Pricing question and critique needed...
calz...@gmail.com
I know I don't post here much, but I just started beading again after a
small delay due to school. I am also quite excited by some beads I
ordered and can't wait for them to arrive.
I will be going to Christmas craft fairs in November and am making some
new necklaces and stuff. I was wondering if anyone could help me with
pricing and could offer some hints or critiques. My mom will always say
what I do is wonderful, so I need some unbiased opinions!
Here is some of the work that I have done that is online:
http://calzephyr.deviantart.com/gallery/artisan/jewelry/?view=1&order=5&limit=24
I was thinking of charging somewhere in the range of $8-15 for my
necklaces. Does that seem low? Too high? I live in Canada and saved my
receipts to figure out how much each necklace costs me. From what you
see, would you buy it? (If anyone is interested, I can part with some
of these before Christmas :-))
Thanks!
Christine
Christine Bennett ::: http://www.purple-pony.com
LavenderCreek
First of all I am happy that you are using lampwork beads in your
creations, but in all honesty I wouldn't buy them at any price because
you are using lampwork made in china which is very probably going to
break in the future. They don't anneal their beads and so they aren't
very sturdy at all. I would love to see you using artisan made
lampwork, which costs a bit more, but they are annealed, are not likely
to break unless they are handled roughly, dropped on a hard surface
etc. You can find some great deals on artisan lampwork on ebay.
Since these are chinese beads though, I think your price is fair. I am
not a jewelry designer so I can't really give you much feedback as far
as design or pricing goes. I just wanted to give you my honest answer
regarding the beads you are using.
Good luck with your sales!
Teresa
www.lavendercreek.de
-------------------------------
Sue Walker
news:1153188504.8...@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com
> http://calzephyr.deviantart.com/gallery/artisan/jewelry/?view=1&order=5&limit=24
>
> I was thinking of charging somewhere in the range of $8-15 for my
> necklaces. Does that seem low? Too high?
Since only you know what your materials cost, and since you're
thinking of the $8-15 range, it's probably Ok. But it's such
a subjective process, really. I've been in venues where I might
charge one thing for a necklace -- and then double it for a whole
other venue -- it depends on the market, sometimes.
Also, have you checked around at what some of the local boutiques
are charging for necklaces? Or galleries? That can give you a "base"
idea of what the market will bear from stores vs. galleries.
Your necklaces are pretty. :-) If you want to sell them from your
website, you should probably include what they're made from. e.g.,
sterling? glass? crystal? artisan lampwork? etc. etc.
Good luck! HTH!
--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG
calz...@gmail.com
> creations, but in all honesty I wouldn't buy them at any price because
> you are using lampwork made in china which is very probably going to
> break in the future. They don't anneal their beads and so they aren't
> very sturdy at all. I would love to see you using artisan made
> lampwork, which costs a bit more, but they are annealed, are not likely
> to break unless they are handled roughly, dropped on a hard surface
> etc. You can find some great deals on artisan lampwork on ebay.
>
> Since these are chinese beads though, I think your price is fair. I am
> not a jewelry designer so I can't really give you much feedback as far
> as design or pricing goes. I just wanted to give you my honest answer
> regarding the beads you are using.
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for replying :-) Your input was very helpful. I didn't know that
about beads made in China. I checked the packaging on all my beads and
it looks like the most of the ones I have are Czech glass or Mill Hill
seed beads from Japan. The lampwork ones do come from China, and I
suspect the loose ones I bought at the bead store have as well :\ I
have passed over a lot of lampwork beads in the store because they had
air bubbles in them, but I didn't know they were more prone to
breakage.
I think, quite naturally, I will progress to beads made by artisans.
What was on the link I posted is just a fraction of the necklaces I
have made :-) I see a lot that I like on eBay, that's for sure! I am
finding that the selection at the local bead shop and Michaels to be
limited and not as unique of course. I would like to learn this
technique myself. The local art college has a lampwork class, but I
don't have $400 to plunk down on it ATM (I already plunked down that
much for the Art History course I'm taking :-))
I'm glad you think that the prices are fair :-) Craft sales can be so
hit or miss - it's hard to know what people will like. For instance, my
mom does a lot of knitting, and she always tries to pick colours that
people will like, but there's always someone out there who wants brown
or orange. I can't wait until November to see how I do. This is the
first year I have included beadwork with my other crafts and photos.
Thanks for the luck!
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
Thanks for replying :-)
> Since only you know what your materials cost, and since you're
> thinking of the $8-15 range, it's probably Ok. But it's such
> a subjective process, really. I've been in venues where I might
> charge one thing for a necklace -- and then double it for a whole
> other venue -- it depends on the market, sometimes.
Yes, that is so true, it can be so hit or miss and one doesn't know
why. Last year we were at one show were a lady had some gorgeous memory
wire bracelets for $30. I don't know the source of all the beads, but
some looked like glass while others were crystal. She had a hard time
selling them. At another show, a lady had elastic bracelets with what
looked like Blue Moon Beads for $15 and sold them like hotcakes.
> Also, have you checked around at what some of the local boutiques
> are charging for necklaces? Or galleries? That can give you a "base"
> idea of what the market will bear from stores vs. galleries.
