tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post3782452083455935501..comments2024-03-29T08:08:58.736+00:00Comments on Lucykate Crafts . . .: How much...??!Lucykate Crafts...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00799331918962034472noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-89183956972805126302010-08-24T01:19:54.605+01:002010-08-24T01:19:54.605+01:00What a timely post, from my point of view. I post...What a timely post, from my point of view. I posted yesterday about just such a pricing dilemma. I've decided from now on I'm just making things for me - or maybe as presents for people who I know will appreciate them. (I recently spent 8 hours making a beaded necklace for someone and I didn't even get a thank you!)vintagerockchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11771490446494303513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-70928153879271798172010-08-04T07:50:42.498+01:002010-08-04T07:50:42.498+01:00Great subject and very interesting comments. I...Great subject and very interesting comments. I'm *toughening up*. I now ignore the raised eyebrows when I give the price of my OOAK items. I'm selling very little through Etsy but am confident that the quality of my workmanship will be recognised and I will find my niche market. I do believe that effort spent developing my own website will be eventually be far more lucrative. As for pricing, I use a formula that I used when I was in the catering industry. Take the cost of the ingredients and multiply by 3 (one for my time and one for profit). Sometimes I do a little comparing but only when my items are not selling do I then discount them.<br /><br />I totally agree about folk who do not add a margin of profit to their items - it's damaging to the rest of us who NEED to make a living from our 30 year apprenticeship!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-66297270244500161542010-08-04T02:20:49.799+01:002010-08-04T02:20:49.799+01:00The cringe factor is always there when it comes to...The cringe factor is always there when it comes to prices. I make hand knitted baby shoes and bootees as well as celebration and wedding cakes. When it comes to prices, I tell people what it is going to cost them - if they want to buy, they buy; if they don't, they don't. I no longer undersell myself and I get so upset when I see others doing exactly that. Hand made items take time and love and patience; if a customer wants handmade, they have to pay for it - otherwise, don't bother! Harsh but true!! And thanks for a fabulous blog - your crafts inspire me.Jane Dominicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10713828739096129053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-62180170072759952462010-08-01T23:41:23.786+01:002010-08-01T23:41:23.786+01:00I couldn't agree more and I think most of us a...I couldn't agree more and I think most of us are on the same page, the formula is all good and well but when you work out the selling price and then say HOW MUCH? you start to wonder if it is all worth it.<br />I love doing custom orders but it is so difficult to price them and when I make things for my Etsy shop, I check the marketplace to see what others are charging, it annoys me to no end when I see things obviously underpriced, especially to the point where they can't possibly be turning a profit - not so much because the artist isn't making any money but more because they are harming the rest of the market by doing so.jojoebi-designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17585345777385016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-34811143127410411832010-08-01T15:08:27.842+01:002010-08-01T15:08:27.842+01:00I agree that it can be hard to price things, espec...I agree that it can be hard to price things, especially if you primarily make one of a kind items like I do. I think I need to start clocking how long it actually takes to make things!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-54539986423989095952010-07-31T17:00:45.135+01:002010-07-31T17:00:45.135+01:00This is such an interesting topic. I've start...This is such an interesting topic. I've started to make things to sell now after my family and friends have told me for years that I should sell them. However its been very interesting when they have asked me to make something for them and I have told them the price...suddenly they dont ask anymore or ask for 'mates rates'<br /><br />Its a touch choice, do I make things just for pleasure or weed out those things that take too much time...but then am I losing the craft approach and moving towards an industrial approach.<br /><br />I have to say, since pricing my items, I am now willing to pay the price for handcrafted items.<br /><br />Its interesting how your perspective can change so therefore is it part of our role to educate the customer?<br /><br />Louise<br />aka the sleepy badgerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-3308409576395076132010-07-31T06:22:05.888+01:002010-07-31T06:22:05.888+01:00price is such a hard thing! when commissioned I s...price is such a hard thing! when commissioned I sometimes make 2 {though not identical} and so that helps with the cost thing. takes just a bit longer, but you get 2 finished products. <br />http://patchworkposse.comBecky J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07705469068742577466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-36357610267580321002010-07-29T10:27:31.148+01:002010-07-29T10:27:31.148+01:00I've been through this too, 25p an hour for la...I've been through this too, 25p an hour for labour that I used to charge was ridiculous just so that they would sell. Now I price fairly to myself because I enjoy what I make and would rather give my work away as gifts to friends and family. Anyone who does pay my prices knows how much has gone into an item and appreciates it. The ones who think my things are too expensive have never picked up a needle!Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12502956712451039318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-61162563900819568082010-07-29T00:33:54.375+01:002010-07-29T00:33:54.375+01:00I appreciate you bringing this subject up. And al...I appreciate you bringing this subject up. And all the comments left by you lovely artist. I love supporting people of craft by giving handmade items as gifts. Or making them myself. I think support from within is the best place to start. We each know the time, skill and love that go into our creations and enjoy them that much more for them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751383958801178016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-81364677954199546902010-07-27T20:00:53.218+01:002010-07-27T20:00:53.218+01:00I too am glad i found your blog today! You have vo...I too am glad i found your blog today! You have voiced what every 'crafty' person feels inside. I was asked by a friend (even worse than being asked by a stranger i think!) to make a bridesmaid dress for her. I've come to the conclusion that most people would not pay enough for handmade creations, to actually make yourself an acceptable 'profit'. <br /><br />But at the end of the day, life isn't all about making money, and there are lovely people out there who will appreciate the hard work you put into handmade items! Your blog looks great and i'm about to become a follower!Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05861395600056908970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-1989549139555441632010-07-27T09:51:07.193+01:002010-07-27T09:51:07.193+01:00Excellent post! I too am a cringer and feel embara...Excellent post! I too am a cringer and feel embarassed when it comes to the business side of things. Luckily I have a husband who constantly reminds me that what I have made is unique to the buyer and that they don't have to buy if they don't want to! There are always the few who question the price, but the overall majority don't even seem to blink!Handmade in Israelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05074180274102087566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-39509834419130845662010-07-25T19:35:35.230+01:002010-07-25T19:35:35.230+01:00It's been really interesting reading all these...It's been really interesting reading all these comments and quite often I'm told 'you should sell these'. I'm so glad that I'm not alone in feeling the awkwardness of pricing. I find it so hard and like you have often broken down the cost of making something only to find that what you actually get out of it is peanuts. I find that people fall into two camps either they really value a handcrafted item and will often give you more than you ask for or they have a want something for nothing approach and they're doing you a favour by buying something.<br /><br />Depending on what I am making charging for the time it has taken to make an item can't even come into the equation. The price of some materials also makes it difficult as I think sometimes people really don't realise the cost involved.<br /><br />Having said all that if someone as talented as yourself finds it difficult I don't feel so bad. I'll try to be more confident in the future and more positive in my pricing afterall if people don't want to pay what is a reasonable price I'd rather give things away as gifts to people who will appreciate them.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558136842116499641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-87780873120601041282010-07-25T17:06:29.784+01:002010-07-25T17:06:29.784+01:00It has been very interesting for me reading your p...It has been very interesting for me reading your post about pricing and all the comments. <br /><br />I have been making little bits and pieces for my self and for my family for quite a few years now, and I have always had people saying to me "you should sell this, you would make loads of money", but I have always been put off selling things I make as I am too worried about the pricing side of things, I have many times sat down and thought "ok, if I was going to sell this what price would I charge" and I never seem to get anywhere with these thoughts, so nothing gets sold... Maybe one day I will be brave enough to sell items, but at this moment in time I will just enjoy making presents for family and friends... (Expensive presents mind you as I am quite a slow crafter)...Carla Doylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13393754895552389735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-33894638326804753032010-07-24T12:50:34.613+01:002010-07-24T12:50:34.613+01:00It's so refreshing to read not only your post,...It's so refreshing to read not only your post, but also subsequent comments on this particular topic. I'm another one who finds it quite difficult to price my items. I've actually stopped listing items through etsy and have taken up to selling items at handmade markets. In 6 months I didn't sell a single item through etsy(!!!), but I've now had 5 successful markets where my items sold with lots of accompanying praise and wholesale enquiries. <br /><br />I have marginally increased prices with each market I've done to test price elasticity. What I initially thought would not sell for AU$20 has sold just as well for $40 as it did at $20! <br /><br />A lot of the time it also comes down to what you;re trying to sell. In my instance, 90% of my range is textile based which requires the necessary sense of touch by a potential customer. As great as photography skills can be, a photo doesn't evoke the same emotional connection as a touch and feel of a soft toy or up-close embroidery detail of a cushion. <br /><br />So my advice to others in the same position is try different avenues, research the demographic of your retail environment and experiment with pricing. Trial and error really. It's all you can do. And don't rely on just one avenue to sell your items. Try a few different ones and see what works (consignment, wholesale, online, markets, etc)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00829493571512711160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-89047956262507370002010-07-24T11:27:33.843+01:002010-07-24T11:27:33.843+01:00i do find it very hard to work out prices for my h...i do find it very hard to work out prices for my handmade items - i check out etsy/folksy to compare the meerkat - try and work out how long it took - realise that was too long - shave some time off - get my price - cringe - put item in my shop and hope it sells! If it doesn't nearing the end of listing time i'll sometimes reduce it.<br /> so my advice would be aim high - pay yourself properly for your time and if it doesn't sell reduce it :o)x vInTaGe VioLeT xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16413071196735582651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-72250505022874714562010-07-23T20:18:05.506+01:002010-07-23T20:18:05.506+01:00Hello
