Today I happened to be in a maple syrup shop that had some craft stuff in it. I noticed they had some wooden bowls for sale. Since I'm getting into turning I took a closer look. I'm not trying to bash anyone's work but I was left stumped. While they didn't list the type of wood, was too dark to be maple but too light to be cherry, if I had to guess I would say oak or birch. They were at least 1/2 thick and looked like they were made with a coring system when green. All of them were warped from drying and if they were sanded it was with something like 80 grit. They had (what I would guess) 8" bowls for $60 and 12" bowls for $130. I didn't have my phone handy but if I go back I'll take a picture. Afterwards while talking to my wife she was saying that if what they sell for then I should see if some of the other similar shops in this area would sell stuff I make. I really have little interest in selling stuff.
What kind of got me back into the idea of turning is that I've been making wooden buttons for my sister who makes scarfs. I just give them to her as I find it fun working with wood to make them. I like the idea of doing something more complex with wood from my land. So for those of you who sell your work how much is a reasonable asking price? I know that's not an easy question since a wooden bowl could be simple to a very complex work of art. What I'm talking about would be simple bowls that can be placed on a hutch for holding keys and other stuff or as a salad bowl. Would you sell a bowl that was more utility than a work of art if it was warped? I can envision a point in time when I have so many bowls from learning that I'm giving them away to friends and family. Sooner or later selling them might be an option. Since I don't have a lathe yet (it's on back-order) it's not an issue now but I'm trying not to get preconceived ideas in my head.
This picture is similar to what they had for sale.
bowl.jpg