I turn bowls for a hobby but I don’t sell them. My wife lays claim to most of them and I might have access to a few if I want to give some away. As a result I am starting to get overrun with bowls.
Is your situation similar to me? If so, could you share some pictures showing how you display your bowls in your home? Thanks in advance!
I seldom turn bowls but turn a lot of other things. I also don't make things to sell - would rather give them to someone - spread the joy!
We display only a very few things in the house. The top of a high cabinet in the kitchen is perfect to display relatively small pottery. For larger pottery we have three simple black square pedestals, each in a different area. A few beams on outside walls (timber frame house) are good for a few small turnings. The little black adjustable stands made for tablets and phones are perfect for relatively small platter-like things - I use them a lot for photos.
But whatever you do, maybe it won't be like a gentleman I visited once! He LOVED to turn large bowls and platters, the larger the better. He shop was wonderful. His house was a disaster. He fell in love with everything he made and would rather die than part with a single piece. (Hmm, maybe that's why I haven't seen him for several years.
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Every horizontal surface in his house was crowded with turnings. Every wall had shelves and brackets added to display more bowls and platters. I only saw the living room and kitchen but I wondered about the rest. He said his wife was unhappy about all this. SHE said she was unhappy with it. If I did that my Lovely Bride would leave or kick me out or drag me to counseling or I'd come home and everything would have been sent to the thrift store!! Your situation may be different.
One possibility is to find a "good" interior designer to look at your space and ask your question. Some are excellent at balancing spaces. Another thing is to keep almost everything stored away and rotate pieces periodically - can keep things from going visually stale. (Last year I got one of those digital photo things which cycle through photos every 15 seconds or so. I loaded it up with a mix of pictures of family, vacations, farm, and woodturnings. Love it! I can glance over where I'm sitting right now and see my favorite turnings - and never have to move them to dust!)
Another option for display: offer pieces to a local assisted living facility or nursing home, perhaps on loan. I did that with a couple of bowls and they were highly appreciated. Many people in these places seem bored and depressed and almost anything can help. Loaned pieces could be switched out periodically.
If you find yourself with too many turnings, another possible option: our club (and others I know) makes and donates things for charity. Ours started with a tree full of Christmas ornaments, one of many at the annual Fantasy of Trees event in Knoxville, to benefit the local children's hospital. Each tree was auctioned - I remember hearing that our trees sold for around $4000. Then the event got smarter and started selling individual items, and not just limited to ornaments! I heard they are bringing in a lot more money to the hospital this way. Maybe you have something similar in your area.
JKJ
