Pick Your Path
As we return from yet another wood turning symposium, I wanted to share the essence of a conversation I had with my family. For most of us, woodturning is a hobby. For a few it is a significant source of income. For many who have just retired or will retire soon, it is a conundrum. The many avenues available to wood turners is a two edged sword.
You might never have thought about it this way and might not need to now, but let me address those turners who are trying to figure out where they want to go with this craft. Even if turning is a hobby, I think this discussion will help. The old proverb “Jack of all trades, master of none” certainly holds true for the world of woodturning. I think we should always seek to broaden our skill set and should venture out into new types of turning; even if for no other reason than to help become more well-rounded.
The folks I have observed who we all know and remember are very good at a certain type of turning. For example: Richard Raffan boxes and scoops, Mike Mahoney and Glen Lucas bowls, Cindy Drozda hollow forms and finials, John Jordan carved hollow forms, David Ellsworth hollow forms, Jimmy Clews, square vessels with color, Nick Agar, texturing with air brushed color and Sorby Spiraling tool effects, Michael Gibson for teapots and thin pierced hollow forms, Doug Thompson for great tools and so on.
All of these turners are exceptionally good at certain things, but they are also very good at many other types of turning that we just might not realize. So what types of things do you really like to turn? Go ahead and turn other things, but focus on getting really good at what you love. If it is spinning tops, see how far you can take top making. Try to come up with an executive spinning top package that might sell for $200 or more just to see if you can. If you like to turn pens, strive to produce at least some pens worthy of the highest praise for their craftsmanship and creativity and that might sell for $500 or $1,000. Is bowl turning your passion, then figure out how to make your bowls different from all of the others. Not just different for the sake of being different, but different in design, pleasing shape and the highest quality of workmanship.
For those trying to transition into turning as a source of income, consider the following paths because you can't walk them all.
Finished goods – you make bowls, tops, pens, etc. to sell mostly to non-turners Retail – you will market them directly to the end user via craft fairs, or the internet via Etsy or similar. Wholesale – you will sell through gift shops or other retail locations for half of the retail selling price. Tools, jigs and fixtures – you will sell tools and accessories to other turners You can become a dealer for Brand Name tools You can design and manufacture your own proprietary tool, jigs and fixtures. Education – you teach others to make stuff, turned, carved, embellished, etc. You give classes at your shop You teach at a woodworking store You do club demonstrations and workshops You teach at one of the schools, i.e. John C. Campbell, Arrowmont, etc. You produce educational videos Free on YouTube Sell on your website, through retailers, Amazon, etc.
Without a clear path trying to do it all will only serve to frustrate you and wear you out. If you want to make products to sell because that is what you enjoy, get very very good and efficient at making those kinds of products. If you wish to earn meaningful revenue doing it, you will have to get very good at also selling what you have made. Otherwise turning those items is just a very enjoyable hobby and for some, that is perfect!
Are you an inventor? Do you love to dream up new tools, jigs or fixtures? (That is my chosen path). Perfect the designs and either find someone to help you sell them or just give the designs away for folks to make their own. You can’t do it all because there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything well. If you don’t do something well, why bother in the first place unless it is just a hobby and you are doing it for the fun of it. Deciding if wood turning is your hobby or your first or second job is the first decision you need to make. All the rest will fall into place. You will realize that you have to say no to some things or you will burn out eventually. This discussion helped my family better understand why I have made some of the decisions I’ve had to make and why I don’t pursue others although we have the skills.
I have posted several free downloadable PDF files to help you along. They are available on my website for free simply by registering. http://ronbrownsbest.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=11 Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message.
Eph 4:14 NIV Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Prov 18:16 KJV A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Luke 16:13 MSG No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank.
Notice:
We are now offering our line of Amazing Doughnut Chucks™ with a Metric Thread upgrade option. We have found a source for the highest quality metric face plates so we can now offer M33x3.5 faceplates. We will also offer M30x3.5 if requested. OneWay lathes and many European machines require metric sizes.
Introducing New Laser Cut Kit Designs for 2017
Christmas Story 5 Pack $89.99 + DVD
Still Smoking Hot From The Laser!
Click each image to see a finished Christmas Ornament
Get a Christmas Story 5 Pack for $89.99 HERE
Announcing a New Class of Laser Cut Kit Item
4" Inlay
I have been working on this concept for some time now. These inlays are 4" in diameter x 1/4" thick. They are perfect as inlays in the bottom of a commemorative plate or platter and will even work in bowl bottoms. They can be used as coasters in sets of 4 or more. The perimeter is cherry wood, the inner circle is American Black Walnut and the monogrammed letter is white acrylic.
You can use them for any special occasion such as anniversaries, weddings, new baby, graduation, job promotion, etc. Check the web site as I will be expanding this line to include stock items such as Gold Star Families. Personal info can be added for a small extra charge. I expect to be able to accomodate special requests for personalized copy as needed.
Now Available! More Info HERE or search "Laser Bowl Inlays"
If you want something not described here, I can probably do it. Just drop me a note with your request:
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We have decided to continue the Laser Cut Ornament Kit sale because of the new designs.
Other Laser Cut Ornament Kits
Christmas 10 Pack of Laser Cut Kits Save 50%
or
Mix And Match Designs Same Low Price
Includes the new designs!
Or, Try the Pick any 5 Laser Cut Kits and save 40%
Pick 5 for $89.99
Add African Blackwood for Finial Blanks
Need a gluing guide to help keep everything straight? See them in action here.
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Time to think about what you are going to present to family and friends this Christmas Season.
Metric thread Option now available for OneWay or European and Australian metric lathes.
Golden Mean Calipers - Set of 3
Golden Mean Calipers - Make Your Own
Including Bottle Stopper Designs - 50 Plus classic designs. Free PDF.
Amazing Doughnut Chuck™ Instructions
ProGrind Instructions
We have bundled several of the most popular documents into one downloadable zip file for your convenience. Still no charge.
