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June Show-'n-Tell

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June meeting is tomorrow, and this is a bowl month for moi. Definitely not ready for the gallery yet, but I'll post these pics so y'all don't think I make things up about Madrone and Chestnut and having trouble with sanding.:D This is definitely a "Warts and All" display, as I had all kinds of problems with the two larger bowls, and more than a couple with the little apple bowl. Please ignore the sawdust that infiltrated -- must have been on my shirt and jumped off.:rolleyes:
Bowls_ 1_Edx.jpg Bowls_2Edx.jpg
 
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I trust you are taking them to the club show and tell.
You will see warts that no one else will....

Yep, that is the meeting I was referring to:
June meeting is tomorrow, and this is a bowl month for moi.

It's really hard, at my skill level, to put stuff out on the table. But I've done so 4 times now! I'm expecting 4 Stars just for sticking with it on the Madrone and chestnut bowls.:p:D
 
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I think those are darned nice looking bowls, Jamie. I especially like the iron-stained (?) chestnut. I’ve found that a number of folks like a bowl with an unusual story.
Ahhh, thank you! Yes, the chestnut is iron-stained, and it's quite striking. I have enough of that wood to make one other bowl, and enough unstained chestnut to make 5 or 6. Am definitely going to practice on the unstained stuff, want to get much better for the second stained one.
 
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Very nice Jamie! I too understand how intimidating showing your work can be. I frustrated my wife, because I can find flaws in everything I make.
 
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A shout out to John Lucas for not picking on my photography.:p The chestnut in person isn't so green. I've checked out Keith Burns' photography tutorial, and when I get closer to wanting to sell things, I'll set up a cube and some good lights (and come asking questions here!). Bowls were well-received at the meeting last night, but I was chastised for not signing them. A few months ago, I tried putting initials on the bottom of an early bowl with an engraver (have a selection of tips for it, courtesy of my husband's carving interests). The result was quite ugly and embarrassing. What to do?
 

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They say that we all go through the same stages of learning. I'm not so sure about my early stage. I never had any qualms about showing my stuff, although in retrospect I didn't realize how bad those efforts were. I mean, I really did some UGLY things to wood. Thankfully, my club has always been very encouraging to beginners and I gradually started seeing by example that sanding scratches, dig-ins, tear-out, and tool chatter couldn't be passed off as signs of creativity. Your bowls are light years ahead of my early efforts.
 
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They say that we all go through the same stages of learning. I'm not so sure about my early stage. I never had any qualms about showing my stuff, although in retrospect I didn't realize how bad those efforts were. I mean, I really did some UGLY things to wood. Thankfully, my club has always been very encouraging to beginners and I gradually started seeing by example that sanding scratches, dig-ins, tear-out, and tool chatter couldn't be passed off as signs of creativity. Your bowls are light years ahead of my early efforts.
Wow, Bill, can't tell you how you've boosted my spirits! Thanks!
 
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@Jamie Strait's
Ditto what Bill said. You have a good eye.
Keep in mind each bowl you do will be better than the last because you care about the turning.

Al
Thanks so much, Al. As someone who's extremely spatially challenged, confidence about shapes doesn't come naturally. I'm wearing out Raffan's Art of Turned Bowls. :D Often, though, a spirit moves me in a certain direction, and it works! so there's hope.:cool:
 

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Well I'm late to this. I don't fuss about photography unless it's really bad or you plan to use the photos for entry into shows. Your photos are clear and sharp that puts you ahead of at least half the photos posted. You don't need a light tent or cube or whatever they are calling them now. I shoot most of my work with one light shining through a panel made of PVC and white nylon, or a 2x3 foot soft box and one large white reflector.
To improve your sanding slow down the wood or even stop it. Usually when you have an area that just won't sand out you can stop the lathe, sand that area by hand, and then turn the lathe back on and sand. I think what happens is the those bad areas may be just a hair below the other areas. The wood probably moves a tiny bit or perhaps the tools simply don't cut it perfectly round. When this happens and your sanding with lathe at medium or higher speeds the sandpaper simply flies over these areas. Slowing the wood down real slow often solves this problem but I've found stopping the lathe and concentrating on just those areas always solves the problem.
Don't be afraid to show your work. I love seeing new turners work because you get to watch them grow and improve over the years. Also gives you a chance to offer advice when you see they are having problems
 

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A shout out to John Lucas for not picking on my photography.:p The chestnut in person isn't so green. I've checked out Keith Burns' photography tutorial, and when I get closer to wanting to sell things, I'll set up a cube and some good lights (and come asking questions here!). Bowls were well-received at the meeting last night, but I was chastised for not signing them. A few months ago, I tried putting initials on the bottom of an early bowl with an engraver (have a selection of tips for it, courtesy of my husband's carving interests). The result was quite ugly and embarrassing. What to do?

