Something less exotic!

[petercharlesfagg]

Just thought you might appreciate seeing just what I am involved with at the moment, nothing very exotic like many of our friends but nevertheless one of those items that many people use daily, Napkin Rings.

I have been commissioned to turn these pieces, this is the second batch and I am hoping to continue producing in the near future.

The woods are Welsh Blackthorn and Wormy Ash, both supplied by the commissioner.

Interesting but sometimes a little boring, nevertheless it goes a long way towards paying the bills!

Peter

 

[user 5053]

I do quite a lot of napkin rings and find them quite satisfying to make. You are quite right in that the only way to survive as a full time turner is to produce every day items quickly and in volume. Producing arty vessels and funny bowls look very nice in the mags and on forums but one will never make a living producing this stuff. Its a pleasure to see people producing everyday useful items that the person in the street can relate to.

 

[hog&bodge]

Glad you are using your skills to make a profit..
Would love to get to the stage like you and many others
members on the form who can make a good sale now and again..
Inspiration to us all Thanks for Posting...
Have you tried to introduce them to a more exotic wood...
If they bite you would get some pleasure out of the experience...lol

 

[beejay]

How does a production turner turn and finish napkin rings?
Do you turn the outside and drill the inside with a spade or forstner bit or is each one seperatley turned like a captive ring?
What the process employed.
regards, beejay

 

[petercharlesfagg]

Have you tried to introduce them to a more exotic wood...
If they bite you would get some pleasure out of the experience...lol

I will use any wood that the commissioner supplies, in this case it is all coming from a Welsh farm.

Exotics might be a possibility later but I have my doubts!

Peter.

 

[boysie39]

Hi Peter, I take it that the wood that has the Yew look about it is the Blackthorn. It looks very nice, is it a diffcult wood to finish. Could you make Goblets or lamps and stuff like that from it.
The rings keep the old till ticking over,so they must be important as you wait for a big one to come along. Like everything else in life it's not an easy way to earn a living nothing jumps out at you as I have been told many times. Good Luck REgards Boysie.

 

[Bodrighy]

A man after me own heart :lol: I love seeing the bark and natural wood left on things. Nice sets Peter (Just how many of us are there on here now? ) If you don't mind me asking how do you get the commissions for things like this? A bit different to the sort of thing that you have on your web site....plates, platters etc. If too nosy a question I apologise

Pete

 

[tekno.mage]

I didn't realise people still used napkin rings! Great that you got a paying commission to make them & the finished work looks good.

tekno.mage

 

[stevebuk]

Look an interesting project peter, would like to see pictures of probably a couple from the side please..

 

[petercharlesfagg]

As requested, some images that show just what I am attempting to achieve to fulfil my brief.

The commissioner requires that the rings appear "Rustic" therefore I include some of either the bark or the colouration under the bark, plus they wanted to be able to view the set as a whole with the marking running the length of each set. This set is more interesting under the bark where the worms have invaded! The wood is Wormy Ash.

To keep each set apart and less likely to damage I have turned a mandrel as a keeper, the rings are kept on by using a rubber band.

Regards, Peter.

 

[petercharlesfagg]

If you don't mind me asking how do you get the commissions for things like this? A bit different to the sort of thing that you have on your web site....plates, platters etc. If too nosy a question I apologise Pete

Of course I don't mind, I wouldn't join a public forum if I did!

About 60% of my commissions I gain from my attending virtually every show I can afford the pitch fees, transport costs etc!

The rest come via the internet and by that means have been sent all around the world. It is usually someone who has a friend of a friend of a friend who took a holiday here in the UK, bought something and took it home!

Regards, Peter.

 

[Bodrighy]

Thanks Pete. Doing shows is not somthing that I have done much of, mainly due to the sheer cost of getting a pitch and travelling. Loads of galleries and craft shops here in Cornwall, and people on holiday so maybe something will come of that. I have sold a few things through other forums as well though not exactly enough to live off....yet :lol:

Pete

 

[petercharlesfagg]

Thanks Pete. Doing shows is not somthing that I have done much of, mainly due to the sheer cost of getting a pitch and travelling. Loads of galleries and craft shops here in Cornwall, and people on holiday so maybe something will come of that. I have sold a few things through other forums as well though not exactly enough to live off....yet :lol:

Pete

Peter,
I lived on the Isle of Wight (42 years) and moved up here just 18 months ago. May I suggest that you attend at least one major show down your way? I used to attend the Isle of Wight Show every year simply because the amount of work it generated kept me busy for at least 3 months! Plus the fact that it was rare for me NOT to be offered a tree or timber from somewhere!

Peter.

 

[Bodrighy]

There are a coupe of biggish ones down here. Main one is the Royal Cornwall but that is booked up 12 months ahead. Our equivalent to the Bath & West. I am looking intom two at the moment, one is a 2 day street fair in Penzance smack in the middle of the holiday season. Could be promising.

Pete

 

[Richard Findley]

Looking good Peter!!

Keeping the bark on is not my taste but if the customer wants rustic then you are fulfilling the brief very well!!

Nice to see them after all the talking we've done about them :wink:

Cheers,

Richard