Until I did boat shows, I never understood how complex gift-giving could be. My classic examples will always be the guy (s) who wanted a carved figurehead of their wife ( but bustier) as a birthday present. The wives, of course, stood off to one side with a disgusted look on their faces.
But, ladies, don’t think you get off scot free. There was that woman who wanted to buy an eagle for her husband’s office. Nothing strange, you say, for a present? Well, the one I had at the show was your typical eagle with a banner that read ” Free Trade and Seamen’s Rights.” She wanted a different sentiment on her husband’s, ” Free Trade and Semen’s Rights.” This may have been a wisecrack, but she backed it up with a significant deposit on the work.
When couples walk up to your booth looking for presents, you need to keep an eye on both. No, not because of theft. But because different signals will be sent by each member of the pair. He’s looking at the Regatta Hoop tray with a carving of his yacht club’s burgee ( club flag) on it. She has her hands stroking a hand-carved cherry bowl about twelve inches in diameter. Can you go for the gold and make two sales? At least it’s a pleasant dream.
Then there was the lady riffling through the carved cherry spoons as her husband examined a nice cherry cutting board. She grins at me and silently mimes ” the spoons!!!!” She is pointing to one large one in particular. She then looks to her husband with an innocent look, but mentally she is broadcasting “spoons dummy, spoons!” As a craftsman, I think that they both have excellent taste, and try to make two sales.
Even though my booth was decorated with eagles, quarterboards, banners, billet heads, and all sorts of carved doodads for your boat, it was the common spoon and cutting board that paid booth fees, and allowed me to take the family of six ( four ravenous kids) to dinner. Cash flow is king, and simple wooden ware was the key.
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I love the — is it a cutting board? — with the Celtic Knots. My SO, Teddy Bear T. Dog says he’s good with that as long as there is chicken on it.
It’s a serving trivet. Max agrees with Teddy!
🐾🤣
Spoons and small bowls. I can never have too many of those.
You are the sort of customer that helped pay for dinner out at the shows; the oldest had the nickname of the “Bottomless Pit.”
I’ve seen that question asked on the blogosphere a few times, and it annoys me. I think it’d be far better to ask, “what’s the best gift you ever gave?”
But those people who wanted to give your carvings showed good taste – one-off pieces from an artisan – it shows some thought has gone into it.
I agree with you on the question, but to that I might add,” and what was the user’s response?” Simply because a great present and t a wonderful response might not always be linked, and a bit of exposition might be interesting. U=
But you know, as I do, sometimes you have to treat the prompt as just a starting point.
Of course, I agree with your comment on taste. Some of the best stuff was guided by wonderful customer guidance. I loved working with customers like that!
Beautiful carvings, you are so talented!
Thank you, Alice!