New Forum - Business Side

[Travis]

Howdy All.  Here's a new forum for those who are interested in the business side of the scrolling hobby.  Here, you can discuss topics from making a few bucks to pay for supplies, to a full on scrolling business.  

A few possible topics could include:

• craft fairs 
• consignment shops
• online sales
• Etsy
• setting up business website
• payment processing
• selling patterns
• marketing

I hope y'all have fun.  Enjoy the new forum.

[Travis]

Howdy all.  I hope you like the new section.  I could really use your help, though.  We already have a ton of great discussion threads in the General Scrollsawing forum about business stuff.  Could you do me a favor?  Can you go through the General Scroll Sawing forum, and flag good business discussions to be moved to this new forum?  It's a lot to go through and I can't do it alone.  It's really easy to flag, in the upper right corner of the first forum post, there's a link that says "Report Post."  Click that and in the message, just say "This would be a good discussion for the business forum." or something to that effect.  Either myself or a moderator will move the discussion to the new forum.

Thanks for your help!  I appreciate it.

[Lucky2]

Hello Travis, personally, I don't care for this or the other new forum section you've set up. I don't understand, why they could not have stayed in the general scrolling section? The more sections there is, the more confusion and double answers there will be. After all, aren't they just general questions and statements. I'm not trying to be difficult and maybe I don't like changes, but I don't like seeing everything being broken up into different sections being an improvement. I'm sorry for being so negative, I know you can't please everyone.

Len.

[merlin]

I have to agree with Len.................Hay thats just me, don't want to be a pain..........................

[ike]

Travis. I think that this section could be of bienfit to many. I got bored with the coffee shop. It's just not the same as it use to be. I welcome dthis.

IKE

[Travis]

One of my roles here, other than providing a place for folks to chat and make friends, is to organize information.  I think there is enough content and interest to warrant a section about selling, craft shows, pattern sales, and other business topics.  I think it will be an awesome resource for those interested in this topic.  But don't worry, I won't be adding too many forums.  This forum and the Q&A forum are the only ones I have lined up.  And if it doesn't work out, I can always change it back.  With that said, I will be re-organizing some of the areas of the website to make things easier to find and in a logical place.  I'll be simplifying the menu, and at some point, Village University and Scroll Saw Reviews will be moved to their own section (but, I'm still working on the programming/organization).  I'll be adding other sections and features too.  My goal is to make SSV an awesome resource for scrollers.  I'm just taking it one step of a time. 

[Rob]

Travis, firstly, thanks for all you do with Scrollsaw Village.  Not everyone is interested in selling their work just like not everyone is interested in Intarsia or pattern design for example.  A separate forum is a great idea, you can read or ignore it as you see fit.  Personally I am in favour as it is a subject I am interested in but each to their own.

Rob

[Phantom Scroller]

Any ideas on selling or buying is always a benefit as long as it's free I might need help in 10 months when I retire and get more into selling, so fire away folks I wait in anticipation. Roly 

[rjweb]

I feel this new section is great, if you are looking for something in particular go to where it is listed, just like using google, RJ

[Rockytime]

I enjoy reading business and marketing subjects. I have always been my own employer so I appreciate this section even though my business days are over. I do think the Q@A could just as well remain in the General Discussion category.

[Falcon]

You are doing a great job Travis. I think you have a good idea with the business section.

[rjR]

I also like the idea of a business section. 

try to keep a self-sustaining hobby and that is almost a success.  Still a lot cheaper for me than boating or golf and more fun too.

I usually have something to show when I have finished "playing" at my hobby at least.

[tgiro]

Travis - this is awesome - Thanks. A good place to go for business & craft show/fair tips without searching through other forums.

[Jim Finn]

I have been making and selling scrolled and other wooden items since 2007.  I sell at a weekly farmers market from June 3rd. to October 15th.  It is cheap to set up and do pretty well there.  I also do two festivals each year In September and October.  I have the ability to accept payment from credit cards now. 

     All these venues are outdoors, so not too costly to rent a space.  I make cedar boxes with images or lettering inlaid into the hinged lids.  I have also made wall hung items but they do not sell as easily as the boxes do.  (Intarsia and stars. I do not do fretwork) 

     I started with making toys but tired of that so I started doing inlay work on boxes and crosses. I still sell a few toys and the sales from them always covers my space rent.

     My experience with consignment shop has not been good.  Sold very little that way.  I no longer do that.

   I have a professional working on building a website for my wife and me..  She makes and sells crocheted items.  I am hoping to make more sales there.  I spend about 35 hours a week in my little shop making most of the years totals in the off season.  November-June.  Each year I make more than I can sell... So far.