Iguanadon

I signed up for an event 4 blocks from my house, Ribfest... It's usually held in Wilmington nearby but the place they usually hold it is going through renovations so they moved it to the oceanside here in town. Three days long. I had no idea what to expect, but it went pretty well. In 6 hours I sold 24 puzzles. I was going to be happy with 20 today. We'll see how tomorrow goes and that will determine whether I do Sunday. Poor day, I'll just pack up and enjoy a day off. https://www.portcityribfest.net/ My booth is in "rib row". Only 5 non-food vendors are in that area, all the rest are in a totally separate area. So I had great foot traffic. Weather was perfect today. It'll be a bit chilly tomorrow and they're charging admission tomorrow and Sunday so I'll see if that reduces sales. https://www.portcityribfest.net/layout I haven't done an event in 3 or 4 weeks, it felt odd setting up and doing my sales pitch again. 3 more events remaining in the year. I'll be ready for a break at that point.

Ha! You give me much more credit than you should. I laid 8 of them out on a board and that was simply how the first one I cut turned out and I snapped pictures of it. I plan on selling them un-oiled allowing them to be painted if folks like.

Nope, just cut them straight and they slide "in and out" just like the animal puzzles, etc.

That's how Mrs. Iggy describes me... But take a look at this... I thought it was cute and will make a few for my upcoming shows. And I'm including the pattern, it was a freebie from a friend. Iggy Nativity.pdf

Thanks RJ... You'll have to narrow down which business deal, I have 2 or 3 irons in the fire. LOL Mostly just ideas that I usually let fizzle out, but I am pursuing one business venture having nothing to do with puzzles. My LLC was filed yesterday, so it's official. As soon as I have news worthy of sharing, I will so that everyone can share in the ride. ;-)

I just received my largest order for Harvey's patterns... 58... Someone is going to be busy! A big thanks to many of you who have ordered patterns, Harvey is most appreciative. The past 2 months I've been outselling Wooden Teddy Bear. LOL Notice: Harvey spoke with WTB and has asked that the price be increased from $3.00 to $3.99 beginning with the new year. I'll be increasing my price from $2.50 to $3.00. So, if you need any patterns, be sure to order them by the end of the year. And for the sake of transparency, as I have shared many times, at $2.50, $2.00 of that went to Harvey and I kept 50 cents. With the price increase, Harvey will continue to get $2.00 and I'll get $1.00 Sales have been better than I expected and while it doesn't take a ton of my time, it does take time and my web ecommerce vendor takes a cut, along with either PayPal or whatever payment method is used, so I was ending up with virtually nothing. Which was fine, I didn't start selling the patterns to become wealthy, I did it for Harvey, to give his patterns a 2nd life, and it has worked marvelously, but it would be nice to be compensated a little bit for the work. Thanks again to those who are enjoying his patterns. Iggy

Hi Runa, congrats on your first event coming up. It just so happens, I recently wrote a booklet for just this type of thing. Take a look. I hope it's helpful. Scott Woodcraft By Scott eBook 20170928.pdf

Thanks Les, it's very exciting right now as I pursue this. I come up with 100 ideas a month and never follow through on 99 1/2 of them. The puzzles endeavor just kind of appeared and next thing I know I have more than a hobby. This latest idea I've come up with may allow me to give up the day job in a year. It's a lofty goal, but I'm enjoying the ride. This idea is only 2 weeks old and yet I've already established my LLC as of today. LOL

When a pattern says for personal use only, it's referring to you being able to cut it and if you want to sell the piece, you can. You simply can't give away 5 copies of the pattern to anyone else.

Hi Brian, Each shop is different, but generally the split is 60-40 or 65-35 split with the larger portion being for the artist. The shops I've dealt with ask me what I want to price the items at. Sometimes you raise your price a little to help offset some of that.

The two puzzle dogs below the plaques. He was simply saying he got the patterns for those from me. Harvey's patterns.

Nice work Pete. FYI, Harvey has one that says POLICEK9 in the body of a Shepherd.

LOL Fortunately it's very flexible... and I actually have a new business I'm trying to kickstart. Meeting with an accountant/small business mentor to bounce it off of tomorrow. I don't need financial backing or anything, just guidance on how to get setup properly. So far, the handful of friends and potential clients I've run it by have given it the thumbs-up. I keep trying to find someone to tell me why it won't work, but so far it looks pretty solid. I'll share details later. Too soon right now.

I recently placed some items in a gift shop in the city of Wilmington nearby. The owner said that anything that says North Carolina or Wilmington does well, so I showed the state of NC that I do and I had Harvey do a custom version of the swimming mermaid for me. I cut 6 of them today and I'll deliver them to the shop Tuesday.

Of course! I shared that one a little while back. :-)

I've put the puzzles out there in the Zoo and Farm Animal section. As always, anything you see or know that I've made is available for pattern sale if Harvey drew it.

I'm still using the DeWalt. I'll likely wait until after my final show in early December to start using the Hawk as I begin to stockpile for next year. I want to be able to take my time and not feel rushed. Especially since the Hawk cuts slower, I don't want to feel rushed and forcing things which would simply frustrate me. I want to adapt to the saw in "normal" conditions. I knew when I bought it that it cuts slower and it was my decision and choice, so it's up to me to get used to it.

Thanks for the review Dave. If you cut any thick material (3/4") let us know how it does and how you like the performance.

Well done Rob. I'm finding that certain "festivals" do better than others... Keep track of each event, try them once or twice and then determine if each event is worth your time. I've scratched through several this year.

Harvey is a puzzle pattern prostitute, he'll draw anything for money. ;-) Seriously, any idea or design, he'll do it. He's made me a lot of money with the custom ones he's drawn upon request as well as just new designs like the mermaids.

Someone stole my unique, original design?!?!?! LOL

My next event in a couple of weeks... Port City Ribfest... here in my town. It's a 3 day event. I had Harvey design 4 new ones for me and I cut a set today.

Actually, yes, I did Texas also... State-TX.pdf

Fabulous. Very nicely done.

If interested, here are the other states I've done patterns for to give you an idea of how/where to place the lettering... State-NY.pdf State-SC.pdf State-VA.pdf