May bowl abuse (critique?)

[Jonzjob]

JRF, wood and anything else significant.

Knowt more kneeded me-thinks?

 

[gus3049]

I went to a country show at the weekend. I came across a "woodturners" selling his wares.

Most of what was on show was very crude by the standards seen on this site and nothing he had for sale had the dovetails removed or any finish in the dovetail. Very disappointing display and not inspired to rush home to the shed - so I moved swiftly on and bought more chickens!

Presumably he was making money from being there. Maybe my comments to remove the dovetail are a result of too much navel gazing. Maybe I am guilty of too much pedanticism, especially knowing you need to be commercial in your work.

Just got home from doing a fair. Not a great day but we more than covered our costs and I got rid of another 7 or 8 of my 'practice' pieces from the bargain bin.

It was in one of the posher villages in this area and there is a very up market gallery in the place.

Had a look round as one does and spied some pretty impressive looking turnings. One huge bit of burl at €950 and lots of 8" bowls at €80 - that is EIGHTY euros for a not huge lump of round wood. Had a look. Inside and out turned and finished extremely well, inside natural wood, outside a mottled spray effect of some kind. So far so good, turned it over Colin....... sanded flat and there were four little screw holes filled in!! Nice brochure printed with the names of two Englishmen thereupon. I didn't note their names.

Maybe its the French antiques effect. All the ones I get to fix are immaculate on the outside and look like Kenny Everett did the bits that don't show! :shock:

Am I taking too much trouble by trying to turn the bottom I wonder - belt sander here i come???

 

[Wood spoiler]

When I am turning it is purely for my own satisfaction.

You on the other hand are trying to make a living from it.

Within those two simple statements lies a huge conflict. When I am "doing" I am trying to make a "complete" object from a purist perspective and to the best of my abilities.

You, I imagine are making the best commercially attractive bowl ie One that sells. If they sell without the messing around you may be able to create extra bowls in the time "wasted" losing the chucking point, as the 4 screw marks may attest to.

It is a surprise that "higher end" gallery items are skimped on.

I think the answer is if you are able to, when you want to, it remains your choice.

In the company of Turners the purist wins out. Amongst the public commercialism wins!