first sale--cherry salad bowl set--what to charge???

[Nathan Hawkes]

So I'm new to turning, but enjoying it, and have given away a few bowls. I gave a bowl to the place I work, and already someone wants me to make a set of salad bowls and a large serving bowl. How do I price this?? Its going to be a straightforward 10-12" or so cherry bowl and either 4 or 8 salad serving bowls at 5" in diameter. I'm going to finish it with "salad bowl finish" the beeswax/mineral oil stuff, as I want to tote them as completely food safe, so the finish will be pretty easy as well. I just have no idea what to charge. I've seen threads that people suggest $5-7 per inch of diameter, but for almost production level work I don't want to overdo it and not sell... I have the wood, and the time for it I suppose. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nathan I sold a set of 10 7" mahogany salad bowls with matching spoon/fork and a salt & pepper mill for $495. I used $5 per inch. The salad bowl set included a 13" main salad bowl. I used General Finishes Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal for the finish and let it set for a week curing. It has been over year now and they have used them 2 to 4 days a week. They wash them in warm soapy water, rinse and dry immediately.

[Bob Hallowell]

Nathan,
If it were me in my location I would charge $90-100 for the large bowl. $40 for the first salad bowl then if the want me to dupliacte it:eek: it's $300 a bowl after that, seriosly though duplicating a bowl is easy.

Bob

[Raymond Overman]

Are you going to have to purchase the wood? Is it green and are you going to turn and re-turn the bowls so they will be round? Is the person who asked you about it serious about buying a salad bowl set or are they expecting Target/Wal Mart pricing?

It's not uncommon for a 13"-15" salad bowl out of cherry or walnut to take $150-$200 depending on the market you're in. I've seen salad bowls out of ambrosia maple that sell for $200 easily. A set of four 5" bowls would be another $150. The whole project, if it's quality work and you put the time into it which I'm sure you will, should bring in between $350-$400 depending on material costs in my opinion. Especially if you make a matching salad fork and spoon set to go with it.

If you sell it for less than $200 you're doing yourself a disfavor in the long run. What you're looking at is a lot of work and you should be paid for it.

[Skip Spaulding]

Nathan, I have a friend that derives his full income from turning and what really bothers him is a hobby turner selling his products to just cover costs. It sounds like the advice here is, you should charge the going price for your work pro or amatuer.

[Nathan Hawkes]

Are you going to have to purchase the wood? Is it green and are you going to turn and re-turn the bowls so they will be round? Is the person who asked you about it serious about buying a salad bowl set or are they expecting Target/Wal Mart pricing?

It's not uncommon for a 13"-15" salad bowl out of cherry or walnut to take $150-$200 depending on the market you're in. I've seen salad bowls out of ambrosia maple that sell for $200 easily. A set of four 5" bowls would be another $150. The whole project, if it's quality work and you put the time into it which I'm sure you will, should bring in between $350-$400 depending on material costs in my opinion. Especially if you make a matching salad fork and spoon set to go with it.

If you sell it for less than $200 you're doing yourself a disfavor in the long run. What you're looking at is a lot of work and you should be paid for it.


You've brought up a lot of points that I didn't consider. I don't have to buy the wood; a neighbor took down a few trees & I got all the cherry & sealed the ends right away, and got at least a full cord and a half of oak for firewood; it was struck by lightning twice so didn't make good turning wood.

I will have to turn & return; I don't want anything going out that has my name on it that won't look good a couple months or more after they buy it. Hmmm......I was initially thinking about $250 for a 12" bowl and 4 serving bowls, but perhaps thats a little low. I hadn't even thought about making a spoon & fork set, but I guess I have to do that too...Hmmmm....A lot to consider. Thanks folks.