Hmm! No, I haven't. That's a good idea. Again, it's hard sometimes at
craft sales, because there are always those people that try to haggle
you down too :-D
> Your necklaces are pretty. :-) If you want to sell them from your
> website, you should probably include what they're made from. e.g.,
> sterling? glass? crystal? artisan lampwork? etc. etc.
Thanks :-) I feel lost in magpie-land sometimes with all the colours. I
tend to have more blue necklaces at the moment - it seems once you
start one project, you naturally collect more of the same colour. I
have many more to photograph, but I haven't been able to find the time.
I do have a shop at Etsy (http://calzephyr.etsy.com) but I haven't been
listing things to it because I'm stocking up for November. Postage
costs are horrendous in Canada, and I'm not sure people would want to
pay the extra $3-4.
That's a good idea to list the materials, I'll be sure to include that
on the sales tags. I'll probably forget by the time November rolls
around :-)
> Good luck! HTH!
It certainly has Sue, thanks much!
Christine
Su
I'm sorry to get in this thread so slowly but I can recommend that you
spend some time on eBay or JustBeads and look for the self-representing
artists. There are a lot of lampwork artists out there who do not
command premium prices and would be affordable to anyone who wants to
make jewellery. That way if you wish to present your work as using a
named artist's glass you can.
That said, your necklace that I could see on your site was lovely, a
nice design and that counts for a lot.
-Su
beck...@yahoo.com
Christine -- actually the best thing for you is to quit buying your
beads at the craft store. Not only are you overpaying, but getting
poorer quality. Find a local bead store, sweetie.
I could not get to your website to see your necklaces but trust
yourself on the pricing.
Becki
Dr. Sooz
```````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
you really should use better materials. IMO. When the Chinese lampwork
breaks, you are NOT going to get any return customers.) Are you
stringing on tigertail, and using basemetals, as well?
When anyone sells handmade beaded necklaces for $8 - $10, the rest of
us look like we're rip-off artists. Do you understand what I mean?
The customer looks at our stuff, and not knowing beads well, will say,
"Well, why is your necklace $115, when hers is only $8?" They think
we're stealing their money.
It's bad for the jewelry business OVERALL. This isn't WalMart.
```````````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
not limited by what you have available in your community.
````````````````````````````````````````
calz...@gmail.com wrote:
> I didn't know that
> about beads made in China. I checked the packaging on all my beads and
> it looks like the most of the ones I have are Czech glass or Mill Hill
> seed beads from Japan. The lampwork ones do come from China, and I
> suspect the loose ones I bought at the bead store have as well :\ I
> have passed over a lot of lampwork beads in the store because they had
> air bubbles in them, but I didn't know they were more prone to
> breakage.
> ~~~~~~~~~snippage~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Sooz
and info, and research:
http://www.lampwork.net/soozlinkslist.html
`````````````````````````````````````````````
calz...@gmail.com
Hmm! I wonder why the link doesn't work - I only have about five
pictures of jewellery, the rest of the pictures in the gallery are all
artwork, which are mostly drawings. There is a way to filter the
results, but it would be hard to explain.
> Christine -- actually the best thing for you is to quit buying your
> beads at the craft store. Not only are you overpaying, but getting
> poorer quality. Find a local bead store, sweetie.
Ugh, you're right. I feel like I have gone about this all the wrong
way. The localest bead store to me is a Beadzu (Beadworks) and I go
there every couple of months. I have noticed that there are similar
beads to Blue Moon Beads (are they evil?) there, and that the clarity
is better. When I look at my receipts, Beadzu *is* cheaper. A string of
five big diamond beads at Michael's is $5.99, that works out to $1.20 a
bead :\, not including tax.
> trust yourself on the pricing.
Thanks Becki :-) The craft sales we go to are community ones where a
table is in the $25-45 range and people are often not willing to pay a
lot for an item, unfortunately. Mom and I mostly go to them for fun - I
think we always buy more than what we sell :-) Mom only charges $15 for
her hat and scarf sets, although if she factored in the amount of a
living wage - well, no one attending these sales would pay $40 a set,
even if it is handmade.
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> TOO LOW!!!!!!!!! HOLY COW!
Hi Dr. Sooz!
Ok, I hear ya (loud and clear :-D)
Here is how I arrived at the cost of the mixed Czech glass necklaces on
flexible steel cable (I think this is Tigertail? The lady at Beadzu
didn't say. I asked for something flexible and sturdy that wasn't
nylon). The findings came from Beadzu and the cable is securely
crimped.
The bag of mixed Czech glass cost $6.99; I can get three and a half
necklaces out of each bag (the necklaces are about 18" long). So
there's ~$2.30 worth of beads in each necklace. IIRC, the findings work
out to be about 50 cents each. I can't remember how much the cable cost
me, but let's assume it works out to about $1.50 as well. It takes me
an hour to make each necklace. So I factor in Alberta's minimum wage
($5.90). That works out to be $10.20 for time and materials. $15 if I
add on a little to make a profit.
