Critiquing others woodworking projects

[Scottydont]

I am a working guy and a father of two kids and it's tough to find the time to get into the shop. When I post in the "finished projects" section I am looking for a little validation and appreciation from like minded folks. I am not looking for woodworking perfection I am looking to enjoy the process. Lord knows I employ the use of "creative woodworking" in most of my projects! If I am looking for project feedback I usually post in "project discussions." As a HIT (Husband in training) I am smart enough to know when my wife asks "how do you like my hair?", what she is wanting or needing for a response.

I usually respond in a positive and supportive manner. I don't give any negative feedback of any kind unless a critique has been asked for by the poster. Even then it's constructive.

Most everyone here posts with respect and courtesy that always keeps me coming back as opposed to the flaming wars on other WW websites.


Cheers to my BT3Central family!

[footprintsinconc]

i agree with almost all that has been posted. personally, when i post a finished project, i pretty much ask for what ever the viewer thinks. all comments are taken as a learning tool. i would never take it personally.

not all critiques are going to be useful, but generally they are. its not a bad idea, where some of you pm the critiques, but if they were posted in the thread, it not only helps the person who started the thread but also the people who view and read the remarks posted.

the thing to remember when critiquing is say it the way you want others to critique you.

i have to get off the computer, wife's complaining about the mess in the garage!

[drumpriest]

Cabinetman, I've noticed the discrepancy of which you speak here. I've certainly posted projects that were fairly easy and gotten bigger responses than ones with inlay work, for example. Sometimes it's just about the timing of the post. This entire hobby has hot spots and dead spots throughout the year, when people are not very interested in it.

I do try and reply to the finished projects section, as I like it when someone replys to me, but often there isn't much to critique. You don't often know how something is put together, so you are left to only critique the camera apparent finish, or the design of the piece. I think critiques of that sort have far less use than nuts and bolts information. Basically, if I'm showing it, I'm happy with the outcome, so if you don't like the looks of it, so what?

Furniture taste ranges like movie or music taste, and I don't think telling someone that you don't like mission style, or contemporary accomplishes much.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Heh, okay, open challenge/request:

Critique my work - both the web site *and* the items listed! Let's see how it's done and if I was able to put enough poly on the stick of wood.

http://wilsonmanorcrafts.com

Site is good. The logo is awesome. Love it. The product is great. Coffee cups are really neat, but somewhat expensive (don't know what compartive products sell for as coffee is one vice I never picked up_. Again, they are really awesome. Ordering, cart, check out seems to work very well and is not confusing. You need to work on your photo skills/equipment/whatever to get the clarity of the photos up a bit. Example the thumbnail and the photo for the Statemans Fountain Pen does not do it justice.

Prices seem nice on pens and especially cases.

How does your produce sales break down? I would think wooden pen sales account for most of your sales, correct? I personally wouldnt buy the Electric Blue Fountain Pen, as there are others on the market with better name recognition such as Waterford, Mont Blanc, etc that are very similar. But some of your wooden creations are very special. Could that be the woodworker in me?

[crokett]

Heh, okay, open challenge/request:

Critique my work - both the web site *and* the items listed! Let's see how it's done and if I was able to put enough poly on the stick of wood.

http://wilsonmanorcrafts.com

The site is laid out nicely. It took a bit to figure out the price on the coffee cups. At first I thought they were 15.00 but then . I drink at least 2 cups a day and that is still a really high price.

The woodworking looks first rate, but as was said, some of the photos could be improved a bit.

[scmhogg]

My Mother said. . .

If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all.

Steve

[Jeffrey Schronce]

As to answer the OP question, if someone asks to be critqued then I say do it constructively and honestly. If you hate the project style but it is well executed, then disagree with the style, but note the construction method, finish, material etc.

If someone does not solicit a critque but rather is posting to show the work that they are very proud of, then of course it is in very poor taste to review the work for them. I find that you can generally find something about the project to positively comment on.

I personally do not post my work. I will some day, maybe end of the year to review all the projects. I will ask for my work to be reviewed.

[gsmittle]

A variant of this technique is using the bad to push the good--in the actor example, "You're doing a really good job showing how Macbeth's thoughts change in this scene, so it'll be great when you don't have to try to remember your lines, and..." or "It's brilliant the way you're showing that Prince Hal has both a juvenile and a serious side, but maybe you should try toning down the loud belches..."

In other words, figure out how eliminating a flaw would highlight whatever they're doing well.

I use that one all the time--it's so automatic I didn't think of it!

g.

[gwyneth]

I use that one all the time--it's so automatic I didn't think of it!

I know you do--note I said "variant" and tried to come up with examples of it.

[final_t]

Re: web site coffee cups

I had priced them based on the level of difficulty to make and the time it takes, plus as a guide I had went by what smooth turning used to sell his for (apparently he stopped selling the complete cups in August). I've adjusted the price and the page so that they are more "reasonable" and for the Applewood model re-did it as an example with the default option not the spendy wood. This should remove the sticker shock.

Thanks for the critques!