I agree with the others that these are very nice bowls, and while you will find flaws, there's a lot of good things I and others see about them..

By the way the Chestnut is really beautiful. I like the detail on the exterior. Also, I really like the shape of the apple bowl.

I have a Burning tool that I got at the symposium in Phoenix, but truth is I like my archival fine point marker. Cost A few bucks on Amazon, lasting a long time. And, no learning curve! :)
 
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I have a Burning tool that I got at the symposium in Phoenix, but truth is I like my archival fine point marker. Cost A few bucks on Amazon, lasting a long time. And, no learning curve! :)
Thanks much for the compliments and encouragement, Mark. I'm feeling much better about my work, as the frustrations fade and friends point out the good stuff. As far as signing goes, the fine-motor control in my hands is really bad these days, writing more than a couple sentences gets messy, and trying to burn or sign a bowl I've spent (seemingly) dozens of hours on...I'm thinking branding iron.:p Just have to decide what/how to sign. I've seen some really cool "signatures" -- be they initials like Odie does, or other. Will have to sit down with a glass of wine some night and figure it out.:D
 

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Thanks much for the compliments and encouragement, Mark. I'm feeling much better about my work, as the frustrations fade and friends point out the good stuff. As far as signing goes, the fine-motor control in my hands is really bad these days, writing more than a couple sentences gets messy, and trying to burn or sign a bowl I've spent (seemingly) dozens of hours on...I'm thinking branding iron.:p Just have to decide what/how to sign. I've seen some really cool "signatures" -- be they initials like Odie does, or other. Will have to sit down with a glass of wine some night and figure it out.:D

I would say that no matter how bad you may think that your signature might be, it is still your "real" signature and a thousand times better than some machine made signature. I have lost much of the sense of fine touch as well as proprioception due to multiple neurological conditions, but I rehearse my signature a few times on a practice piece of wood before doing the actual signing and it is my mark FWIW. About twenty years ago when I did a lot of flat woodworking, my wife gave me a custom branding iron for Christmas. I really like it, but it was really frustrating to make a decent uniform burn despite the fact that I was branding flat wood. Perish the thought of trying to brand a curved surface ... it's a lost cause. One of our club members has a laser engraving business so I had a brilliant idea that I would just give him a vector graphic of my standard woodturning signature. Well, the result was machine made perfect. After a few pieces, I decided that it was too perfect and I felt like this "too perfect signature" had all the class and personal touch of a mass produced item. If I were a production turner cranking out large numbers of pieces maybe I would see things differently, but I prefer to just hand sign things now. Sometimes I use a wood burning pen, sometimes a vibro engraver, and sometimes just an ink pen.
 

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I use a loop wire burning tip like the one on the left and have borrowed the use of a small ball like in the right.image.jpeg I write small. Use a medium heat and go slowly. I also use optivisors to see the result.
Small inconspicuous.

A long time ago I used to write big with a felt tip so people could read my name.
A person judging my work into a show pointed out that my signature dominated the bottom and it detracted from the work.
I replied " No one will be able to read it", when he told me I should make a smaller inobtrusive signature. He said, "everyone will know who you are"
 
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Will have to sit down with a glass of wine some night and figure it out.:D

Maybe after you sit down with a glass (or two) of wine you should give signing a try!

Another thought, more constructive, is that perhaps you could have someone else write the info for you. My signature on my pieces isn’t so much a signature as modified printing of my name (+ wood species and year). It’s not like that signature is really how you would sign the endorsement on a check or your tax return.

I stopped using ink-based signatures when I found it came off with solvent or smeared with finishes. Now I use either a Dremel engraver or fine-ball wood burner tip. I tend to favor the engraver because it’s more subtle.
 

