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How to sell your work and pay for your tools - business of blacksmithing

Black Bear Forge 103 views

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I always find what you have to say useful
Comment from : @kansasprairieforge2918

I've gotten 15 dollars for those John( the key chains)
Comment from : @kansasprairieforge2918

You single-handedly got me into this craft Thank you I am forever in your debt
Comment from : @antimattermemes3491

I have some basic competency in armoring Now im doing research on it
Comment from : @SirCumferencelel

You will never get richbut you may be happy……
Comment from : @blackpine6693

I actually liked the lighting when it went out more 🤔
Comment from : @Gabe_H

I love these videos I will watch them all eventually Does anyone know of any furniture building videos that are similar to these? I love both blacksmithing and carpentry but the majority of carpentry videos I'm finding just show someone building stuff to music They don't say a word through the video
Comment from : @WizardLivesMatter

This was amazing to watch ❤ I got so engrossed that I didnt even notice 20mins had gone by Thank you for your time and effort😊
Comment from : @MrCaboose83

Probably one of the most informative and professional smith I've ever seen, please keep em coming john your showing a generation a truly dying trade and how to profit from it, your doing God's work sir and I and the community can't thank you enough, got a cold beer for yea if your ever up in canada ehh
Comment from : @Turdplaysrust

This must be one of the best, down to earth video's on pricing I have ever seen I have just got back into welding, after a 30 year gap Some of the products on the internet I am thinking of making are costing upwards of £800 I'm thinking I could make and sell that for half the price But after watching this video I can see that I would be making very little Superb informative video, has saved me a lot of hardwork for nowt Thank you loads
Comment from : @stevenginnever5343

Do you have que cards or notes to remember all the information you want to share in your videos?
Comment from : @billwoehl3051

Man I want to start blacksmithing but i have like zero dollars to spare I’m just trying to make money from leather working right now and use that to do blacksmithing
Comment from : @Alextherelic1

So in the end you’re making like 110$ an hour lol rough
Comment from : @undefeatedgaul3201

You're one cool dude I wish you were my uncle
Comment from : @thadstuart8544

The biggest problem is other people under pricing their work Some people are happy to get the cost of steel back from selling things but it makes it impossible for anyone to make even minimum wage
Comment from : @ShootingUtah

What I have learned is when someone says “I could build that for xyz” I always say “well, I’d like to put in an order for 25 of them if you can build them and sell them that cheap”! The answer is always the same… “well, if I had time” or, “I was just saying” Nope, I want to see you build it at that price! To which they shuffle off mumbling If folks could do it, they would, but one, they can’t, and two they’re usually too lazy!
Comment from : @willnotcomply1328

Re-enactor and renn-faire markets
Comment from : @GofuKyersen

Great information thanks for sharing!
Comment from : @SamuelMcCunemusic

Each one of those items handmade by hand are worth atleast 25 and up The cost of fuel overhead the steel the tools required and skill 10-12 bucks is to low
Comment from : @robertcampbell5485

I traveled the art & craft show circuit for about 7 years full time It was fun, met a lot of interesting people The big well managed shows were great money, the rest just barely worth it, maybe The biggest disappointment was the Americana craft council show in Dallas, a long time ago Talk to other exhibitors to find the best locations
Comment from : @larryschweitzer4904

Another great video! 👍Thanks, John You definitely have the goods I agree Etsy is a great way to sell online There is competition, but maybe that can help us up our games I'm catching up on videos, looking forward to seeing part two Cheers
Comment from : @PowerForgeWorkshop

I use to live in Spirit Lake Iowa and I've been to a lot of the craft shows as well as the swap meets there I've bought some interesting stuff from the shows out there
Comment from : @dallasquinby2209

Thank you so much for taking time to share your skills with all of us that are still learning Many of us are very grateful that you are willing to share your knowledge
Comment from : @smurf233223

i do pretty well for myself and do blacksmithing as a hobby, i find it really enjoyable and being able to make money from something i love is just so gratifying love your videos man
Comment from : @itdogodownbruh6094

Might need to sell a couple hooks and get those lights back on Someone had to say it Thank you for the advice I appreciate it very much 😊
Comment from : @Jeffrose_

Did the items sell yet?
Comment from : @cowboyj224

I go to a local farmers market every week to sell stuff like this my booth rent is 15 a week and I don’t have to show up
Comment from : @gregxkountz

