>...all of a sudden it seems I'm an item here in the mountains of N GA. I've had two galleries call asking me to show work at their open houses in the next couple of weeks, and have gotten several calls asking about taking a class from me...all in the last couple of days.
I have doubts about my work being good enough for gallery showings, and I doubt my skill level is high enough to teach someone how to turn. Do I go with how I feel and refuse the offers, or do I just go with the flow, figuring if people want me I should assume they know what they want and it must be what I have to offer?
I don't want folks to get shafted, but I don"t want to turn down bidness either...thoughts?
>but I gotta know - disappearing suddenly with health issues, then one line, or one word posts for a few weeks, and then this message, written as if nothing ever happened!
Whats going on Bob? I guess this means our prayers worked, but this quickly! WOW! Cool!
I'd tell you what others tell me - only other anal retentive obsessive compulsive woodworker types will be able to critique your work. Most people will just say "WOW!" and not scrutinize it for a sanding scratch or sheen here and a gloss there.
>Bubba Bob, as you have heard, we are our own worst enemies. Remember Pogo, I have met the ememy, and it is me? If they think your work is great, why argue, and remember when you first started turning how little you knew? As we progress in our ability level we strive to be better by looking at the work of the masters. People that do not turn are impressed with your work, I say go for it, enjoy the limelight, and the fruit of your labor.
>Simple answer to the teaching question BB: Give a money back guarantee; if they feel they haven't learned enough to justify the cost....don't let/make them pay. Start with a 2 hour class before trying to give an all day class; see how it goes. Don't teach anything unless you KNOW first hand that it works; never teach anything that you just heard about unless you have tried it yourself.
>Seems to me that you've got two very separate sets of issues to consider: sales/shows and teaching.
The show/sales deals should be a no-brainer - beauty is in the eye, etc., and never argue with the man who wants to give you more money for something than you think it's worth; it's his money and he'll spend it however....
The teaching thing is very different. Once you step into the role of telling people how to stick 1' pieces of razor-sharp steel into spinning pieces of wood, you take on some really serious responsibilities and the Liabilities that go with them. My experience as turner (2-1/2 yrs), artist (35+ yrs), and teacher(9 yrs) holds me back from giving lessons on turning because, while I can do stuff that people like, I'm not solid enough on all the basic techniques; I know enough to know what I don't know, if that translates. Were I to start teaching turning, even with preparation and lessons plans (both required for a teacher), I'd be likely to leave stuff out and the Omission would probably be the thing that got my student hurt when they "tried this at home." It's one thing to share knowledge in situations like this forum where most everybody has, at least, beginning skills; it's a different story taking on the responsibility of imparting directly applied instruction to someone who has no knowledge base against which your "instructions" can be compared.
That said, teaching is a great opportunity for you to improve your own skills because it forces you to gather together all you know on a particular issue, order that knowledge into a cohesive and understandable unit, and then work that "section" into an understandable and usable lesson. In doing so, you're likely to be "teaching yourself" as much (somethimes more) that you impart to your student.
A good teacher is a highly valuable community asset. The consequences of a bad one go on for years. Do it right and your student will discover the joy of learning, personal growth & expression, and self worth. Do it wrong and you've set that person on the fast track for failure, injury, and disappointment.
Only you can determine which way to go and when.
[To be a turning teacher, however, you Will have to get a better chainsaw]
I once heard the statement those who teach can't do. I don't believe that of course but I like to tearn it around. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you can teach it. Teaching is about communicating and motivating. You must know the skills and understand the principals behind the skills but at the same time it is important to be able to comminicate those skills so the students can understand what you are talking about. A good teacher is a valued commodity.
Along with my Masters in sculpture, I also took the additional "educ" courses so I could get a job after graduation. See, I have this inate aversion to being a "starving artist" A very romantic notion, but heavy HS in its essence.
The simple answer to the question, "Am I ready to sell?" is that the market will tell you very quickly. Jump in the water. There are only two things that can happen; you will either sink or swim.
Put something in any gallery that will take it. Better yet if they have asked for it. If the price is reasonable and it sells, you are ready to give them more. If it sells, but comes back in a couple weeks, with a big crack in it, or the finish came off like a sheet of plastic, then you need to do some more work before putting anything else out there. If it sits there for 3-months without moving, it is priced too high for what it is, you need to take a serious look at it because you are obviously doing something wrong, or both.
You can make this step an easier one by posting photos of your work here on Wood Central or similar forums and seeing what others have to say about it. You should also be asking for a private critique and evaluation by a more experienced woodturner whose opinion you respect.
My simple answer to the question, "Am I ready to teach woodturning?" is this - If you have to ask that question you are not ready. Being an instructor takes an abundance of self-confidence in our ability to do it.
The best means for determining our abilities as an instructor is available for free.
Do you belong to a woodturning club?
How many demonstrations have you given there?
This is the best place to paractice your skills as an instructor. This should ALWAYS be your first step to becoming an instructor.
What was their reaction to your presentation?
If you cant pass the test at the home club you aren't ready. Remember that this will be the friendliest audience you will ever have? Those that pay for your services will be the most critical.
Should you decide to do this, don't expect any personal praise from a paying audience. This is not something that should be done without a high level of self-esteem. Sometimes the only clue you will have that it was a successful presentation was that they paid attention, and they all came back after lunch break. Their paying for your lunch can be a good sign that things are going well.
Something that the new instructor should never forget. There is more to being an instructor than standing in front of a group and doing something.
Every hour in front of an audience requires at least 2 hours of preparation. Being an instructor is no different from turning wood, you will only get out of it in proportio to what you put into it. Be prepared to spend a lot of time for little pay. The greatest reward is having taught somebody something they didn't know. (It can also good for our egos)
There must also be an assessment of the risks. One is your personal investment should things not go well. The other is the risk of personal injury. While I have never personally seen or heard of a serious injury resulting from a demonstration, presentation, or class; there is always the first time. If someone is injured, there WILL be a lawsuit, either by the injured party or by their insurance company. Insurance is something that is worthless if you never need it, but priceless when you do. Only you can determine how much risk you are willing to take.