Care of bowls after sale

[Dan Wiggin]

Happy New Year to all!…. So… I seal most of my utility bowls with shellac then either the Beall’s system, Ack’s Paste or Tried and True. What would you tell your potential customers as for the care once there in there new home, pertaining to cleaning them and maintaining the luster?

 

[Brian Gustin]

Absolutely no soap & water, (for cleaning, just wipe dry/ polish out with paper towels) never let liquids stand in bowls (unless they don't care about staining or discoloration and eventual leakage/seepage), if they like the lustrous natural finish restored they'd need to get some Board Butter or wipe down regularly with mineral oil.

- most of all that is just common sense (knowing soap washes away oils & grease, for example, and that wood is porous so of course it will absorb liquids eventually, and left to stand, it does eventually dry out, and oil does evaporate though very, very slowly)

 

[John K Jordan]

For things sealed/finished with shellac I tell people to keep alcohol away. (Prob not the best finish for wine bottle stoppers.)
Clean and polish with a soft cotton cloth. I sometimes give people a small plastic container with Renaissance Wax.

Raffan says:
"Any wooden bowl in daily use can be hand-washed in hot water and detergent and set on a drainer to dry."

Bowls - Richard Raffan

www.richardraffan.com.au

 

[robo hippy]

Hand wash only, no dishwasher. Do not soak in water. Do not store food in them, especially in the refrigerator, which is a dehydrator. Oil them if you want, but generally my personal one gets oiled when new and that is it. If you have some food residue building up on the bowl, then time for soap, water and a scrub pad. Walnut oil from the stores does work, some times. Olive oil is not bad for the bowls, but make sure to wipe away any excess.

robo hippy

 

[Vincent Vogel]

For utility bowls I mostly use polymerized tung oil or sometimes rubio monocoat. I tell people do not put in refrigerator overnight, no microwave oven, do not put in dishwasher, do not immerse in water to wash. Use mild dish detergent with warm water and wash with a rag and rinse. Dry immediately. So far from what I've heard this works good.

 

[hughie]

I have a hand out that given to each customer with some fact about how wood moves with the seasons, best locations - worst locations, type of finish and maintenance. The blurb is well received and appreciated and I have been meaning have it in a QR code

 

[Dan Wiggin]

Thank you all for your responses ! Very helpful ! I think a hand out is a great idea !

 

[John K Jordan]

I have a hand out that given to each customer with some fact about how wood moves with the seasons, best locations - worst locations, type of finish and maintenance.

Hey, I was thinking the same as Dan, an excellent idea.

Is that handout something you’re able to share? Many others could find it useful without having to recreate it from scratch.

JKJ

 

[Dave Landers]

I have a hand out that given to each customer with some fact about how wood moves with the seasons, best locations - worst locations, type of finish and maintenance. The blurb is well received and appreciated and I have been meaning have it in a QR code

I had my simple bowl care info printed on the back of one run of my business cards. I finish most utility pieces with walnut oil (Mahoney's).

Utility Bowl Care: Your bowl has been finished with oil. You can use it for just about anything - bread, nuts, popcorn, salad, vegetables, etc.
Wash by hand with mild soap or just warm water. Do not soak in water or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use in the microwave oven.
Occasionally wipe with oil. I suggest walnut oil or sunflower oil, available in the grocery store.
Some bowls have "worm holes" or other natural features. Be careful with liquids like salad dressing, as it may collect in the holes.

 

[hughie]

Hey, I was thinking the same as Dan, an excellent idea.

Is that handout something you’re able to share? Many others could find it useful without having to recreate it from scratch.

JKJ

Care and looking after your bespoke Australian Native timber candle holders.[ or whatever the item is ]

All species of wood move with the seasons this is natural and will incrementally harden over time, so the trick is keep the movement to a minimum you can’t avoid it but with a little care it and by avoiding the extremes of our climate this will maintain its integrity for many years to come. Especially Native timbers they are best kept away from strong sunlight and extreme temperatures and excessive moisture. So don’t leave it in strong sunlight and avoid getting it wet, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth. All the pieces have been fully seasoned in the traditional method of air drying and will be finished in either a Polyurethane varnish or a Danish Oil both are enduring finishes that requires little maintenance other than a wipe over with a damp rag.

All the timber used has been responsibly taken, some of it has come renovations to old homes, Suburban tree felling and wind falls from areas such as the Southern Highlands

Depending on which piece you take home they all have a story to tell and each is signed by the artist with the species clearly marked.
This heavily orientated to Australian species and it also comes with a further blurb on the species actually for sale along with a brief statement about the artist. What I have found if there is any history around or about the wood , write it up and present it with the piece it make a big difference to sales. You could say a great deal more and rant on, but simple and to the point works well, to a large extent you have to know your market, this works for me in my location which is a tourist precinct.
I use a lot of wood from old house renovations, large old stumps etc I spend as time as I can gleaning the history. On old stumps etc its fairy easy to get some idea of age and you can tie to historical moments. Its give the piece I guess more provenance and the buyers love hold a piece of history in their hands especially recounting this to friends and family. The idea is that through this you enter into the conversation going on in the prospective buyers head. The market down under is very tight after covid and so you have to be very proactive, rather just plonking the piece on the shelf and walking away. OK if it gallery type sales you will have to organise this with the gallery, to date I have found the galleries love this approach as you have much of their work in sales.