But...somehow I doubt someone at a craft sale is going to pay $15 for
these. They'll just look at it and say "I could make that myself!" or
pass it up. I have heard it said that if you don't price your work at
what you value it, others won't value it...but in my heart I know the
shoppers may not value it as much as I do. I'm definitely not a
"Wal-Mart" shopper, and I have paid for artisan jewellery and other
artwork - hehe, I own a jug of a nude female torso that I paid $225 for
:-). I'm not afraid to pay the price because I appreciate the time,
work and education of the artist. But not everyone is, unfortunately,
so I have to knock off a few bucks. Don't get me started on the craft
show hagglers :-D
If you have any pricing ideas, I would be happy to hear them.
Thanks,
Christine
beck...@yahoo.com
Blue Moon Beads are just Czech glass beads, repackaged. At least that
is what I have seen at Michaels and other crafts stores around here.
DO NOT, under any circumstances, beat yourself up for what you do not
know. We all start somewhere. I used to make all my jewelry from what
I could get at the craft store, and didn't know the parts weren't as
good as others until I was told, in no uncertain terms, on the AOL
crafts board. They kicked me out of a bead swap for having inferior
quality beads -- what did I know? Don't waste time kicking yourself,
Christine. Women do that too easily and too often. You grow and you
learn.
The reason I suggested you shop at your local bead store (often
referred to in the beading community as LBS) is to get an idea of what
is out there, quality and price. THEN you can come online and know
what you are looking at, and what you are buying. You can get most
everything cheaper from a catalog or online. However, you have to know
what you are buying first. Again, it is a learning process.
Also, I disagree directly with Sooz on pricing. Price it for what you
want to price it. People are always telling me my prices are too low.
When I want to raise them, I will. Make sure you are getting back what
you paid and a profit, and put the price point where you want. Sooz
gives away so many beads and beaded jewelry that she would have to sell
her work for thousands of dollars to ever recoup her costs (hats off to
my friend). Listen to all the advice and like all advice? Take what
you need, and leave the rest. Be thankful to all for their points of
view. The world would be a boring place if we all agreed.
my .02 cents, take it or leave it and either way, thanks for coming to
rec.crafts beads and sharing with us!!!
Becki
beck...@yahoo.com
OK I got to the site just fine this time, and got to see your work.
Very nice, especially for someone just starting out. I think you are
going to have a fine time in the jewelry world.
Becki
beck...@yahoo.com
Christine -- This is Becki from rec.crafts.beads. If you don't mind,
send me your snail mail address? I have a small gift for you.
Becki Bean
beck...@yahoo.com
Ah crap, I posted when I meant to email that. Sorry, Christine.
Becki
Cindy Schoepp
are in for a raise :D!!
Where do you live? I am in Edmonton.
Cindy
<calz...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153262473.1...@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
calz...@gmail.com
> Hi Christine...min wage in Alberta has gone up...$7 an hour...looks like you
> are in for a raise :D!!
Oh my gosh, that totally passed me by! I certainly will have to give
myself a raise :-)
> Where do you live? I am in Edmonton.
I livei n Calgary, but I moved here from Edmonton when I was 16, been
here for over a decade now :-)
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> not limited by what you have available in your community.
That's very true Dr. Sooz. I like to be able to see the beads close up
though. There have been times when I bought beads online, and they
weren't quite what I expected, due to monitor and scanning differences.
Best,
Christine
Su
something you like more for general stringing?
I've not made it into beadweaving yet in any significant way so I don't
have to enter the great beadweaving material problem but I suppose when
I do it will be time to start looking into ordering internationally
again as prices here are still so stiff for whatever I want.
I agree wholeheartedly, use the best materials including your findings.
When we're at a craft/art fair and we explain that ALL our findings
are sterling, all our accents are sterling or Bali silver and we do NOT
use silver-plate (but for the teeny exception of the cell/mobile phone
lanyards as they're only available in plate) the expressions on the
faces of the customers tells the story. It means a lot to them.
If you buy your findings online in bulk, even if you buy 100 or 500
crimps in sterling, they're not horribly expensive and it makes a huge
difference.
I wouldn't buy something now that is plated metal and I wouldn't sell
it either.
We're definitely not WalMart.
-Su
mermaidscove_com
good way of life, artists being able to do work they enjoy. But that
being said- I carry some lampwork from China and so far have had no
breakage at all. I did have some with pressed chevrons I bought, about
1 in 200 but none of the others so far. Maybe I am just lucky but I
didn't think it was right to say that they will break for sure or at
even a really high rate. My experaince so far is no worse than venetian
glass which is also not annealed.
Ingrid
Patti
Why are you paying yourself Minimum Wage? You are now a designer
with her own business, you don't work at a fast food place. Give
yourself a living wage.
When I first started out if I couldn't decide on a price, I asked my
friends this question: If you had all the money you needed and you
fell in love with this bracelet, what would you pay for it?"
You should take your materials price and mark it up at least 3 times,
then add your design fee, cost to replace your beads, etc. If you do a
higher end show, you should raise your prices accordingly to cover the
cost of your space.
As my uncle the portrait artist always tells me, "if you don't value
your own work, you can't expect others to value it either."
