03.21.08
Maybe, I might…
Hubby sent me looking at Etsy, and I’m considering making a bowl or something and try selling it on there.
It looks interesting and at 20 cents to list it and 3.5% of the selling price to sell it, it wouldn’t be an expensive experiment.
The catch is both making something (what?) and then pricing it. Anyone have any suggestions on what I should set the price of something like this?
I remember my mom’s advice with something (something she knitted maybe?) that 4 times the material cost is what handmade stuff should be priced at - that would set the bowl in the $50 to $100 range. But is that fair?
Has anyone used Etsy, or known someone who has?
March 21, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I alwyas used 3x the cost of materials but sometimes that’s too cheap, so you have to use that as a guideline and then charge what the market would bear too. Which is also hard.
It seems loads of people are doing quite well at etsy. (Yes we have plans for users to set up shop here, but both our options involve paying for a plugin or theme, so it’s on hold.) The good thing about etsy is it gets a LOT of traffic.
I think $50 to $100 is a fair price for it, that’s for sure. I did some quick searches to find comparables and there’s hardly anything like them out there.
March 21, 2008 at 3:37 pm
It’s gorgeous - and I think it is easily worth that. I would lean toward the upper end, I think.
March 21, 2008 at 5:56 pm
That is lovely! I am sorry; I don’t have advice on prices. But I could definitely see it priced at the upper end of that range if it were in a local art show.
March 25, 2008 at 9:07 pm
For a handmade ceramic bowl!? you bet that’s a fair price. Don’t undersell yourself. If you try it and it doesn’t sell at that price, then you can rethink. It’s an experiment after all. But wouldn’t you hate to sell it cheaper and then realize that you could have got a lot more for it? Or start to feel like you are doing an awful lot of work for very little return. Your time and talent are valuable.
Meg said,
March 25, 2008 at 9:28 pm
LOL - it’s not ceramic - It’s leather. Carved, shaped, and painted.
I am going to try. I’m just nervous on the price. It’s not your “run of the mill” piece, but I can try relisting it if it’s too high.
Thanks for the input.
Wanda said,
May 22, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hi, this is absolutely lovely! I price my paintings by the hour, but my ornaments and other crafts by a set price. Something like this I would believe fall in the range of $150-$190.00 I sure wouldn’t short change yourself. I have no idea how recent this was made, as I didn’t pay attention to dates, so you may have already sold it. But I do believe its a valuable work of art. Great job, I absolutely love it
wanda
Wanda said,
May 22, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Also, you might try looking into one of my favorite artists. He’s a Canadian. And his name is Richard Berghammer. He suffers from MS but has a solid reputation for painting and carving leather. I think you would really like his work. I have been so blessed by his friendship. If you would like to take a look at his work, go to: http://www.artspace2000.com/Art_Impact/September_2005/richard_berghammer.htm
You may need to copy and paste that. But you can also google his name. I have one of his prints, and it is not often that I purchase a painting from another artist. It is not only his technique that I admire but also his amazing love for life. He’s not a religous man, and he and I enjoy many conversations on that end. What a pleasure it is to know him. He’s very friendly, if you are into making online friends.
Okay sorry for two messages, I just wanted to make sure I sent you his link. You work reminded me of his.
wanda