Some years ago I took early retirement from an senior engineering management position because of health (stress) issues. I then spent over 2 years at a local college doing furniture manufacture and restoration - cabinet making; upholstery and finishing, as furniture had been long term interest.
Standard of the course and lecturers was very good. Got my Level 3 City and Gilds with distinctions. (The college stopped offering the course a year after I finished - as is the case in various colleges round the country.) I was working 6 days a week as they encouraged us to do our own projects as well as the course work.
Now I had a lot of workshop experience and training from my teens etc so well adept at hand and machine skills, plus a wide range of design experience.
I worked away and did many jobs in my garage; shed; spare bedroom etc and had many a satisfied customer.
I did realise that I was not commercially viable due to lack of machine shop facility in particular, despite lathe/bandsaw/Tormek/piller drill/loads of good hand tools, and doubted if it was worth the expenditure at my stage of life, plus the hassle of business related stresses, to set up properly. The time to manage a business is a significant part of the week as well as 'doing the job'.
I was on the slow side, but very particular - received a commendation in a national competition. In addition, it was quickly obvious that not many were prepared to pay a decent rate. You really have to be well established to get into the top dollar market. I am lucky I did not need the work or income, and could pick and choose what I did.
Of the younger guys that went through college at the same time, of the decent ones - and I would stress the term decent - I think there is only one still in business on his own account and possibly two others employed in woodwork/furniture business elsewhere.
If you don't intend running your own show, then you want to be employed. If you interviewed someone for an IT job, would you consider someone who has been trained and qualified, or someone who has come out of his bedroom and says he's 'keen'?
The previous comments about selling a job etc is so true, even when you establish a reputation. Also whether working for yourself or as an employee, speed and quality and range of skill are vital. If you are not matching the guys on the next bench, you're out.
I would strongly suggest some formal training and that's were course fees; living expenses etc is the deciding factor. There are places like Chippendale School; West Dean College, Edward Barnsley School and others - look up Furniture and Cabinet Making magazine. Look at the job adverts in there and the criteria. I should state I have no connection with any of those listed, but have either been in their premises of encountered their work.
In my opinion, that's the sort of standard you need to achieve, otherwise what skill/quality/product/service are you going to offer? I do not entertain 'tradesmen' near my house who are not up to my standards, and they're quickly weeded out.
There's a big gap between interest/enthusiasm and making a living, and capability of quality work.
Get a portfolio of what you have made. I keep my books up to date, even if I'm now doing less, and the presentation of that also counts. I've turned down more work than I have taken on. I am not interested in low quality stuff, or items which may come back and bite me. I am up front and clear when talking about a possible job.
Look at the work that some of the guys have posted on this Forum. Can you match that? Not just looks, but quality and time taken.
I have had some jobs in my career I hated, but had to keep at it until another option came up. It is better for one's soul doing something you enjoy, but unless you are capable in the wider sense of the term, idealism will quickly turn sour.
Take your time, get trained etc learn from others experiences and build up from part time.
). I'll say the same thing I say every time this crops up: making stuff is easy. Making stuff well and quickly enough is relatively easy. Making stuff well and quickly and for the right price is pretty easy. What almost everyone forgets is that selling stuff is hard. Really, really hard. You can make the best wooden widgets in the world for a wonderful price, but unless you can sell them all you've just wasted your time. The easiest thing of all?.........to be a busy and broke fool.