 

[Gregory Hickman]

I would think this would be a good idea for anyone selling there work. The whole bit about the story resonates as well. People in the market for craft products definetly want the story. If you take the time to tell it, I'm sure the customer will forward that story to anyone who comments on the piece.

I'm a new turner, therfore probably years from selling anything. But the idea of providing this type of information will be filled away for that future date. Thanks for providing a clear and articulate example to use for us all, @hughie.

 

[John K Jordan]

would think this would be a good idea for anyone selling there work.

Yes, selling (or giving away). I’ve never been movated to try to sell things (although I’ve accidentally made a few thousand here and there) but I give away most of what I make. I’m definitely going to write up something.

Thank you @hughie.

JKJ

 

[Gregory Hickman]

Yes, selling (or giving away). I’ve never been movated to try to sell things (although I’ve accidentally made a few thousand here and there) but I give away most of what I make. I’m definitely going to write up something.

Thank you @hughie.

JKJ

I'll amend my statement to sell our give away. I'm to much of a perfectionist to even give away something that I think is subpar.

Gregory

 

[John K Jordan]

I'll amend my statement to sell our give away. I'm to much of a perfectionist to even give away something that I think is subpar.

Gregory

Me too! However, a while after I bought my first little (horrible) lathe just to make a spindle for my son for architecture school, it then sat ignored until one day I dusted it off and decided to make a bowl. Had no bowl blanks so I glued up some pieces of red oak board, mounted on a face plate, and turned my very first bowl, I was about what you might expect, but when my sister visited saw it she wanted it! Her husband told me after she had passed away that she treasured that bowl!

Another time, with better equipment and experience, I somehow stull made the worst bowl ever - the form was ugly, the wood was ugly, the turning was horrible, and the finish was bad. I must have been having a bad day. I got disgusted and threw the bowl on the ground by the barn. When a vet visited I that day I asked her if she would like the bowl for cat food. I made her promise to NEVER tell a soul who made it! Then months later, at their house for a birthday party I walked in I saw the bowl on a table with nuts or something in it. She announced: “Hey everyone, this is John. He’s the one who made this bowl!” Ack!

To her, it was wonderful!

These days if I can’t or don’t want to bother saving something it goes to the burn barrel or gets thrown in the woods or into my Box O’ Shame.

But at a symposium once I learned the professional way to handle this. A well-known professional demonstrator turned something and it had some problem he didn’t want to deal with - he simply wrote the name of another well known turner on the bottom! 😁 The audience loved that!

 

[hughie]

Me too! However, a while after I bought my first little (horrible) lathe just to make a spindle for my son for architecture school, it then sat ignored until one day I dusted it off and decided to make a bowl. Had no bowl blanks so I glued up some pieces of red oak board, mounted on a face plate, and turned my very first bowl, I was about what you might expect, but when my sister visited saw it she wanted it! Her husband told me after she had passed away that she treasured that bowl!

Another time, with better equipment and experience, I somehow stull made the worst bowl ever - the form was ugly, the wood was ugly, the turning was horrible, and the finish was bad. I must have been having a bad day. I got disgusted and threw the bowl on the ground by the barn. When a vet visited I that day I asked her if she would like the bowl for cat food. I made her promise to NEVER tell a soul who made it! Then months later, at their house for a birthday party I walked in I saw the bowl on a table with nuts or something in it. She announced: “Hey everyone, this is John. He’s the one who made this bowl!” Ack!

To her, it was wonderful!

These days if I can’t or don’t want to bother saving something it goes to the burn barrel or gets thrown in the woods or into my Box O’ Shame.

But at a symposium once I learned the professional way to handle this. A well-known professional demonstrator turned something and it had some problem he didn’t want to deal with - he simply wrote the name of another well known turner on the bottom! 😁 The audience loved that!

Lol, perfectionists, I think we all have some of that within us. If I dont care for what I have done I wont sign it. But then there times I wonder if I really know what I am doing, as sometime when the piece is finished I look at it and think 'yeah nah' this aint the best I can do. This is wrong here and that over there is wrong only to find those who see it rave over it. That leaves me muttering about how I have no idea about this turning thing whatsoever. 🙂

 

[Gregory Hickman]

Lol, perfectionists, I think we all have some of that within us. If I dont care for what I have done I wont sign it. But then there times I wonder if I really know what I am doing, as sometime when the piece is finished I look at it and think 'yeah nah' this aint the best I can do. This wrong here and that over there is wrong only to find those who see it rave over it. That leaves me muttering about how I have no idea about this turning thing whatsoever. 🙂

Crafts people are usually their own wrist critics, this is for sure. Being a perfectionist can go even beyond that though.

