Hand made Chess sets?

[robertthebard]

I'm trying to ascertain if there would be a viable market for these, as I may start making some to try and break free from the restrictions placed upon me by my current illness. I won't be carving them in the old fashioned way, but I won't be able to actually machine them either. Would this be something that would interest anyone? Note: I'm not looking to get orders for them, just trying to find out if there's a market. Once I can get a set made, I'll post pics of it on my site. I don't think this violates the ToS, but if so, please let me know.

[Bungleau]

Depending on a number of things, I think there's an interest. You have to find the right group of people... for example, I've got young kids who are getting into chess. A nice chess set would not be appropriate for them... some cheap Walmart thing would be great until they decide they're really interested in it.

Have you looked for chess clubs and organizations? They're a likely source of potential customers... they'd be able to give you feedback on what you could expect (and what the alternatives are).

[robertthebard]

All part of the research into this expansion of my online deal. I'm searching here for feed back, and ebay will be my friend, maybe...

[Nightwing]

There is a lot of competition in this field and a very small market. If you are to do one it would be wise to have it be the best possible quality. Very little flaws. Money is not an issue for most people buying hand made sets. Also you need to have a replacement policy just incase a piece gets broken or lost. If you do an excellent job you should be able to do well especially at trade shows if you do theme pieces.

[robertthebard]

I just got done browsing an online "botique", and they had some really nice sets there, but they also have a production type facility to make them, my facility is probably going to be in my basement. But I think with the low light, I can work them. As for quality, I'll do the absolute best I can, and fabricate one or two extra pieces per set. Part of the charm, however, is that no two sets will be exactly alike, since they will be largely hand made.

[robertthebard]

Well, I spent an hour this morning designing my first set. It's going to be similar to the Stauton design, only square, I have no wood lathe to round out pieces. Just have to come up with a name, and get over to where I can see how well it's going to go trying to put the paper design onto actual wood. I really wish I had access to a machine shop, I'd make an all metal set, with two different kinds of metal for the pieces. I don't, so it's going to be wood sets for a while. I might try to do some molds, and maybe do a ceramic set in the future, not sure though. One step at a time. I found a local market place, a flea market type thing, and I'll probably take a completed set to the Ren Faire this year to try and generate some more interest. All depends on how easy it's going to be to get a set done.

[Larry_OHF]

I do not know how to play Chess, but my wife's family is really good at it. My brother in law even won some kind of award in high school, but my father in law could be outside shooting hoops and calling his moves out while the game was inside the house and still win against him. I would like to learn, but I am slow to start it.

My interest in a hand-made wooden chess set would be more for the artistic quality it would present where I intend on putting it in the living room. My home is accented in various wood items right down to the floor. My late grandfather made some furniture and a violin that decorates my home. I even have a game displayed that my father in law invented and made from wood. A chess set would look great in that same room.

It would have to suit my tastes, however...so no promises on buying anything if I feel I can find something I like better...but to know it came from a friend would mean something to me as well, since my collective pieces have sentimental value.

[robertthebard]

Cool, I'll have pics posted of it once I get a set completed. I think the no two sets exactly alike will help make each one a seller too, that, and as was discussed at the flea market yesterday, the fact that it was made right here in the USA.

[Bungleau]

You may also want to try to hook up with someone who already sells similarly handcrafted items and have them put it up as a consignment piece. Be cheaper than renting space at a flea market or Ren Faire... to start...

I'm definitely interested in pics as well. And when it gets down to it, you can also pull in a "tree-hugger" mentality depending on the kinds of woods you use... renewable, memorable, that sort of thing. Or forget the tree-huggers and go for the really exotic woods...

[robertthebard]

Yeah, who needs tree huggers...I'm thinking the first set may of white pine, or some such. Plentiful stuff around the lumber yards, for the pieces any way. I'm considering something like balsa for the box, to get away from a lot of weight. As for the Ren Faire, I am a performer, and can carry the set with me to try and sell at my sponsors booth, along with some of my magic musical discs...If demand is good, I may consign some sets through their shop in Hutch, which is right up the road from me. I have a few other items in mind to make as well, such as bird feeders/houses etc. If I can get enough pieces together it would be worth it to try the flea market, as my mom's church would run items through there as well.
I have several venues in mind, such as ebay, and my site. I just have to get a couple of people locally on the same page, so I can get some tools over here, and get busy with it. Tools, and materials, that is. I have a working drawing for most of it now, so it's just getting the tools together. I have plenty of time for it, once I can get started.