Should You Sell Your Woodworking Projects?

Are markets worth the amount of time spent making things and buying items needed to run a successful event? In this video I will go over my experience as a hobby CNC Woodworker with my first ever craft show market. Although I was focused on woodworking projects, I think there is some good information in here for other makers. Whether you are in it as a woodworking business or just as a hobbiest in the maker space.
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I hope by the end of this video you can decide for yourself if markets are worth it to you or not. I made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot. Next time I think I will just bring 2-4 items in bulk with much more signage showing things off.
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I go over how I set up my booth, the biggest pains and annoyances that comes with any market. We had an amazing day overall and I did over $2,000 in sales. I personally think that was great for my first time.
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Let me know down in the comments below if you have done a market before and if it was profitable for you as well.
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The CNC I use is a Onefinity Journeyman X-50 CNC Machine. Although I don't have any experience with the X-Carve or the Shapeoko, all of these projects that I show in the video can be made with my files, as they are just vectors that can be cut on any cnc machine. Check out my other videos on the channel that go over those projects as well as the others!
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Plug & Play CNC Spindle Upgrade:
➡➡Use coupon code "HAMILTON" for 5% OFF!
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Hamilton Dilbeck
525 Tribble Gap
P.O. Box 3244
Cumming, GA 30028
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Video Chapters:
0:00 $2,015 In Sales
0:45 10 Things To Know
0:53 Payment
2:10 Venmo Won
2:20 How To Set Up Your Booth
3:22 Biggest Pain
4:26 Biggest Unknown
5:06 What Sold
6:32 CNC Fire
7:40 What Sold 2
8:33 Bring A Trish
9:26 Thanks For Coming!
10:19 Types Of Free Things
11:12 Food Power Bathrooms
11:37 I Wish I Wouldn’t Have…
12:25 Actual Profit
13:46 How Much Others Made
15:58 Would I Do It Again?
16:48 Experiences vs Money
17:20 Should You?
18:10 Is Etsy A Better Idea?
19:11 Green Screen
19:29 Better Giveaways?!?

Drone shots provided by @conqueststrategicmarketing7933 huge thanks y'all!!

[alexreid]

As the Matthew Peech channel says, “Assume everyone has $20 in their pocket that they decided in advance to spend.” Great insight dude. Ty for sharing.

[GokouZWAR]

I’ve done markets for a year now, your “U” shape to invite people into your booth tends to not work. People see 2’ of your booth and walk by. Instead do it upside down U so the tables are outside and you stand inside them. Then people can look and walk by seeing more of your products. Also raise your tables up to 36” high. It makes it more eye level, keeps little kids hands off the products and makes it much easier for people to see. Stair step the products, so you can have more but don’t hide things behind other stuff making it hard to see. Lastly, stay off your phone, GREET EVERYONE YOU SEE, and if they walk by, don’t worry about it. All you have to do is say hello. That gets them to look your direction, know you’re approachable and people will stop and see what you sell. If you have power LIGHTS will get eyes looking. Invest in fairy lights or if you can, hang lights off your tent with clamps on your products. Even in full light, adding daylight LED lights will brighten your booth making it more attractive. If you can, invest in colored RGB lights that flash to music, put on your own music low near the microphone and they’ll flash and the sound will also attract attention. The key will be getting attention. If you can also demonstrate what you do by crafting on site it will make people stop as well.

[randallmasoner]

After our first market we learned how many people want business cards. We learned that quickly because we didn't have any. I also learned the importance of comfortable shoes, again because I didnt have any. We made door rounds/hangers and porch leaners. We sold 12 items and got custom orders for 2 more items. The things you learn from doing a market are worth it. We are looking forward to the next one.

[alk]

Don't ever change the greenscreen, it, and the rest, is now your YT brand. (and it works)

[banjerlegs]

Craft shows are very much alive! I did a night craft show last night and lots of people showed up and I made a very nice profit. People still and always will want to see and feel products. Great video!!

[mikewashere]

One point I'd like to address; shop costs: blades, bits, knives, HVAC, electric to run everything from lights to equipment, etc., etc., etc!!!
...finishing and finishing consumables, insurance, yes that list is very important, very long, and some thongs are exceptionally expensive, ..(like the router needing replaced, or the entire shop if you hadn't caught it before the place whent up in smoke, speaking of which, why didn't the breaker fuse disengage??? Best check that electrical system! Perhaps, and only a guess not knowing your set up, but you may want to put that router on a 10Amp circuit if you can split and separate from the CNC controller..

So for my lil' shop, that 2k would have me darn close to the red, if you walked away with 300 to 500 I'd be surprised, .. so how many hours for your efforts, ÷ your hrs wage $ ?

Yep, what I thought.. people don't comprehend what all is involved, looking at a piece of wood, asking how much? Even drastically reduced costs and wages for your labors, you broke even and it's just a hobby.

