FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing is probably the most difficult aspect of professional woodworking. I try to take into account the value of a piece to my customer and determine what a reasonable person would pay for a piece in a retail store. That said, I must say that I am not a "bargain basement", nor do I make particle board furniture. The pieces I make are expected to last a hundred years or more, and to be passed down as family heirlooms. I sometimes use the traditional woodworker pricing method of 3X the cost of the wood, but that does not always reflect the true value, so the quote may be higher depending on the type of woodworking needed.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
After returning to the States from the Iraq war, I suffered from PTSD and sought treatment at the VA. In the healing process, I realized that I needed to create things of beauty in order to feel that my life was not a waste. I tried woodworking, and discovered that there was beauty inside me that I could finally bring out.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I specialize in turned hollow forms: urns, vases, bowls and more. But I also craft fine furniture that is both functional and beautiful. Tables, vanities, beds, and a variety of pieces with secret compartments for storage of valuables.