Latest turning

[RogerB]

Have not been on for a while as I have been turning for the Art / Craft show that I went to two weeks ago.
It was over Friday evening Sat and Sunday.
Then away for a few days so have not been able to post till now.
Had a great time sold a few things and talked myself horse.
Thought you might like to see my stand and some of the stuff I made for the show.


The stand


My first commission from the show.
Spalted Beech Salt & Pepper mills 7" ht



Spalted Beech Bowl 12" dia





Oak platters 19"dia





Pens



comments please

 

[Doug B]

Looks like an excellent selection Roger, covering quite a few aspects of turned work.
Do you feel your time & effort in both turning & then standing was justified, in terms of what you made out of the 3 days? From the standard of your work you should have done, though that doesn`t always equate.
I ask as just recently i`ve heard quite mixed reports on sales from craft fairs etc, from the guys at my local club, who do this to subsidize there pensions.

 

[boysie39]

Super display Roger, You would have to make a killing with that display.but as Doug has pointed out you cant count on who is going to turn up on the day. Hope you did well. REgards Boysie

 

[DaveL]

Roger,

I like the oak platters, are they made from laminated stock?

 

[RogerB]

Roger,

I like the oak platters, are they made from laminated stock?

They are made from 38mm oak work tops

 

[RogerB]

Looks like an excellent selection Roger, covering quite a few aspects of turned work.
Do you feel your time & effort in both turning & then standing was justified, in terms of what you made out of the 3 days? From the standard of your work you should have done, though that doesn`t always equate.
I ask as just recently i`ve heard quite mixed reports on sales from craft fairs etc, from the guys at my local club, who do this to subsidize there pensions.

I sold 26 items over the two days the Friday night was a viewing evening, and yes I think it was worth the effort.
I sold items from £3 to £45 with enquireries for two commissions, salt and pepper mills and two fountain pens.

Made a few contacts a tree surgeon and offers of wood from others so yes I think it was worth it.

But you have to pick your venue.

 

[Jenx]

Great Stuff Roger .. I love the platters especially !

 

[user 5053]

Well done. Its the only way to find out how good you are is if the public are willing to part with their cash for your work. If you gear yourself for taking card payments and have a sign saying who you are, your website name if you have one and address etc it will give the customer more confidence. You can learn by the questions people ask and encourage people to pick up and handle your work. If anyone hasn't stepped out into the world of commercial turning you can start on markets, village and country shows etc which are very cheap. Their are millions of different types of shows these days and it is worth going around and checking a few out to see if you like the feel of them and the general standard. Don't forget that even the turning galacticos would of started doing shows and it is a great way to learn.

 

[big soft moose]

Well done. Its the only way to find out how good you are is if the public are willing to part with their cash for your work. If you gear yourself for taking card payments and have a sign saying who you are, your website name if you have one and address etc it will give the customer more confidence. You can learn by the questions people ask and encourage people to pick up and handle your work. If anyone hasn't stepped out into the world of commercial turning you can start on markets, village and country shows etc which are very cheap. Their are millions of different types of shows these days and it is worth going around and checking a few out to see if you like the feel of them and the general standard. Don't forget that even the turning galacticos would of started doing shows and it is a great way to learn.

I'm confused soulfly - you said elsewhere that you only make small, everyday items, and have no time for the bigger hollow forms, platters, etc - that being the case why do you need to be geared for card payments ?

also how much does taking card payment cost you ? - when i worked in retail the cost of physically taking card payments (as opposed to taking them via a website) was way higher than the profit the average turner (especailly one making only everyday utilitarian items) would be likely to turn from a show. one would of thought that with the need for chip and pin card readers, and the associated electronic hard wear, phone line etc that the cost would have gone up not down, so i'd be very interested in hearing about how you do it economically at craft fairs ?

 

[wizer]

Come on Pete, he's never going to reply to you! :roll: :wink:

 

[big soft moose]

Come on Pete, he's never going to reply to you! :roll: :wink:

somehow i will bear the pain of that circumstance :lol: