So, I like to build furniture. Finding a summer job this year has been tits so far so I figured I'd consider starting something up. I've made several pieces of furniture for friends and I really liked it. Could be profitable. The pieces were pretty attractive, too. Think it could be pretty lucrative? I'll post some examples soon. Building beds is very fun, too.


the circular pieces are fragments of columns from the 1911 building that were discarded and given to me during its renovation. The glass on top was a storm window discarded from the construction site as well. Steel is all welded (purchased from lowe's)


Inverted pyramid platform bed, stained birch finish, lit from below, electronics self contained, actually FS in the classifieds section

some of my work

5/15/2009 8:56:10 PM

well, you will always be able to find your shoes underneath that thing.

5/15/2009 9:03:45 PM

i´d suggest you keep right on looking for a real job and only practice on the free shit you get


especially practice on the welds

5/15/2009 9:07:15 PM

it was my first time, skank, remember, i met you that one time?

5/15/2009 9:09:20 PM

The bed isn't really my style, but the coffee table is pretty cool. I think with some practice it would be awesome.

5/15/2009 9:24:56 PM

Quagmire types around the world would love to get their hands on that bed.

I'd just keep building furniture while you're having trouble finding work, if it makes you happy and you think you can make a decent buck off of it.

5/15/2009 9:36:53 PM

I remember the first time you posted a pic of the bed, I dig it, except I can't decide if I like the platform around the mattress being so large compared to the mattress itself. Seems like you are taking up a alot of floorspace for not a lot of sleeping space.

5/15/2009 9:41:22 PM

i love all of it...and for that reason, i vote the furniture route. being creative is so much more fulfilling than most things!

5/16/2009 12:10:57 AM

Definitely use it on the side. I think your stuff is pretty neat, however that kind of stuff is only going to appeal to a certain group of people, most likely on the ecentric or more modern side. Good luck.

5/16/2009 2:34:47 AM

Table is hideous, didn't even round off the insides of the circles. But that's a minor problem next to the fact that the design just doesn't work. Don't worry, even the best designers put out stinkers.

Bed is alright -- platform part might be too wide.

5/16/2009 3:16:58 AM

I like your style, ArcBoyeee. Whatever you do, at least keep making furniture on the side...you appear to have the talent for it.

5/16/2009 3:45:53 AM

I've thought about spending more time on something like this -- not necessarily furniture, but carpentry or construction of some kind.... It seems that even if you didn't make much money, it'd still be worth it because it's fun.

Quote :

"keep right on looking for a real job and only practice on the free shit you get"

Quote :

"I'd just keep building furniture while you're having trouble finding work"

Yes, you certainly need a real job, too.

5/16/2009 8:18:44 AM

Ignore the haters as well.

Most industrial designers don't start off making incredible pieces of art. I think what you've got looks pretty good with just a few finish issues. The table makes me think of ( ). Either way it has got a minimalist vibe to it, and if you practiced on it a bit you could probably make some decent side money by putting such pieces together on the weekend.

Modern/minimalist furniture costs a damn fortune for anything decent, and the best way to get some money for your furniture is to start selling pieces and to have your work advertised by word of mouth.

Get a regular job anyway, as before you're making thousands of dollars from your weekend furniture projects you're not going to enjoy making a living off of furniture.

5/16/2009 8:43:50 AM

I actually like the bed.

5/16/2009 9:44:42 AM

By the way, introduce the minimalist friend you made the table for to the following website: http://www.westelm.com

You can have minimalism with COLOR now! Hahaha...

5/16/2009 10:39:32 AM

Quote :

"Quagmire types around the world would love to get their hands on that bed."

i had to read it a few times to realize you weren't talking about me

my ex's aunt and uncle have a custom furniture company down in florida...they do large custom pieces for rich and famous people all over the country (they some international pieces, too)

good money, but it's A LOT of work...they haven't taken a vacation in over a decade

5/16/2009 2:11:58 PM

Several things.

I am NOT an industrial designer.

Referring to the wooden circles, I will not further change them from the original state I found them in. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. I'm a historian. I give a shit about that kind of thing. Design is subjective. The structure of the table is completely separate from the columns. They would break under any pressure due to their form. They are there to simply coexist in separation. Additionally, an egyptian artifact goes under the glass in the steel cubic space. My father brought it back from a dig ages ago. It's just not in the photo because I am fiddling with it currently. ( I made the table for myself.)

Secondly, the platform around the bed is large enough to contain clothes, socks, etc, drawers and is deep enough to afford seating to several nice size asses. You have to remember. The bed essentially contains bed, nightstand, dresser, drawers. I wanted to minimalize furniture in my room.

Duh, I realize I need a real job. I already have 2 degrees, working on a third. I just know that's it's difficult getting a full time job in my field (architecture) because I have not graduated yet AND because of the economy the first thing that gets cut from most firms are interns. We have to be interns before we can sit the ARE to get our license. I just wanted something to make some cash on the side until school starts again to pay the bills. That's all.