Im so happy to have found your blog today, ...Hello<br /><br />Im so happy to have found your blog today, and this post is very timely as I was chatting about this very thing recently with a friend.<br /><br />I feel that perhaps some customers do not fully understand what goes into a hand made item, and when they gasp at the price (or fail to reply to a quote which is generally quite modest) I instantly feel that I'm charging too much, but then when I sit and work it out, I'm getting something similar to your maths equation on your post.<br /><br />It's a toughie - do we charge more for our skill, time, materials, design etc and perhaps not sell an item because it seems expensive, or undercharge and therefore devalue ourselves in the process?<br /><br />I'll come back and visit again soon to see how the replies unfold :)<br /><br />Sending love,<br />Julia x x xJuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13492504774523043887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-51493210339097244252010-07-23T20:15:00.898+01:002010-07-23T20:15:00.898+01:00I feel your pain. My dh is always trying to get m...I feel your pain. My dh is always trying to get me to sell what I make. I'd rather give it away than realize all of the heart, imagination, time and joy that went into creating a piece is only worth the price of minimum wage or less. At least if I choose who I give it to I know it is someone who will associate it with my feelings for them or some sentimentality.Mindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09662565253955618120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-33918162791542041372010-07-23T14:33:37.721+01:002010-07-23T14:33:37.721+01:00Thank you for raising this subject, I like yoursel...Thank you for raising this subject, I like yourself and the other crafters who have commented here, struggle with the pricing issue. I've appreciated reading the other comments, realizing that I am not alone in my thinking and gaining a new perspective in my pricing process. Thank you. I think this post will be a great help for many of us and will certainly give us something to think and talk about.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17799933106158658725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-71470179941900403032010-07-23T13:42:03.016+01:002010-07-23T13:42:03.016+01:00I completely understand what you mean i'm just...I completely understand what you mean i'm just doing an 8inch jungle themed birthday cake at the moment which i have charged £25 for. I have made 5 animal toppers which i've been doing all week the monkey alone has taken me 3hours. I struggle so much with pricing and would love to charge more but im worried people wouldn't buy my cakes if i did.The Little Bakeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614538833471437797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-69101183951051748212010-07-23T12:27:10.464+01:002010-07-23T12:27:10.464+01:00I try not to undervalue my crafts but I struggle ...I try not to undervalue my crafts but I struggle so with my self esteem most days that i'm never quite sure what I'm worth let alone what my crafts are worth. I usually scan etsy as find a middle ground where i think my doll (because thats what I keep making recently) would fit in price wise, where all my materials are covered and a small bit of my time making it. I don't have any degrees in textiles nor have I worked in the industry I just like to make dolls and dream up little stories for them. I have been quite shocked and thrilled that they have been selling and perhaps I should think diffrently more postively becuse if people want them then that means I'm doing somethign good right? I think I'm waffling now.Aprylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12196354506684745214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-58709015734183723352010-07-23T08:25:18.069+01:002010-07-23T08:25:18.069+01:00I agree it is a real problem but it is so importan...I agree it is a real problem but it is so important not to undervalue your work. I recently had an enquiry about a doll on my website and when I responded with the price I didn't even get a reply back... so rude!Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689402000429710324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-71413186382347935182010-07-23T07:15:23.299+01:002010-07-23T07:15:23.299+01:00I hate, hate it when people undervalue their work ...I hate, hate it when people undervalue their work as it brings down the whole handmade market. 'But it only cost me £1.50 to buy the materials so £2.00 is a good price to be selling at because look I get 50p profit' It doesn't work like that! My gift tags are fairly labour intensive but don't feel that I can realistically sell them for more than £2 for a set of 10 - people even blanch at that price! I used to sell them at £1 for a set of 10 but I doubled my price last year as I really was making nothing on them! I'm going to come back and read the other comments later :)Swirlyartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17604277693684703535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-61221021094210027132010-07-23T00:22:46.147+01:002010-07-23T00:22:46.147+01:00I think you are right, this is something that ever...I think you are right, this is something that every person selling their own work must find difficult. WhenIi sold dolls with little collections of their clothes and accessories, my partner would scoff at the price and tell me I may as well be giving them away (he was right). It was another crafter that I admire who said that there was a kind of responsibility to charge prices that included labour etc as devalueing my own work could then devalue similar work of others...Does that make sense?<br /><br />I make less items to sell now (patterns are easy as there is a kind of recognised industry price average) but when i do i still struggle to price them.Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924653077212971448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-26199420994848255712010-07-22T23:14:11.191+01:002010-07-22T23:14:11.191+01:00I think the reason creators find it hard to give a...I think the reason creators find it hard to give a price is because an item is personal to you. From past experience I find it so much easier to praise and sell other peoples items for them (e.g. a necklace I bought recently from a local artist) as I love the item but did not make it myself. If I had made it the shyness would then effect me telling someone a price through embarrassment. Maybe everyone should get their mates marketing for them :-)Scented Sweetpeashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836203205845306983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815828627603971196.post-29378653970637943432010-07-22T22:52:49.743+01:002010-07-22T22:52:49.743+01:00A very emotive subject. I would love to buy evert...A very emotive subject. I would love to buy everthing handmade but simply don't have the funds to do so. It doesn't mean that I don't appreciate all the time, effort and skills involved, and would certainly pay for it if I could..except maybe £300 for a cake. That would have to be covered in gold leaf and encrusted in diamonds! Dev xThe Fairy Gladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02916053573656798878noreply@blogger.com