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I think this may be a good way to market my spoons - what do y’all think?

 
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https://judsoncarrollwoodcraft.substack.com/p/a-couple-of-leaf-spoons
 
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Yep, the interwebs are a great way to market your skills and products.   Spoon carving is something I want to take up myself  in the future.  My advice , for what its worth, is not to to post pictures of unfinished spoons.  Your text says you plan on sanding and oiling but the pictures you post are peoples  first impression of your work.  
 
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Hi Judson;
After checking out your ad,  I agree with Jeff.
Finishing those beautiful spoons before posting could really help your sales.
Excellent work with a good write-up.  I think these will sell out ouickly.
 
Judson Carroll
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Jeff Marchand wrote:Yep, the interwebs are a great way to market your skills and products.   Spoon carving is something I want to take up myself  in the future.  My advice , for what its worth, is not to to post pictures of unfinished spoons.  Your text says you plan on sanding and oiling but the pictures you post are peoples  first impression of your work.  




Thanks!  I was really just establishing a place holder on substack to see how it would look.
 
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Those are some very cool spoons, Judson - I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!
 
Judson Carroll
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Carla Burke wrote:Those are some very cool spoons, Judson - I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!



Thanks!
 
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I would bet there is at least somewhat of a market for rustic spoons, or "U Finish" spoons. One can go to most stores and buy a finished wooden spoon, but not one with the rough carving marks left on it. People also may be temperamental about what kind of oil, if any, they want on it.
 
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Jordan Holland wrote:I would bet there is at least somewhat of a market for rustic spoons, or "U Finish" spoons. One can go to most stores and buy a finished wooden spoon, but not one with the rough carving marks left on it. People also may be temperamental about what kind of oil, if any, they want on it.



Maybe I could offer both, but sanding isn't much work.  I usually sand in batches, then oil.  I like to use walnut oil but you are right that some may have an allergy or prefer another oil... even none at all.  Spoons don't actually have to be oiled since they absorb oils from food.  Unoiled spoons pick up stains easier and need to be dried carefully.  But, a lot of really traditional European spoon carvers prefer not to sand or oil them.  Barn the Spoon is an advocate for such and is probably the most prominent spoon carver in England.
 
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Do you have an idea of your price for them?
 
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Carla Burke wrote:Do you have an idea of your price for them?



I think I'll ask $25.  The market is all over the map, but that is close to the low end for hand carved spoons, but i think it reasonable for the time and effort involved.  You would be astounded at the prices some charge... or, at least, I was.  For instance, check out Poder's Old World Market.  Frankly, his stuff is GORGEOUS!  But it is a bit rich for my blood... amazingly though, it is very much in line with the British market.  People pay it.  Well, I figure I can increase prices if I want to as my work gets known.  I could even run a sale.  I'm just going to shoot for the low/average starting out.  I know many may think that foolish, but I want people to actually use my spoons - I make them for cooking and eating because I am passionate about cooking and eating.  THey are not meant to be things that sit on a shelf.
 
Carla Burke
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Finding the balance between underselling yourself & staying competitive can be tricky!
 
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Carla Burke wrote:Finding the balance between underselling yourself & staying competitive can be tricky!



Definitely.  I feel comfortable with $25.  That is about what one of my books sells for.  It takes about as long to write several pages as it does to carve a spoon.  Of course, finding and cutting the wood should also be considered... but, well... I like walking in the woods.
 
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