The Money Is In The Details
Ever wonder why you admire a piece of art weather functional or purely decorative? Usually it is because of the detail and workmanship presented. Perceptions of the skill needed to produce the item or the perceived amount of time something like that would take to make can cause us to admire or reject an item.
This urn/vase by my good friend, Don Russell represents the culmination of nearly 50 years of segmented turning expertise. The use of exotic woods and attention to detail evokes visions of hours of tedious work and almost limitless attention to every last detail.
One can only imagine the cost of such an item. I am happy to report that we did acquire it for our personal collection and it is certainly one of our most prized pieces.
Yet this method for producing similar items is detailed in a video staring Don Russell available on my website. Don shares every last step in great detail and it is very possible for the dedicated segmented turner to create one of his very own.
I displayed Don’s vase out on the woodworking tour for several years and was offered in excess of $2,000 but we would never sell this piece. The money (value) is in the details.
Perhaps you are just making something for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member. In that case, you don’t really consider how much time and detail will be required. It takes what it takes and you are doing it for the fun of it. When you create something, you have to decide who your ultimate audience will be for a particular piece. There is a delicate balance between just good enough and near perfection. If you plan on selling an item you must evaluate the nature of the potential market. Is this a craft fair item where most sales go to items between $20 and $50 or will it be displayed at a fine art event where $500 to $10,000 is common?
That old proverb, “Time is money” still rings true today. Detail costs time which costs money even if you are going to give your item away. My recommendation is if you decide your piece is worth the extra time and detail, don’t do it halfway or you gain nothing. No one expects much detail in a $20 piece. They expect a lot of detail in a $200 piece. Even gifts should represent a reasonable amount of perceived time and effort. The money (read value) is in the details so remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
Eccl 11:6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Proverbs 10:4 NIV Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
1 Timothy 4:15 NIV Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
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If you ever have a question about an item listed on our website or something you see in a video, please drop me a note or pick up the phone and call us at (770) 962-3821. We are always happy to answer your questions. Eastern time zone please.
Free Downloads Have A Whole New Look!
(And they are actually easy to use)
We scraped our previous software for managing the Free Download section on our website. It was never ideal and lately it just stopped working altogether. I think you will be very happy with the new version and I was relieved at how easy it actually was to download a file.
You still have to be registered and logged in, but now you click on a file and it downloads like you would expect. You can't add free stuff to a paid order, but it is so easy I think you will like it much more than before. Thanks for your patience while we made the change.
Downloads you will have to be logged in.
This Week's Sale
Introducing
Negative Rake Scraper Setting Gauge
Set of 3 - 75, 60, 50 Degree Included Angles
Regular Price $34.99 Sale $29.99
Who knew that there are so many different opinions on what angles to use for a Negative Rake Scraper? It seems like everyone has a different idea for which angles are best. This new set of three NRS Setting Gauges offers quick easy and repeatable included angles for 75 degrees, 60 degrees and 50 degrees. It seems everyone agrees that negative rake scrapers are more user friendly, less aggressive, easier to use, give a better finish and catch far less than conventional scrapers. NRS are almost universally regarded as finishing tools to be used for cleaning up bowls, plates and platters. Some folks use them on spindles as well.
Save 33% more on the Negative Rake Scraper Setting Gauges when ordered with any of these Quality Scrapers
Only $19.99 for the 3 pc set.
Click on the photos for more detailed info on the scrapers
THANK YOU!
New Combinations are here.
It Just Make Sense. Finishing the bottom of a vessel, the underside, removing the tenon separates you from the amatures. And everyone looks at the bottom to see what you did. It has always been a pain to work on the underside of an almost finished vessel without destroying it. Large, medium, or small now you can easily and quickly hold them all very securely.
Longworth Chuck Type 2 Combinations now include the Solid Ring Set (See Below) as well as the Big Hole Top Plate, the Standard Doughnut Ring with 6" opening and a complete set of hardware. During this sale, you also receive a free stand and one set of 8 riser rings.
The Amazing Doughnut Chuck line now includes your choice of either a Notched Ring Set or the Solid Ring Set plus the Big Hole Top Plate, Doughnut Ring with 6" opening and a complete set of hardware. During this sale, you also receive a free stand.
If you already have a basic unit from Ron Brown's Best and want to add to your collection, we have options for that too. Everything is backwards compatible within the Amazing Doughnut Chuck line and the Longworth Type 2 family. (Longworth Type 1 is not compatible - Phenolic version)
The Wyoming Woodturner, Sam Angelo has posted an unboxing video I thought you might enjoy.
I've had numerous requests for something to hold smaller vessels when one needs to reverse chuck them; rings without notches. This 6 piece set is designed to be used with the standard top ring with a 6" opening which comes with any Longworth Type 2 COMBO (has the doughnut rings) and also any size Amazing Doughnut Chuck. They are backwards compatable with all Ron Brown's Best Doughnut Chucks.
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Other Related Chuck Videos:
Ron's YouTube Channel - Coolhammerman
https://www.youtube.com/user/coolhammerman
<Go Here>
Ron Brown's Best How-To DVD's are available for instant digital download.
These are the same as the DVD hard copy only digital. What that means to you is that they will play on any digital device, notebook, tablet, smart phone, computer, etc.
How-To Digital Copies DVD Downloads that play in our app
the app is universal and is compatible with all devices over 25 different how to DVD
