The Little World

Am I hobbying at all?

Good question. The idea of making money from your hobby is one that has occurred to 105% of everyone. 75% of us have tried it, 3% have succeeded and the rest…some 230,000 hobbyists…have decided just to go out and buy another kit.

The saddest man in the hobby shop is the one who has to be there because of money. That’s generally the owner, or in some exciting circumstances an auditor or police sergeant. All the rest are there to do something fun. It might be to buy new stuff, or get good advice, or just pester the owner with unwanted advice. They all know it costs money to do this and accept the fact. They do not expect any profit past a new kit or bottle of paint. ‘Cause it’s just a hobby, right?

Go past this and try to make your hobby pay and you become heir to the sadness as well. Hobbies are fun and done in your own time. Hobby businesses are work and they are done to other people’s schedules. They are also an interface of haggling and complaint with other hobbyists. Everyone wants it cheaper and faster and newer and better and a different colour. You make a business and suddenly your hobby disappears.

On the other side of the coin, look at the foolish purchases you have made in your time and the appalling amount of money you’ve spent on your hobby. Other people have that kind of money and that lack of judgement too, and there may be an opportunity to fleece them and knit yourself a jumper from the wool.

if this sounds immoral you haven’t been a hobbyist long enough.