in another woodcraft vendor. We sell hand made ornaments, plaques, crosses, home decor, and toys and puzzles. The new vendor sells ornaments, plaques, crosses and home decor. Made on a laser engraving/cutting machine. Basically two vendors, in a very small venue, in direct competition with each other. Will be interesting.

 

I have nothing against the machines, heck there are times when I thought it would be great to have one for the odd project, But not at the several thousand dollars they cost!  But I can't compete with the speed or unlimited customization features of such a machine, nor can I compete with the pricing I've seen at various venues where laser cut items have been for sale. 

 

I know, I'm whining. I'm just a little disappointed after agreeing to be there for the next three months, the first thing he does is bring in a direct competitor that I will have a real hard time competing with.  

[dgman]

Hey Dan, in my opinion using a laser is not hand made. It is machine made. Yes one has to program the machine and place the wood in the machine, but it is still machine made. However you CAN compete! Take your saw with you and cut some ornaments in your booth. Have a few signs stating your work is hand made. If you can't take your saw, make sure you have the signs. Customers like knowing that your work is hand made. I bet you will do well!

[amazingkevin]

From what your saying i agree but somehow people will always break the rules and get away with it .And if you say something ,your the bad guy.It's always been that way for me .tell the truth and nobody likes you Iv'e found. Now i had a fellow that worked a laser 8 hours a day and after looking at my work he said he couldn't tell the difference.I do know the price cost a lot more for a laser project but it's done in a fraction of the time.I asked him how they cut wood without burning it,He said they surround the cut with a gas ,maybe argon  ,that way it can't ignite.I guess were old school!

[heppnerguy]

If it was me, I would call the organizer of the sale and inform them that machine made things are not hand made items. I would also say that I was under the impression that they had a rule that things had to be hand made and they are breaking their own rule that everyone else has to adhere to. One might as well go to the thrift store buy some like new clothing a sell it as hand made..   I would want to know how they responded to that.

 

Dick

heppnerguy 

[lawson56]

I agree with whats been said.It is not Hand Made.When I am set up at my shows,I have had people almost shocked when I tell them my work is cut with a Scroll Saw.They are Very Impressed.some even buy who wasn't going to buy in the 1st place.So Laser is NOT  Handmade.

[Scrolling Steve]

I am old school.........Laser does not = hand made!

[SigP]

I had a piece hanging in a booth last weekend. A lady pointed at it and asked if it was laser cut. I laughed and said "Do I LOOK lazy?" She just laughed.

[Wilson's Woodworking]

It sounds like they need verify if they want handmade or vender made items. Your statement says no resale items. Well the other guy is making his items however he IS NOT making them by hand. I agree with the statement above in the lines you should setup your saw at the event and be sawing on some items while people are browsing. If people see the work that goes into your product they will be much more likely to pay a little more just to brag to their friends how they saw the artist working on similar items.

 Just my 2 cents.

[dansnow]

I just cracked up, this morning the ad the shows up at the bottom of this page was an ad for  Epilog Laser engraving/cutting machine!!      

[dansnow]

It sounds like they need verify if they want handmade or vender made items. Your statement says no resale items. Well the other guy is making his items however he IS NOT making them by hand. I agree with the statement above in the lines you should setup your saw at the event and be sawing on some items while people are browsing. If people see the work that goes into your product they will be much more likely to pay a little more just to brag to their friends how they saw the artist working on similar items.

 Just my 2 cents.

 

You're right Danny, that needs to be made more clear. We did let the organizer know we were a bit concerned having 2 vendors carrying the same products in such a small venue. Ultimately it's his venue and he can grant booth space to whomever he chooses. The next one is two weeks before Christmas so hopefully we won't impact each other too much. The bigger concern is the show in January with the holiday is over and Christmas bills are coming due.

[Wilson's Woodworking]

I just cracked up, this morning the ad the shows up at the bottom of this page was an ad for  Epilog Laser engraving/cutting machine!!      

That would be one of the things I like about being a patron. No adds like that one.

[Scrappile]

Humm, to me it is part of the evolution.  if you use a computer to make a pattern, attach it to a board and use an electric powered scroll saw to cut out the picture. use a power sander to sand it, use a can that sprays a pre-made finish on it, is that "hand made"?  Prior to my generation the scroll saws were home built, or a little hand saw, before that a knife and a piece of  wood..... 

[Multifasited]

Some body did not watch the speech last nite ,ethics ,the constitution ,were totally ignored ,facts no not matter any more , than the 25 I don't have the power to do this ,means nothing ,power ,ability to make your own rules any time, anywhere are in vogue ! Before that gains traction ,Furgasen ,roits will blow up and last nite will be forgotten ,Facts ,reason ,and ethics are old school ,just as your neighors kids .what ever .We are all fighting a loosing battle ! Most of these venues are being taken over by the DREAMERS anyway ! Some will try to justify ,some will fight a good fight ,in the end ,the organazation holding the venue makes the decisions ,after all they are the ones making all the money ! You are only part of the entertainment ! JMHO!!

[LarryEA]

^{_{If you can eat dinner, go buy gas, take a nap, skin a deer while you are cutting a pattern,}}

It is not handmade! Period, exclamation Point!

[Multifasited]

I wish you would quit beating around the bush ,and tell us how you really feel . LOL (Sickem Larry )