So what do I know?

[Steve Krumanaker]

My wife and I were out of town recently and had a couple motel stays. At one of the motels I saw this vase. I want to stress, this is NOT my work. Anyway I saw this wooden vase.

 

 

My first thought was to see if it were turned by a local artist. Naturally I picked it up,  it must've weighed 30 pounds or more. As turners, we are conditioned to turn thin and get things as light as possible so the weight kind of threw me. This vase is at least 3/4" thick, maybe more. When I turned it over I saw that was imported from Indonesia. Still it's pretty wood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then saw the inside.

 

 

 

Once again, we are conditioned and taught that everything has to be sanded and finished to nth degree. This piece, at least on the inside can only be described as crude and rough. Lots of tool marks, lots of tear out. Not something I would ever let leave the shop, just wouldn't.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at closer, I noticed the bottom, it has to be at least 3" thick on the bottom, crude, crude, crude and rough. Not up to my standards at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I got the chance I showed to my wife. She says; "it's beautiful". Honestly, I have to agree with her about that, from a distance it's very pretty.

I pointed out how heavy it was, she says; " it feels really substantial and won't get tipped easily" I like it.

I pointed how thick it was, she says; "it's beautiful" "I really like it"

I started to point out how thick it was on the bottom, but she interrupted me and said; "someone bought it, didn't they?"

What can you say to that?

 

Steve

[lew]

2 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

"someone bought it, didn't they?"

That pretty much says it all. 

 

We tend to create things that are admired by folks with similar interests- as you pointed out about how are taught to make things. Turners teach turners how to turn for other turners, not necessarily how to turn what a non-turner may like. 

 

I guess it's like that with any art form and who finds it desirable. I'd never buy an Andy Warhol piece but others really find his work interesting ( actually I couldn't even afford his works).

 

Judging from some of the images I've seen on places like Pinterest, there must be a market for more primitive/crude types of turnings.

[Gerald]

I am told (no mention of the source) that the ladies like substantial better than thin. That said I agree too thick and I wonder why it did not crack or is that what the side is and then painted?

[Cal]

You also got to consider that this was decoration for a motel.  What are the odds that a decorative piece like this might get knocked over, or handled by kids?  In this situation I would think more substantial is better.

Cal

[HandyDan]

May have been done on a pole lathe rather than on a modern machine.  Hand crafted is really in these days and crude sometimes is a part of that.  Turners push each other for smooth and thin.  Other people don't know that or care.  Everything I make amazes most people and they really don't have a clue how it was done.   

[Gene Howe]

12 hours ago, lew said:

We tend to create things that are admired by folks with similar interests

That about sums it up. Plus, most of us enjoy the process of challenging our own abilities. Peer praise is wonderful but, not necessary to our personal satisfaction.

[Smallpatch]

I never did think sitting at a lathe and making a bowl or a pen was enough fun to do either. I have three older lathes sitting in my shop. All usable but for other things. None of my teapots have the insides hollowed out. Can't even take the lids off of some.

 

I make these to be different. Enough bowls out there and both suits the builders. All are for sitting somewhere to be pretty. Dan once ask why didn't I visit the turning forum??? I can't offer any advise on things you guys build so I just don't go there too often... the bowls I build I want to be different.

 

I start something and spend many days of sitting and looking at drawing on a piece of paper and wonder how can I make all that fit together.

  This strange bird looking tea pot did catch my eye for I have never seen one like it, so this is in my mind to do? Granted , it won't end up exactly like it but hey........

   Thanks for the internet for it has made all of us better at what we do and let me learn what I never knew what I could do with a Dremel.!!!  

[Dadio]

Great thread and great posts, I agree with everyone.

Herb

[Grandpadave52]

On 9/2/2017 at 7:38 PM, Steve Krumanaker said:

When I got the chance I showed to my wife. She says; "it's beautiful". Honestly, I have to agree with her about that, from a distance it's very pretty.

I pointed out how heavy it was, she says; " it feels really substantial and won't get tipped easily" I like it.

I pointed how thick it was, she says; "it's beautiful" "I really like it"

I started to point out how thick it was on the bottom, but she interrupted me and said; "someone bought it, didn't they?"

What can you say to that?

Knowing the heart, soul and passion you put in each of your pieces, the opportunity I see here is for you to create something similar and present it to her as a gift. In no uncertain terms, "she likes it". Doing so may be one of the biggest challenges you've ever faced as a turner. Just sayin'

 

Shoot maybe I should invest in a lathe...with hours of practice and assuming I wouldn't run out of wood first, I might be able to make something like that...maybe.

[Al B]

I'm not a turner, so I guess I can look at this from the perspective of an amateur critic.  The piece is beautiful on the outside surface. At least in the photo. That is all that I'd be interested in. Something that is pleasing the eye. If it were not  gouged out at all it wouldn't produce the same appeal. In this case, I think the thickness adds to the appeal of opening along the side. The piece obviously caught Steve's eye.It was the close inspection that turned him off.