scrollin'fool Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Hello! I am Josh and I am scrolling full time now, trying to make a spartan living from making old fashioned wooden toys and musical instruments from scrap wood and selling them at fairs and festivals. Ive been scrolling for fourteen years now but only last March, I was fired from my substitute teaching job here IN philadelphia (too much arguing with the principals) and decided to try to start my own small business. So, I put money from the unemployement compensation office towards a brand new dewalt 20" scrollsaw and a nice belt-sander. I used to have an old scrollsaw from the 1940's called "the Driver" but it broke a few years ago. Anyway, my philosophy right now is to make as many nice toys as possible, and then to sell them at prices which are dirt-cheap. this way, I can be reasonably assured that I will sell-out at a show, thus giving me a set, predictable, albeit low, salary. Since march, I have made: 36 parachute men, with real chutes that work($3) ; 25 magic wands that dont work but look good ($6) ; 52 toy jets (phantom F4's, F16's and Mirage 2000's,) at six bucks each; 32 bamboo cannons (I had to make the springs which make them shoot); bamboo flutes ($10); toy shields for snowball fights; some pretty magic amulets; pencil-helicopters ($5); some decorative pieces like bunnies and flowers; dollhouse bookshelves (full of tiny books), and right now I am working on toy banjos. The philadelphia folk festival is coming up, and I want to have 36 toy banjos all ready in the next three weeks. they are so much work, though. I often find that I am working twelve hours a day. fortunately I have no other social or business obligations, besides walking the dog. I just hope I can make a decent living doing this work. all I need is about 1300 a month, to cover all my expenses. I hope to begin some highly decorative christmas and hanukah ornaments this autumn, and with any luck, by the time the unemployement compensation ends, I will be taking in a good amount of money from those ornaments. besides this work, I enjoy hiking with the dog in the woods, cooking and baking , reading, mostly old horror stories, and music. I hope to learn a lot from this site, and be able to share my own small experience with all of you as well. cheers! the Scrollin'Fool! (Josh) Mark SW, lawson56, Birchbark and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTCowpoke22 Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Welcome to the forum from TN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Wishing you the best! Sounds like you will probably do well with the toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobscroll Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Hi Josh and welcome to the village, Thank you for the intro, See you later, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Hi Josh and welcome to the forum. While you may want to sell "cheap" - don't undersell on your prices - make sure you are not losing money. If you are losing money - you won't be able to stay in business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollin'fool Posted August 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 thanks everybody! yeah, Meflick, I understand what youre saying, and its what a number of other people have told me so far. the thing is, I like that feeling I get when some kid sees the bargain. as long as I can make a decent living, I'd like to make as many people as happy as possible. I'm just weird that way. call it socialism. Avanti Popolo! Birchbark and meflick 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 A Big Howdy and Welcome! Glad to have ya here in the Village. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuner Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Welcome.. you have a game plan and it sounds like the drive to see it though, I thank maybe you can do it because it sounds like your having fun even with all the work and hours. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 15 hours ago, scrollin'fool said: Hello! I am Josh and I am scrolling full time now, trying to make a spartan living from making old fashioned wooden toys and musical instruments from scrap wood and selling them at fairs and festivals. Ive been scrolling for fourteen years now but only last March, I was fired from my substitute teaching job here IN philadelphia (too much arguing with the principals) and decided to try to start my own small business. So, I put money from the unemployement compensation office towards a brand new dewalt 20" scrollsaw and a nice belt-sander. I used to have an old scrollsaw from the 1940's called "the Driver" but it broke a few years ago. Anyway, my philosophy right now is to make as many nice toys as possible, and then to sell them at prices which are dirt-cheap. this way, I can be reasonably assured that I will sell-out at a show, thus giving me a set, predictable, albeit low, salary. Since march, I have made: 36 parachute men, with real chutes that work($3) ; 25 magic wands that dont work but look good ($6) ; 52 toy jets (phantom F4's, F16's and Mirage 2000's,) at six bucks each; 32 bamboo cannons (I had to make the springs which make them shoot); bamboo flutes ($10); toy shields for snowball fights; some pretty magic amulets; pencil-helicopters ($5); some decorative pieces like bunnies and flowers; dollhouse bookshelves (full of tiny books), and right now I am working on toy banjos. The philadelphia folk festival is coming up, and I want to have 36 toy banjos all ready in the next three weeks. they are so much work, though. I often find that I am working twelve hours a day. fortunately I have no other social or business obligations, besides walking the dog. I just hope I can make a decent living doing this work. all I need is about 1300 a month, to cover all my expenses. I hope to begin some highly decorative christmas and hanukah ornaments this autumn, and with any luck, by the time the unemployement compensation ends, I will be taking in a good amount of money from those ornaments. besides this work, I enjoy hiking with the dog in the woods, cooking and baking , reading, mostly old horror stories, and music. I hope to learn a lot from this site, and be able to share my own small experience with all of you as well. cheers! the Scrollin'Fool! (Josh) Welcome Josh, You've got the right attitude to make it work.By the way when the dog goes for a walk who's walking who,lol I'm impressed with what your making and a picture of each tells the whole story.We love pictures in SSV.Keep coming back and keep putting your 2 cents worth in the forums. I hope you'll be a regular .Your the kind of scroller that makes us great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Welcome to the Village Josh. I'm Marg from Australia. I hope your plan works out well for you. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveww1 Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 welcome to the village Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollin'fool Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 thanks again, everyone, for all those comments of support and welcome. you make a fellow feel right at home real quick here. ah, to Kevin, the famous Sargent Schultz look-alike, yes, walking this dog is like sailing with strong and unpredictable tidal currents, pulling every which way on mere whims. fortunately, at only ninety pounds, hes a lightweight malemute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Welcome to the Village ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 A big WELCOME from me. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted August 7, 2017 Report Share Posted August 7, 2017 Welcome to the village, good luck with your plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPscroller Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Welcome from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaughn Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Welcome to the Village from Minneapolis, MN. I found that working for myself was great but my boss was a slave driver. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 Welcome to our family. I too would raise your prices some. But then, I scroll because I love it smr only sell so that my supplies do not cost me anything. You are in a good time to do this as craft shows are going to be springing up as people are getting ready for Christmas. I also wish you luck as crafts can be a tough way to try to make a living. Many Reasons able to do so Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boulpat Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Welcome to the village and success in your business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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