RE: Bowyer as an occupation ???
The market is saturated- Jeff Massie's retirement from bowyery underlines that. If you can do it as a hobby, and break even- by all means go for it (and send me a price list!). If you want to make a living from it you'd better be VERY good and VERY quick.
Very good- bows that do what you'll say they'll do, built and finished to a high standard, and priced right.
Very quick- I firmly believe that nothing puts off customers as much as a potential 24 month wait- I wouldn't wait that long. You could order a recurve, and in a year go over to longbows. You could end up shooting wheelies! Next thing you know there's a bowyer on the phone with a bow you no longer want or need- and he's asking for the balance payment!
So, when are you gonna post some pics of your bows?