AAW symposium ?

Re: AAW symposium ?

Keith Tompkins

>Hey Mike, good question....I enjoy making items for competitions and exhibits. These items are not for sale until the competition is over. If a piece wins a competition, it is more desireable from the buyer's standpoint.

As an example, I ALMOST sold the piece that eventually became a finalist in the "NICHE" award. If that had happened I would have to make a new one or foreit the award ceremony. If you produce a special piece, hang onto it...especially a signature piece.

As for the symposium, I want to bring the absolute best pieces I am capable of producing. These are the pieces the world of woodturning is going to see....and associate with your name! If I sell a piece through exposure at the symposium, that's fine with me.

Another reason to bring only your best pieces is the possibility of receiving a critique...To be critiqued at a national event is a BIG deal. Out of 500 or so turnings in Orlando, less than 20 were critiqued! Many of the "stars" of woodturning got their start as a result of a critique.

Re: AAW symposium ?

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Great Info Keith.....thanks!

Jennifer

Re: AAW symposium ?

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Keith, so what you are saying is that you just work on pieces as normal, but if one turns out to be spectacular (more so than your normal), you keep it for shows or competition?

Re: AAW symposium ?

John Lucas

>As you all probably know I make 2 different lines of things. The production work pretty much goes out for sale as soon as I can. The Gallery kind of pieces are all going on the shelf just waiting for a place to be shown. So I make a selection from that stuff to go to the symposium. Of course I've only been to 2. Symposiums are difficult to fit in my budget. Fortunately I was able to be a demonstrator at the last one. John

Re: AAW symposium ?

Mark Kauder

>Mike,

I have only attended one AAW symposium so take my opinion for what it is worth.

Last year, my cheaper stuff ($200 range) was selling alright at the gallery, but I could not break into the upper end market - $500 plus (different from the mega-upper end market). So, I worked really hard on 4 pieces for the symposium. Then, as much as it hurt, I took the one that I thought was the best, and that was the one that I donated to the Educational fund auction. I wanted to help the AAW, but I also hoped that the exposure would help me. As it turned out, although I had already sold 2 of the three instant gallery pieces by the time the auction took place, the donated piece got a good response (and great send up by the auctioneer - John Hill, who has since bought two pieces from me) and brought in twice what I had normally been selling high end pieces for. The next day someone bought the remaining piece, and when he did, he asked "Is the price still $XXX?" When I said that it was, he said "Did you attend the auction last night? Your pricing way too cheap now." Since then, my prices have gone up, and I am selling them. The guy that bought my piece at the auction even called and bought another one.

You might have another option. If you have a piece that you really like and would like to show it off or have it critiqued, and it sells before the symposium, see if you can talk the owner into loaning it back for the display.

Mark

I know I am driving all you english major crazy with my run-on sentences. Sorry.

Re: AAW symposium ?

Steve Roxberg

>I can't wait, I attended the RI show several years ago, but have not been able to get back. I live in Overland Park and will only have to drive about four miles to get to the show.

As the time nears, I'll collect the names of members of Woodcentral, and will host a BQ at my house for anyone that wants to stop by.

All will be welcome.

Re: AAW symposium ?

Keith Tompkins

>HI Mike, here is my philosophy: I never set out to make an "ordinary" piece...I plan out my pieces in advance, making sketches until I'm happy with what I have come up with. I don't "let the wood talk to me" , I look through piece after piece of wood until I find the right one for what I have in mind. I then make the wood LISTEN to me! LOL.

It all comes down to the question...why am I a woodturner? Is it my goal to create as many pieces as I can, or do I want to create pieces that I put my heart into? Do I want to create thousands of mediocre pieces, or do I want to create a masterpiece?

I've decided to do the best work I am capable of...sometimes I even make one of those :WOW!" pieces.