Make Money Selling Art Online
Timbersong Business Profile: Wood Turning Artist Sells Bowls on Etsy
How an arts and crafts woodworker is turning his hobby into a successful business online selling through Etsy, an art & craft mall website recommended by Martha Stewart.
Martha Stewart has been impressed enough by Etsy online artist and craft mall to frequently feature the website and its artistic sellers on her TV show.
Etsy is a unique place online where artisans, crafters, jewelry makers, handcrafters and just about anyone who makes wonderful homemade items is welcome to set up a "store" for free and list items very cheaply.
Timbersong: A Special Woodworker's Store on Etsy
The wood turning artist who shares his lovingly designed and handcrafted bowls, plates, and trinket containers on Timbersong, his Etsy store, lives and works in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He resides in an area rich with a variety of gorgeous trees and he treasures the nature around him and respects natural resources.
Occasionally, trees endangering a building or in other need of felling need to come down. With a chainsaw, this artist begins at the very source. According to him: "In the process of cutting up trees, I am always awestruck by the outstanding grain, rays, figure, spalting, quilting, colours and general beauty found within the wood."
How Wood Turned Items Are Made at Timbersong
Once a tree is felled (timber!) and cut into roughly rounded shapes, the artist begins turning the bowls himself. He uses wood from either green (fresh cut) logs (which are then seasoned) or usually from logs that he has 'planked' and left to dry for some time, letting the moisture in the wood dissipate. Some of the materials with which he works are Western Bigleaf Maple, Western Red Cedar, Western Red Alder, Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and "Mystery Wood."
When beginning the turning process, this woodworker tries "to cut away the parts of the wood that aren't the bowl and what is left over is always stunning!"
Next he sands out tool-marks and finishes each item with either a food-safe oil and wax finish, or a semi-glossy shellac, depending upon the intended use of the piece.
As each bowl, plate or trinket box is completed, it is hand signed and dated. This differentiates these handcrafted treasures from assembly-line made items. These are true works of art and a little piece of Americana.
Finally, the lovely handcrafted items are listed for sale on Etsy. The history of each product is written and typed up, photographs are take from various angles, and then all this information is posted online on Etsy.
Reviewed items from this artist are high quality, beautifully made, and would make special gifts or home decor items for men or women.
About the Artist
The owner and artist of Timbersong is a true country guy who prefers to work alone in his country shop, with his black border collie nearby. When looking at his product photos (click on the main page photo for more photos and descriptions), also keep an eye out for the dog and/or photos of him using his chainsaw or turning wood items.
Hobby Turned Business
Having always had an artistic eye and spirit, it is natural that the Timbersong owner found his way to turning wood. He slowly added to his knowledge through reading and talking with other woodturners. He started with a Shopsmith and added turning jigs and tried various carving chisels. When he could not afford what he needed, it went on Christmas and birthday lists.
Sometimes a business is planned and comes about quickly. Other times a hobby slowly becomes a business as people see beautiful items and ask for more. Timbersong is growing in this way and it looks as if slow and steady will win the race.
Check out Timbersong and the other lovely and unique items on Etsy. Hey, if they're good enough for Martha Stewart...
Happy shopping!
Also see: Selling Homemade Art Crafts Online, Easy Free Website Space on Squidoo, and Easy Income Selling Used Items
Resources:
Interview via email with Timbersong artist, March 2008
The Martha Stewart Show, various dates, March 2008
