Elevate Your Hobby to Woodworking Art!

Once you've mastered the basics of woodworking, you are probably ready to take things to the next level. While making the jump from part-time hobbiest to full time artist isn't for most people, many are creating a side income by selling their pieces at local crafts fairs or festivals. Find out how you can turn your hobby into a money making job.

If your goal is to turn your woodworking art into a useful side income, it helps to know what kinds of things most customers are looking for. A beautifully executed and stained woodcarving can fetch a handsome price, but many customers like pieces with a practical use, as well as a decorative one. Small jewelry or keepsake boxes are always in demand, as are hand carved bowls or serving trays. You could also use leftover scraps to create carved wooden serving spoons or salad tongs.

If you're looking for a truly high-end market that can fetch top dollar, there are a few routes you can go. High market items like hand-carved clocks are always sought after, as is high quality furniture. Since your buyers are most likely to know something about wood qualities and stains, make sure you're only using only the finest materials. Naturally, you wouldn't want to cut corners on a piece a customer will pay several thousands of dollars on. A good reputation is invaluable in your commercial success, so the last thing you want is to lose a valuable customer (and their friends) because your product wasn't up to par.

Once you've completed the project, you'll want to finish with a good quality stain. A stain will often be the best way to elevate your project into something that is truly woodworking art. To get the best results, you will want to clean the wood carefully to remove any dirt or dust that could lead to an uneven finish. Taking the time to test a new stain before you apply it could help you choose the right look. Save your scraps when you're working to test the stain on later. Once you've found the right color and finish, you can go ahead and apply.

When you're just starting out, it's difficult to know what kinds of woodworking art will sell, and how to price your pieces. The best way to start is to visit craft fairs and woodworking art shows to check out the prices and talk to the makers. Then you'll have information that will help you get your projects out of the basement and into people's homes.