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I would say that no matter how bad you may think that your signature might be, it is still your "real" signature and a thousand times better than some machine made signature. I have lost much of the sense of fine touch as well as proprioception due to multiple neurological conditions, but I rehearse my signature a few times on a practice piece of wood before doing the actual signing and it is my mark FWIW. About twenty years ago when I did a lot of flat woodworking, my wife gave me a custom branding iron for Christmas. I really like it, but it was really frustrating to make a decent uniform burn despite the fact that I was branding flat wood. Perish the thought of trying to brand a curved surface ... it's a lost cause. One of our club members has a laser engraving business so I had a brilliant idea that I would just give him a vector graphic of my standard woodturning signature. Well, the result was machine made perfect. After a few pieces, I decided that it was too perfect and I felt like this "too perfect signature" had all the class and personal touch of a mass produced item. If I were a production turner cranking out large numbers of pieces maybe I would see things differently, but I prefer to just hand sign things now. Sometimes I use a wood burning pen, sometimes a vibro engraver, and sometimes just an ink pen.

Hey, how about an auto pen?:D
 
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I would say that no matter how bad you may think that your signature might be, it is still your "real" signature and a thousand times better than some machine made signature.
Sadly, the one bowl that I put my initials on a few months ago was presented at Show-'n-Tell with "Well, there's something scribbled on the bottom" or words to that effect:(. I'll come up with something, this thread is helpful.
 

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Sadly, the one bowl that I put my initials on a few months ago was presented at Show-'n-Tell with "Well, there's something scribbled on the bottom" or words to that effect:(. I'll come up with something, this thread is helpful.

That wasn't very nice. If you feel that your hand isn't very steady when signing your work, you can develop your own distinctive "mark" instead of a signature like you use on a check. Here is How I sign my stuff. There are two basic styles ... one is to basically "brand" your work with a fairly deep burn. The other is more akin to writing ... in appearance, but it takes a lot of practice. After I took a class with Andi Wolfe where she taught us how to "write" effectively with a pyrography pen, I decided to attempt this more subtle approach and that is what the figure below shows. I use a low-heat and light touch with a fine point writing tip to create the symbol which is a bit easier than signing my full signature. Because maple is an easy wood to sign, I also added my signature. The only drawback is that if you mess it up then you have to "erase" it with sandpaper. The good news is that the burn is usually superficial.

If you decide to use a branding type of mark, then use a high heat setting. Doing a good job of branding also takes some practice. I never could get consistent results with branding.

Sometimes as you may have noticed, I remove all doubt about the identity of the creator by also using my regular signature. You will also note that my "writing" isn't all that great.

My mark.jpg
 
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Sadly, the one bowl that I put my initials on a few months ago was presented at Show-'n-Tell with "Well, there's something scribbled on the bottom" or words to that effect:(. I'll come up with something, this thread is helpful.

Like Bill I have 2 basic ways to sign , but I added something else. On most of my pieces I put 3 rings on the bottom or somewhere else as a representation of the Trinity. My signature has is 10 years changes. Tried paint pens (ugh), markers and then started practicing with a burner.
1-026.JPG 1-026.JPG IMG_2783.JPG Oh just ignore those 6 dots . They have nothing to so with signature.
oops Saw that new button Thumbnail or Full Image all images and hit it after entering on 1 pic. Learn and live I guess.
 
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Sadly, the one bowl that I put my initials on a few months ago was presented at Show-'n-Tell with "Well, there's something scribbled on the bottom" or words to that effect:(. I'll come up with something, this thread is helpful.

Well, that situation was inappropriately handled by the presenter; poor choice of wording with no thought to how it would be received. A proper critique offers feedback with sensitivity to the creator AND has the understanding that their own viewpoint is merely an opinion.
 
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If you feel that your hand isn't very steady when signing your work, you can develop your own distinctive "mark" instead of a signature like you use on a check.
I've never intended to fully sign my work, but rather to use initials after a fashion. Perhaps I'll play with an initial-inspired "mark." Thanks for the detail, Bill!
 
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Well, that situation was inappropriately handled by the presenter; poor choice of wording with no thought to how it would be received. A proper critique offers feedback with sensitivity to the creator AND has the understanding that their own viewpoint is merely an opinion.
99% of the time, this presenter is most encouraging and positive, so I forgive him the one lapse. Speaking of positive, my Main Mentor returned last week from his long out-of-state trip, just in time to come to the meeting it seemed. He was most complimentary of the bowls. Will be turning at his shop Friday morning!:cool:
 

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Just save up and buy a laser printer. Then you can size your signature any size you want and get a perfectly clean signature every time. :)
 

