I’ll Just Go Make My Own

When you get right down to it, almost everyone could actually go make their own. Bowls, candlesticks, spinning tops, bottle stoppers, pens, turned lidded boxes, treenware (kitchen stuff) longworth style chucks, doughnut chucks, hollowing rigs, steady rests, CBN wheels, leather aprons, turners smocks, carbide tipped scraping tools, HSS bowl gouges, even the actual lathe itself. All you need is the determination, time, energy, equipment, experience and resources.

If one were determined enough, one could build one’s own home with no help except a pocket knife and a hatchet. The early settlers did it, not out of determination to be independent, but because they had no choice. There is no comparison to today’s modern homes fully equipped with all of the conveniences, like running water and indoor plumbing for bathrooms!

So the question becomes “Is it worth the asking price, or can I make it just as good myself in a reasonable amount of time, at a cost which is enough lower to justify my effort?” My friend, Hans Meier an accomplished artist in his own right, recently posted a very interesting philosophy which he displays in his craft booth to settle the issue of his asking prices.

I show folks items I have designed at woodworking shows all across America. They are the very best I can produce for the price I’m asking. Often they are the very best money can buy. Still, I hear the old familiar phrase, “I’ll just go make my own” at almost every event. Sometimes I even offer advice on how to build it and I offer tons of Free Downloadable Plans and designs on my web site www.ronbrownsbest.com.

To think we are the only one in the whole world smart enough to make something verges on arrogance. If we have invested the time and energy, purchased the necessary equipment and learned how to properly use it, if we have failed enough to finally get it right we deserve to expect to get a fair price and earn a decent profit. Often the difference between two people is that one of them got off their butts and is doing it, while the other one who may also have the ability, simply talks about doing it, but does nothing.

Don’t be afraid to be paid what you want for something that took you a long time to learn to make. I’ve invested a lifetime of learning and a few hundred thousand dollars in equipment over the years in order to be able to do what I do. I know so many software programs that I could make a living just doing software support for other folks! Believe in yourself and be boldly humble because wherever you go, there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message.

Prov 14:23 NIV

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Luke 10:7 NIV2

Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Prov 18:16 KJV

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.