My life as an artist

Well, there's two things you can do. Lower the price. It'll sell. Or raise the price. It'll sell.

Oddest thing - sometimes if you raise the price of something people will think it's worth more and buy it. Go figure...

...Kevin

Buyers are sometimes strange. I made a small dish that I didn't like so I used it to hold my business cards at an Open Studio event. You guessed it, someone wanted to buy it so it sold. Another bowl that is my favorite gets great comments but didn't sell. I used to sell lidded boxes, the kind that pop when you open them. Well, the only way I could sell them was to sand the lid until it no longer popped (we woodturners like that sound because we recognize the skill it takes to create it). Seems, they didn't like having to use both hands just to open it then set the lid down to gain access to their ring or jewelry nestled inside. Being loose, with the box on their dresser one hand removes the lid and the other removes the item. Such a time saver!!

So you see, you can't always predict what people like in their art/crafts.................Ralph

Gerald, I don't know how far down the road of woodturning you are, but this is pretty well reviewed subject. I would like to point out some of the highlights that have been mentioned here and on other venues to get to the status of "artist".

- You should die. If you die tragically and suddenly, this can really work in your favor (or in my case someone will have a lot of priceless wood for the smoker)

- If you are not ready to fully commit and die, an injury might do the trick as well. It is better if it isn't self inflicted, but in a pinch that might work, too. Make sure the injury is readily visible to all prospective clients and let them know you want no sympathy for it. They will think you are injured AND brave. Remember, removable casts and the like are easily detected, so don't skimp on your choice of damage

- Feign mental illness. This is not as effective as it might scare some off, but with some practice you can call it on and off as needed. Mild bouts could be OK as they could be viewed as eccentricity as long as you don't overplay your hand

- Let on that the medium of choice "spoke" to you. It sounds like an Eastern thing, but it has its place here in the US as well. I went to a demo once and the fellow turning wood said he never really started turning with any ideas in his head, but as he turned, the wood told him what to do. I was impressed as he put out some really neat stuff. At the break, I went up and asked the wood some questions, but it didn't want to talk to me. I think it must be important to get the right piece of wood for good conversation

- Affect a foreign accent. When people ask you a question, look down and speak slowly and with reverence about "the old ways they still practice in my country". If you can make your eyes water just a little when talking about that, it could be a bonus. Remember which accent you are going with, and never vary while in a show. It might be worthwhile to try different accents at different shows, tailoring "your country" to your audience as needed. (Remember, Canada is a "no go" on this as many have no accent at all.)

I guess the most important thing would be to not do too many of these things at once. I don't know how many folks would be willing to buy from a slightly crippled, deranged foreigner with a heavy accent that talks to wood stumps. It goes without saying that being dead would push that whole thing too far.

Good luck on your journey!

Hope to see you in the magazines soon!

Robert

Hi Gerald,

Magnolia is mighty fine, but Chinese Red and Gold Leaf? ...some latter day carpet bagga must have rode his mule & wagon thru central Jawga.

It would be easy for you to enjoy Robert's great post and just ROTFL. Don't do that. I know Robert and you are not Robert so please consider his authoritative advice seriously and follow it closely, except you might want to omit promoting yourself in the obit section of the "Macon Telegraph". Follow his advice and you will join that special group of rcw artists of his caliber. We all look forward to you joining us.

Don't know if you are a native, but by now you probably have a drawl anyway. I tried to cheat on Robert's Rules of Art and use my cracker accent as a hint that I'm of foreign extraction. Didn't work. My "y'alls" & "ya heah now's" just reinforced the common ideah that all us Southerners are stupid. I jus hope this here post does a lil somepin to hush up this here po attitude. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Some of what I consider my best turnings have been hard to sell. At least for the prices that I thought they should. Like you said, people pick them up and say "this is really cool" and then they put them down and don't buy.

Over the past couple of years I have had several individuals tell me that I was attending and selling my turnings in the wrong places. I have traditionally chosen craft fairs or arts and crafts rather than art shows.

This past year I tried a higher end show. The people attending this show ignored the turnings that I would usually sell at a craft show and devoured my other turnings. It was an eye opener for me.

This year I am planning on attending more art shows. People come to art shows specifically to find and purchase the unusual. Also, I will not be in competition with candles, pot holders, bird houses and homemade soap :)

Make sure you are choosing your intended buyers carefully.

JD

I think your example defines the fine line between CHEAP and INEXPENSIVE... People want a deal, but also want to feel like they got what they paid for.... It's a strange concept, but a lot of folks will buy those less expensive shoes instead of the same ones at a lower price because the savings are $10 but the $30 price implies "quality" to them.. The more I study marketing and behavior, the stranger I find the human brain..lol

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Probably too "artsy" for your market, Gerald..

Some folks buy "art", most buy "pretty" or "feels good"...

In a market like mine, where there are home decorators coming around, you just never know what's going to sell that day, so you bring high, low and middle price stuff and see who's biting that day...

If all else fails, give that bowl to a special friend or family member that you think would get enjoyment from it..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Thanks for the good (?) advice. BTW it is no longer the "Macon Telegraph". They left off the "Macon" some time back.

Follow his advice and you will join that special group of

Yep. Born less than 10 miles from here. Lost a couple of ancestors fighting the Yankees. Our original Ross came to Berien county, GA in the late 1700's. From Scotland. We may be related.

I tried to cheat on Robert's Rules of Art and use my cracker

Not much choice around here. My intended buyers are those with some money.

Snip of some (insert drink of your choice) out the nose funny as hell extemeley serious humor.

This one's going to be a classic - up there with Walt Akers Great Clock Incident and Tom Watson's Adventures of Nowrecki over in rec.woodworking. Consider submitting it to AAW - they could use a tongue and cheek look at the trend to Studio Turnistes status seeking.

This one's going in the Great Tales folder of keepers.

Thanks!

charlie b

I appreciate it, Charlie. I was laughing hard when I wrote it. Rereading it, after I read the last paragraph I was left thinking, "didn't I see that same weird guy at our last club meeting...?"

Robert