They're just so... weird. Well for $26.66 (incl the gratuitous $19.95 s/h) it seemed like a cheap way to find out if I love 'em or hate 'em. If I hate 'em I can quit harboring that puzzled fascination with the things... I think...
Nov 23rd, '08, 21:27
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Okay, I did it.
D*mn you guys... I bought one of those Strommen bowls. We'll see if I like it.
They're just so... weird. Well for $26.66 (incl the gratuitous $19.95 s/h) it seemed like a cheap way to find out if I love 'em or hate 'em. If I hate 'em I can quit harboring that puzzled fascination with the things... I think...
They're just so... weird. Well for $26.66 (incl the gratuitous $19.95 s/h) it seemed like a cheap way to find out if I love 'em or hate 'em. If I hate 'em I can quit harboring that puzzled fascination with the things... I think...
Nov 23rd, '08, 21:55
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Yeah, some of them. This one is not as much, though it does have a pool of turquoise glaze in the bottom. I liked the shape very much, and am extremely curious about the texture of the bowl. You can see ithere, for now anyways.
Today was a very expensive day for me. I bought earrings (multiple pairs!) on Etsy, and also poppets. Yes, more poppets. I think I need therapy. 
Today was a very expensive day for me. I bought earrings (multiple pairs!) on Etsy, and also poppets. Yes, more poppets. I think I need therapy.
Ah yes, looking more like glaze. Yes, I can't imagine what it feels like in had. Do report back and lest us know. You got it for a steal! Congrats!
Awww a little retail therapy helps sometimes.
Awww a little retail therapy helps sometimes.
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Nov 23rd, '08, 23:53
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I have a, um, number of his bowls and love every one. That one you linked to is a beauty I have a summer bowl shape in that general style. I find his special clay recipe to be utterly fantastic - light, beautiful pinging tone, but solid and deals with heat nicely, interesting sounds, feels and textures come from handling. The dimensions of that one seem good, he can error on the large side sometimes ( which I dont' mind actually since I don't practice chado).
Do something different, something different will happen. ( Gong Fu Garden )
Nov 24th, '08, 01:43
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Looks like a real beauty! Please share what you think of it when you receive it.GeekgirlUnveiled wrote:Yeah, some of them. This one is not as much, though it does have a pool of turquoise glaze in the bottom. I liked the shape very much, and am extremely curious about the texture of the bowl. You can see ithere, for now anyways.
No such thing as too many poppets!GeekgirlUnveiled wrote:Today was a very expensive day for me. I bought earrings (multiple pairs!) on Etsy, and also poppets. Yes, more poppets. I think I need therapy.
And Etsy is scary-evil-delicious ... the very definition of temptation. (Eep.)
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Nov 24th, '08, 01:58
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Jay's work seems to capture all space and time for me. I think you'll come to love the bowl and may even buy more...
I've actually become friends with the fella and chilled with him a few times up in chitown. I was supposed to go to a firing at his wood kiln in galena last weekend but I had way too much school work...and it was going to be freezing...and it was going to be like a six hour drive one way. I decided to be responsible and put school first reluctantly...
The last time I visited him he took me to a play called "Yohen" in which a few of his pieces were used as props. In the play, the characters can't decide how to ultimately interpret the pieces. When things are bad in their lives they think the pieces are ugly, and when they are inspired they see them as beautiful and genius. The play didn't necessarily revolve around his work, more around the troubled marriage of the two characters (a 50something japanese woman and a african-american WWII vet). The character's interpretation of the strommen pieces is a metaphor for their perception of their own relationship. Can they find the beauty and hope through the flaws? The challenge is acknowledged.
I think it's cool how much of his work inspires the viewer to seek the light through the trouble and find beauty and peace in inperfection.
people should definately check out his site at jaystrommen.com
His girlfriend just redesigned the site quite a bit and I liked it better the way it was before, but all the important content is still there. what's pictured on the site is just a tiny fraction of what he produces and he's got some really cool ish commin up.
I've actually become friends with the fella and chilled with him a few times up in chitown. I was supposed to go to a firing at his wood kiln in galena last weekend but I had way too much school work...and it was going to be freezing...and it was going to be like a six hour drive one way. I decided to be responsible and put school first reluctantly...
The last time I visited him he took me to a play called "Yohen" in which a few of his pieces were used as props. In the play, the characters can't decide how to ultimately interpret the pieces. When things are bad in their lives they think the pieces are ugly, and when they are inspired they see them as beautiful and genius. The play didn't necessarily revolve around his work, more around the troubled marriage of the two characters (a 50something japanese woman and a african-american WWII vet). The character's interpretation of the strommen pieces is a metaphor for their perception of their own relationship. Can they find the beauty and hope through the flaws? The challenge is acknowledged.
I think it's cool how much of his work inspires the viewer to seek the light through the trouble and find beauty and peace in inperfection.
people should definately check out his site at jaystrommen.com
His girlfriend just redesigned the site quite a bit and I liked it better the way it was before, but all the important content is still there. what's pictured on the site is just a tiny fraction of what he produces and he's got some really cool ish commin up.