When i taught my engineering students my favorite quote to them was, "if it's worth doing, it's worth over doing." Good is honestly never good enough, when you can do more.

I would caution that even though I told my students this, many many times, there are plenty of times where good is good enough. You have to weigh costs with reward. I'm medically retired, I can afford extra time to do things, where someone that gets maybe 4 hours a week for there hobby can not.

I know I personally will have to learn when to say, while not perfect this is good enough. Now I won't be afraid to share even my most disappointing turnings with the group. This is because the eyes of other turners, especially those with much more experience will benefit my growth very much.

Gregory

 

[hughie]

Crafts people are usually their own wrist critics, this is for sure. Being a perfectionist can go even beyond that though.

When i taught my engineering students my favorite quote to them was, "if it's worth doing, it's worth over doing." Good is honestly never good enough, when you can do more.

I would caution that even though I told my students this, many many times, there are plenty of times where good is good enough. You have to weigh costs with reward. I'm medically retired, I can afford extra time to do things, where someone that gets maybe 4 hours a week for there hobby can not.

I know I personally will have to learn when to say, while not perfect this is good enough. Now I won't be afraid to share even my most disappointing turnings with the group. This is because the eyes of other turners, especially those with much more experience will benefit my growth very much.

Gregory

An interesting point you make with students, theres learning and then there is impartation. Brings back memories of long ago, training and my Boss, right was right for him that included doing your best and "If wanted less i will tell you" 🙂

 

[Stan Pressner]

I'll amend my statement to sell our give away. I'm to much of a perfectionist to even give away something that I think is subpar.

Gregory

Gregory,
I felt much the same way, and had a large burn pile waiting to be destroyed. A group of old friends came by the shop one day and insisted on pawing through the pile. They each came up with 2,3, or 4 that they really wanted. I tried to point them towards the finished work that they were quite welcome to take, but they insisted they wanted the pieces from the burn pile, some of which still had the tenons on them. I finally decided that people like different things, and that my standards were perhaps too exacting for the situation. That said, they were of course unsigned.

 

[John K Jordan]

I felt much the same way, and had a large burn pile waiting to be destroyed

A “burn pile” is moe interesting for potters! I have a potter friend who, when a piece doesn’t satisfy him, carries it outside and smashes it in a growing pile of rejects. He said that act is oddly satisfying!

Once at his house he offered me a bunch of fresh veggies from the garden. He picked up a big bowl, maybe 18”-20” across and filled it with vegetables. I told him I’d bring back the bowl the next day - he said forget it, it was destined for the midden - the internal blue glaze had oozed over the rim in one spot and he couldn’t stand it. (No second chance to fix it!) Almost 1/2 century later we still have and use that bowl! I love it. (we prob have 100 pieces of his work, large and small. (if I count the dinner ware sets!)

JKJ.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Yes, selling (or giving away). I’ve never been movated to try to sell things (although I’ve accidentally made a few thousand here and there) but I give away most of what I make. I’m definitely going to write up something.

Thank you @hughie.

JKJ

My primary motivation in selling bowls is to be able to deduct everything I've spent getting set up in the past two years. 🙂

 

[John K Jordan]

My primary motivation in selling bowls is to be able to deduct everything I've spent getting set up in the past two years. 🙂

Nothing wrong with that! By “deduct” do you mean write it off on taxes? I do that with all farm expenses as well as report income - how many peacocks do you need?! A horse, a llama?

For me, woodturning is pure hobby (and teaching). People often ask about my fee for teaching - I tell them its a good story or a good joke!

If I sold things it would feel like a job. I’ve been retired for pushing 20 years and have no desire to get a job! Seems like (for me) it would suck the fun out of woodturning.. I do know of a some people who seem focused on making money from woodturning and a few somehow seem to be a bit short on joy. (But others do craft fairs, galleries, and shows and love it! There are some venues near here that welcome and showcase turnings, large or small.)

Ack! I’d probably have a heart attack if I added up everything I’ve spent on machines, tools, and building the shop. Better for me rely on my failing memory and not think about it! 🙂

Hey, maybe I’ll buy one of your pieces! I’d like a nice necked hollow form, flared a bit at the opening, about 6” diameter, about 8” tall, turned from Kingwood or olive, finished with oil. 🙂 Can you have it ready by TAW?

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Nothing wrong with that! By “deduct” do you mean write it off on taxes?

Hey, maybe I’ll buy one of your pieces! I’d like a nice necked hollow form, flared a bit at the opening, about 6” diameter, about 8” tall, turned from Kingwood or olive, finished with oil. 🙂 Can you have it ready by TAW?

Yes on the taxes.

No need to buy a piece. 🙂