How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

[stixman]

I'm just curious as to how much you guys get for your walking sticks and how many sticks you sell each year.

I usually sell somewhere around 2,000. This includes all the types of sticks that I list on my web page. By far the biggest seller is the Curled/Twisted Walking Sticks, which are really hard find out in the woods and a pain in the butt to pack out of the woods.

I sell several Carved Snake Sticks, but not as many as I would like. Seems like it's really difficult to promote the web site.

Any suggestions or comments?

I'm attaching a picture of the last batch of sticks from last week.

[cannuckcarver]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

When I lived in Ky. I use to gather curly sticks by the bushell and sell them after debarking and 3 coats of poly for about 45 to 50a piece....Not carved.
As for promoting website what works good for me is a blog on the side not on the site with links between them. Also when I go to Arts and crafts show I give lots of business card.
Selling around 2,000 sticks a year seems like you don't need much help...lol
You could help us.

[stixman]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Wow! I didn't know you were from Kentucky.

What part of Kentucky did you live in ?

How long have you been away.

Working on walking sticks is fun, but it's also a lot of work. I look for the curled walking sticks growing in the woods in the winter, when it's cold. No undergrowth and no ticks. Packing out a bundle of sticks from the woods is a pain in the butt. Seems like the sticks catch on every limb in the woods.

In the last 2 weeks I've cut to length, drilled holes for leather strap, sanded, and applied poly to 238 sticks. I think my back has a permanent catch in it now.

[Blunt]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

mine are so ugly i would have a hard time getting cord wood prices. But im working on it

[totova2004]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Mine arn't so great either,I go to fair and craft shows and sell for 30.00, and just started a web site, I would post it but not sure if it is allowed on this site. I am a beginner, well I have been carving for about 3 years but still need improvement. I am self taught,no clubs here. But I also beleive that BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER! Whats not so good to me might be great for another.

[Marvin Little]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

I harvest a lot of sticks in the wintertime and have found that I need two things to help me. I carry red or bright colored clothes with me to mark the area where I leave bundles of sticks. It is hard to find them without a flag in a tree. I also carry rope with me and tie up both ends of the bundles. This keeps them from catching on everything when you come out with them. I have always felt that you need to price your sticks at a price where they will sell at the venue where you display them. Some locations will sell at a higher price than others. Make items according to where you sell. If you want to display higher priced items for people to look at this is good but do not be too disappointed if they do not sell. Occasionally you get lucky and sell one. This is just my opinion.

Marvin

[Waitpinga Whittler]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

G'day

Last year I sold 39 sticks and canes for a total of $4780. That works out to an average of just over $122 per stick. My sticks vary widely in design, I rarely make two the same. They are all carved and sell from between $50 and $250 apiece. I calculate the price of the sticks at $10 per hour to make. My material costs are negligible as most of it is from scrap, found or recycled wood. I doubt I could make a living at it, but it is an entertaining hobby and it funds itself with enough left over for that 'must have' tool every now and then.

[Claude]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Mine arn't so great either,I go to fair and craft shows and sell for 30.00, and just started a web site, I would post it but not sure if it is allowed on this site. I am a beginner, well I have been carving for about 3 years but still need improvement. I am self taught,no clubs here. But I also beleive that BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER! Whats not so good to me might be great for another.

You can put a link to your web site, blog, etc., in your signature area. Look up on the Green bar and click on User CP. On the left side in the new window, click on Edit Signature. Then put the link for your web site in the box that appears. Make the link look like this, except use your own web address :

My [ url= http:// gallery.me.com /beadman ]web site [ /url ] but do not put any spaces between the []. I inserted spaces here so you could see how to put the BBCode in the signature block. If done correctly, it'll appear just like it does in my signature area below.

Claude

[totova2004]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Wow great work,I could never sell mine for much as you can see that I need more work. I still do not now if my site was done properly in the signature . I am not computer savy. Do you carve some of your tops then attach them on the sticks? I really like the rabbit.
Thanks for sharing.

[Waitpinga Whittler]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Do you carve some of your tops then attach them on the sticks? I really like the rabbit.

Thanks for the compliment, but you are right... beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All you need to do is figure out what the 'beholder' likes and give it to em!

I make about 50/50 capped and one-piece sticks and canes. I posted some WIP photos on the Hare cane back in July. You can find it here if your interested.
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...ed-cane-26830/

[windsong]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Hi Stixman
I live in a little town in ky call Hyden.I like the straight stick best when i collect stick i try to find the ones that are the same size from end to end and about 6' long to start.If i find a curled one i bring it out with the straight ones i think the curled ones look great with not carving but when you carve a curled stick it take away from the curl.If i could carve and sale 2,000 sticks a year i could retire and just make walking sticks but i don't see that happening.I really enjoyed your web page.
Vic.

[medicinedog]

Re: How Much Do You Get For Your Walking Sticks

Hey, I live in wyoming and have never seen a curled stick like that. I would be tickled pink if someone from one of these areas would sell me a few of these sticks unadorned for me to carve for my brothers and sons. I would like about 6 foot staffs that have the curl in them so I could carve a snake climbing up and then add a mouse or something to the top. Thanks.