Saturday 31 October 2009

Which direction?

OK, I am not fooling myself into thinking that I can make a fortune with my woodturning but I would like to sell enough to make a dent in the housekeeping. I have several different directions I can go in and am not really certain which would be best.
1:  Making for other crafters. This would involve making tools such as crochet hooks, lace bobbins, drop spindles, 3D felting rubbers (or whatever they are called), hatstands, jewellery stands, blanks for pyrographers and other 'artists.' It also means getting known (the really hard part) and being open to suggestions such as replacement bits for spinning wheels and maybe lots of one off items for people.
2:  The arty stuff. This is involving galleries and my experience so far is not too good. Wood doesn't seem too popular in galleries and isn't seen by many as an art form anway. In America it's a different scene with dedicated galleries for wooden craft.

3:  General treen and so forth. This includes things like bowls, rolling pins, honey dippers etc. Strange as it may sound this is a market that is difficult to crack as there are so many cheap imports.
If I were to sell things at the price you can get them for in a supermarket I would be unable to pay myself any kind of a wage at all so it has to be the more discerning market that likes handmade, individual stuff.

4: All the above. This is more or less what I am doing at the moment but am finding that I am selling very little either on line or in the few craft markets that I have done.

I suspect that a major problem, for me, is the marketing and I am aware that somehow I need to get this sorted out. If anyone is reading this and has any ideas please comment as I really need to get it up and running properly. Even finding craft fairs or markets to sell in seems impossible though I am probably looking in the wrong places. Where do I look? Here in Cornwall I just can't find many at least not ones that I can afford.

Monday 26 October 2009

Well the hat stands arrived and the customer seems happy with them, putting them in use on her blog here

Sunday 25 October 2009

Chantrell & Natural edged goblets

Did a few more of my chantrelle goblets and made a couple of larger NE ones experomenting with the design a bit. Love the fact that you never really know what shape the rim will be until you have turned it.




At the back we have Rhododendron, apple and hawthorn. The two chantrells at the front are both pittisporum. vary from 4 - 6" tall.

Friday 23 October 2009

A friend of mine, another turner, has just started blogging so have a look at his blog and feel free to leave comments. He's new to all this (blogging, not turning) so be nice. His blog can be seen here

Thursday 22 October 2009


Made a couple more of these today. I call them Chantrelle goblets as they remind me of the Chantrelle mushrooms. Totally useless to drink from but really pretty little things. I have cheated and this is one I did before. I'll post some pics of the new ones as soon as I take them.

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Finished hat stands

Managed to get these finished, now have to sort out postage as the Royal mail is on strike.

(Ignore the carpet, hadn't noticed the dirt until I saw the photo. Now where does she keep the vacuum cleaner?

Monday 19 October 2009

Something different


I am slowly becoming an expert on crafts other than my own as I am asked to make different things.

This is for felting with and is instead of using knuckles (which get sore) or the stones (which are too awkward to handle for a lot of people

It is made of mahogany as that is pretty resistant to water, and is 3" diameter. The handle is a bit small for me so should be OK for a woman's hands. Any one who wants one please contact me


Sunday 18 October 2009

Southern States style pottery

I have always liked the pottery made by the pueblo, zunni and hopi indians of the southern states so decide to try and emulate them. I have done three so far and am not too sure. Probably be better if I decorated them as well.

Saturday 17 October 2009

Still not buying

Well tha's another craft show done, this time in Fowey. Plenty of crafters but very few sales. A fair number of browsers and several people took my card unbidden which may produce results but i won't hold my breath. Everyone seems to find that people just ain't buying at the moment so I know it isn't just me. Be interesting to see how the 'exhibition' goes in Nov. - Dec. More upmarket and closer to Christmas.

Saturday 10 October 2009

Good experience....lousy sales

Well the Friday sale has come and gone and though I have gained from the experience and will go back for the other two before Christmas, I am glad it was only a tenner for the table or I would be crying over my red bank account. I sold 2 finger tops and a light pull. Long way to go to my first million. All the other people there reckoned it ws the worst they have seen with hardly anyone around. Hopefully they are all saving their pennies for Christmas.

Pete

Wednesday 7 October 2009

My latest creation:


These are handmade each with a colouring dependent on the capability of the user. Black and purple are for the fully qualified wizard,red and burgundy for the intermediate and green for the novice. The snakeskin patterned ones tend to be favourite for followers of you know who (copyright forbids mentioning names) They are each 11" long and made of ash to give that strength needed. Finished with an easily maintained wax they should last the wizard a lifetime with sensible useage

Monday 5 October 2009

Practice makes perfect...we hope



Been having a practice at laying out a display ready for Friday. Quite pleased so far and have got some good criticisms from others so will be making a few adjustments.

Thursday 1 October 2009

Heaven is a pile of dry wood

I have just got my grubby little hands on a nice big bag of offcuts from a fellow turner bless his heart. All big enough for light pulls, crochet hooks etc so now I have no excuse whatsoever for not stocking up for the stalls etc. Watch this space for further developments