A resource where you can ask questions of and offer your own answers to other crafters. If you have an answer or know of someone who does, simply send me an e-mail and I will pass the answer on the person who asked the question. If you have a question, send me an e-mail and I will post it here and pass on to you all the email that I recieve.

I have told her about a book that I saw a while ago, which is out of print (Making Noah's Ark Toys in Wood; by Alan Bridgewater, Gill Bridgewater Copyright 1988). Does any one know where to find this book? Do you have a response for Karen? Send me any email or suggestions to: densonfamily@oocities.com and I will post them here and pass them on to Karen.

Thanks for visiting the Christian Crafts web site. I’m not sure if I know the “proper” dimensions of a cross, but the dimensions I use are this:

The cross beam is about half as long as the vertical piece. That is for a 12 inch cross, the cross beam should be about 6 inches long and intersects the vertical piece at about 3 inches down from the top.

There is disagreement among historians, archeologists, and religious leaders about the shape of the Cross on Cavalry. Some believe the cross to be in the shape of a T that is the cross beam was placed on top of the vertical piece. Others believe that the cross beam had a hole bored in the middle so that it could be placed over the top of the vertical piece and thus be reused. This latter theory holds closer to the biblical account which would have had a place for Pilate to put the sign “King of the Jews”. Regardless of which you believe, the cross was a terrible form of punishment. In many cases the length of time in which it took to die was measured in days not hours.

A person being crucified had their arms raised up to just above their shoulders. Breathing became very difficult and in order to take a breath the person being punished had to stand erect. This put all their weight on their feet which in many cases had been nailed to the vertical piece.

For Jesus to talk to his mother and to his disciple. Christ had to pull himself erect with his arms, place all his weight on his feet, take a breath and speak. The agony must have been terrible for Him.

Because Passover was so close, the three crucified on Calvary (the Lord and the two thieves) were spared an agonizing death of days. The Lord was spared because he chose when to die, the others had their legs broken and suffocated.

Any way, I’ve gone into much more detail than I probably should have. Thanks again for visiting the web page. I hope the information I gave you helps.

First things first: An excellent resource for crafting for profit can be found in a publication entitled Wood Crafting for Profit by Rick Gundaker. Published by Pennrich Press, P.O. Box 3628, Erie, PA 16508-0628.

How much should I charge for my crafts?  

That is perhaps the number one problem that crafters for profit face. The answer is not one that is easy. There are several schemes to determine a best price, for example comparison pricing. That is compare the prices of crafts that are similar in nature to yours and price your craft accordingly. Another is to analyze what it actually cost you to make it, materials, labor, overhead, etc. The problem here is determining the cost of your own handiwork. If you price your labor too high, you won't sell any of your crafts, if you price your labor too low you will end up charging too little for your crafts.

There is no set formula that will guarantee pricing your crafts correctly. Sometimes you will find that the price you charge is perfect and you sell more than you expected. Other times you will wonder if anyone is buying anything. Personally I find that I cannot recover my own labor costs, but then again I am not doing crafting as my primary means of income. I enjoy the time spent crafting, finishing, making it as perfect as I am able. The fact that I sell as many pieces as I do tells me that it is not time wasted. However it will not replace my primary income.

My advice to you is this, if you are selling craft items that are not unique in nature, comparison shopping would be best. If the items are unique in nature, check with your friends and neighbors, especially those that attend craft shows, and ask them, "If you were to find this at a craft show, how much would you pay for it?" Then be prepared to be flexible. Adjustments both up and down may be necessary before you find the "ideal" price.

I know this hasn't really answered the question, but I hope it at least gives you a start.

Why is it that the crafter next to me is getting sales for items similar both in price and nature to mine, yet I'm not getting any sales?

The answer to this question may seem a little harsh, but is in fact quite true. Look at the quality of his/her items and look at the quality of your own. Do you create your crafts with more emphasis on speed than on quality? Is the paint put on with a desire to make your craft look good or just put on because the pattern calls for it? I can not emphasize more the differences in quality. A buyer is looking for something that will be either given as a gift or placed in their home to show guests. A poor quality piece is still a poor quality piece despite the place it hangs. Buying crafts makes a statement about the buyer. Ask yourself, are you willing to settle for low quality?

Do you smile while you are at a craft show? Do you work on crafts while you are there or just sit around looking bored? Do you greet everyone and ask if they are looking for anything in particular? Do you look like you want to talk about your crafting? Each of these actions combine to make a successful craft show.

Help, I would like help with patterns!

I know of some places which have patterns, but I'm looking for patterns which display hymns, scriptures in an artistic manner. Do you know of an artist who could take ideas and work them into a pattern to be used on scroll saw? Thanks - Jack

Jack, I hope someone out there can answer your question. The only craft I've done that is similar to your question is the Amazing Grace cross. Does anyone know of someone that can help Jack? Email me at: densonfamily@mail.oocities.com and I'll forward the email on to Jack.

The first answer!

Well! In looking through some earlier email messages, I found an email from L Swope:

I am an artist and crafts person. My main interests are tole painting, cross-stitching, and hook-latch. I have designed (drawn) several pictures that could be used in any of these or other crafts. I have never sold any of them but would like to publish them someday. If your readers have request for patterns, I will try to produce them and send to them. My e-mail is SwopeCL@lib.Auburn.edu I am a Christian and prefer pictures that would be acceptable to all.

Thanks Lee! Does anyone else know of something that would help Jack? Let me know!

We were looking at your patterns and truly enjoy them.  Our question is are the crosses with the rings, hearts,and the doves, and the pattern of the dove itself, are they all one piece of wood or several put together?  Also, do you sell any of your patterns?  May the Lord bless you,  Tim and Brenda

Answer: Dear Tim & Brenda, Thanks for your compliments.  All of the crosses are cut from one piece of wood.  To make the cross with intertwining hearts, I start with a piece of wood approximately 12 inches long by 8 inches wide.  I start by cuting the basic shape of the cross following the outline of the pattern.  Once the basic outline is finished I then cut the hearts out of the center of the cross and use a router to round off the edges of the heart. I sand the hearts and then glue the hearts back into the center of the cross.

In a way it is like a puzzle in that all the pieces must fit back together the way they were cut out, but I do not cut each piece seperately and attempt to fit them together.  It is a real joy to cut the pieces. The saw blade I use is a very fine scroll saw blade, but even with the fine blade much of the wood is lost during the cutting process, so putting the pieces back together sometimes becomes a real challenge. Especially maintaining straight lines and keeping the piece flat.

Rollin Wrote:

I've been scrolling for the past year, so I'm still new at this. I have found that "CREATIVE WOODWORKING & CRAFTS"  Magizine, although not Christian by any means, has great HOW TO'S and tips for the new guys like me.

I have received some great Christian patterns from
SCROLLER LTD.
9033 S. NASHVILLE
OAK LAWN, IL. 60453

I have made the Nativity Puzzle & the Nativity Shelf, for above the door, from Meisel, my adult kids loved them as Christmas gifts last year. They were a pleasure to make.

Thanks for the site, I'll be back soon & often.

Can any one please tell me what a papier-mache duck pin is?

I don't have an answer for this one ... anyone know of plans for the described tree?

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