How to make money engraving?

Marrinan

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Danae, Take heart. The better you get the more your work will be in demand. The is a short list of very successful women working as independent engravers. Names like Lisa Tomlin, Cyndi George, July Werinski, Katharine "Cloudy" Kennedy (pardon the spelling ladies and names that have changed over the course of your lives). These women found a market for their work! Three are high end, in demand custom knife engravers with followings and collectors seeking their work. One has created a high demand niche market and is in demand for her work on hand tools. (most likely presentation pieces to honor the recipient). These are a few of the well known women who make a impact on the engraving world. Their are some women in Italy who are ranked as some of the best gun engravers in the world. I choose to talk about the women first to drive home that this is not a boys world. Many of the factory engravers all over the world are women.

Every thing above also applies to male engravers. Those with big reps have long client lists waiting for work. Many of both groups no longer accept commissions as their too busy. Others in both groups struggle everyday to find work. I am one of those. For me, I know my skill level and I work at that level. 90% of my customers work on hunting plantations and they see owners of 50,000-200,000 dollar shotguns every time the go into the fields. The owners hunt with guns engraved by some of the best in the world. Some of those hunter/owners hunt with million dollar guns. My customers are their guides. They want something to be proud of and a little showy but they will never ever bring me a H and H or Purdy. Here in my community we have a true legend in the gun engraving business. He told me he has never done any gun work locally. My customers a working class shooters and guides who just want a little of the life their employers have, something "custom".

I do guns up to about the $1200 range and below. I do knives in the $200 to $400 range. I charge about $30 per hour. I am sixty 62 and probably wont make any strides into the high end market. I have my knife and firearm niche.

I make a knife or two from time to time, I do some jewelry I sell to a niche I feel comfortable in (1% bikers). Again my niche. I occasionally break into another groups (recently Society for Creative Anachronism-They play knights and such and are very serious about it). I do some saddle gear for local horse people. Currently studying bit and spur engraving and making and getting close to completing my studio for that purpose.

My bio info-I was a college professor who lost my pension in the MCI company collapse. Every Dollar. My home is paid for (except those yearly property taxes. I drive old trucks (79 and 89) I have some health issues and my working on getting my social security and health care approved is a battle. Live on small income now and even little cheap jobs mean a lot to my life style. I work at it but a couple of jobs a month are important to me eating.

You can create a niche market, even in "The Land Down Under" If you want it. You have skill in the rotary type work. You are improving all the time in hand engraving. Find your "Niche" then find another and another. I hope someday that your work will be in such demand that you have to turn people away. Your close to the Asian Market of collectors. Lots of high end work goes their.

Good luck and perseverance is the most import thing at this stage. Don't tell potential customer it is over your head. take the job, They liked your work and wanted it. Don't sell your skills short. If the job looks to hard, do a few copper plates of your design until that bangle is just a practice piece. They requested your work. FRed
 

Southern Custom

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The things that have worked for me are some of the best tips from everyone here. You have to know what your level of capability is and stick within it. Provide the best you can within that range. You must get your work out there for people to see. And to make a living you must charge accordingly.
I see too many jewelers who think they can only make $20 bucks an hour. That is bad for the rest of us. I remind folks that no one hesitates to pay their Honda mechanic $75 an hour to fix the motor. There is no reason an artist can't make the same. I will turn down $20 an hour work because it takes time away from more lucrative jobs. And those jobs will come.
I work alongside one of my longtime mentors and he always reminds me to think like a business person and not an artist. They say that artists are not good business people but good business practice is just another skill to be learned and must be to make money in engraving.
Take the jobs you can find as you start out. As time goes by you may find yourself doing more of one kind of work than another. Eventually if you are skilled and lucky, you may have a waiting list as well.
I divide my time equally between engraving and custom jewelry. Sometimes the two intertwine. It has taken a long time but I've reached the point that my reputation in both fields has spread around my area. It seams to me you are going about things in the right way. At this point, the more people you show your work to, the better. It takes time.
Good luck!
Layne Zuelke
 

monk

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buckles are quite easily made of copper, brass, nickel silver, or most any engraveable metal. store bought blanks are even easier. they're available in flat, domed ,& round -rectangular and oval. i've made and engraved nearly 1600 buckles that i've sold. quite a few that were given as gifts. i enjoy making my own.
 

Dani Girl

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Heck... thanks everyone, the support and helpful, useful, encouraging comments folk have posted on here is overwhelming.

Cheers,

Danae
 

Dani Girl

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buckles

buckles are quite easily made of copper, brass, nickel silver, or most any engraveable metal. store bought blanks are even easier. they're available in flat, domed ,& round -rectangular and oval. i've made and engraved nearly 1600 buckles that i've sold. quite a few that were given as gifts. i enjoy making my own.

Hey Monk.

Can you please post or pm me regarding any guidance you can give on making buckles or where is the best place to buy them or parts? Not something I've ever tried yet but keen to. Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks Monk,

Danae
 

Weldon47

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Danae,
Regarding your question about how to make money engraving:
"The best way to make a small fortune in the engraving business is...... To start with a large one!"

A little humor for your day!!

Keep at it, continue to try to get better & better and, never stop learning! As your skills increase put a value on your work accordingly. Never undersell yourself! If you don't place a value on your time, effort and skill, neither will anyone else!!

