August 2017

Marketing Your Turnings

Neal Brand

My first turning project was a walnut lamp I made in junior high shop class.  My second project came 40 years later when I bought a lathe.  When I bought my lathe, I had no idea how to turn wood.  I tried to learn by reading a book, but progress was very slow.  Then I joined the Denton, Dallas and Fort Worth clubs and my learning increased dramatically both from club demos and talking to other members. 

During my talk/demo, I plan to discuss marketing online.  I think most turners at some point think about the possibility of marketing their work, if for no other reason, to help pay the bills from SWAT! About eight years ago while working full time I set up an online shop to sell my turnings.  I had no idea what I was doing, but somehow I managed to sell a few things per month.  I didn’t sell enough to pay for SWAT, but enough to buy an occasional tool.  During my demo, I’ll talk about a lucky break that increased my sales considerably and how I have maintained my sales so that I pay for SWAT (and more) through online sales.

I plan to illustrate marketing strategies with two examples, marketing Tibetan spindles and marketing spin tops.  I’ll discuss (among other things) options for setting up an online shop, photographing and describing your products, pricing, shop policies, wholesale markets, and the role of the web (social media, blogs, web sites, etc.) in marketing.  In the process, I’ll turn a tippe top and discuss the interplay between marketing, material choice, and turning techniques employed.

I live in Denton with my wife Shari. We have two grown daughters and two granddaughters.  I am a semi-retired UNT professor and when I am not working or turning wood, I enjoy hiking.  My brother and I have a goal of hiking at least 5 miles in each of the 50 states. As of the time of this writing we are at 19 and counting.

Meeting Photos March 2017

Click on Image to see rest of photos. Image info is located on next photo.

MONTHLY PRESIDENT'S NOTES

July 2017

1. New, hot off the press 2017, WNT Directories are now available. If you did not get your new directory last month be sure and pick yours up at James Haynes’ table. One copy per member please. If you want an electronic copy in PDF format email James Haynes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and he will send it to you via return email. Please give David and Robin Carter a big thank you for their work in producing the directory.
2. "Bob's Challenge" for July is a box for Beads Of Courage. This is also the quarterly challenge drawing month. Remember you get one quarterly drawing ticket for each challenge you participate in. Bob pre-announced this challenge in May to give us more time to turn a box, or more, for Beads of Courage. This is one of our primary community benefit programs. See Ray Moyer’s information in the newsletter. Ray will pick up your box(es) and take them to SWAT unless you want to take them yourself. If you take them they have to be registered with SWAT before going on display. I know the shops are getting hot, but try to keep your skills up by completing each month’s challenge.
3. Challenge Photos. We will be implementing a new process to improve our challenge photos. In your name badge holder you will find a card with your name printed on it. If you have a challenge piece place this card, with your turning, on the table and also fill out the standard challenge card. When you pick up your piece for the group photo get your name card and return it to your badge holder for next month. The photographers will use the card to make one combined photo of your piece.
4. Empty Bowls is another WNT community program that continues through the year. Those that turn the most bowls get first choice at attending the luncheon in February. Bowls, pots, pens, any turned item is acceptable so bring your contributions to the meeting where they will be collected.
5. SWAT is NEXT MONTH. Time is running out to get your online SWAT registration. Go to this link to get registered SWAT online Registration . Reservations for hotel or camping are also filling up rapidly. SWAT is August 25^th- 27^th in Waco.
   1. SWAT demonstration rotation schedule is available at this link 2017 Rotation Schedule . Our club sponsors the Brazos South room and we need your HELP! For each rotation period we need at least one helper to announce the demonstrator and help clean up after the demo... If you are going to be at that demonstration anyway, then it is very easy to be the helper (no experience needed) and you get a reserved front row seat. Checkout the schedule and sign up for a slot on the pass around sheet Thursday, or call Bob Clark to get a jump on your preferred time.

See you at 6:30pm Thursday and be safe. We don't need a new "safety coordinator".

Glynn Cox

President

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Woodturners of North Texas is to advance the creative pursuit of woodturning through educational programs, practical demonstrations and community service projects. Personal achievement is encouraged through mentoring, design challenges and member participation.