[Nfb-krafters-korner] What Should I Charge?

River Woman riverwoman at zoominternet.net
Fri Mar 16 13:34:31 UTC 2012


OH, YES! A nicely woven necklace is typically $200. and up - some of mine 
are well over that price.  And, I buy jewelry, too.  I jsut bought two fine 
pieces to give to my daughter for her graduation in May - she will get her 
masters degree and I wanted to give her something to treasure. She is a 
master bead worker - weaves the most exquisite things imaginable - so giving 
her some things like that will really be appreciated and loved by her for 
many years  to come.  I love to buy one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that are 
hand made. I have a very nice collection of beautiful pieces made by others. 
I am wild about beautiful beadworking and love to wear those things. I have 
to admit, I just like to hold them and feel them, too.  haha

Lynda River Woman
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sahar Husseini" <sahar at inebraska.com>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] What Should I Charge?


> Oh, my heavens!  Bead-weaving can fetch a high price.  I have paid $200 
> and more for woven necklaces.  OK, OK, that's insane, but they're 
> incredible.  When I lived in Alaska, I bought some Alaskan native jewelry 
> that was either woven or done on a loom.  I don't know the differences, 
> really.  *sheepish grin*  A couple by one artist broke.  When something 
> that expensive breaks, your heart breaks right along with it, but I still 
> have a beautiful necklace called Jurassic Alaska because it looks like a 
> map of Alaska, with wilderness mixed in--hard to explain.  I have another 
> one with a grizzly bear on it; it's an amulet bag with a fringe.  I have a 
> few more, actually.  Gosh, I did buy several of those.  Sheesh, no wonder 
> I went bankrupt when I lived up there.  Jewelry was my vice.  I'm glad I 
> now make it--no bead weaving though.  *smile*
>
> Warm regards,
> Sahar Husseini
> For hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, please visit my Website at
> www.saharscreations.com
> Find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saharscreations
> And remember, "Obstacles don't have to stop you.
> If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
> Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
> Michael Jordan
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Neva Fairchild" <nevafairchild at verizon.net>
> To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" 
> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 6:38 PM
> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] What Should I Charge?
>
>
> I have always used the rule of thumb that I learned many years 
> ago...Triple
> your material cost. Now, that being said, something that is made with a 
> few
> dollars worth of clay and paint, doesn't fit this rule. Your talent,
> artistic flair, etc. should be taken into account. For me, with bead
> weaving, I cannot use the rule either because the beads are so expensive
> that the necklace would cost almost $200 and no one is going to pay that 
> for
> glass pearls and seed beads, even if it is lovely. So, the rule becomes,
> what will the market bear? Some trial and error is called for and if you
> can't sell something for enough to recoup your materials cost and make you
> feel good about the time you put into the project, then only you can 
> decide
> if you want to do that project again. With card making, my daughter and I
> have had to lower our prices to such a point that making large quantities 
> of
> cards no longer appeals. Sometimes people aren't willing to pay even $1 
> per
> hand made card. I agree with whoever said that craft fairs are hit or 
> miss.
> It seems to me that  the people who go to craft sales are crafters
> themselves and they are looking for good ideas not necessarily looking to
> buy.
>
>
> Neva Fairchild
> 972 416-7039
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Denise 
> Shaible
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 2:27 AM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>
> Thank you for all of the information.  These suggestions are good for no
> matter what we sell.  My NFB chapter is holding a bake sale soon and we're
> going to use the apps on the Ipone to help with money.  I really like the
> idea of looking people in the eye and having things labeled in print and
> Braille.  That way, we know what we're selling and can answer any 
> questions.
>
> I like the boutique idea and will probably put something in the holiday
> boutique at Braille Institute at Christmas time this year.  I really need 
> to
> get in gear if I'm ever going to sell anything.  Oh, one question, how do
> you decide what to charge for your work, such as jewelry?  I would find 
> this
> interesting if anyone can give me some information.  Thanks again.
>
> Regards,
>
> Denise
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: joseli Walter
> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 4:29 PM
> To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>
> Love my Ipod touch with money identifier app, (uh, kinda forgot what it's
> called.)
> But it's awesome!
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sahar 
> Husseini
> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 6:16 PM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>
> Also, you might want to invest in a money identifier.  If you have an
> IPhone, there are a couple of aps.  I also have the IBill, a stand-alone
> money identifier; I paid $100 for it, and it was worth every penny.  I 
> don't
> leave home without it.  I am not usually comfortable selling by myself.
