On 18 Apr 2005 13:22:59 -0700, "robo hippy" wrote:

Mac,
Considering all of the things that you know about what make his
turnings art, I would expect that your turnings are very close in
quality to his. The only real difference would be experience, which
most of we turners would notice, and most of the public wouldn't. I
have been selling my turnings for 7 years, and when I look at what I
turned then compared to what I do now, there is a world of difference.

Doing shows is a risk. Every show is one person's best show and another
persons worst show. There appears to be no apparent reason other than
because. I have found that it can take a year or three to build up a
clientel. If they like your stuff, they will come back and bring their
friends.
Well established shows are better, but more expensive. Avoid shows with
'manufactured' goods.

Trading is also fun. If you have a bad show, you trade for
other vendors product because you want to come back with something. If
you have a good show, you trade because you are happy, and want to
splurge. I also enjoy the other woodworkers who come by to check out
your work, but not buy. Many are beginners and hobbyists and they are
curious. I never can resist talking shop and hope that I can offer some
inspiration and encouragement. Others do wood but don't turn. Others
just love to look at wood. Have a lot of variety of sizes, shapes,
prices and things to sell. If you are local, a show is also a good
source of wood; we have this big cherry tree that we are taking down,
can you do anything with it?

You may do fine, you may not. If you like to talk to people, give it a
shot. It may give you a way to help support your habbit.

robo hippy

wow.. a lot of good points!
I made sure that I told him (and his wife) up front that I was there to talk,
not buy... and that I didn't want to waste his time..

He didn't talk a lot of shop, but did mention that he had "a few" vacuum chucks
and several lathes.. he must have at least one huge one, some of the bowls had
to be 20 or more inch diameter..

He also mentioned that although he prided himself on his finishes and got many
compliments, that some folks didn't realize that they were "wood" and that hurt
his sales.. a point well taken by my wife, who does the staining, top coating,
wood burning, etc...



mac

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