Arch,

I would split the distinction as "cost to produce" vs "value". My rule of
thumb is that the price I can charge is based upon the value as perceived by
the customer/market. I determine this by looking at what other turners
charge for like items in my area. I also have a rule of thumb that it costs
me $30 per hour (including my pay) plus the cost of the wood to make
things. I generally don't turn items that don't fit this model unless I
want to turn them for fun.

For example, I used to turn Dick Sing-like ornaments, but I couldn't produce
them fast enough to make it worth my while. Instead, I've switched my
ornament design to something that is less demanding on my time.

On the other hand, my current fancy is off-center turning and vessels. I'll
spend as much time as I want on these right now because they are
particularly fun for me and I don't care about the cost.

Joe Fleming - San Diego
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"Arch" wrote in message
...
Recent threads here and on other forums about deciding the worth of our
turnings seem to raise more questions than answers. For me, interesting
enough to send me to my armchair to doze and wonder. If you permit, here
is some personal thoughts, no doubt plagiarized and long forgotten.

The worth of a turning can have two meanings; price and value. Price can
be determined by formula. It's variables a time, equipment, shop,
materials, learning, experience and all the costs of selling. A fair and
reasonable price can be established for a worthy _product made by a good
_workman.

Value is determined by what the buyer gets out and will pay for, not by
what the turner puts in. A turning's quality has nothing to do with how
expensive or novel it is or how hard it is to make.

I'm getting dangerously close to that worn out and forbidden subject of
'Art vs Craft'. Further, these musings may have been better put in Fine
Arts 101 or your local newspaper's arts column. Sorry if I've crossed
the line. Nothing is more tiresome than someone who believes he has had
an original thought and feels compelled to bray about it. Anyway, I'd
enjoy reading yours, whether you agree or not. Arch

Fortiter,