Confessions of an Introverted Woodturner: The Art of Self-Promotion (Without Panicking)

I love woodturning. I love the smell of freshly cut cherry, the hum of the lathe, and that magical moment when a block of wood becomes something smooth, shiny, and entirely unexpected.

What I don’t love?
Telling people about it.

Because, you see, I’m an introvert — which means I can happily spend eight hours sanding a bowl in silence but break into a cold sweat at the idea of saying, “Hey, could you check out my website?”

The Social Media Struggle

They say you need to “build your brand” and “engage your audience.” I tried. I even wrote my first Instagram caption:

“Here’s a bowl I made.”

It sat there, looking lonely. So I added a few hashtags — #woodturning #handmade #pleaseLikeMe — and called it a day.

By the time I hit “post,” I needed a nap to recover from the emotional exertion.

The Elevator Pitch That Never Left the Ground

I know I should be ready to tell people about my work — but every time someone asks, “What do you do?” my brain short-circuits.

Instead of proudly saying, “I create hand-turned wood art,” I usually mumble something like, “Oh, you know… wood stuff,” and change the subject to the weather.

Apparently, that’s not the marketing strategy experts recommend.

The Website Whisperer

Even my website is quiet — tasteful photos, simple design, and not a single pop-up screaming “Subscribe NOW!” I tell myself it’s minimalist. Others might call it nervously polite.

But slowly, I’m learning.
I’ve started sending an occasional email, posting a new photo, and even — brace yourself — sharing my work in a local art group.

Each time, I remind myself that I’m not bragging; I’m inviting people to see something I made with care. And that’s not scary — it’s kind of wonderful.

The Moral of the Story

Being an introverted artist in a loud, promotional world is tough. But just like turning a rough log into a smooth bowl, it’s all about patience, small cuts, and taking a deep breath before the next step.

So if you’re here, looking at my work — thank you.
You’ve just made an introvert’s day.