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  1. #1
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    Default Amateur Expectations

    As an amateur are my expectations of professional woodworkers too high? Why do I ask - over the weekend past I had the unexpected opportunity to wander through the gallery of a well known furniture designer & maker. The vast majority of the pieces were stunning in design and execution. Then there were a few really odd exceptions such as a box ($450?) with routed cove finger lift (clean design, natural position) but heavily scorched from the router cutter? A tall case clock ($6,600) with a separated side panel you could literally see light coming through and an obvious excursion of the router cutter where the profile was being cut (separate panel).

    Different makers? Perhaps, but being sold with the 'famous' name attached and in his own gallery so not likely to be unauthorized copies.

    As an amateur, and hence without the same time & money constraints, I would be disappointed to leave faults such as these in my work but should I be expecting the same level of scrutiny in a gallery sale environment? As an amateur am I aiming at an unrealistic level of craftsmanship or expecting an unattainable level of craftsmanship from within a professional environment?

    Regards

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WhatsWood? View Post
    As an amateur are my expectations of professional woodworkers too high? Why do I ask - over the weekend past I had the unexpected opportunity to wander through the gallery of a well known furniture designer & maker. The vast majority of the pieces were stunning in design and execution. Then there were a few really odd exceptions such as a box ($450?) with routed cove finger lift (clean design, natural position) but heavily scorched from the router cutter? A tall case clock ($6,600) with a separated side panel you could literally see light coming through and an obvious excursion of the router cutter where the profile was being cut (separate panel).

    Different makers? Perhaps, but being sold with the 'famous' name attached and in his own gallery so not likely to be unauthorized copies.

    As an amateur, and hence without the same time & money constraints, I would be disappointed to leave faults such as these in my work but should I be expecting the same level of scrutiny in a gallery sale environment? As an amateur am I aiming at an unrealistic level of craftsmanship or expecting an unattainable level of craftsmanship from within a professional environment?

    Regards
    Absolutely. I work for a company making custom furniture and nothing leaves our factory short of perfect - even if it means spending 2 hours sanding out burn marks or re-making components that aren't up to scratch (and I've had to do both several times in my 5 years there).

    If you take pride in what you do and are willing to spend the necessary time, nothing is unrealistic.

  4. #3
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    Default

    For high end craft to have burns, machine marks and poorly fitting components....no excuses.


    " it doesn't have to be perfect, just look perfect. " someone I used to work with.
    Cheers, Bill

  5. #4
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    Jul 2005
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    Oberon, NSW
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    Default

    To me a Gallery is basically a display of fine craftsmanship - sorta like a museum - that is "willing to be persuaded to part with display items for adequate compensation."

    If it's primary motivation is to make sales or if it's playing fast 'n loose with the definition of "fine craftsmanship" then it's not a Gallery... it's Just Another Shop.

    (Albeit a pretentious one that would like you to think it's a Gallery. )
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  6. #5
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    Well put, Skew.
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  7. #6
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    Jun 2008
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    Default

    Thanks all. That is what I would have expected, strange to find a few pieces letting down the rest of the work in that setting. If it were a craft store selling various items would sort of be ok but this place was aiming at another market segment and I was expecting more along elanjacobs comments.

    Matt

  8. #7
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    Dec 2005
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    South Australia
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    Showing items in a gallery is putting your level of craftmanship on display, allowing sub standard items to be displayed reflects on that craftmanship, potential buyers will walk past and tell their friends.Generally is is said they will tell nine others and those nine will each tell nine others and on it goes.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Default

    From my perspective I like to create something to the best of my ability. I feel if I am going to make something then I will take my time and try to get things right. Of course there are the the things that just do not work out because I am doing something for the first time or not got my thoughts around it. So I missed a step.

    I might have to do it again or it becomes a design feature.

    Then again I am not selling the things I am making.

  10. #9
    Join Date
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    Many years ago a boss of mine in a small cabinet shop said it takes a lifetime to build a good reputation and one job to destroy it.
    Regards Rod.

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