Also, I've found that if you have a piece of jewelry which you've
tried to sell at several shows and it just isn't selling, price it UP,
not down and you will sell it. People often think a deal is "too good"
and there's something wrong with it.
Good luck and welcome to the wonderful, crazy world of beads...it's
all those little round things driving all of us nuts.
Patti
www.pattiwhiteley.com
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
SoftFlex/SoftTouch 49 strand. You and your customer's won't regret it.
Tiger tail is good for temporarily stringing beads for sale, and that's
about it, IMO.
Barbara
Beader and Polymer Clay Crusader
http://www.penguintrax.com and http://www.backseatgrammarian.com
There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)
Need quality, inexpensive web hosting with site builder and 50 apps? Check out http://www.lyonshost.com.
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
Europe. Don't spurn them out of fear. You just need to know what to look
for regarding quality and price.
Barbara
Beader and Polymer Clay Crusader
There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)
Need quality, inexpensive web hosting with site builder and 50 apps? Check out http://www.lyonshost.com.
calz...@gmail.com
> I'm sorry to get in this thread so slowly
No worries, I wasn't expect my little topic to take off, I still have a
lot of messages to read :-)
> [snip] That way if you wish to present your work as using a
> named artist's glass you can.
Thanks for the suggestion...I have bookmarked a few local peeps that I
found and I'll get in touch with them. People really do like locally
made things too. Sometimes I get the "Did you draw this?" response,
which is always nice to hear (even if it seems obvious). Sometimes
importers show up at these sales, so people are a little wary as well.
> That said, your necklace that I could see on your site was lovely, a
> nice design and that counts for a lot.
Thanks Su :-) I'm trying to be a little more adventurous with my
designs. I had a small collection of Mill Hill beads from when I did
needlework (it seems I have a completion problem when it comes to
x-stitch, heehee) and I was really inspired by a couple of copies of
BeadStyle (one on colour, one on basic stitches). There's some really
complicated designs in those, and I would really like to try them!
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> Do not use Tigertail. It breaks...painfully. Upgrade to Beadalon or
> SoftFlex/SoftTouch 49 strand. You and your customer's won't regret it.
> Tiger tail is good for temporarily stringing beads for sale, and that's
> about it, IMO.
Eeek...OK...I'll look for Beadalon next time. I'm not sure what the
lady at Beazu sold me, but I'll phone and check.
At least I'm not using fishing line :-D
I am beginning to understand this now. It's like having pet birds. Pet
stores sell many "bird products" but that doesn't mean that because you
can buy them they are good.
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
late at night). I'm not adverse to buying beads online, but what had
happened was that someone plunked the beads down on a scanner and took
the picture that way. The colour was very distorted. What I thought was
a nice light green turned out to be blindingly bright instead :-)
Best,
Christine
Dr. Sooz
the crafts are a serious endeavor. It's probably geographical in
nature -- it's where I live as opposed to where you live. I didn't
mean to ram it down your throat.
I worry about people looking at my work and thinking, "Holy hell! Why
is she charging so much when the other person I bought from charged
about 10% of this?!?" I find that if something isn't selling, and I
mark it up, it sells immediately. Worth is perceived here in a
different way from what your customers see. Plus I think my area has
better-informed customers, probably.
Do charge what you want -- what you said. If it works for you, go for
it.
```````````````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
``````````````````````````````
calz...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi Dr. Sooz!
Dr. Sooz
stuff. And I don't give jewelry away to just anyone.
But when I do sell, I know what my materials are, I know where to buy
them, and I charge for the worth of my time. I do get $300+ for my
bracelets. I do get over $100 for earrings (and sometimes less). But
I also live in California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, in a city
full of craftspeople who understand the worth of a handcrafted item.
Becki is right about it all except that I don't give all that much away
(because I don't MAKE all that much stuff). We do agree. (We spoke
via email)
Kudos to *her*. She is more successful than I am, anyway, so listen to
her!
:-D Definitely -- take what you need and leave the rest.
``````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
SoftFlex/SoftTouch, yup. Most of my work is beadweaving, and then I do
some wirework (mostly earrings). I string about once every two years,
if that.
````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
SoftFlex products are, IMO, superior to Beadalon.
`````````````````````````
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
Barbara
Beader and Polymer Clay Crusader
There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)
Need quality, inexpensive web hosting with site builder and 50 apps? Check out http://www.lyonshost.com.
Su
> I agree. My 'standard' for stringing is SoftTouch .19.
I feel validated! And it's good for newer people to see the
recommendations once in a while.
I use SoftFlex or SoftTouch depending on the beads and the project.
I suppose I'll be plunging into the murky waters or beading materials
eventually, but at the moment I'm trying to feed my addiction to
kumihimo. Fortunately I have cones of silk.
-Su
calz...@gmail.com
> People HAGGLE?!?!? Oh my GAWD!!
LOL! I wish I could hear you say that in RL, Dr. Sooz. It's not that
haggling is a bad thing, but you probably know those people that want
everything for $1. Or less. Then huff at you and say that they could
make it themselves :-) I don't mind budging on a price, or giving a
deal, but some people drive me crazy :-D
Best,
Christine
Shirley Shone
<cutw...@btinternet.com> writes
My DH and GS presented me with a beautiful hand made Kumihimo loom about
6 years ago. It was made especially tall so I could sit in a chair to
use it.
