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Good Hope Hardwoods - Walnut Slabs & Specialty Hardwood Lumber

First SOLD piece

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First SOLD piece

#1

First SOLD piece

Chuck Ludwigsen

>Hi folks,

(note, there are a couple questions towards the end so please read on).

Well, I finally did it. My goal for some time has been to start selling some of my work to help cover the costs of tools, supplies, some exotic woods, and the like. I have finally done it. I'm by no means a professional. But it felt good to have someone want one of my bowls enough to give me money for it.

This piece was made at the request of the buyer for his wife's birthday. He was very pleased with it and so am I. It is 8" diameter by 4-1/2" tall. But the wide rim and steep sides gives it an appearance that it is taller than it is wide. It is sanded through 1000 (plus paper bag burnishing) and finished with Tung Oil (thanks Russ).

Building on all the good advise here I tried to start out right by including a small card with care instructions and my contact information. The cover of the card had the name I use for my web site "Life Takes a Turn". The inside started with "This handcrafted, woodturned item was made especially for Sylvia Smith" (the buyers wife).

Anyway, I am hoping this generates a friend telling a friend and so on.

Now, for those who sell their work regularly, I would appreciate any advice. Specifically, I had to really go through my available wood to find a piece like he was describing. Do you look for the wood the buyer wants or recommend wood that you have on hand?

Also, I got the order with only 9 days lead time. I was blessed to have that piece of Cherry that I was saving. How should I handle customer expectations regarding lead time in order to avoid any of the disastrous events like Terry was discussing?

Any thoughts are welcome. I owe it to many here for getting to this point. Oh, and thank-you, Wally, for the encouragement today. ;-)

Chuck in Memphis, TN. (now I'll stop rambling and show the pic).


Re: First SOLD piece

#2

Re: First SOLD piece

David Eaves

>Well done Chuck, that's excellent.

Can't answer your questions as I don't have the experience. I hope your sale generates more sales for you. The piece looks really well too.

David

Re: First SOLD piece

#3

Re: First SOLD piece

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Congratulations Chuck! It is always with a great feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that I turn a piece of wood over to a happy customer for some money. Lots of people can say, Oh that is beautiful, I would love to have one", but it takes a committment to actually buy one.

On to your questions: I like to have a selection of finished pieces for a customer to choose from. If not, I will describe what I have in wood species along with a general description of how it will look (no promises though!) and about how long it should take (again no promises!). I gave up a long time ago trying to accomodate people who want something very exacting in the way of color or figure. It is not possible unless they want it painted or plastic.

If they need something right away and I don't have it, we have a gift card SWMBO made on the computer which says that a special gift is being prepared just for that person by Wonderful Wood. The item is paid for, the card is delivered, and they get it when they get it. Some people don't go for it, but many do, and it salvages a sale.

Bill

Re: First SOLD piece

#4

Re: First SOLD piece

Chuck Ludwigsen

>Those are excellent suggestions, Bill. I appreciate it. I was thinking I would focus on getting some rough-outs turned, sealed and drying. That way I would have something that I know is within a certain timeframe of completion. What do you think?

I've been meaning to rough out more green bowls but always get side-tracked finishing something ;-)

I like the gift card idea, I will do that.

Thanks again for the encouragement.

Chuck in memphis, TN.

Re: First SOLD piece

#5

Re: First SOLD piece

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>Very nice Chuck. I suggest that you spend some time building up a supply of rough turned bowls. I rough turn wet wood, put the date on it, wax it, and set it aside to dry. Depending on how wet it was when you turned it, it'll be dry in 6 months or less. As you finish turning the dry ones, keep rough turning more to keep a supply on hand.

Wally

Re: First SOLD piece

#6

Re: First SOLD piece

Chuck Ludwigsen

>Thanks Wally. I had that same thought after I read Bill's response. I'm going to shoot for about 10 or so blanks turned and drying before the end of the month. That will give them about 2 months to dry before people start thinking about mother's day gifts.

Take good care,

Chuck in Memphis, TN.

Re: First SOLD piece

#7

Re: First SOLD piece

Glenn Hodges

>Bill, that is a great suggestion. BTW, nice looking lathe you use in your roughing pictures the other day.

Nashville, Georgia

Re: First SOLD piece

#8

Re: First SOLD piece

Brian Roberts

>Hi Chuck - Congrats on the loss of your "virginity"! Isn't it very affirming to have someone actually "shell out" for your work!

Checked out some of your site - very nice - selling more of your work should not be difficult.

Brian

Re: First SOLD piece

#9

Congrats Chuck *LINK*

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Congratulations! Its a good feeling, eh?

I'm in a similar boat with regards to turnings. I've sold a half dozen pieces of furniture and a LOT of cutting boards but just now getting to sell turnings.

To have stuff around I'll buy dry blanks and finish them, but I have been trying to rough out 2 or 3 blanks per week and build up an inventory of soon to be dry pieces for selling.

I've been getting inquires from folks who I've dropped a bowl off to in return for a downed tree or from relatives and friends of relatives, so I put up a little webpage of my turnings. It has helped IMMENSELY! Some of the numbers are just picked out of thin air but it gives an idea of what my pricing ranges are.

It was so darned simple, I just used a "thumbnail creator" software that saved in html format. For more, go to downloads.com and search for "web thumbnail creator". Here's the page, for example...


Mike Schwings Woodworks

Re: First SOLD piece

#10

Congratulations Chuck, it certainly is a ..>>

RonZ

>..>> good feeling and gives you that extra incentive to keep going.

I always have several items on hand or when I get an order, I'll make several of that item to choose from. I like Bill's idea of the gift certificate.

Re: First SOLD piece

#11

Re: First SOLD piece

David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA

>Congrats Chuck - I'm still waiting on my first sale, so I can only imagine the feeling - Hope you have many more sales like that one!

David

Re: First SOLD piece

#12

Re: First SOLD piece

Chuck Ludwigsen

>Thank you to everyone who responded and for the warm thoughts and good direction. This is a very encouraging bunch and I am forever in your debt for all the advice and inspiration I receive.

I've added the Cherry "bell" bowl to my website (in the gallery) and have been busy this evening coating blanks with Anchorseal until I can get to roughing them this weekend. I just got the 5 gal bucket in today.

Again, thank you and I hope everyone has a great evening.

Chuck in Memphis, TN.

Life Takes a Turn - As with each and every day, it means something new again. ;-)

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