Replies

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 29, 2009 09:10am | #1

   Dusty,
   As you know,I've been
   Dusty,

   As you know,I've been winding down for a long time but I still am asked to do commissions. I'll do a studio piece here and again and some experimental stuff. Sometimes it's more of a case of the cobbler's children finally get new shoes and sometimes its a case of Salmon and just enjoying life and friends.

   All of which is to say, I can't give any direct input from a business profit perspective, other than to say that around here, things have stabilized.

   Some new construction, quite a few new business and NOAA just moved their Pacific headquarters here (Weather, Seismic and Global Ocean Terrain Mapping operations) so -- lots of new high end jobs with trickle down. Fewer foreclosures (other than flippers).

   I get the feeling here and perhaps for other areas than people have sensed the bottom and worst is past and now it's time to stop putting off spending decisions and put a toe in the water.

   I hope you have a great new year and do a LOT of custom Walnut furniture work.

   BB

   Another big winter storm is comin for new years - from you directly north to me.

   Take care

1. 
   oldusty | Dec 29, 2009 10:23am | #4

   Hiya bb , how ya feeling ?

   Well bb , it feels the same here in a small way so far.

   I hope it is partly that folks kept more dollars in savings then they spent as they watched to see if the sky fell . Stabilized , I like that word , I use to be it.

   We still see the big lists of forclosures in the local paper and not all are from subprime loans as we know folks with perfect credit loose income and kaboom , it can happen.

   We are holding on by our bootstraps ,I am not giving up until the day I am gone.Somehow we just squeaked by the last few months of the year without having to cancel health insurance or worse dsl service , OMG nooooo , I'll build tomato cages and shoe boxes again .

   The next few months look to hold good jobs coming my way and we just feel like this is a " New Era " with luck and timing eventually clicking at the same time .

   This was the first year I lost 3 local kitchens I bid on , so I never turned down any job after that reality check .

   be well

   dusty, l will finish a little Walnut and QSWO desk today

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 29, 2009 11:51am | #8

   Dusty,

   Feelin good here boss.

   "I'll build tomato cages and shoe boxes again ."

   Shoe boxes -- thats something you hardly ever see anymore. Kind of like shoe polish. Just don't need it on my Nike's.

   I still have a box though. Little stub feet, maple, finger joints, hinged top and a shoe platform. I think theres stuff in it. I think I keep the polish around for funerals.

   About that QSWO -- with all that walnut, you ought to try some QS walnut.

   Might be reeeel intrestin, Ya, Know?

   Maybe look little moody but what the hey, this is the era of "Twilight". :)

   Take care

   BB

2. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 29, 2009 09:18am | #2

   I'm happy that you finally
   I'm happy that you finally have some 'work for cash' jobs.

   I have plenty of work to do but it's all for free...

1. 
   oldusty | Dec 29, 2009 10:30am | #6

   Hello Will ,

   My Wife says if I am working for free I better be making something for us .

   Thanks for the concern , we will make it through the other side of this storm and I do believe we will be stronger and wiser because of it .

   take care of your Dolls , they are very lucky to have you.

   dusty

3. 
   GRW | Dec 29, 2009 09:52am | #3

   Dusty,

   I use my shop as a 2nd job, and hobby. I've been able to keep my primary job, so feeding my family hasn't been an issue this year. My shop has operated at aboout 20% capasity in 2009. Most folks weren't parting with much money in my area. (Northeast) Many who did spend bought cheap cabinets and furnishings at retail stores, usually on sale at prices no custom shop I know could compete with.

   I am now bidding projects I expect to get. (I've thought that before too) and am looking forward to(hoping for) a busier 2010.

   Wishing you all a prosperous and healthy 2010.

   GRW

1. 
   oldusty | Dec 29, 2009 10:27am | #5

   G , yup the 20% of normal was about the size of much of the year. Let's hope we get the ones that are coming to us , timing is everything , and now is the time .

   best in wood

   regards dusty , boxmaker

4. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 29, 2009 10:54am | #7

   It seems as though the midwest, which is usually a strong area in the American economy, is presently the weakest. I've spent the year seeing old friends and colleagues go out of business and lose their homes. Now, it has finally hit me. I closed up the woodshop as a business 3 weeks ago, and am presently in the process of liquidating all the tools. It's disgusting to even talk about it, let alone do it, but it's just been the worst I've ever seen in my 45 years.

   3 years ago, I was booked for about a year with work. I haven't had a paying job since April of this year, and there's no end in sight around here. The neighborhood with the McMansion's (as you call them) is right down the road from me. 3 years ago, you couldn't drive through there because of all of the trades people's trucks lining both sides of the streets. Now, there is no activity at all, and several of the builder's are out of business. There are quite a few houses in various degree's of completion that are boarded up, and for sale signs on them in as is condition, most likely from the bank.

   Well, I'm getting depressed writing about it, so let's just say things aren't too good.

   Take care,

   Jeff

1. 
   Westchester | Dec 29, 2009 12:32pm | #9

   Consider storing the tools for a year - don't sell them !

   The work will come back - just hang in there !

   Regards,

   SA

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 29, 2009 07:07pm | #11

   I've already been storing
   I've already been storing them for a year. It's a moot point....they are almost all sold already. With two kids in college and almost finished, I've decided to sell the house and shop (it's all on one property) and move to a smaller home. I'm tired of taking care of this place, anyway. Selling all the tools means I don't have to move them to the new house. Most of my power tools were heavy duty industrial grade woodworking machines, and it just doesn't make sense to keep them around in what will end up being just a hobby shop.