Alas, they did not make me any bobbins for it. So there it stands in a
corner with an ashtray on it. We do not smoke but it is there in case
anyone who calls does. I do not like them too but in some cases we need
to stretch a point.
I wonder if ever I shall get the bobbins. LOL
Shirley
--
Shirley Shone
shi...@allcrafts.demon.co.uk
http://www.allcrafts.demon.co.uk
calz...@gmail.com
> the crafts are a serious endeavor. It's probably geographical in
> nature -- it's where I live as opposed to where you live. I didn't
> mean to ram it down your throat.
Ah! I see. Heheh, that's OK, it didn't bother me. Whereabouts do you
live? There are juried shows here, but they are also expensive to get
into. The really big Christmas shows are about $1000 to get into, and
then the venue also wants a cut of the profits. Usually it includes
like a 10x10' booth. At the ones we go to, we get a 6 or 8' table. The
only requirement usually is that your wares must be handmade.
> I worry about people looking at my work and thinking, "Holy hell! Why
> is she charging so much when the other person I bought from charged
> about 10% of this?!?" I find that if something isn't selling, and I
> mark it up, it sells immediately.
That is a good strategy - maybe I'll try a range of prices too and see
what happens. I can see your point too, customers might think that way,
especially if they couldn't see the difference in quality. I tend as a
customer to give full price and don't haggle (hee hee!) because I know
that the crafter has the cost of the table and the cost of their time
at the show as well.
> Worth is perceived here in a
> different way from what your customers see. Plus I think my area has
> better-informed customers, probably.
Yes, it probably is that way. I would say, and I don't mean to speak
ill of customers at all btw, it's just what I have noticed, that many
people go to the shows with a few bucks in their pocket. You probably
do have better-informed customers who appreciate things more :-) That's
a very lucky thing to have. Sometimes it's very hard to be in a craft
market or art gallery and hear really rude things!
> Do charge what you want -- what you said. If it works for you, go for
> it.
*nods* I'll probably be going to 4 shows in total - I should know by
then what prices will work and what won't :-)
BTW, I should hope, that if something breaks, the customer will tell
me. I would be quite happy to repair, replace or refund if that was the
case. I label everything with contact info as one never knows. I would
never want an unhappy customer.
I don't know if the findings I have are sterling silver or plated metal
btw, but I'll err on the side of caution and bet that they are base
metal. I re-checked The Beading Room's website and I noticed that they
carry sterling silver parts, so I'll put those on my wish list.
10 years ago I worked at Canada's only Quilted Bear store (which went
bankrupt...it was a craft market). There was a pin I bought from a
vendor made out of different watch faces. It was very nice. However,
whatever she used to glue the metal together did not hold up over time.
I found it recently while going through an old drawer and discovered
that the glue had turned brown and it had fallen apart. I'm not sure
what she used for glue, but I really don't want someone to be
disappointed 10 years down the road. So I thank you and everyone else
for pointing me in the right direction.
Best,
Christine
Christine Bennett ::: http://www.purple-pony.com
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
Do you want 70g or 100g bobbins?
Barbara
Beader and Polymer Clay Crusader
There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)
Need quality, inexpensive web hosting with site builder and 50 apps? Check out http://www.lyonshost.com.
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
http://snipurl.com/thub (plastic)
Barbara
Beader and Polymer Clay Crusader
There is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness. (Dave Barry)
Need quality, inexpensive web hosting with site builder and 50 apps? Check out http://www.lyonshost.com.
Shirley Shone
same wood as he made the frame.
He has a pattern to go by.
Now he has finished cleaning is work shop out he may get round to it.
I mean to say he has 2 lathes, a band saw. a planer/sander and goodness
knows what down there in the workshop.
I must remind him again.
Shirley
In message <44beaa84$1...@news.bnb-lp.com>, Barbara Forbes-Lyons
<pengu...@penguintrax.com> writes
--
Shirley Shone
calz...@gmail.com writes
buy my things for less than the price of the beads. They do not get
them.
If they want it they must pay the price of it or it goes in my
collection.
I must have the most jewellery in the village.
When I made the bracelet that was portrayed on the front of B&B. I wore
it to my computer class. Now one of the tutors very fond of jewellery
was looking at with great interest. I said don't ask you cannot afford
it.
Taken aback she said why. I said it would cost you 200 pounds. I had to
go to Sheffield for some of the beads. I had to send to London for the
200 Swarovski crystals and to Germany for the clasp. Then it took me
many hours to make it. Even then my hourly rate would only be a third of
what you earn for teaching this class.
I left the class because she wanted exotic things for nothing. She was
replacement for my tutor Martin who had suffered a heart attack.
Polly S.
> Some fishing line (PowerPro, FireLine) is better than tigertail.
>
> SoftFlex products are, IMO, superior to Beadalon.
OMTP*
SoftFlex, to me, seems to drape better and feels stronger. I've had far
fewer breaks as well (only one that I know of).
(*official 'Me Too' post)
--
Polly
--
don't spook my groove...
