Critique please

[Keith Barrett]

Just finished this as a gift. Interested in the thoughts of those who have more experience than I. Along the same line, how do you decide how much to sell something like this for? I know the local market will determine it, but I have no idea beyond hearing "You should sell these at craft shows" every time I give one away.

I don't know the wood type (acquired the bowl blank when I got the lathe years ago, never had the guts to use it til now). It's 11.5 inches in diameter, and 2.5 inches deep.

 

[KellyDunn]

Keith, your outside form is tough to pull off on that undercurve but looks like a fine job. You did not give yourself a flattering photo to really see the outside form. Perhaps next time even a piece of blank newsprint as a backdrop so your work is the main focus. But from what I can see you have a nice flowing form. I think I see a small curve for a foot. Even that flows with the work. I am not a fan of a built up finish. It looks like thats what you have. If the bowl is used, given enough time water and oils will get into cracks in the finish and begin breaking the finish down. I am a fan of wipe on wipe off poly or varnish. A few coats to seal deeper pores yet allow the wood to breathe. I do buff and wax though.
So high marks on form.
Price is like you say. Your market. Look around and see what others are doing. If you know a gallery that deals in wood bowls ask the owner for help.

 

[Keith Barrett]

additional images

Thanks for the feedback so far. The finish is minwax lacquer (3 coats). I'm not sure if that's what you meant by "built up finish." I haven't decided what my go-to finish will be, but that's what I picked here. I didn't picture this one being used as anything but a display, so I didn't think about food safe finish for it.

Hope these pictures give a better view of the form.

 

[john lucas]

Keith Your first photo made it look like the typical thick somewhat overdone finish a lot of new turners use. The last photos make it look more like thinner well done finish that we like. Looks like a nice bowl.
I won't even get into selling because prices vary so much with area and market. You have to king of learn that on your own.

 

[Don O. Jr.]

As others have said, you have turned an interesting form and have done it well. The finish looks nice and even, not overdone. I don't see any obvious tearout, sanding or tool marks so a "well done" from me.

The wood is spalted Elm evidenced by the ziggy-zaggy figure in the grain. (That's a technical term for identifying wood) 😉

As for price that is fairly impossible to estimate because it depends on too many factors. Personally I wouldn't let it go for less than $100. Probably more, it's a nice piece.

 

[Ian Robertson]

Gooday Keith. The finish seems to be fine.

There are a couple of things I think would look better.

The foot needs better definition where it joins the downward sweep. This may have been caused by over sanding and the definition lost.

The rim needs a line to define the rim and bowl section here:



There seems to be a ridge or hollow here. This may be a trick of the light.



My opinions only.:cool2:

 

[Keith Barrett]

Interesting design thoughts...

The ridge on the bottom appears to be a trick of the light, since I can't see/feel it on the bowl.

I purposely didn't put a rim on the bowl lip, since I thought it would look better as an unbroken curve. But that's precisely the kind of thing I'm curious about...ie what would make something like this look better. Same goes for the foot- a more pronounced vs more subtle foot looking better on a given piece.

Thanks!

Oh, and since it's apparently elm, I officially want more of it...it turns like a dream.

 

[Betty Scarpino]

The wood is spalted Elm evidenced by the ziggy-zaggy figure in the grain. (That's a technical term for identifying wood) 😉

Don ... are you sure it's elm? Looks like it could be spalted sycamore .... ?

Nice bowl whatever the wood. Some elm turns great, some doesn't (depends on what kind of elm).

Most air-dried wood turns nicely.

Betty Scarpino, editor, American Woodturner