> I've done craft shows, and I find them more stressful than they're worth.
> Lynda, it is so good to hear someone else echoing my sentiment.  It's 
> funny
> this has come up just after you and I corresponded about it.  I feel
> validated, as I told you in my private message to hear you saying what you
> said because people think I'm crazy when I tell them I'm not comfortable
> with craft shows and that I think they're often a waste of time.  People 
> are
> often looking for a bargain, and not necessarily quality.  The best craft
> shows I have ever been in are those at convention.  I love doing those; 
> they
> are definitely worth the stress.  *smile*
>
> Warm regards,
> Sahar Husseini
> For hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, please visit my Website at
> www.saharscreations.com Find me on Facebook at
> www.facebook.com/saharscreations And remember, "Obstacles don't have to 
> stop
> you.
> If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
> Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
> Michael Jordan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lindy van der Merwe" <stephlin at iafrica.com>
> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 10:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>
>
> Thanks, Linda, for all the tips and ideas. I have not yet decided to do 
> the
> craft market on a permanent basis. You have reminded me to also look for
> some other alternatives and have given me some great ideas to work with. 
> My
> sincere thanks.
> It looks like I will have someone with me for my next market, so I'm sure 
> it
>
> will also help me get comfortable if I decide to do this type of selling
> more in future.
> Kindest regards.
> Lindy
>
> Find PRACTICAL PRODUCTS on FACEBOOK:
> http://www.facebook.com/practicalproducts
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "River Woman" <riverwoman at zoominternet.net>
> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 2:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>
>
>>I sell jewelry and knitted accessories. I no longer do "craft shows" but I
>>do some higher end "Holiday Markets."  The ones I do now are set up
>>boutique style where the customers show the entire show, then bring the
>>things they wish to purchase to the "check out" area where it is sold and
>>bagged for them. This works perfect for a blind person because you do not
>>stay at your area, other than to come in a replenish the stock.  A much
>>better clientelle visites this type of market, and you get much better
>>prices.
>>
>> I did do craft shows for quite a few years. I soon learned that shows 
>> held
>
>> in churches, fire halls, and schools are typically very low end ones and
>> flooded with tons of people there to have lunch and visit, but not to 
>> buy.
>
>> And, they are not discriminate about how many vendors they have selling a
>> particular thing. ie, they may have a dozen tables of jewelry vendors -
>> which means very little sales for any of them.
>>
>>
>> I do only one show now in which I am there at my booth the whole time. It
>> is in a museum, so again, the clientelle is much better and they are
>> really there to buy nice things.
>>
>> I always have a family member at my booth with me.
>> I am alone at times when they take a bathroom break, and after doing this
>> many times for the four years I have been without sight, I am always 
>> quite
>
>> nervous.
>> There is no way anyone would know I am blind at all. Even after I say so,
>> they are skeptical about it. I look them in the eye, and I engage with
>> them through gestures as I always did before. There is nothing about me
>> that reads "blind" unless they saw me walking in with my cane.
>>
>> Customers always say "over there" "that one" "this one" the "pink one"
>> etc. That is the normal way for a person who can see to designate things
>> and they have no idea that we cannot know what they mean. They are really
>> clueless about blindness - I sure was! I understand this.
>>
>> Here is what I do that helps though:
>> I put a  clearly marked  price tag is on every item.
>> If they ask the price, I hand it to them and say, "Here, you can see the
>> price on the tag." I also put any other pertinent information on the 
>> tag -
>
>> I use large tags so it is very CLEAR to them.
>> Money? I have the bills put in an order that is always the same. I use
>> only bills and never have any change. This eliminates a very big worry.
>>
>> I never price anything with "cents" involved. Everything with only
>> "dollars" this way the item is $5. or $10. etc.  You can back the taxes
>> off of the price after you get home.  When you do your pricing, just 
>> round
>
>> it UP to the next dollar amount. This has saved me so much worries. This
>> way you need never worry about making change with those coins.
>>
>> You can get a money ID thing for your bills. I have an ID PacMate that
>> reads bar codes so you can even make bar codes for your items which is
>> pretty cool.
>>
>> Any time I sell things that are different colors, I put them in "Roy G.
