Umm...thanks, I think

[smorris]

We were over to visit my future daughter in laws parents and I took them a little present from my shop. I had made a cutting board in a checkerboard pattern using maple and mahogany. Sealed it with salad bowl finish and I was rather pleased with the way it turned out.

When they opened it they gave the appropriate oohhhs and aahhs then her mother thanked me and said "Wow, you made this yourself? This is as nice as anything they have at Pottery Barn." Of course I just smiled and said thanks for the compliment while my son sat there choking on his drink.

I laughed all the way home about that. At least it was Ikea. ROTFL

[Richard in Smithville]

These days, I always take it as a compliment when people think it's store bought. They just can't believe something hand made cannot be a nice as mass produced!

[TB Roye]

Do what I have done. Pack it in a box that says made in the Peoples Republic of China That always get a expression or coment.

Tom

[luteman]

As a maker of musical instruments,I sometimes have people look at my inlay work and say,"Wow, is that a decal." Don't know if I should be angry or proud. I generally just chalk it up to their lack of experience with hand crafted items.

[crokett]

I would just smile, nod and take it as a compliment. There are people out there with no experience with or appreciation of hand-crafted wares. I was at one of my dad's blacksmith group meetings once and one of the smiths was showing off a humming bird he made. It was intended to be the first of a few in a piece he was doing. Another non-smith there wanted to buy it and offered 10 bucks for it. He really had no idea of the labor it took to do that.

[leehljp]

It is a mentality thing, a perception thing for some folks.

LOML is one who likes "manufactured" things and thinks if it is manufactured, then it is better. She also believes labels such as low fat, low sugar. I used to make my own spaghetti sauce til she found a sauce that advertised "lower sugar" and "low fat". I never added oil or sugar. Kids loved my sauce over store bought, only LOML thought the store bought was healthier because of the label. (She grew up in a large city atmosphere among canned goods. )

I have noticed this type of perception, attitude and mentality among many people. It is not relegated to custom made things or food alone. Drives me nuts.

My kids all have laid claim to the furniture items that I have made; but LOML gets a little aggravated that they don't particularly want the nice but manufactured furniture that we have.

Usually when I say that I am about to start a project, LOML looks at me in disgust and comments that we could buy the item cheaper and quicker. After the project, she lays claim to it saying she wasn't expecting anything that nice! Then the next project, the same thing again. Still, she values manufactured things in higher regard, even if it is plywood or well covered particle board.

[leehljp]

It was intended to be the first of a few in a piece he was doing. Another non-smith there wanted to buy it and offered 10 bucks for it. He really had no idea of the labor it took to do that.

HA HA HA! Talking about taking this thread in the OPPOSITE direction: Reminds me of something that happened a couple of years ago.

My son in law has his masters in ceramic ARTs and is doing good. He made me a couple of mugs with a wood grain texture on the outside. My daughter wanted me to post a picture here to see if any of you guys would like some - so that they could sell them.

I made the comment - "you are making art, the woodworking forum will view it as a wood looking coffee mug. Art and coffee mugs are on two different price ranges!"

She asked me how much I thought I could get for them? I said "About $10 to $15 at the most". She looked dejected. I asked, "Well, how much would you expect?" Her reply" $40 - $50"

[crokett]

Lee, funny thing. My brother the woodworker - his name is Ben - is learning the difference between art and consumables. He works for a guy up in NYC now and has recognized that about 80% of the guys profits are the every day stuff.

[just started]

She asked me how much I thought I could get for them? I said "About $10 to $15 at the most". She looked dejected. I asked, "Well, how much would you expect?" Her reply" $40 - $50"

I guess I might pay $10 if you were selling them, but even if you aren't I would still like to see the pix of them.

[cgallery]

I guess I might pay $10 if you were selling them, but even if you aren't I would still like to see the pix of them.

+1. I'd like to see the pix of the mugs.

[leehljp]

I guess I might pay $10 if you were selling them, but even if you aren't I would still like to see the pix of them.

I hope they show up. They hold about 12 - 14 ounces.

[smorris]

I like those! Not $40 worth but I'd buy one if I saw them somewhere.

[Prax]

Wow!! those do look nice. I am not a coffee drinker or mug user, but they sure are nice. Cudos to him.

[phi1l]

wowo those look great, .. just like they were manufactured

[herb fellows]

You can quibble with their perspective, but from where they see things they have paid you a very high compliment indeed. Take it and run with it!