tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post413032292675097037..comments2023-11-30T18:39:36.958-05:00Comments on A Beader's Blog: A Shocking RealizationAlmost Precioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349435936032378395noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-2768585672032899322011-01-13T20:45:29.997-05:002011-01-13T20:45:29.997-05:00Great explanation. I've had people tell me my ...Great explanation. I've had people tell me my lanyards are expensive and would love to send them your calculations. Or perhaps ask them to buy their own materials, take their own time to do the work, then add in all the time for packaging, travel to the PO and shipping. If they can buy it cheaper at Wally World, more power to them. They'll be buying it again soon.Lanyardladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14461038657517013524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-2281896481527110782011-01-13T12:34:58.720-05:002011-01-13T12:34:58.720-05:00I've been way too afraid to do this same math ...I've been way too afraid to do this same math but its a good exercise to determine just what we're truly worth huh? Your time & effort on such a beautifully crafted piece SHOULD mean you're selling it at the $126 figure instead of $55 but I also know that the market prevails. <br /><br />I'm in a similar boat right now, every single item in my shop is eligable for a 50% discount with my coupon code and even the items that would sell for $2.50 haven't had a single additional view (despite promotion). Its disheartening but yet I keep trying to make things that I think would be beneficial to someone. If it wasn't for my dear friend in Colorado I wouldn't have sold anything since July. And people wonder why I put so many irons in the fire on creative endeavors! Hey, the bills don't pay themselves lol<br /><br />I love your work, if only I was wealthy I'd buy every gorgeous piece of jewelry in your shop my friend :-)Jenn Flynn-Shonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08441834864191292424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-63509482629639157012011-01-13T07:45:06.288-05:002011-01-13T07:45:06.288-05:00People who expect and want Walmart prices should s...People who expect and want Walmart prices should shop there. They won't find what you do there. People who appreciate craftsmanship and one of a kind pieces do shop at Etsy.The Beading Gemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10373750828368944711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-75134616973053986362011-01-13T00:11:34.688-05:002011-01-13T00:11:34.688-05:00Oh Anna, that is the story of my life :(
I have ...Oh Anna, that is the story of my life :( <br /><br />I have more invested in supplies and framing and equipment, let alone time and energy than I have ever made in sales, even patially made in sales. :(<br /><br />But still we keep on, not in the blind hope that we will one day become crazy rich or famous (going out on a limb, wouldn't that be awesome He! He!) but because we truly love<br />what we do. I agree with Kelli's person in the forums that sometimes you just have to price your goods accordingly.<br /><br />I was very proud of myself (until last year)for never having bought a single thing at Walmart but unfortunately when my youngest went to college we were in the midwest in a tiny college town and the only place to shop was WALMART, go figure. But technically I didn't pay for the stuff he did, I just wandered around helping him pull things off shelves as quickly as poss :)<br /><br />The other thing I think we usually forget when pricing is the cost of driving to and from P.O., supply store and for me the amount of time it takes choosing frames to match artwork and then going back 2 weeks later to pick up the completed artwork :)<br /><br />Very provocative convo. Thanks for sharing those numbers, it is wise to be realistic.<br /><br />Have a lovely day, T. ;)T@PoppyPlacePdxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17473955741985811943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-55277639092707939682011-01-12T19:13:51.183-05:002011-01-12T19:13:51.183-05:00i find it so frustrating that the things that used...i find it so frustrating that the things that used to be one of a kind or hand made only are now being made by machines and the reality is a lot of people won't pay $50 when they can get something machine made for $10. sucks doesn't it?Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963199678201674875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-19917214487193823482011-01-12T16:44:25.354-05:002011-01-12T16:44:25.354-05:00Yes it's depressing to think about all the har...Yes it's depressing to think about all the hard work that goes into something handmade and people so easily discount it.That band is just beautiful - I have no words of wisdom some times you have to not think about it because it gets too depressing.My Life Under the Bushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13836423832413060032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-80704154539736384552011-01-12T14:14:00.681-05:002011-01-12T14:14:00.681-05:00Both of your comments illustrate why I have never,...Both of your comments illustrate why I have never, and will never, spend a single dollar at Walmart. Not judging anyone who does, but in America, we vote with our dollars, and I vote against Walmart, every time.kelli g. { bug miscellany }https://www.blogger.com/profile/08975242961775960322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-36445079933521764522011-01-12T13:41:44.925-05:002011-01-12T13:41:44.925-05:00Cathryn - You've hit the nail on the head ! P...Cathryn - You've hit the nail on the head ! People are looking for Wal-Mart (ChinaMart) prices. The US artists and crafters begin to feel guilty for charging a fair price for their work and end up under-pricing their time and creativity.Almost Precioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02349435936032378395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-14083249808313427322011-01-12T12:55:35.977-05:002011-01-12T12:55:35.977-05:00it's calculations like this that make me remem...it's calculations like this that make me remember why i hate math.<br /><br />just kidding - i need no reminders. zing!<br /><br />in all seriousness, i read a forum thread posted by a very successful baby sling maker. she said, if something in your shop isn't selling - RAISE the price. sounds crazy, right? but she swears by that policy. and she now makes a comfortable living from her crafting. <br /><br />i think your work is very beautiful. i can't even imagine how tough it is in Etsy's super crowded jewelry category. <br /><br />one things for sure - you should definitely be asking for compensation for your hard work! <br /><br />sorry for the preachiness. feel free to ignore. not like i'm exactly killing it on Etsy either. :Pkelli g. { bug miscellany }https://www.blogger.com/profile/08975242961775960322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5792410363486054662.post-41070371428129330332011-01-12T11:50:18.332-05:002011-01-12T11:50:18.332-05:00Isn't amazing when you break down the numbers?...Isn't amazing when you break down the numbers?!?!?! I've been told to count my labor in my prices for my beady things but if I do, no one can afford them! <br /><br />I remember working a craft fair for one of the organizations I belonged to at the time. We were selling handmade wooden toys that were safe and chemical free. The little toys sold for modest prices from $10.00 to $60.00, depending on the size and complexity. I heard it over and over again from various attendees: "We can find it cheaper at WallyWorld." <br /><br />Sure if you want to buy something that's been slave-labored overseas by American corporations. But I remember when WE used to be the top manufacturing nation before the breakable-it-so-it's-cheaper-to-replace-it-than-fix-it mentality set in and got us into this mess. <br /><br />Sorry for the rant but your post is excellent and explains exactly WHY people do not support their local artists/businesses. That mentality of having it now combined with let's make it cheaper to replace than fix is what's killing our nation--all in the name of profits!Cathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804443617345021699noreply@blogger.com