   Jeff

1. 
   oldusty | Dec 30, 2009 10:08am | #15

   Jethro ,

   I am truly sorry to hear your words . Your area was so strong for so long I would have thought it might have come back somewhat by now.Only you know what is best for you and yours .It really hurts to see someone like you who does a such a fine job go without work , makes no sense .

   Best wishes for a better new year

   dusty

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 04, 2010 02:35pm | #19

   Dusty,

   Thanks, and sorry for the long delay before posting. This new site still doesn't email me, and I can't find anything.

   Jeff

2. 
   Napie | Dec 29, 2009 08:04pm | #12

   I don't see it really getting
   I don't see it really getting better any time soon. There has been a fundamental shift in the US economy and the long running (15 year plus) bubble that supported everything from multiple flat screen TV's, extra autos and oversized homes to high end woodwork has burst and there are so many over valued assets that need to be wrung out of the system this has a looooong way to go. We have seen most of the residential housing bubble go away but the commercial side of the business is yet to blow up and it will really affect the building trades. Not to mention the ARM's that will reset in 2010, that will destroy another group of homeowners that are just hanging on. I see the long slow deflation of the bubble(s) going on for years.

2. 
   GRW | Dec 29, 2009 01:00pm | #10

   Jeff,

   Sorry to hear your story. Knowing you're not alone doesn't help pay the bills. I hope you find a quick solution to your situation. Best of luck in 2010.

   GRW

5. 
   AZMO | Dec 29, 2009 10:39pm | #13

   Dusty,

   Phoenix is one of the hardest hit markets for foreclosures and homes. The homes that are being sold are going dirt cheap, half price is the norm but in reality the homes are selling for what they did 4 years ago. As you know I am a landscaper here, and my builder accounts are zilch. They just are not building much. I am remodeling and working with owners who want to fix up the house they just bought. Tough market and no one buys the whole encilada. But it is work that can make some money.

   Lots of investors buying homes here to snatch up the good buys. A year ago that was not the case as the stock market had tanked so badly. My portfolios are back and actually above the value before Oct 2008. I think a lot of buyers are out there with the same result. Bottom line, the uptick has created some confidence to spend money.

   Looking at Craigs list will give you an idea of the tool market. It has stabilized here, no shops closing up and good tools are being bought up. So that is promising as well.

   I definately see a realistic market for years to come, no big upturns coming soon. I try to make every dollar count on the job, and spend every hour of my guys time efficiently. Right now, we are fishing in a small pond with lots of other fisherman crowding the shore. You need a pretty shiny lure to land a few.

   Morgan (hoping for a prosperous new year for you all!)

6. 
   woodbutcherest | Dec 30, 2009 08:50am | #14

   OD Hi ,about the same here in Georgia.Its been at times as if I dropped off the side of the world,so I took to building spec pcs to show at different places,and show is all that is happening.I have had a few calls from tire kickers.But three weeks ago I got 3 calls...got one kitchen, bidding on another and got a nice 25k bookcase to do.Looks like things may be picking up. I gotta go,one man show. Best of luck to you. rickk

7. 
   dboetb | Dec 30, 2009 04:28pm | #16

   One of the largest builders around here just filed for bankruptcy not because he couldn’t pay his bills but because the bank refused to renew the note.

   Then there’s an all ‘green development’ just a down the road, all boarded up and slated to be torn down, what a waste.

   Don

8. 
   bduffin104 | Jan 04, 2010 02:59am | #17

   An odd year to say the least. We started the year with eight or so employees and a full work shedule of custom homes. Finished up our major projects in July and the layoffs began. All of our good job leads and stuff in our pipeline fissled out. I'ts down to me, myself and I, but I am a survivor! Fortunately I'm a tightwad and avoided debt which is what is saving me. I've been finding plenty of work for myself and sometimes a helper but I'm not picky, Most of the jobs have only lasted a few days or weeks but they have come back to back and I've even had to work a couple of weekends to make the schedule. I've done cabinet installations, pickup framing, hung some doors, did a small addition, interior trim install, siding and am currently building some stair parts for a custom stair case. I've had to hussle up the work though, you have to make your own breaks and I've also been lucky. Funny thing is, the harder I work the luckier I get. I suppose I could just retire but what's the challenge in that? I tell everyone I see how talented I am and that I want to help them do a good job so hire me and we'll both be happy. Seems to work so far. I've also cut my overhead to the bone. I've taken a huge cut in pay from a few months ago but I'm greatful for the work I have.

1. 
   oldusty | Jan 04, 2010 09:57am | #18

   b Duffin ,

   I know it is like we have to reinvent ourselves,as I said I pass on nothing and am working harder then ever but slowly things are picking up for me and a few .Luck and timing is everything .

9. 
   Spike1 | Jan 04, 2010 03:41pm | #20

   Hey, I just finished reading this latest thread and also the one Dusty started back in Oct. It did not perk me up but it told me that we were not alone. My wife and I have been doing custom furniture, woodworking of all sorts and antique restoration since 1980. We all know that self-employment is tough but I haven't worked for anyone else since I got out of USN in 1968. This last year has been the absolute worst. We have been able to eat and pay basic bills but the taxes are coming due and I have no clue how to pay them. Small jobs trickle in but the larger custom work has dried up. I keep seeing stories about shoe repair and mechanics being very busy and I figured that furniture repair and chair regluing would be in the same vein. NO. We do live away from major population centers but our customers have come from 50-500 miles away but that seems to have stopped also. I came to the same conclusion that Jeff has: put the place up for sale and hope. Please check our website for sale listing: http://goodtradefarm.com/id16.html