I started forging about five years ago with Johns, and other, videos Started from the basics and just built and made everything from scratch Sold a few things but mainly just make stuff and give them to friends It’s great to see the same comments but budding smiths today as there was when I started It’s great hobby
Comment from : @dingodog5677

Thanks a bunch for this video It is super helpful I really appreciate you thinking about all of us new blacksmiths who don’t really know how to sell this stuff
Comment from : @samuelbodhaine2830

Great info!
Comment from : @jds653q

Hey John this is awesome man As to the voice over, I like it and I think I hear in your voice a different level of calmness I've been a subscriber here for pretty close to six years I have basically learned to be a blacksmith right here from you I am more appreciative than you can know My story is much longer than I care to get into here and now Just keep up the great work brother I'm with you all the way
Comment from : @jeffcoffey6078

I just looked up your Etsy shop as this video is playing
Comment from : @rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291

Will you paint these? Would you advise painting or polishing, or leave them natural color?
Comment from : @randallhackworth421

Very helpful video for someone interested in small business Thank you Paints a good broad picture
Comment from : @hunterlankowski8634

Thanks for your videos! You should tell us what show you’ll be at in Iowa
Comment from : @caledanielson1193

Years ago I was going to historical reenactment gigs with my own crudely forged S hooks, cook set for campfires and the like I was rough and so was my stuff A man came by with his young son and gave the kid a very serious lecture about how you could tell that my goods were very old antiques due to the rugged appearance I didn’t bust the guy but my stuff was rough because some of it had been tent stakes a week earlier, I’d quickly roughed it out to make the event No antiquities were harmed, lol!
Comment from : @drfroghopper6711

Did you review the vevor anvil you have been using? Couldn't find it if you did
Comment from : @dridahook7284

John a question nobody has talked about yet How do you know when to change your quenching oil?
Comment from : @jaybachani1819

Wonder how hard it would be to make a scythe in that little shop
Comment from : @MatthewKTracy

will you be uploading more basic tutorials? :D :D
Comment from : @AlexLifeson1985

THANK YOU JOHN! I was so inspired by this new series you are doing, I made some hooks on the weekend and just sold one on Etsy I'm so pleased! I may even be able to upgrade from a hunk of rail to a cheap anvil soon 🙂
Comment from : @mikelastname

Doing the actual selling has hurt me a lot I always pretty much gave the stuff away
Comment from : @dwinrocks1

Hi John in this video you mentioned you are going to Iowa for a show what show is that and what date’s are you there I’m from Iowa love watching your videos
Comment from : @brandonfrench1586

IL FERRO BATTUTO COME FA A DIVENTARE ROSSO?
Comment from : @cristopheraltobranto1999

It's interesting to see the business side of the craft and see how much time beyond just the making goes into things brbrThanks for bringing us along!
Comment from : @TheSykle504

One of the best series of videos you've put out Thank you sir You've helped me reframe how to do this
Comment from : @sirkai007

16:40 i could have sworn the boxes that disappeared out of your hands was an intentional effect!
Comment from : @DogsaladSalad

another thing that newbies could take with you to a local craft show is a sample of larger work you can do on commission, that way you don't have to spend a lot of time or money on completing a huge item and trying to get it to shows or shopsbrthis could be unique pieces of iron work you have come up with for railings and gates etc
Comment from : @messylaura

I truly enjoy watching this series of videos I have learned quite a bit more especially about the logistics thanks very much for your knowledge
Comment from : @chewyakarieckenicholas6049

Are you actually making sales pricing indivisual hooks at $12?brbrThat seems steep, and selling them for the hypothetical $50 seems like a hallucination
Comment from : @DH-xw6jp

Thanks, this is very informative and will be interesting to follow
Comment from : @paulhedman7387

Love the new shop and the direction you are taking it Good information for new and old smiths who are taking that next step from friends and family to the general public Please keep the videos coming
Comment from : @michaelrowland1326

If you are planning to do this as a business, don't forget to pay your taxes
Comment from : @bobrees4363

Can’t get over the fact a man who made his living doing this craft went back to basics to teach a community his trade that he payed the bills with Amen brother your awesome
Comment from : @C4MPB31LZ

One way to decrease the cost is to spread the cost over time You don’t need everything available to do good work I started my forge 10 years ago and only buy a nib or non here and there Now I have a complete shop and a rack full of scrap I found here and there
Comment from : @tropifiori

