My First Commission, Pipe #10

[clickklick]

Thank you all for your input.

I have decided I will call my work Carmette Pipes but will not be stamping them with an official logo until I am confident I am making selling quality pipes. I have decided not to sell at this time and instead will be giving the two orders I already have to the customers for postage and a review. I am also toying with the idea of offering a few of my next pipes up for a "free" raffle of sorts on the pipes magazine forum so that I can get honest critiques of my work . . . as my friends and family have a hard time teling me honest feedback.

Oh, and you will see me at a table in Chicago, I may not be selling any pipes, but I will be there Because Lord knows the world needs ANOTHER FUCKING PIPEMAKER! But I don't eat pizza so call me ignorant

And whoever put the curse of piss poor drilling on my drill press please remove it now? I can't drill a pipe to save my life anymore and I'm running out of briar!

[sandahlpipe]

I respect your self restraint in pipes. That's gonna go a long ways later on. If you want to send a pipe to someone to review, I'll offer my services to you. Send me a pipe and I'll review it over Skype or something and send it back.

Otherwise, it will be nice to meet you in Chicago. And I'll be happy to eat your pizza.

[d.huber]

I respect your self restraint in pipes. That's gonna go a long ways later on. If you want to send a pipe to someone to review, I'll offer my services to you. Send me a pipe and I'll review it over Skype or something and send it back.

Otherwise, it will be nice to meet you in Chicago. And I'll be happy to eat your pizza.

That's an awesome offer Jeremiah. I'll toss my hat in as well if that's something you'd be interested in, Click.

[clickklick]

Those are amazing offers! I will PM you when I am ready! And Thank you!

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

So you guys have the first twenty pipes you made just sitting on a shelf?

yes. the first 60-70 actually. I didn't sell any pipes until i had been making pipes for 3 years. I put a lot of time and money into it at the beginning, knowing that there wouldn't a way to get it back. I considered it paying my dues. I'm glad I didn't sell any of those pipes. In fact I feel like i STILL ended up selling them too early. Some guys make pipes that are good enough to sell inside their first year, other (slower) guys take 3 to 4years. you will know when you are ready. if you want to make pipes not just for a hobby, but for a career, you will put up with the investment in material and equipment, and 80 hour work weeks, or you will quit like 80% of the members that join the board.

[PremalChheda]

Clickklick,

$75 to charge for a pipe is not too much, but it is best to keep the price as low as possible until you are consistent with your work and have a professional product.

If your internals, materials, finish, etc.. are sound, then it is ok to sell pipes. The only way you will know this for sure, is if you get a physical inspection by a very good pipe maker. Shape and design are subjective, and I have seen worse sell for the same or more. Reputation and longevity making pipes has a little to do with it as well.

Be 100% sure you are making a good product before you put it up for sale.