Osage Roost
General Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: BigTomsCalls on February 11, 2011, 06:23:59 PM
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Guy's I must apologize. When I started making call 10 years ago it was to see if I could build a call and kill a bird with it. From there friends and family asked me to build them one. It turned into a passion and had a ball building them. I never really wanted to make it any kind of bussiness, just wanted to keep it as a hobby. I learned a long time ago that "I" can't combine work with play!!! The last few months I have been getting quite a few PM's and e-mails for my calls. Most of them I don't answer and for this I must apologize!!! You see I don't like to take orders and putting peoples name's on a waiting list. I like to build calls at my own leisure it's my hobby. I fell into a trap a few years ago when I built my first Gobble Box and started taking orders. It got so bad I hated going into the shop!!! To those that I have promised a call I will be sure you will get it!!! I'm going to keep on building calls and will post them when they become available but I will no longer take orders. It's not fair to you or me.
I hope I don't sound like a pompass rear end but I would just as soon "and have thought of" giving up call making if I feel I'm being pressured to do something I really love to do.
People have always told me I'm a little strange, and I may be but I can't help feeling the way I feel. I hope you all understand!!!
BigTom
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I'm sure folks will respect your decision Tom. *cheers* Keep havin' fun with it!!
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Nothing wrong with that Tom! *cheers*
I know you enjoy making calls and making them well. I'm sure, like myself, everyone can appreciate your decision and honesty.
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Keep having fun Tom! That's what its all about!! *up*
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*cheers*
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Big Tom, if we were all alike the world would be a boring place. You do it your way and have fun. Just post the calls you do make.
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I know where you are coming from. When I joined over here I could not decide whether I wanted to post my calls or not. Mine have grown to repeat orders from friends and satisfied customers telling others. I wish retirement would hurry up and get here so I could devote more time to the this hobby that I love.
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Tom
I don't think you are alone in how you feel. Sometimes something that was once fun, becomes a burden. I like the way you approached the problem and met it head on.
All the best!
Bill
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Keep it a hobby, have fun doing it and enjoy it as it's meant to be...No pressure, no stress, and no lists to have hanging over your head.
Do what's right for you......Thanks for the straight up way you've dealt with this....It's very refreshing..... RkLu
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Tom you just summed up everything I've been thinking for months now. Lou and I have talked about it so he's well aware of how I feel about call making. Like you I started just to see if I could build one and the hunt with it. Then came the orders from friends and customers which I got done but it felt like my hobby was starting to get the best of me and now I 'm behind on some box calls. I'll get to them as I hate to let any one down but I want to get back to basics and have fun again. Bill
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Bill L. & Big Tom,
Mike Lapp and I talked about this very same thing, he went thru a couple years ago.....I think, it's something all callmakers go thru at different times, while making calls.....
A very known trumpet callmaker is going thru it right now.... :o
The pressures of demand get to everyone......Good Luck to both of you
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Bottom line is with working close to 12 hours a day 4 days a week and then trying to get things done around the house ,spend time with my wife and have time for yourself it's hard to get motivated for making calls. I still like doing it but the list thing does wear on me at times. Hope to kick it soon. Bill
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Tom, I understand what you are saying.I wouldn't want to be a slave to a list when you just wanted to make calls for friends.. I respect your decision.
Bruce
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Big Tom....I understand...been dealing with that myself....I am behind and seem to be getting further behind...not really sure how to deal with it....being self employed in my real job...it's hard to schedule enough shop time...then a call don't turn out right and there you go....I really love building them...I think I enjoy building and selling face to face more than anything...doing the shows seem to work out better for me....
I really am glad you brought this up....it'll all work out for you....
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Tom, I understand what you are saying.I wouldn't want to be a slave to a list when you just wanted to make calls for friends.. I respect your decision.
Bruce
Exactly. Hey -- its all about you and the joy you get from building and tuning the call. It should be on your terms.
