Tip for other newbies

[wabbitpoo]

I am a relative newcomer to this lark. Today I found, and turned, some lovely wood, which I believe is cherry, judging by the shiney bark still on it. Anyway, after a few weeks of reducing scraps of rubbish to dust I have to say what a pleasure it was to turn some nice wood! Shavings, a decent shine and some really lovely markings.
If I understand correctly, the wood has (is?) spalted - lovely dark lines of marbling and some nice colour variations. I made my stock item - a goblet - and, while not perfect (my fault, not its) I am one happy wabbit tonight.

The good news is that I dragged a large branch of it back from the woods (much to the dog's annoyance) so I can try again tomorrow.

The moral being, get your hands on some "proper" wood and you'll have a whale of a time.

 

[cornucopia]

very good .......... now wheres the pics :wink:

 

[wabbitpoo]

ohh, I'm not sure the world is ready for my pathetic efforts!

 

[PowerTool]

ohh, I'm not sure the world is ready for my pathetic efforts!

What!

You think the rest of us didn't start somewhere?
Don't be shy about it,it is very rare to get anything other than constructive advice on here,as we tend to share ALL experiences (good or bad..) and learn from each other

So pictures,please [-o<

Andrew

 

[cornucopia]

:sign3: (sorry andrew :lol: )

pics please....we like lots of pics

 

[maltrout512]

YUP, pictures we all like pictures.

 

[wabbitpoo]

Well, you convinced me, but then my SLR died - I made the mistake of following instructions on the Olympus web site, now the camera has died....... ho hum

 

[user 5053]

Don't feel you have to post pics of your work here. Either something looks good or it doesn't. The most constructive criticism is often the most brutal and harsh. If you take pics of your work put as much effort into it as the making of the object and make sure it shows the beauty and form of the piece. On ebay or your website, it is the photo that sells the work and you have only one chance to get it right. On here I am seeing mostly poor quality pics with distracting backgrounds and taken at the wrong angles with poor lighting etc. I would like to see more ordinary, cleanly turned everyday things rather than the usual ornamental stuff.

 

[loz]

I dont post photos on here to attempt to impress, or sell anything.

I post them "poor quality pics with distracting backgrounds and taken at the wrong angles with poor lighting etc" because i have a crap camera.

However they have be a suitable enough standard for people to see them, and comment and pass advice, Thats enough for me.

Wabbitpoo - DO post pics, its great to show where you are, and the feedback can only help.

Loz

 

[Anonymous]

Any pix are better than no pix :!:

Don't be concerned about criticisms... they're just other peoples' opinions... you get to decide how valid they are :wink:

remember you can only please some of the people some of the time :lol: :lol: ..just enjoy :wink:

 

[big soft moose]

Don't feel you have to post pics of your work here. Either something looks good or it doesn't. The most constructive criticism is often the most brutal and harsh. .

with respect soulfly this is rubbish - constructive criticism may be accurate but it should never be brutal or harsh - the whole point of it being constructive is that it should be helpful, particularly with people who are new to turning

therefore Brutal and harsh criticism " The form is poor and the technique lacking" - Contructive translation " the form is poor because (for example) the base is too wide compared to the top and the walls are too thick - you could improve this by ...."

Fortunately nearly all members here realise this and give advice tailored to the skill level of the person asking for it - of course you do very ocasionally get someone who appears to get a kick out of giving brutal, harsh, and unhelpful criticism but fortunately these people are very much in the minority.

"as to it either look good or it doesnt" - this is a subjective judgement , what some people think is good others may think is awful as it is a matter of taste and preference.

If you take pics of your work put as much effort into it as the making of the object and make sure it shows the beauty and form of the piece. On ebay or your website, it is the photo that sells the work and you have only one chance to get it right.

this is a good point if you are selling your work via a website catalogue - it is however less relevant for people who just want to show their work to other turners on here.

wabbit poo - dont feel you "have to" post pics of your work on here, but it does help if you want advice on how to do what you want to do - and dont worry about the remarks about photography above - this isnt a photography forum so any snap of your work which shows it shape, finish etc is fine. (btw pics arent hosted directly here , you need to put them on flickr, photobox, image shack or similar and then link the images into your posts)

 

[PowerTool]

Loz and Graham - agree completely with both of you.