--
Su
> >I suppose I'll be plunging into the murky waters or beading
materials
> >eventually, but at the moment I'm trying to feed my addiction to
> >kumihimo. Fortunately I have cones of silk.
> My DH and GS presented me with a beautiful hand made Kumihimo loom about
> 6 years ago. It was made especially tall so I could sit in a chair to
> use it.
> Alas, they did not make me any bobbins for it. So there it stands in a
> corner with an ashtray on it. We do not smoke but it is there in case
> anyone who calls does. I do not like them too but in some cases we need
> to stretch a point.
>
> I wonder if ever I shall get the bobbins. LOL
When I was really having a serious mad desire for a marudai I thought
about asking your fantastic, talented DH to make one for me!
Bobbins can be made from empty film canisters weighted with whatever as
long as they weigh the same.
I managed to acquire a set from someone getting out of the braiding
lark. Now I just need time to do something with them!
-Su
Polly S.
>>I worry about people looking at my work and thinking, "Holy hell! Why
>>is she charging so much when the other person I bought from charged
>>about 10% of this?!?" I find that if something isn't selling, and I
>>mark it up, it sells immediately.
>
>
> That is a good strategy - maybe I'll try a range of prices too and see
> what happens. I can see your point too, customers might think that way,
> especially if they couldn't see the difference in quality. I tend as a
> customer to give full price and don't haggle (hee hee!) because I know
> that the crafter has the cost of the table and the cost of their time
> at the show as well.
That reminds me... when I first came here I had some ebay listings that
were getting zero bids but had a lot of hits and quite a few watchers.
Several ladies here jumped in *quick* and told me that I should be
asking more for my work and to raise my prices... a lot! I cringed,
upped the prices by 30-50%, relisted and sold, IIRC, 9 of 10, several
with 'Buy It Now'!
I look at the work I did then (shudder) and what I design/create now and
know that a LOT of the difference is simply from being challenged right
here in r.c.b. Not so much overtly challenged but challenged by the
wonderful quality and passion here.
These guys are contagious and always amaze me! (I still feel leagues
away in skill and ability some days, but not so much as I did!)
--
Polly
--
don't spook my groove...
--
calz...@gmail.com
> Why are you paying yourself Minimum Wage? You are now a designer
> with her own business, you don't work at a fast food place. Give
> yourself a living wage.
Heheh! Happily, my day job pays much more than minimum wage (I catalog
photos), but I think I have resigned myself to thinking that I'll
always be an artist with a day job. I don't know if it is the local
market or not, that's why I was hoping to reach more people through the
web.
> When I first started out if I couldn't decide on a price, I asked my
> friends this question: If you had all the money you needed and you
> fell in love with this bracelet, what would you pay for it?"
Good idea, I'll try that out on my friends!
> You should take your materials price and mark it up at least 3 times,
> then add your design fee, cost to replace your beads, etc. If you do a
> higher end show, you should raise your prices accordingly to cover the
> cost of your space.
You know, that doesn't seem too unreasonable to triple the cost of the
materials, especially since I had to pick them out and drive around :-)
I think I may also have to put more work into my table this year too.
Last proved that Mom and I couldn't share one table anymore, so I asked
her to book two tables for us. I assume too that if I make things look
more fancy, they will be perceived as such :-)
> Also, I've found that if you have a piece of jewelry which you've
> tried to sell at several shows and it just isn't selling, price it UP,
> not down and you will sell it. People often think a deal is "too good"
> and there's something wrong with it.
It's funny, I most totally not have the same mindset as the average
consumer...maybe by the time the last show rolls around I'll price
things up. It sometimes surprises me what sells one year and than
doesn't the next :-) I can see people being a little more skeptical of
something low priced.
> Good luck and welcome to the wonderful, crazy world of beads...it's
> all those little round things driving all of us nuts.
Thanks Patti :-) I can't wait for November. I wish there were more
craft sales the rest of the year :-) I looked at your website last
night, and I must say you have some very pretty work. I liked the big
pendants, especially the Christmas star one.
Best,
Christine
beck...@yahoo.com
Christine -- for some reason, my website is still up (I haven't had AOL
in a while) so you can see more about me if you wish:
http://members.aol.com/beckibead/beckibead.html
Becki
Dr. Sooz
Yes -- I often give discounts, if I like a customer or they're buying a
lot. But if they start to haggle, I'd better freaking LOVE them. I
think of it as *my* prerogative, you know?
``````````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
think they're worth more than that.
``````````````````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
two cities are teeming with artists, artisans, and craftspeople, and
most people know what stuff is worth (well, pretty much) because there
are lots of crafts galleries, shows, etc. The quality here is pretty
high, too -- in many of the venues anyway. Plus -- EVERYTHING in the
Bay Area is expensive!! LOL (And I can't speak for the folks from
many of the cities' suburbs. Lots of 'em are WalMart-brains.)
```````````````````````````````
calz...@gmail.com wrote:
> > See, to me a craft sale is a juried show attended by people who know
> > the crafts are a serious endeavor. It's probably geographical in
> > nature -- it's where I live as opposed to where you live.