Well done Tom.
John
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Sounds very familiar to me. That why I do it pretty much during the winter months only. Keep it a hobby, keep it fun and keeps me off the couch during bad weather. The rest of the year it time to hunt and do other things. Back in the day I just to do a lot of whitewater canoeing. Had quite a few offers to guide, ect. Thought it would be cool to get paid for doing something I really loved to do. NOT! After being told when to show up, what to say and what not to say, how much time to take during the trip and trying to babysit some Mall queen who spent 2 hour doing her hair and face just to look like a drowned rat after the first big rapid........work takes the fun out of having fun! Lesson learned. To those who do this as a regular job, my hat is off to you. Not to many realize the grind it can turn into. Tom, sounds like you have found some "peace of place". ;D
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So this is a bad time to ask for a call........ *peep* ;D
Couldn't help myself ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO ROTFLMBO
You do what's good for you, that's what is important!
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Tom as others have said, you are not alone. Adam has said tha if it ever stops being just for fun, he will never build another call. Working 12 hr days, 2 small children and other responsibilities time is his most precious blessing!
Mike
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You know I have no idea what it takes to build calls, but you are not alone in having that issue. I've heard it from more than one call maker out there!
If you do not keep it fun and exciting, you'll hate it (like you said) and the calls will suffer. To be honest and open... I applaud you for that!
I'm sure everyone will understand and you have to do what's best for you *up*
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Big Tom and Bill L Keep it Fun.. We understand.. *cheers*
Good luck to both of you..
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Can't fault you for trying to keep it something you enjoy. *cheers* Been one of those weeks here too. I don't have much time to get to the shop and when I do it is at odd hours and for an hour or two here or there. Just when I get going on something it's time to stop and move on to another part of the day. That and it has been taking around 2 1/2 hours to get the shop up to a comfortable temperature to work. Hard to get motivated sometimes given other things you need to get done in a day. Hope you're in a good place with your callmaking Tom and I am sure there are more people than you think that understand where you are coming from.
God bless,
Ed
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I know where you are coming from Tom. I have had the same feelings at times. With the demands of work and family life, I don't need to feel like my hobby is adding more stress to my life on top of it all. I enjoy building calls at my own pace too. (and it is usually a slow pace). I don't think anyone will fault you for doing things your own way. Now get in the shop and crank out some callers for us to look at!!
Take care,
Lee
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If you do not keep it fun and exciting, you'll hate it (like you said) and the calls will suffer. To be honest and open... I applaud you for that!
I can't believe I'm quoting Porter *aah* *aah* *aah*
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know exactly what you mean. I started for the exact same reason - the quest fur the "perfect call". I saw early on that it could get out of hand so I made myself a promise that if it ever got to where its not fun to go to the shop, that's the day I quit making them. I don't take orders any more, either. I make what I want and if somebody wants it, I sell it to them. If I sell 3 calls a year, it covers my expenses. 6 and it covers my gas for the season. 15 and I can buy a new lathe. No pressure that way and a lot more fun!
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Tom, I'm sure a bunch of guys have the same feelings! When it starts to become a job, all the fun goes away! You should do it because you like to, not because you have to! I respect your thoughts on this matter and I'm sure others will too! *cheers* Post some pics when you can! *up*
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Tom, you have made a decesion that is probablly in your best interest. Man, keep the passion doing this anyway ya can man....you make good calls and what ever you decide---I am sure everyone will respect it.
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*cool* *cheers* *bowing*
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Tom, I know exactly how you feel bud! I just took some time to deal with family issues, and for a while had no interest at all in call making. It seems to come in cycles, so take all the time you need my friend!!!!!! ALL of us callmakers have times when we feel like that for sure!!!! *cheers*
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No worries Tom!!
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I just had the same conversation with my wife. She thinks I should start selling pens and turkey calls, I said it would be work then and was not interested. I make them for gifts.
Dave