Di, I completely agree with you (and didn't make the sale, either). Admittedly, I will charge less if they're willing to cover the cost of materials, but mostly I end up bartering. I play in the SCA, but find sewing garb time consuming and irritating. Someone else loves the trim, is short on money, but loves to sew. And could really use some trim.
Then again, I've discovered that selling the tools and classes for tabletweaving earns better, with less effort. :) Eowyn On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 5:18 AM, Di <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Eowyn, > > I don't know if people do pay that much, but I personally think they > should, and that we crafters shouldn't just "give away" our time and effort. > > Personally, if I don't love someone enough to make my weavings a gift, or > if I'm not arranging a barter of equal-valued items (time and/or materials) > such that both sides are satisfied, I insist on an absolute minimum of > $10/hour for my time, plus materials. > > A friend who did custom sewing once expressed her opinion about charging > for hand-crafted items. It was her opinion that anyone who undercuts the > value of their work by not charging at LEAST minimum wage (if not > significantly over; she suggested $20/hour, but she's a professional), then > they help contribute to the unfortunately common perception that > hand-crafted items aren't "worth" much. I agree with her. Our time and > money are valuable, and we deserve to be compensated. We live in a > "Wal-Mart Culture" where too many people think it's their right to pay > virtually nothing for handmade items, and I find it Very Wrong. > > My $.02. YMMV.... > > > > > > On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 5:07 AM, Eowyn Cenek <[email protected]>wrote: > >> >> >> Do people actually pay that much, though? I've had people express an >> interest in buying, until they hear the price, and then they back off. >> Every time. Sigh. >> >> Eowyn >> >> >> On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 9:12 PM, Buddha Buck <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 9:53 PM, nsmothergill >>> <[email protected]<nsmother%40twcny.rr.com>> >>> wrote: >>> > Someone has offered to buy a tablet weaving from me. I have no idea >>> what to charge. The piece is done in double faced with calligraphy, woven >>> in cotton. Any suggestions about how to price your work? >>> >>> How much do you think your time is worth per hour? How long did it >>> take to make (including pattern making, warping, weaving, and >>> finishing? How much did the materials cost? >>> >>> Multiply your hourly estimate by your time, then add in material >>> costs. Then double it. >>> >>> If you charge less, you are cheating yourself. >>> >>> > >>> > Nancy >>> > >>> >> >> > >