Did I mention that I'm not an Industrial Designer? Oh yeah. Good.

I just like to build shit.

kthxhai

5/16/2009 5:30:28 PM

Totally makes sense as to why my hubby liked the coffee table now =0)

Good luck on the job hunt! It is pretty scary out there for architects (and the interns)

Don't knock anything part-time that you get though. He was a summer intern, and got brought on full-time. He's not doing what he thought he'd be doing, but he really likes his employer while his other studio-mates are either doing other things like waitressing, or moving back home with their parents.

5/16/2009 6:19:55 PM

not my style but I still think both pieces look awesome

there's definitely a niche out there for this, get a job but I would definitely keep this going on the side

5/16/2009 9:28:02 PM

Quote :

"I am NOT an industrial designer."

You don't have to be one professionally to be one recreationally.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_designer

You're not making this shit for ikea, but you are still designing the form and function of these pieces from off the top of your head.

That's skill a lot of people don't have, don't shun the name just because you think people are going to expect more from you.

If you're still building stuff a little while down the road (i.e. building it to sell as a side business) I might be in the market for a piece or two. I lack money as of right now, but will be gainfully employed soon. Once I get some money burning a hole in my pocket I'm going to want some better furniture, haha.

5/16/2009 10:13:51 PM

From my experience designing and selling furniture in the RDU area... forget about it.

There is zero market here for high-end, custom furniture. In a year, we only sold a handful of pieces in state. Almost everything went to the west coast. Customers here are cheap as shit. I found that even with glowing reviews, and tons of "I would totally buy that" comments, as soon as they find out it costs more than Ikea or Walmart, people run away.

If you are going to do it, only do it on an on-demand basis, and don't do anything until you get money in your hands. It's not lucrative, you will make very little money and people will expect nothing short of absolute perfection.

5/17/2009 7:18:41 AM

^ couldnt be more right on. more and more custom furniture is special ordered and comes from out west/china. furniture production in nc is dead

5/17/2009 10:16:50 AM

^^ what kind of furniture were you selling?

Was it contemporary stuff (like the stuff they sell at ecko)? If so, you're right, that stuff has no demand here. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but i think contemporary furniture is hideous.

If it's high-end traditional furniture, there should be plenty of market for that here.

5/17/2009 1:44:25 PM

good advice.

Yeah, it really is sad about the furniture production era ending in NC. I drive through Thomasville and High Point on my way to my mother's house frequently and I see all those outlets on 85 Bus. and no one in the parking lots. NC really did have a good quality product now overtaken by outsourcing and IKEA.

5/17/2009 2:32:36 PM

I would try to think of yourself as an artist first and a seller first.five

Enter competitions for furniture (I would bet my chair that they exist) and research avenues through the internet to sell pieces that you craft. Also investigate whatever other avenues exist to sell your stuff (sellling in shops... whatever, I don't know how it works)

but... if you like to make furniture I would suggest thinking about it in the first line I wrote

artist first buisnessperson next

[Edited on May 17, 2009 at 2:43 PM. Reason : .]

5/17/2009 2:39:55 PM

yeah seriously, get a day job, perfect your skill on the side. thats how most people make it big, you just need a steady flow of cash.

5/17/2009 7:53:56 PM

^ neither you nor I nor any of us have any clue on "how most people make it big"

but wanted to throw that out there

5/17/2009 7:56:43 PM

Consider this constructive criticism...

The bed is somewhat attractive, but it can't have much storage. It takes a huge footprint while not offering the storage that an actual dresser would since it doesn't extend very far vertically. It also looks like it would be a total pain to make up. Adults don't want to sit on their knees on a piece of lumber while trying to tuck sheets under a mattress they can't access from the side.

The table is just not attractive at all. I'd tell you to make it lower, get rid of the tiles, get rid of the lower tier of horizontal beams, do better welds, paint it (or chrome it), and use a nice slab of wood on top; but then you'd just be left with the table that Florence Knoll designed 50 years ago.

For those reasons, I don't know who would actually buy this stuff. I'd suggest if you want to sell stuff make it more vanilla and better quality. Good luck in whatever you do.

5/18/2009 12:13:39 AM

I appreciate the criticism. I didn't make these items for you, or anyone on this board. I made them for myself. Your needs are obviously different. That's where the creative challenge lies.

I don't have to get on my knees to make the bed. The entire footprint of the bed is used for clothes storage and large format prints. The mattress is hinged on the other end and opens like the hood of a car. I needed a safe place to place all my large prints for architecture school. It functions largely like a vault of sorts. Please look closer, it's not lumber, it's birch. And from your use of the word 'adults' I'm glad you can separate that out. Kids aren't using this bed. It's custom for me.