>
> Whereabouts do you
> live?
Dr. Sooz
the unique little vintage bits I add to my bracelets and earrings,
people would have a coronary at the price. They just don't get it.
And a solid sterling silver clasp costs quite a lot, even at wholesale
prices. Do they never go into a fine jewelry store, where gold and
silver things are sold? Do they only shop at Target? It is *very*
trying.
My in-laws are my biggest fans. My MIL is always saying she wants to
be my sales rep for the newly-retired folks in Florida. (These people
have MONEYYYYYY) I'd love it, but I can't work enough to open that
particular can of worms. Hopefully my health will get better and
better and I will someday be able to produce more -- maybe I'll even go
into remission! I would so love that. I have so many things I want to
do.
But Christine, upgrade your materials bit by bit -- use us as mentors
-- and I bet your business will do better and better. Write up your
repair guarantee on your business cards. (I give a lifetime guarantee
on my pieces -- if it breaks, I'll fix it for free, unless of course
you're going to throw it in the path of a locomotive or something
equally stupid!) I make sure people know this. I also write up what
materials I used on each piece, and attach it to the piece on a
decorative little price-card with a bit of thread -- you'd be shocked
how effective THAT is!
I talk a LOT to my customers at shows -- not pushy, just chatty,
informative..... interesting stories about the materials I use, and I
try to make them laugh. I wear a good deal of my own work so they can
see how it looks. I always provide a mirror so they can see how things
look on them. Etc. I KNOW what my work is made out of -- that's
EXTREMELY important (see price-card description, above). If you don't
know if your materials are silver or silverplate, you need to pay more
attention in the future. Keep your receipts, take notes when you order
(if necessary), etc. Use the same sources over and over -- build good
business relationships with your suppliers. It will make you feel
secure, and you'll grow to trust your suppliers, which is lovely.
If you look on that link I posted here, you'll find a lot of good
sources. Out on a Whim (Whimbeads) has spectacular seed beads. The
CrystalsXpress store on eBay has fabulous Swarovski. All these also
have good prices. Marjean (ladymorgause on eBay) has incredible prices
and fantastic Czech glass beads, and more. With just those three alone
(plus some silver), well --
I daresay you could RULE THE WORLD.
````````````````````````
Vibrant Jewels
wonder why Sally at the other booth is selling "pretty necklaces" (that she
probably bought wholesale from China) for $7.95, while yours with artisan
beads sell for $150!!! One year we were in a booth beside someone who
claimed to be selling sterling silver jewelry with gemstone cabs and her
prices were lower than the glass jewelry we were selling. PPL never stopped
to wonder why!
I'm not saying don't use the nicer beads, just don't be surprised if you
have a hard time selling that jewelry to the craft show crowd!
Having said that, we decided that the time, effort, and expense of doing
craft shows wasn't worth the minimal profit we received - assuming we did
more than break even. Your experience may be better, I hope so! :)
--
Karleen Page
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels: http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
Join our Yahoo Group: vibrantjewe...@yahoogroups.com
<calz...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153234364.3...@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>> First of all I am happy that you are using lampwork beads in your
>> creations, but in all honesty I wouldn't buy them at any price because
>> you are using lampwork made in china which is very probably going to
>> break in the future. They don't anneal their beads and so they aren't
>> very sturdy at all. I would love to see you using artisan made
>> lampwork, which costs a bit more, but they are annealed, are not likely
>> to break unless they are handled roughly, dropped on a hard surface
>> etc. You can find some great deals on artisan lampwork on ebay.
>>
>> Since these are chinese beads though, I think your price is fair. I am
>> not a jewelry designer so I can't really give you much feedback as far
>> as design or pricing goes. I just wanted to give you my honest answer
>> regarding the beads you are using.
>
> Hi Teresa,
>
> Thanks for replying :-) Your input was very helpful. I didn't know that
> about beads made in China. I checked the packaging on all my beads and
> it looks like the most of the ones I have are Czech glass or Mill Hill
> seed beads from Japan. The lampwork ones do come from China, and I
> suspect the loose ones I bought at the bead store have as well :\ I
> have passed over a lot of lampwork beads in the store because they had
> air bubbles in them, but I didn't know they were more prone to
> breakage.
>
> I think, quite naturally, I will progress to beads made by artisans.
> What was on the link I posted is just a fraction of the necklaces I
> have made :-) I see a lot that I like on eBay, that's for sure! I am
> finding that the selection at the local bead shop and Michaels to be
> limited and not as unique of course. I would like to learn this
> technique myself. The local art college has a lampwork class, but I
> don't have $400 to plunk down on it ATM (I already plunked down that
> much for the Art History course I'm taking :-))
>
> I'm glad you think that the prices are fair :-) Craft sales can be so
> hit or miss - it's hard to know what people will like. For instance, my
> mom does a lot of knitting, and she always tries to pick colours that
> people will like, but there's always someone out there who wants brown
> or orange. I can't wait until November to see how I do. This is the
> first year I have included beadwork with my other crafts and photos.
> Thanks for the luck!
>
> Christine
>
calz...@gmail.com
> think they're worth more than that.
