In my other incarnation I am a fretworker, I make puzzles, toys, bookmarks etc. Been doing it over twenty years. Nearly went bankrupt. Used to make a lovely name jigsaw, half inch thick, each letter individually painted, gorgeous, pound a letter. Rest of stock had similar attention to detail. As I said, nearly went bust. Like Black Hawks' woodcarver, the market only stands so much.

I still make name jigsaws, only now they're quarter inch thick, painted generic rainbow colours one side only, I can make them two at a time and even though I charge a bit less I make a lot more money for my time.

Yes, they're not as nice as before BUT I can make a living at it. At the end of the day the organisers may be doing it for love, altruism or whatever but the full-time performer has to pay their bills. Agents have to make a living or they become ex-agents very quickly.

All the best

Steve Ogden