And the table: it has a glass surface to see the box-shaped artifact underneath (not shown). It is wooden box like object that rests on the four middle beams. Effectively, the table is a display case. Thank for info on the welds. It was my first time, and I'm happy to improve. It's clear to me that you know inexperienced welds.

5/18/2009 12:59:55 AM

that bed looks fake, he he

5/18/2009 2:18:31 AM

Upon further inspection, the bed, is indeed birch.

5/18/2009 2:54:48 AM

do you have a business plan and a financing plan? or are you totally in the "lightbulb" phase? running a small business is a pain.... especially if you have a serious full time job

running my own side business turned into a big pain in my ass and took all my spare time, so i ended up taking a job offer from my biggest client. and i'm really glad i did. now i do exactly what i want for work and theres none of that worry

5/18/2009 7:12:34 AM

there are plenty of reasons not to do something.

if its your passion, go for it. I think you have the talent.

5/18/2009 8:51:13 AM

thats true, but even if its your passion, some people just dont have the patience to do what they love 50 hours a week after work.

5/18/2009 8:55:42 AM

I, too, enjoy making things.

5/18/2009 9:06:32 AM

i totally expected this to be a thread about quixstar

5/18/2009 9:33:43 AM

If it's something you enjoy I'd say go for it, you obviously have some talent in this area. I love the fact that you used pieces from 1911 in the table, though there might not be many other opportunities to incorporate artifacts into your work. The bed is pretty damn nice looking too, and evidently very functional. I do agree that it might not be the easiest way to make money b/c it won't be a steady cash flow, but I think you would at least be able to supplement your income by selling a piece every now and then.

Do you make these at home, or are you able to borrow/rent workspace somewhere?

5/18/2009 11:05:21 AM

Quote :

"has been tits"

FAIL.

Quote :

"it won't be a steady cash flow, but I think you would at least be able to supplement your income by selling a piece every now and then."

EXACTLY.





YES, A LITTLE SOMETHING......


YOU KNOW.....





















ON THE SIDE....

5/18/2009 11:27:20 AM

Probably shouldn't try trolling in the lounge.

5/18/2009 11:39:08 AM

Are you stupid son? Seriously?

How in the hell does that seem like trolling to you?

Anyway, I'm tryin'a stick to the topic, you shitbaggin' troll.

5/18/2009 11:40:51 AM

preeesh guys.

I made the bed in my old room with a drill and patience. Cut with a circular saw on the back deck. The table was made in the Leazar Shop (place is completely baller).

5/19/2009 1:37:30 AM

Quote :

"^^ what kind of furniture were you selling? Was it contemporary stuff (like the stuff they sell at ecko)? If so, you're right, that stuff has no demand here. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but i think contemporary furniture is hideous. If it's high-end traditional furniture, there should be plenty of market for that here."

Yep, you are right on. Although our stuff was not much like most modern furniture.

The problem with high-end traditional furniture is that is takes even MORE production time, and the materials are fucking insanely expensive. But then, people will pay $5,000+ all day long for Maloof reproduction rockers. Blows my mind.

With "traditional" furniture, people always want reproductions and tweaks, which is zero interest to me (or most young designers). But it's definitely bank for a lot of retired guys around the state, and it absolutely requires an incredible amount of skill.

5/19/2009 4:15:35 AM

Quote :

"ut that's a minor problem next to the fact that the design just doesn't work."

i like the design and "theory" behind it (being a history myself) and what doesnt work about the actual design? an interior designer i know like it but said it looked a little rough and needed some finesse

you do need some practice on the welds but other than that really nice

great work on the bed as i had mentioned before; my platform has a smaller base that doesnt protrude as far out as yours so i could imagine youve banged your shins a few times.

5/19/2009 9:18:24 AM

I think the bed is pretty neat. Could you give me a cost estimate on building a queen-size platform?

5/19/2009 10:48:04 AM

Quote :

"The problem with high-end traditional furniture is that is takes even MORE production time, and the materials are fucking insanely expensive. But then, people will pay $5,000+ all day long for Maloof reproduction rockers. Blows my mind."

The furniture industry seems very difficult to break into. It's like clothing. A small number of production companies pretty much run the show and can charge whatever they want while everyone else scrambles for the tiny slice of market share that is left over.

The handful of people in this area who would pay $5,000 for a rocking chair probably already have all the furnishings they need or are willing to pay exorbitant prices to a furniture store that they trust. People like to be able to go into a showroom and sit on a sample. I can't blame them for it. Some stuff looks phenomenal, but just doesn't fit your body. Feel is every bit as important as the visual. I'd love to see pics of some of the stuff you made though.

When I used to sell quite a bit of modern furniture the vast majority of it went to NYC and CA. Outside of those areas it's really more of a niche thing.

[Edited on May 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM. Reason : s]

5/19/2009 11:21:00 AM