A woman at work asked me to bring in some stuff for her to look at so I did. A crowd gathered in my office when I unpacked it and before it was over I had sold 8 bowls and 2 boxes. I wish I could do that every day.
JB
that's great, JB.. what tools are you going to buy with the bucks? *g*
IMHO, if you did that every day, your reason for turning bowls changes, as does the style and fun of your turning...
Mac
I know how that works! I took some odds & ends to a folk music camp I go to each year, and they were demanding I sell the stuff...now I am EXPECTED to bring a selection every year.....It happens in 3 weeks, and as usual, I expect to pay for the cost of the camp. (I just set stuff on a table and go away, and people find me during the weekend and give me money!
You never know when you'll find a new venue! *smile*
"mac davis" wrote: (clip) IMHO, if you did that every day, your reason for turning bowls changes, as does the style and fun of your turning... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That is a very profound statement. Interestingly, I think the enjoyment for some turners goes up when they are selling, and for others it goes down when they feel pressured to turn and sell.
Selling at work is a thinker, too. I couldn't bring myself to ask money, except when my co-workers were buying to give as gifts. Used to bring in a bowl filled with wrapped candy or a plate loaded with cookies for the lounge once every couple of weeks with the understanding that the other teachers could steal the container. Gave out ornaments and such at Christmas. I figured that was pretty good until one first grade teacher stopped to buy a couple of ornaments from me at a fair this year and said "I want some ornaments for my own. All I ever got of yours were bowls ...."
I couldn't agree more. Evry few years I agree to do some for $$, afterwards I swear I'll never do it again. Turning for fun is just that, turning because you have to or have agreed to, sucks.
Dave in Fairfax
it was a general statement, of course, only based on my experience.. most of the folks that I talk to think of their woodworking/turning as more of an art than a job.. a chance to be creative with no time constraints or deadlines... no pressure to produce...
I used to make small model siege engines for a hobby and a few folks bought them... I ended up selling on ebay and the relaxing hobby became a small business with the accompanying hassles..
It's a great ego booster to have someone actually BUY something that you created... but for me, I create because I want to, not in hope that what I make will appeal to a buyer.. YMMV
Mac
I didn't sell as much, but considering that I have only been turning for about 3 months, I'm pretty pleased to announce that I sold two pens today for $65 total. I've been giving the 'training' pieces away (bowls, vases, goblets, spurtles and watches) but these were definitely 'saleable'.
I'm kinda tickled and my wife is absolutely beside herself. ;-)
Bill
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