slow down, (don't tell my wife I said that).
Are there any books or dvd's that are recommended to steer you in the right direction to become a professional turner? I figure the lot of you know more than most on the subject.
1. Don't slow down but concentrate on doing what you are doing better and better.
Mastering the coring is big step.
2. I am not aware of any books on becoming a professional turner.
There are always panels on becoming a professional at the AAW symposium
It is a competitive field. You might want to talk with some proffessionals. A few turners make a good living turning, a whole lot pay for their hobby and more.
A. architectural turning can be a good business, I know several people who make a living doing architectural work. If you are in the location this may be the best field to start a business.
An architectural turner in Baltimore has built a line of beer taps whith which he has done well.
People restoring houses and furniture need custom turned pieces sometime in the hundreds.
They are willing to pay. Premium prices for custom turned pieces.
B. Turn things you can sell wholesale. Bowls can be a good source of income if you can make hundreds of them for the wholesale market each year. Pens and bottle stoppers were a good wholesale item 20 years ago. I have freind who sells pepper mills. He sells at kitchen shows, got a cover on a cooking magazine.
C. High end pens- not too many in this market but the successful ones are selling to pen collectors at big time pen shows. The idea is to make and sell unique pens. The well made one of a kind pens sell for 10s of thousands of dollars. If you hit big on 10 pens you can make a nice living for a year.
D. High end art market - this is a tough one to make a living in. You have to turn things no one else is making and they have to be near flawless. It is also full of ups and downs.
Good luck
Al