Arch:
I think one of the more intelligent threads here lately was the one concerning why we turn what we turn. I have been a woodworker for 30 years, most of it full time with my own company and have learned a lot along the way.
There is a big differnce in living the life of an artist, and living life as a happy, talented woodworker, professional or otherwise.
First, you do not get to establish what is art, and what is not. Because your family and neighbors are stunned at your skills and inspiration, other >paying< customers may not appreciate the depth of your talent. I had my feelings crushed many times in my budding career, frustrated because the people I was trying to sell to didn't see how powerful my artistic vision and execution actually were.
Second, the market establishes itself. We are a nation of consumers, and whom among us don't have more around the house than we need? Your potential clients probably want something nice, handmade, and are really buying the fact that it is a one-of-a-kind piece. Otherwise they would truck to Walmart and buy a monkey wood bowl for $10. Obviously they saw something they liked or they wouldn't have talked to you at all.
When I decided to play with woodturning about 8 or so years ago, I joined our club of turners and artists. No kiddin... some of these guys are truly exceptional. Honestly gallery style/quality turners. But in several attempts to get their budding artistic careers off the ground each of them failed. They turned what THEY wanted, when THEY wanted to, and were stunned that the response wasn't overwhelming. They sold nothing, or sold at a very low price, or as with one, sold at great prices in a gallery, but was promptly relieved of 40% as a fee from the gallery.
They all decided that the public wasn't appreciative of their efforts (they weren't) and that they were wasting their time on unenlightened people. Snobs that didn't know anything. After all, who can't love a Navajo seed bowl with authentic markings or ginger jar with a snap fit lid that you can see through due to the natural voids?
Having my own business for so long took me on a different path. I starting making Parker style pens as they were not common at that time. Everyone in the club was turning the Waterman/Euro pens along with the slimlines, and assured me the Parker style would never sell. So I took a couple of Cocobolo pens and an ebony pen to a business associate of mine's office and sold him on the idea of buying them as awards, retirement pieces, etc.
He loved it. He told his friends. I sold about 65 pens in a year, each one made to order from a wood they selected, and laser engraved with one line of their choice (name, company name, acheivement, etc.) for $70 each. I put them in a velvet box with a card on how to take care of the pen, where to get refills, and how to get in touch with me if they had problems or wanted more pens.
I made more money selling pens at the start of my turning education than any of the people in the club have to this date, and they were/are much better turners!
My goal was to pay for the lathes, two sets of tools, the specialty woods, the finishes, the strip sandpaper, etc. so that the new hobby wasn't actually a money hole. It was not lost on me that the least expensive part of woodturning is the lathe.
I still sell one now and then. But now pens are plentiful, and are of all quality and materials. I think the thing that killed my market as much as anything was the fact that the local boy scouts started making them for fundraising, and then the high school shop class made them for projects.
Now I sell turned spoons and spatulas, just for pocket money and because they are fun to make, just like pens were years ago.
But after this long winded dissertation, my point is this: If you are serious, you must cater to the current market tastes or join the ranks of the millions of starving artist that cannot compromise. Who knows... you might be "discovered" many years after your demise!
Otherwise, enjoy the hobby and the praise and admiration of friends and family that appreciate how much time and effort you spent on your art.
Please don't take any of this the wrong way. I had to learn this lesson many times before it stuck with me.
OK, I'm off the box.
Robert