Piggy Banks? You bet!

[dehrlich]

This all started when a lady asked me to make a couple piggy banks like some she had had before, then she would burn the features on. The photos she sent me were of a crude design, but the idea was sound. So of course I came up with a similar look but much improved looking and more durable product. Just my luck, she ended up never picking up the banks so I got stuck with them, but it started something. I could use the same principle to make coin banks of just about anything, fairly cheap, and people would love them.

These are the original ones I made that I got stuck with. Moral of the story, get paid for custom work first!
This is my first original design. Its about 10-1/2" tall.
Doggie Bank? Puppy Bank?
Cows too
The Jayhawk sold pretty quick. Used poplar for this one.
And of course had to do a K-State Wildcat, one of the first products I made after getting the license. Biggest bank so far.

I been selling these for $25 each, $35 for the branded ones to help with licensing fees. So far going great. Takes average of 1.5 hours to carve and cut depending. Finish work takes maybe an hour on each. Basic material cost is $6.50 (#2 pine 1x12 4 ft long). Kids are drawn to them at the shows, which gets the parents to the booth... that alone is worth it. Any advice for improvement?

[unitedcases]

This all started when a lady asked me to make a couple piggy banks like some she had had before, then she would burn the features on. The photos she sent me were of a crude design, but the idea was sound. So of course I came up with a similar look but much improved looking and more durable product. Just my luck, she ended up never picking up the banks so I got stuck with them, but it started something. I could use the same principle to make coin banks of just about anything, fairly cheap, and people would love them.

These are the original ones I made that I got stuck with. Moral of the story, get paid for custom work first!
This is my first original design. Its about 10-1/2" tall.
Doggie Bank? Puppy Bank?
Cows too
The Jayhawk sold pretty quick. Used poplar for this one.
And of course had to do a K-State Wildcat, one of the first products I made after getting the license. Biggest bank so far.

I been selling these for $25 each, $35 for the branded ones to help with licensing fees. So far going great. Takes average of 1.5 hours to carve and cut depending. Finish work takes maybe an hour on each. Basic material cost is $6.50 (#2 pine 1x12 4 ft long). Kids are drawn to them at the shows, which gets the parents to the booth... that alone is worth it. Any advice for improvement?

Make them faster???

[TerryT]

Nice! I would think those would sell very well at craft shows.

[SharonB]

Cute idea. You did a great job with your design work.

[lvwood1212]

We where making wooden animals about 10 years ago they sold very well. All the wood was scrap wood so we where paid for the wood the first time around< We used pallet wood cut down trim up plained top and bottom. all sides cut square. you get a good amount of useable wood from pallets. This is when I was doing a lot of scroll sawing.

[easybuilt]

They are great looking banks! Thanks for sharing the idea!