Soulfly - I agree with some of your comments,in as much as I would love to be able to take better pictures,but am restricted by my camera and my ability.
I've often thought it would be useful if someone made an educational post on photography.
Why don't you post a "how to" for taking better pictures,so we can all learn ?

Andrew

 

[CHJ]

An old saying goes something like:

"Friends you can pick, relations you are stuck with"

Some Forum members are even worse than relations, they are difficult to avoid and are just an annoying pain in the neck, spending more time putting people down instead of constructive encouragement.

And those that never deem themselves of a low enough order, to show what in their opinion are better examples of form or presentation from their own output, just do not understand why 80% of the people around here try and contribute regardless of their ability or financial resources.

 

[wabbitpoo]

Don't feel you have to post pics of your work here. Either something looks good or it doesn't. The most constructive criticism is often the most brutal and harsh. If you take pics of your work put as much effort into it as the making of the object and make sure it shows the beauty and form of the piece. On ebay or your website, it is the photo that sells the work and you have only one chance to get it right. On here I am seeing mostly poor quality pics with distracting backgrounds and taken at the wrong angles with poor lighting etc. I would like to see more ordinary, cleanly turned everyday things rather than the usual ornamental stuff.

Interesting POV, but if I were to post pics, it wouldnt be for your benefit - it would be to get some useful advice.

Would I be right in thinking you have a lot of anger in your life?

 

[big soft moose]

I would like to see more ordinary, cleanly turned everyday things rather than the usual ornamental stuff.

arent pens , bowls, vases, clocks etc ordinary everyday things then ?

perhaps you could post some pics of you own perfectty concieved and cleanly turned ordinary ever day things by way of illustration.

 

[wabbitpoo]

.... which I believe is cherry, judging by the shiney bark still on it.

The more I look, the more I think it might be birch. Either way its great fun. Just hacked another lump off, cut off the rotten bit and have started a bowl (my first). Have cut the tenon for the chuck and have started the shape of the bottom. Even I manage to get curly shavings and a smooth surface on this beautiful stuff. Sigh.

 

[CHJ]

Even I manage to get curly shavings and a smooth surface on this beautiful stuff. Sigh.

No Gin Traps Required folks He's hooked by the short and furies.

 

[wabbitpoo]

Don't bring me dog into this.

 

[Jenx]

You pop your piccys Up Wabbitpoo.... without any fear or hesitation.

99.9 % of the comments you'll get back will be nothing short of highly encouraging.

Sure there are some highly skilled, 'pro-guys' who display their work, and its almost universally a joy to behold....
And I'm sure I cant be the only one that reads their comments and advice with huge interest... 'pupils learn from teachers' after all .... and the 'teachers' in the main, pass on their advice and experiences in a very constructive and empathetic manner... they have all been where 'us beginners are' at some point in history... and they have all experienced the same pitfalls and difficulties that we go through now.

Its also very valid to say that 'we beginners' can pass comment on the efforts of others, be they expert or novice, without fear of being shot down .... if something is pleasing to one's eye, or stirs something in one's soul, then why not let the creator of the piece know that ?
Our terminology may be somewhat lacking... our understanding of the methodology may be sketchy, but our opinion is a valid as the next man's.

Many of us are 'Hobby Fella's' - and may go weeks or even months at a time, never turning so much as a stick.... and thats fine too. 'Life' has a dispicable habit of getting in the way of one's pastimes and hobbies ! ....
As long as a person derives huge enjoyment from what he creates, and in the process of doing so, occasionally pleases a friend, relative or indeed 'the missus' with his efforts - then those efforts are to be considered a resounding success.
In the hinder end.. when all is said and done ... I do it to please me...
and that is why I started doing it in the first place.

So - you pop your pictures, questions and opinions up.... and we'll all learn together, my friend ..... chuckle together at our little disasters... and continue to enjoy the efforts of both others, and those from our own fair hand.
Thats whats keepin' the "World Turning" after all :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Jenx... that has to be the best and most positive post I've seen in many a day :!:

Thank you.