The first searches I did on Strommen and pot brought up a page of abstract pots, which... um, were interesting. Then I found more 'normal' pots. Still, interesting. I think I'd have to see one in person.GeekgirlUnveiled wrote:Yes, more poppets. I think I need therapy.
As for therapy, maybe you can have the poppets give you therapy? Poppet therapy.
Dec 5th, '08, 13:43
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Well, I still don't know how I like this bowl. It has been 13 days, and I still do not have it. This is unacceptable when I paid $20 for the shipping and handling. The gratuitous overcharge should be MORE than enough to ensure that the item gets mailed in a timely manner.
Regardless of whether I like the bowl or not, I will not be purchasing anything else from Strommen, and I will not be recommending it to anyone else.
As a point of reference, I ordered two items from Japan, to be shipped SAL. One on the 19th, and one on the 22nd. Both have arrived already, one last Friday, and one on Tuesday of this week.
Regardless of whether I like the bowl or not, I will not be purchasing anything else from Strommen, and I will not be recommending it to anyone else.
As a point of reference, I ordered two items from Japan, to be shipped SAL. One on the 19th, and one on the 22nd. Both have arrived already, one last Friday, and one on Tuesday of this week.
I would say that should depend on how it is handled. Speed is one thing in handling, but how it's packaged would be another. For instance the packing for items from Magokorodo is amazing how he does it. Nothing is left to chance. Foam on newspaper on peanuts etc etc etc. But yeah if it's domestic US it should have gotten here by now.GeekgirlUnveiled wrote:Well, I still don't know how I like this bowl. It has been 13 days, and I still do not have it. This is unacceptable when I paid $20 for the shipping and handling. The gratuitous overcharge should be MORE than enough to ensure that the item gets mailed in a timely manner.
But if it shows up hand carried no complaints imo!
Dec 5th, '08, 15:41
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My mistake, it has been 12 days, I counted from the day I paid, rather than the following day.
Yeah, I hear you about paying a premium for very good packaging, but Magokorodo packages well, mails from out of the country, for a tad more than 50% of the charge from Strommen mailing stateside, and it still gets here in days less time? Part of "handling" IMO is mailing it in good speed.
According to Strommen, it was mailed 5 days ago (on Sunday???) by UPS. UPS has been already and does not deliver on the weekend, so it will be over two weeks since paid IF I get it on Monday.
I would not be cranky about this if there were not an additional $10 "handling" surcharge. Although I tell myself that since I bought the bowl for the opening bid, I should just view the purchase price as $10 more, still a very good price for a handmade item. But my brain is not buying the argument, it is saying that I paid extra for "handling," so that should = extra good "handling."
Yeah, I hear you about paying a premium for very good packaging, but Magokorodo packages well, mails from out of the country, for a tad more than 50% of the charge from Strommen mailing stateside, and it still gets here in days less time? Part of "handling" IMO is mailing it in good speed.
According to Strommen, it was mailed 5 days ago (on Sunday???) by UPS. UPS has been already and does not deliver on the weekend, so it will be over two weeks since paid IF I get it on Monday.
I would not be cranky about this if there were not an additional $10 "handling" surcharge. Although I tell myself that since I bought the bowl for the opening bid, I should just view the purchase price as $10 more, still a very good price for a handmade item. But my brain is not buying the argument, it is saying that I paid extra for "handling," so that should = extra good "handling."
Yeah, unless the thing has a handmade crate decorated with a mosaic on it, 7 days to pack and ship an item is too long. Items should ship out within at most 72 hours of payment. I say 72 because I think it's ok if an order gets paid on friday and can't ship till monday.
Did he provide you with a tracking #? That should be a must for decent service.
The price seems quite steep for something shipped in the continental US. (I'm assuming that's where it's coming from). Especially if he did UPS ground. For a chawan it should only be like 8 dollars to ship (and that's on the high end).
Did he provide you with a tracking #? That should be a must for decent service.
The price seems quite steep for something shipped in the continental US. (I'm assuming that's where it's coming from). Especially if he did UPS ground. For a chawan it should only be like 8 dollars to ship (and that's on the high end).
It's been less than two weeks and your posting total neg? I mean I understand that it's a bit long for shipping but not anything unreasonable...
Every artist I know includes "handling charges" either in their asking price or in their shipping price. They need to make ends meet. You know about the shipping charges up front...it's not like he suprises you with them after you bid. Maybe something came up? Maybe the package got held up for some reason?
Strommen has always shipped his work in a timely manner to me and everyone I know. That sucks that you haven't gotten your piece by now, but I know you will soon...and if you don't, I know Jay will make it right with you! this is not the norm...
Every artist I know includes "handling charges" either in their asking price or in their shipping price. They need to make ends meet. You know about the shipping charges up front...it's not like he suprises you with them after you bid. Maybe something came up? Maybe the package got held up for some reason?
Strommen has always shipped his work in a timely manner to me and everyone I know. That sucks that you haven't gotten your piece by now, but I know you will soon...and if you don't, I know Jay will make it right with you! this is not the norm...