Not judging, I started with the goal of having others pay for my hobby, 40 years later, I'm not rich, except in experience, joy factor, and now that I'm an elder, not that it means anything to the youngsters, if you do what you love, the money will come, but only when you sell your shop for pennies on the dollar.. nahh just kidding, engineering, designing custom furniture and cabinetry has produced profits, just nothing that any these days would call rich.. I do, but I'm old school, and old period, do it doesn't matter, except to say, if you get paid materials and overhead to do what you enjoy, the rewards aren't something one can add up like money, but more valuable than anything money can buy! And yes, that includes my 28k +++(everything that costs $$$, after the sale, in the shop and powered up, then ooohh, the software, bigger computer, bits, collets, all that jazz all over again! lol ) as compared to the CNC, truth is, I was more jazzed with my first jack plane, than my CNC!

Well, as an old timer, I'm a bit lengthy at communicating these days, so much has changed, I hardly recognize this rock!

Happy wood-crafting, remember, SAFETY FIRST AND LAST & in-between! Peace!

[psychedelic-guitar-art]

I did the art circuit for a summer, and the first day, Friday you're Feeling great talking to everyone, and then by Sunday afternoon you're sitting in chair Reading a book or newspaper. I found out that when someone says they'll go asked their husband and be right back, they don't come back. I love all your stuff that you make and I'm glad I'm retired so I can make stuff just for fun. Thanks again for all your videos I really enjoying them and they're quite entertaining.

[MrMikestoner]

I like the way you did the green screen

[NamelesshunterGaming]

you talking about the "introverted" part of your personality is very relatable.

[ZachAshcraft]

I could see this being a great long term play for a local woodworker. The more your brand awareness grows in the community and the more you remind your product selection, the better your sales should be. Could also lead to bigger ticket purchases like furniture commissions for those who do that as well.

Appreciate you being so transparent with all the numbers and process!

[ErosPeterson]

Not sure if you'll read this comment so far down, but I just wanted to say thanks for being an inspiration with your woodworking projects, it's helped keep me going especially when times were kinda down for me. I recently upgraded my CNC and am making more items shortly. God Willing, I hope to have some of the same successes you've had. Promise to keep you posted. Cheers from Canada, Eros

[kennwall]

For those of us who do not have a Trish... could you do a video with her on her sales technique. I feel like for alot of us out here doing this even the smallest tip would be beneficial. Thanks for what you do, love the channel

[relvingonzalez]

I completely relate with freezing when people show up, I’m the same. I’ve only done one market and it was a struggle. Thanks for the video!

[smac]

I have to say compared to other videos of people who are artists/merchants; your video is the best I have found. Maybe the fact that they have already forgotten the new things they encountered? Thank you for the little details that some may have thought were obvious; like table weights, etc.

[davidt]

Just a tip for summer markets. Be the guy who's selling ice cold water bottles for .50, .75, or a dollar, because if you have a sign for it, it'll bring everyone to your tent. A typical 35 pack costs around 6 bucks which is about .17 cents per bottle. Include a couple bags of ice for the chest and you'll break even at .50 cents a bottle. Some people only sell ice cold water bottles and make thousands at summer markets.

[rafaelgalan]

Great video! We are actually heading out in a bit for our second market. Our first one was at a local Beer Shop and we made about $550 in 3 hrs. The best part about it is that I sold all my CNC test items (multiple signs that weren't perfect, but cheap). Todays show its a dog rescue Halloween event at a Brewery, so I made a bunch of smalls pet related items and its another free 3 hr market.

[DCWoodWorking]

The next 5 weeks I have 4 shows. All indoor and 1 day shows. I did my first one in Sept that was three days. Now I'm hooked.

[echognomecal]

3:22 "People don't want to talk to you." There's really a lot of factors that go into that. Sadly, #1 is that women often have to be careful when talking with men, so, absolutely, I've seen that men have a harder time engaging with (potential) customers.
The biggest factor I think is how a seller comes off to people. Some people give off a really friendly/knowledgeable/etc vibe, others don't. Me, personally, for whatever reasons (short, female, older auntie vibes?), sometimes I have to ask the people who want to talk to please come to the side so the booth isn't being blocked while we chat.
Also, the weather & crowds & whatnot can all be factors.

[Makersimagestudio]

Great job. Things I liked about this video.
#1 (top like) when you talked about the experience of the market, how it effected you, and that you will remember it forever. That’s huge. That’s it right there. All the “stuff” in the end doesn’t really matter. People and relationships do. If you can make some money while doing it, awesome!! But these experiences are what shape us and connect us with others. Big profit or little.
#2, everything lol. You did a great job. From planning your set up, getting the right help, this video was to the point and very enjoyable.
Thanks!!

[doncrist]

Started a month and half ago making Christmas trees and planters. It is very satisfying and keeps my mind working at 68 years old. Looking forward to March to line up the planters and just have a drive by sale . Also market place.