MattDowner

pdjms1 - Well done all the way around. I'm honored that you liked my work enough to use it as an inspiration. You reinterpreted the design and made it your own. I'd say that's the essence of the creative process. And, you gave me credit to boot, which would have been easy enough to not do. You're a man of honor and distinction. Now that you're on the backside of the project, I'm guessing that you have a fuller understanding of the actual hours involved in doing this stuff for retail. As Mike M rightly suggested, woodworkers are famous for undervaluing their work. It's true, my prices are high, but please keep in mind that my work is featured in galleries and I can't undercut them. My wholesale prices are well below what is out there, but that's one of the tradeoffs of having other people show your work. In the end, most of us salivate at the wages that other trades (electricians, plumbers, mechanics, etc) charge. Add in the years it takes to hone the craft, fine tune your style and develop a clientele, and it's no wonder that most people keep furniture making in the hobby category. They're probably the smart ones. Sorry for being just a touch defensive (I think the chip on my shoulder is giving me scoliosis!) but defending the value of making original things by hand, one at a time and in an honest way that will stand the test of time is also a part of the job, as I've come to find out. Again, well done. Keep it up. Charge what you're worth and don't hesitate to get in touch with me if I can be of any help on future projects. www.mattdownerdesigns.com