>> Biv" order. In fact, everything I can put into that order in my own
>> house - all my jewelry is in Roy G. Biv order. Roy G. Biv means Red,
>> Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.  In my home I have plexiglas
>> containers that are tall. Each one has a lid, and each one holds one 
>> color
>
>> of necklaces. They are in Roy G. Biv order on my dresser. No worries 
>> about
>
>> what color I am getting, if it is kept in order.
>> Another special container holds all my earrings in this order, too. I
>> found a wonderful Earring Box on Home Shopping Network. It holds 72 pairs
>> of earrings. All in order and easy for me to find just what I am looking
>> for.
>>
>> I do know that some people will definitely cheat you if given the
>> opportunity. If I had not had my daughter with me to watch the
>> transactions, there were some times when I would have given a person
>> change for a $20. when she really gave me a $10. and the person stood
>> there waiting for the change. My daughter saw it happening and ran over 
>> to
>
>> clue me in. Also, teen age girls come into your booth in groups and they
>> are there to steal - one engages you in conversation while the firends 
>> are
>
>> stealing. This happens a lot at outdoor festivals. I cannot imagine being
>> in the booth alone without some watchful eyes to watch the crowd -
>> especially when you sell jewelry. It is small and very easily slid off 
>> the
>
>> table into a tote bag even when a person CAN see well.
>>
>> Those would be my most important tips after about 10 years of doing arts
>> festivals, craft shows, and markets.
>>
>> Lynda River Woman
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Lindy van der Merwe" <stephlin at iafrica.com>
>> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" 
>> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 3:03 AM
>> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Selling at craft markets
>>
>>
>>> Hi there,
>>> To those who sell at craft markets, I was wondering about a few things.
>>> 1 Do any of you manage a stall or a table on your own, or do you usually
>>> have someone there to help?
>>> 2 If you do it on your own, how do you answer the questions: how much is
>>> this? or I'd like to take this ... or Do you have change for this?
>>> 3 How do you handle sorting and exchanging paper money?
>>> I had my first experience with selling at a stall last Saturday and 
>>> these
>
>>> were some of the aspects I had to deal with.
>>> I don't think it is immediately obvious that I am blind, which did make
>>> for some awkward situations, I thought.
>>> Perhaps there may be some obvious answers to some of these questions, or
>>> perhaps I just need some practice with being more comfortable in dealing
>>> with strangers in that type of setting?
>>> I know it will be most helpful to have prices on either the products or
>>> on the containers they reside in, but it just felt like people related 
>>> to
>
>>> me using gestures a lot of the time, which obviously made communication
>>> somewhat difficult and even though I wanted to respond in a confident
>>> manner, I found it quite challenging at times.
>>> Any ideas and thoughts would be much appreciated.
>>> Lindy
>>>
>>>
>>> Find PRACTICAL PRODUCTS on FACEBOOK:
>>> http://www.facebook.com/practicalproducts
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: <Blindhands at aol.com>
>>> To: <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 5:28 AM
>>> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking for volunteers
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am looking for teachers to teach the classes.  Do you know or are  you
>>>> interested in teaching any of these suggested classes?  I need
>>>> volunteers to
>>>> teach.
>>>>
>>>> Heads up we hopefully will be having an email class with an Origami
>>>> project
>>>> in  the near future.    I will do a soap class and a sewing  class, but
>>>> I
>>>> am busy with kicking off my new craft business.   I am  not sure if I
>>>> can
>>>> fit classes in that I will teach between now and middle of  July.  I
>>>> have 4
>>>> holidays between now and then to fill orders.   Hopefully I am putting
>>>> St.
>>>> Patty's Day Wild Irish Roses to bed maybe by  tomorrow.  I have 100 in
>>>> reserve
>>>> for my Irish Bar that is selling soo many  of them.  I spent the last 2
>>>> days
>>>> working on Easter ones to get a head  start.  I will know on Wednesday
>>>> if
>>>> they need any more St. Patty's Day  ones.
>>>>
>>>> We need to wait for the Latch Hook class to be finished before we start
>>>> a
>>>> new email class.  I want to only do one at a time email class for now,
>>>> until we work any problems out.
>>>>
>>>> So think about what you can teach, host a chat night  topic.    I will
>>>> be
>>>> there to help with what YOU do.
>>>>
>>>> Krafters Korner is for everyone and everyone makes Krafters Korner what
>>>> it
>>>> is!
>>>> Joyce  Kane
>>>> _www.KraftersKorner.org_ (http://www.krafterskorner.org/)
>>>> Blindhands at AOL.com
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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