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Post by sachbvn on Mar 20, 2010 20:39:34 GMT -6
Hey guys - been working on some new Ruth Niles SS stoppers - I love this style. The base is smaller so it naturally makes you stopper a bit smaller - still getting used to that, but I think it makes me create much more refined and thought out designs, which is very good. I have been very pleased with the results! In no particular order...... Blister maple and african blackwood (crappy pic, sorry!), bloodwood, walnut, burmese rosewood, african blackwood, and zebrawood. Not sure about my favorite.... I really like the bloodwood - I scooped out the top like a dish using a scraper - it turned out pretty neat I think. I do like the size/shape and color of the burmese rosewood too, though. Please comment, critique.... Thanks! Zac       |
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Mar 21, 2010 1:07:37 GMT -6
I love the Ruth Niles stoppers. They are great and you are right that they are smaller diameter but I have noticed that you don't necessarily have to match up the bottle stopper parts with the wood - sometimes it looks just fine to have the wood bigger diameter than the stopper kit. Now, bottle stopper shapes is something I really struggle with and I appreciate you showing your new designs, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I feel really unqualified to judge stoppers, but just because I appreciate honest feedback on my stoppers, I'm going to give you my honest opinion, which is worth exactly what you paid for it  My favorite one of the six is the Bloodwood with the burn lines and the dished out top - excellent work Zac, that one is truly unique and a great design. I wonder if another burn line way up close to the top might look good...maybe. Next favorite of mine is the Blister Maple with the dark band in the middle - I really like that shape, especially the bottom transition to the stopper. And of course that Blister wood is really special. Next would be the Zebrawood stopper. If the top was bigger than the bottom I would like it better, but still a pretty attractive shape. And Zebrawood is always nice too. The Blackwood is OK but something just does not look right. I'm not sure what but it is a very subtle change that would make it appeal to me more. I like the height of it and the tip,,,hmmm, I'm not sure what change to make. The light colored stopper is shaped fine, but I'm thinking that a couple of burn lines in that one would really make it pop! The fourth one is my least favorite. Something about the shape is not working for me. The burn line helps, but... |
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Post by sachbvn on Mar 21, 2010 2:45:18 GMT -6
Doug I appreciate real feedback - we all tell each other of the stuff we like - not often enough to we critique what doesn't appeal to us.... this group is much better about being honest and I think it's because, in general, the people sharing their projects know that the group of guys here are a great group and that no one has their nose in the air. I don't like the Walnut one at all.... in fact I may ditch it and save the stopper for something else. Wood is cheap comparatively speaking....to the cost of a stopper. The blackwood to me seems kinda weird.... but the weird thing is - a couple people at work tonight (women) told me it is their favorite. It doesn't look close enough to male anatomy for that to be the reason! The Fourth one with the single burn line, the picture doesn't really to it justice - it looks well more plain jane than it looks in person. But I known what you are saying.... it's just..... there. I like the shape a lot though....partially because turning rounded ends w/o terrible catches is an improving skill to me.... I was real pleased with the roundness of this one. I thought about more burn lines for the bloodwood one but at one point I was burning way too much....overkill ya know? I didn't want to take something that looked really good - straight to gawdy. Could a burn line go towards the upper part? Maybe.... something to play around with. I really liked the scooped out dish look and plan to make more like it - or attempt to. I think it is a style that has a lot of potential to be a real hit - both with other turners and customers. Doug - thanks for you praise, but even more your suggestions/comments! Zac |
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Post by sdb777 on Mar 21, 2010 7:04:21 GMT -6
Kind of unique shapes.
As having never made a bottle stopper, I'm the last to critique someones work....with that said.
The fourth one down from the top:
More burn lines, maybe 3 or five total would make it pop!
Question on bottle stoppers:
What is the typical age of someone buying one of these stoppers?
Would figure if the person is 'older' that they would want something that gives them a good grip(larger diameter or finger sized grooves). Or do the stoppers typically 'turn loose' of the bottle mouth so easily that removing isn't a problem?
Scott (favorite is the segmented one) B
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Post by boodrow on Mar 21, 2010 8:10:12 GMT -6
Zac they are all nice lookin stoppers. The finish looks good which is always improtant tryin to sell um. I have to agree with Doug that the bottom dont have to match the stopper. My next piece of advise is listen to what women say. I work with a woman that will tell me in a heart beat if it looks like chit or if its just ok , or beautiful. She generally is correct when it comes to sellin um. One of what I thought was the most hidious lookin stoppers sold first , u cant ever guess what the public likes or dislikes. Lastley IMHO I would like to see more definiton in those. More curves and contrast. Bottom line Zac they look great , take my input as corrective in nature and only go with what u feel good with.
Boodrow
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Post by Ruffnek on Mar 21, 2010 8:24:12 GMT -6
Nice group, Zac and some fine work.
I absolutely love the Bloodwood stopper. The shape and that dished top really look great. Of the rest, I like the ones with the rounded tops the most and that Blackwood stopper the least.
A pointy top on something that is to be pressed into a bottle with the hand just doesn't seem practical to me...but practical and women don't usually go together, at least in my personal experience with my wonderful wife. ;D
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Post by maxwellsmart007 on Mar 21, 2010 14:32:40 GMT -6
keep in mind, a lot of people like to keep their wine bottles on the countertop - a tall stopper might not fit under the cabinets...
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Post by mapleman on Mar 21, 2010 19:49:37 GMT -6
Zac, Well, I have made all of 3 stoppers, so i am a complete expert Like the others, I like the Bloodwood the best. that is a very classic, simple, understated but still "pop" design. great execution too. I have struggled mightily with shaping on mine, as well. I have a mechanical limitation, as well, that prevents me from doing much shaping on the top. I brought my first stopper into the house a couple weeks ago and the wife looked at it, laughed, and said, "what are they supposed to be?" Now, keep in mind I made 1. It just happened to be basically two large beads. so, from the side, they might look male, albeit not phallic  keep up the good work Zac, john |
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Mark
WoW Member
I sure enjoy wood-chip showers!
Posts: 139
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Post by Mark on Mar 21, 2010 22:06:31 GMT -6
Zac,
My fav is the Bloodwood one, then the Maple one. The Blackwood one is just too tall. The Rosewood and Walnut ones are simple enough, that some potential buyers might consider them "elegant".
Good work though,
Mark
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Post by deepsplinter on Mar 22, 2010 7:06:47 GMT -6
Nice work, Zac.
I don't care for the first one (sorry), but the rest of 'em look pretty sharp.
The second one (blistered maple?) is my favorite.
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