Weldon:cool:
 

Marrinan

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outside Albany in SW GA
This is Fred not Monk but thought I would share these sites with you. You will have to dome the buckles you manufacture yourself. I may be able to provide guidance in this area as well. Hope you find them useful. You also might check http://www.engraverscafe.com/showthread.php?10579-Links-to-many-engraving-related-sites

Indian Jewelry Supply-buckle findings and blanks-catalog-shop online
https://eclient.ijsinc.com/eshop/de...egory_id=588D33A3-0CD3-4866-96C0-9DD0744C686B

Rio Grande-buckle findings and blanks-catalog-shop online
http://www.riogrande.com/Home

Other sources of belt buckle supplies and information, There are a couple of these sites that can provide castings that are often mounted to western style belt buckles like horse and cow heads, one or two will even custom make the casting like brumby hunting or camel hunting

https://eclient.ijsinc.com/eshop/de...egory_id=AA4A8975-5D8E-48C0-9D10-CADAED89409A
http://www.custom-engravable-jewelry.com/buckles.html
http://bucklesetc.com/buckles/buckle pages/design/designhome.htm
http://www.nrhunt.com/
http://www.pbase.com/tikkakoski/sterling_blanks
https://www.monsterslayer.com/Pages/NickelFindings/NickelFind.aspx
http://silverama.biz/
http://www.monogram-designstudio.com/?gclid=CO6U6LiTk6ICFReenAodTB8Tjg
http://www.ranch2arena.com/04000buckle.html
http://www.ranch2arena.com/04000buckle.html
http://www.bucklecity.com/
http://www.williamstantonsilversmiths.com/1--BUCKLE-SETS-.html
 
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Tulsa, Oklahoma
Every time I ask a question on here eveyone is always so helpful and kind. I hate to ask this and if it's verboten please forgive me ahead of time but I cannot find an winchester pattern 12-5 anywhere on the net. It's the one with dog and I think quail on one side and the 4 ducks taking flight on the other. I have a 1400 that a customer wants done. I have the wilson book but no decent photo's that I can reproduce. If some one provide could provide these images I would be happy to pay. Thanks RJ
 

Jesse.beckham

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Wichita Falls, TX
First off, I am totally new to the engraving scene.... but I can tell you from experience making leather goods, that friends and family are a quick sell, and they will generally show items off. Your work looks pretty darn good to me, as good as some guys around here that are very busy.
When I stared working with leather a couple years ago (as a hobby) I ran out of things to make myself so, early on I will hustle my friends to buy something from me at cost pretty much. That gave me practice and gave them something to be proud of for a good price.

And don't forget Facebook. It is a great FREE marketing tool. If you want to get your name out there and pull in 'fans' to your Facebook page, offer a 'give away' when you hit a certain number of fans, or even a trivia. Something small, maybe a simple key fob? Facebook has done wonders for me.

I do, however, only do it on the side, so any business advise outside of Facebook, from me would be null.

Good luck and keep up the great work, you certainly look like you are on your way!
 

Dani Girl

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NSW, Australia.
[Thanks Weldon. By the way your work is really cool.

QUOTE=Weldon47;140375]Danae,
Regarding your question about how to make money engraving:
"The best way to make a small fortune in the engraving business is...... To start with a large one!"

A little humor for your day!!

Keep at it, continue to try to get better & better and, never stop learning! As your skills increase put a value on your work accordingly. Never undersell yourself! If you don't place a value on your time, effort and skill, neither will anyone else!!

Weldon:cool:[/QUOTE]
 

ungiven1

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Nov 24, 2015
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how are you charging ? by the hour, piece, or design ? I know there's a base rate to cover tools and equipment after that how do you charge ?
 

diandwill

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Eastern, Washington State
My basic charge is based on $50/hr. The pieces for sale in my shop are priced at a combination of hourly and material cost. For engraving customers pieces I usually try (mentally) to figure how long it will take, then give a figure that is the most it will cost. Sometimes it goes quickly and I charge a little less. When people bring complicated items I just give an hourly rate and an estimation of time, with a plus or minus, but put an absolute top price on it.
Inside ring engraving is $10-12/letter...but sometimes I go lower if it looks to be an easy job, if the are good repeat clientele, or if it is for another shop.
Engraving the outside of a ring is $150-250 for all the way around, and $125- 200 for partial coverage.
There really is no one answer, but for me, it starts with an hourly rate and an understanding of how long each job should take. Most people don't want an open ended estimate, they want a real figure, or at least a ball park.
 

monk

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Hey Monk.

Can you please post or pm me regarding any guidance you can give on making buckles or where is the best place to buy them or parts? Not something I've ever tried yet but keen to. Any and all help would be appreciatDanae
ver
later this pm i'll send you a foto or 2 of just how mine are made.quite easy, really. brass , copper, or german silver. sometimes sterling or argentium. sterling & such usually from riogrande.com. i scavenge around the local junkyard for brass and copper. the guys there always look for the good stuff for me when it comes in. high quality materials are to be found there. i don't monkey around with small pieces anymore. i get large sheets. i then take this material to a local gasket company. they shear rectangles and punch other shapes for me as required. this is a minor cost compared to the time needed to cut each piece by hand. i recently had 60 copper disks punched out. a dollar per disk. the sheet of copper was around 4 dollars. a real bargain compared to getting this any other way. this method may not work for you if there's no junkyard near you. then too, you may not wish to work with these materials. my business has evolved into a multi phasic affair. i do sign making, stone carving, & the engraving. once in awhile i get bored with life and make a few jewelry pieces. i also have a laser, a cnc engraving rig, as well as a pantograph.
all this keeps me busy, off the streets, and more than happy doing things i like to do. i'll never die wealthy, but the wealth thing doesn't interest me much. being at peace with myself, and my lot in life is far more valuable to me and my family.
 
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