Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Ward.
Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was living in Long Island, NY, 1996, my wife bought me a wooden pen for Christmas. I looked at it and said, “I could make that”. I started researching on where to buy the parts. I had a lot of the wood working equipment needed to make these so I went to work., I had a small shop area but made it work. I made about 5 pens. I took them to work and my secretary absolutely loved them and became my biggest fan and seller. I made 10 pens and took them to the store where the original wooden pen my wife purchased, The store bought all to pens to resell.
I looked into making enough things to sell at a craft show. The first Craft show I did was “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” I didn’t sell a single item. As soon as the Breakfast was over, there were no customers, however the lady sitting up next to me, educated me on I was in the wrong type of show for my work. I took here advice and the next show we did was a true Arts and Craft show, I had made a good deal of items for resale, I completely sold out, Here we go! I did several shows while living on Long Island, I would always come close to selling out.
With my real job of Air Traffic Control. I was promoted and left Long Island for Atlanta, where I became the Manager of Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center. I brought my craft with me and had a lot of help in my Office, First I needed a better name and I needed it to be able to have an on line domain.
I wasn’t about pens or other items, I needed a name that would encompass all my wood works and any thing in the foreseeable future. It was then that I came up with Wooden Concepts, and the domain was available.
I was off and running:
At one point I was doing 11-12 crafts shows a year. That was way too many, I always had to make more for the next show. I started Demonstaining at the shows and making items for the next show. I was getting burned out.\
Now!
I do about 4 Arts and Craft shows in the Atlanta Area, and I sell at a store in downtown Senoia, called Classic Market. The owner loves my things and I love selling there.
I have since bought the Domain Woodenpens.com. I don’t see myself stopping anytime. I love doing the shows and I love making things people love to buy!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Finding the right kind of shows to apply to. I use to think my Art was a craft, but it really belongs in art shows. The finish and the quality make my items a piece of art.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love to speak with people and show off my work. The feedback I receive from people is so inspiring, It makes me want to make more and newer things.
I specialize in Hand Made Wooden Gifts. Anything that can be Turned on a lathe out of wood, acrylic or other material. Im trying it.
Toothpick Holders were at one time my number one seller, Now I would say, it a toss-up between Seam Rippers and Ice Cream Scoops.
What does success mean to you?
My customers do that! They tell me how much they love my work and that is Success.
Pricing:
- Toothpick Holders $20
- Wooden Knives $20
- Pens 35-175$
- Seam Rippers 25-40$
- Ice Cream Scoops 30-40$
Contact Info:
- Website: woodenconcepts.com and woodenpens.com
- Facebook: woodenconcepts1
Image Credits
Craft Supply USA
Exotic Blanks