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I've never intended to fully sign my work, but rather to use initials after a fashion. Perhaps I'll play with an initial-inspired "mark." Thanks for the detail, Bill!
A well known turner and mentor from the Bucks Woodturners, Dave Hardy (recently deceased), always admonished us (nicely!) when our "masterpieces" didn't have our name on them. He said initials, symbols or marks didn't cut it. Someday when you are a rich & famous woodturner :) and someone looks at the bottom of your piece to find out the maker…..they won't know who the hell made it! Dave had quite a collection of wood turnings, some with initials or marks, and after 10-20-30 years he couldn't remember who the maker was. So, ... even if you are just giving all your bowls (turnings) to relatives and friends - twenty years from now don't you want them to know who made them? Or, ……maybe NOT! :D
 

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A well known turner and mentor from the Bucks Woodturners, Dave Hardy (recently deceased), always admonished us (nicely!) when our "masterpieces" didn't have our name on them. He said initials, symbols or marks didn't cut it. Someday when you are a rich & famous woodturner :) and someone looks at the bottom of your piece to find out the maker…..they won't know who the hell made it! Dave had quite a collection of wood turnings, some with initials or marks, and after 10-20-30 years he couldn't remember who the maker was. So, ... even if you are just giving all your bowls (turnings) to relatives and friends - twenty years from now don't you want them to know who made them? Or, ……maybe NOT! :D

I think that maybe it was more of a bad memory problem than an issue regarding how it is signed. :D

While using a mark or a symbol isn't, by itself, sufficient to make you a famous turner, it won't hurt anything. And, if somebody liked something well enough to pay money for it then why would they like it any less years later if they can't remember who made it. For a well known woodturner who uses a symbol to "sign" their work, associating that mark with the name of the creator doesn't depend on the memory of just one person ... otherwise they wouldn't be all that well known, would they?

I have a cowboy hat made by Johannes Michelsen ... his signature on this very thin turning is made using a bowl gouge while the lathe is turning. I would guess that is a skill that isn't learned overnight.
 
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A well known turner and mentor from the Bucks Woodturners, Dave Hardy (recently deceased), always admonished us (nicely!) when our "masterpieces" didn't have our name on them.

Oh boy Tom. Someone may be invoking Dave's name at the next meeting. I haven't figured out how to sign my work without it looking like a kindergartner. :eek:
 
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They look like little turquoise insets, was going to ask you about that. Re: the "full image" -- I actually prefer those to thumbnails (if they're not toooo big). Makes the post easier to read and look, read and look.

Jamie it is Inlace . The faceplate screws left a nice pattern on a nice piece of wood so I drilled them and filled.
 

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Oh boy Tom. Someone may be invoking Dave's name at the next meeting. I haven't figured out how to sign my work without it looking like a kindergartner. :eek:
Doug, …..just print your name, a signature isn't necessary (it's not a check!)…… I can't decipher most signatures anyway! I did shows for 23 years and always included my name and wood species on every piece. I learned early on not to include the date or year the piece was made for sales purposes. :D
 

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I think that maybe it was more of a bad memory problem than an issue regarding how it is signed. :D

That could be, and most likely that is true! …… which was my point. If a symbol or initials on a piece doesn't help you remember the maker…..a name will !!! And if that doesn't do it ….. then maybe your memory is too far gone. :(
 

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I don't know how my reply to Bill ended up in the "Quote Box".

Here is what happened. When you click on "Reply" you will see something like the following text in the editor box (in this instance, it's what I see since I'm quoting your post):

[QUOTE="Tom Gall, post: 115780, member: 33137"]I don't know how my reply to Bill ended up in the "Quote Box".[/QUOTE]​

Everything that is between [QUOTE] and [/QUOTE] will be inside the quote box. This indicates that you apparently inserted your reply just before the closing [/QUOTE] tag.
 

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BTW, I'll start worrying when I see my symbol on the bottom of a turning and can't remember who Made the piece. I'll quit worrying when I see my signature on the bottom of a turning and can't figure out who made the piece. :D
 

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Here is what happened. When you click on "Reply" you will see something like the following text in the editor box (in this instance, it's what I see since I'm quoting your post):

[QUOTE="Tom Gall, post: 115780, member: 33137"]I don't know how my reply to Bill ended up in the "Quote Box".[/QUOTE]​

Everything that is between [QUOTE] and [/QUOTE] will be inside the quote box. This indicates that you apparently inserted your reply just before the closing [/QUOTE] tag.
Thanks, Bill. I'll try to be more careful the next time. I think something funny happened when I hit "Preview" and tried to edit my reply!
 
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