RE: Bowyer as an occupation ???
I agree with what Arthur said 100%. Even when you make a good bow and have built up your reputation, it doesn't always work out. Consider Jeff Massie--heard great things about his bows for years, but he's closing shop due to not getting enough orders. Besides having to make a great bow and earn a great reputation, you have to be able to make and market them in a way that is cost effective while maintaining enough orders to keep you going. It can be a tricky balancing act--it's tough to make any trad business work out, even harder to make any money at it. And, I will parrot what Art said about making a hobby into a business--it can take the fun out of it when you have to do what everyone else wants you to do vs. what you want to do. Very few people are making any real money at it compared to the ones that are in it because they love it and are just getting by.
Chad