Great information John Got a question, how do you like that single burner forge and anvil? Have you tried the two burner forge yet and if so which do you like better or recommend?
Comment from : @jaybachani1819

love it
Comment from : @blackhammerartisan

Hey John, I've been watching and learning from you for the better part of six years, and I am beyond appreciative of you for your expertise and advise I wasn't sure whether you were going to address this in your follow-up video, but as I start broaching on marketing and selling my work, I've run up against a wall when it comes to choosing to operate as a Sole Proprietorship, or as an LLC I'm curious as to whether you'd be comfortable sharing which you chose to operate under, and what lead you to your choice I understand the requirements of both, as well as how to pay my taxes as a business owner, so I don't intend to take it as legal advise, but I do value your inputbrbrThank you again!
Comment from : @cacklingpikeman4303

Made a tripod, evidently to thick a material and to short, was 3/4" mild rnd stock, 5' long to start, pointed on one end, 3" loop with a wrapped around tapered end Ended up about 4' tall tripod What dimensions should I start and end up with? And what's a good connecting loop size? I don't like the huge 3" loops, they seem to sloppy
Comment from : @billwoehl3051

What kind of merch stock do you made a bunch of, and what kind merch stock is by custom orders only?
Comment from : @billwoehl3051

Thank you for this, this is exactly what I am trying to accomplish with what I am working on, perhaps get to a point I can survive on it I am lucky I managed to miss out on some of the major starting costs, so I am a bit ahead, so if I manage to sell some things, I can invest more back in and still break even or have something extra Looking forward to more of this series
Comment from : @talasmanca

Wonderful video One thing I would also mention is to consider your audience Decorative wall art may not sell well at a county fair and spatulas and railroad spike knives may not sell at an art show
Comment from : @AtholIronworks

Happy father's day Mr John brGreat information and video I'm sure everyone will have something to take away from this now or later when they think of it "on their own" from the seeds you've planted!brBlessings aboundant my friendbrCrawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼‍♂️
Comment from : @dragonstonegemironworkscra4740

I started forging about five years ago after taking my first class at a local teaching farm I have since taken more classes, including an apprenticeship through a grant I received I have a nice little shop and have managed to fund my entire operation by selling items My advice is keep the quality high Your reputation is all you’ve got It’s not worth letting things get out with your name on them if you’re not happy with them Great video John!
Comment from : @Jay-kk2rd

Very nice video this week John Loving this beginning Blacksmithing video series Can't wait to see more videos soon my friend Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend Forge On Fab On Weld On Keep Forge Lit Keep Making God Bless
Comment from : @SchysCraftCo

Going to start selling my knives and fly rods on Etsy I also find these little items nice as a change in just doing knives and rods This helps a lot, thank you for all the years I have had to watch you and your site grow Happy Father’s Day
Comment from : @MAndersenbamboorods

John looking forward to seeing you at Handworks If you bring one of your spike knives I will happily pay you fairly for it
Comment from : @holry7778

A lot of what your prices are based on is your location if you are selling at say a farmers market in a rural area…
Comment from : @stevenolan7972

John , I am curious since you have a very good reputation and following do you think your sales of items might be skewed by the name recognition, once again thank you for the video and all the work you do teaching those of us who attempt to get to half your skill level:}
Comment from : @cypherian9821

Can you teach us how to make a grappling hook for archery climbing?br😊
Comment from : @wretchedlycreaturesinhighe2536

Hi John, thanks for the thoughts on how to sell my work, this has been a subject of interest to me for a very long time Shop insurance seems to be nonexistent and, in some cases, Cost prohibitive I've looked at having an Open Door, Insurance is a barrier, works limited locally in my aria, to and for me Selling stuff in my Front yard away from my Shop works I prefer a Closed Door and selling things at another location work better with less worry that someone will get burnt, Scratched or cut on something sharp I use both at times
Comment from : @RaymondWKing-dn8wf

I have done just what you have discussed here but with machining I have built an entire home machine shop building and tools This has taken me 8 yrs But I also have paid for my entire wood shop and toolsbrYou are spot on and the method works but it does take time and commitment Thanks for sharing your thoughts John, well done
Comment from : @RRINTHESHOP

Very informative, thank you
Comment from : @josephmaschari1073

I really look forward to sitting down with my morning coffee and watching the latest Black Bear Forge video Thanks John!
Comment from : @consultmjp

Thanks for the information I've been looking at doing this for a while I'm currently trying to get my setup to be mobile
Comment from : @theSimpleGeorgian