That's a very nice way of putting it, I never thought of it like that
before! I have always thought I was worth spending big bucks on, LOL.
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> I live in Berkeley, California, right across from San Francisco. Those
> two cities are teeming with artists, artisans, and craftspeople, and
> most people know what stuff is worth (well, pretty much) because there
> are lots of crafts galleries, shows, etc. The quality here is pretty
> high, too -- in many of the venues anyway. Plus -- EVERYTHING in the
> Bay Area is expensive!! LOL (And I can't speak for the folks from
> many of the cities' suburbs. Lots of 'em are WalMart-brains.)
Cool :-) I hope to make it to California one day. So far I have been to
Lexington and Seattle (Seattle was so nice!) but California has always
been the mystical land of sun and glamour :-D I probably watched too
much TV when I was a kid :-) I'm glad you have such an available
market. I think it will be a while before it is like that here,
although it has gotten better in the 12 years I have lived here :-)
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
That was the next thing I was going to ask you via email :-) Thanks
for posting that...goodness you are a busy beader! I have to hit the
hay now, but I spotted the cow skull on this page:
http://beckibead.tripod.com/silver1.html
I love that skull! Just gorgeous. I'll have to peruse more tomorrow :-)
Best,
Christine
Dr. Sooz
we're more like Portland and Seattle. You're envisioning the southern
part of the state. San Francisco is the land of fog and cold summers.
Everyone always makes that mistake....it's really hard for a lot of
people to feel how big California is. (Not people from Texas or
Alaska....they think CA is small!)
Visitors often write to me, "I'm flying into L.A. -- can you meet me
for coffee?" Well, I could -- if I drove for seven hours! (one way)
As for people raising their consciousness about artisanal work, it's
happening a lot of places -- it's improving. I think it's best in
towns that have big universities, personally, but that's just my
observation. Well-educated people tend to understand the long path and
hard work that goes into a subtle piece of craft. (Or an obvious,
*garish* piece! Which is fun too!)
````````````````````````````````
calz...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I live in Berkeley, California, right across from San Francisco. Those
> > two cities are teeming with artists, artisans, and craftspeople, and
> > most people know what stuff is worth (well, pretty much) because there
> > are lots of crafts galleries, shows, etc.
~~~~~~~~snipped~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Sooz
MAKES it. I don't know how she does it. Everything has grace and
beauty, and is unique and a treasure. I know I sound like a sap, and I
am a close friend of hers, but it IS true. I just stare with my mouth
open at the stuff she does that I NEVER could. We are so different in
our approach to beading -- this whole group has such diversity of
craft! It's an amazing learning experience to see what everybody
makes.
`````````````````````````````````````````
calz...@gmail.com
vibrance. We went to Mt. Rainer as well and I have never seen anything
so spectacular in my life!
> Visitors often write to me, "I'm flying into L.A. -- can you meet me
> for coffee?" Well, I could -- if I drove for seven hours! (one way)
Haha! That totally puts things in perspective! I didn't know it was so
foggy though.
> As for people raising their consciousness about artisanal work, it's
> happening a lot of places -- it's improving. I think it's best in
> towns that have big universities, personally, but that's just my
> observation.
We have an art college here, the university, and a technical college. I
moved here before waves of Vancouverites and Torontonians did, so I
think that's helping as well. The cost of living here is expensive, but
still relatively inexpensive compared to other places, and a lot of
head offices came out this way. There is also a building called Art
Central that showcases local artists and they have a First Thursday
night every month. There seems to be more festivals going on too and
lots of farmers markets. I really like seeing people embrace things
that aren't mass-produced.
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> SoftFlex, to me, seems to drape better and feels stronger. I've had far
> fewer breaks as well (only one that I know of).
Just out of curiosity, what where you doing when it broke? I was trying
to break cable last night (I might start smashing beads this weekend to
see how well they hold up :-D) by pulling on it with pliers and bending
it and such. It seems quite sturdy, but I know all it takes is getting
caught on something real good for things to snap.
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> [snip] I cringed,
> upped the prices by 30-50%, relisted and sold, IIRC, 9 of 10, several
> with 'Buy It Now'!
That's amazing! It really makes me glad to hear that :-) Would you say
eBay is a good venue? I have noticed that people selling art often let
art go for very cheaply and start things out at 99 cents, so I don't
know if there's a difference between the mediums.
> I look at the work I did then (shudder) and what I design/create now and
> know that a LOT of the difference is simply from being challenged right
> here in r.c.b. Not so much overtly challenged but challenged by the
> wonderful quality and passion here.
Hee hee..I am trying to finish my first year of art school in at least
five years. When I see what I was doing back in 2003, it reminds me of
how much better things became. One really can't grow and develop
without trying new things. A friend of mine from school took the first
year jewellery studio course and made three things - a ring, a bracelet
and a necklace. I want to take that one eventually. It was her first
time making jewellery and I was really impressed!
Best,
Christine
beck...@yahoo.com
Christine -- by the time you make it to the jewelry class, you will be
able to TEACH it!! LOL.
Becki
beck...@yahoo.com
Christine -- Mavis Smith bought that cow skull necklace from me. When
you get to where you can afford the really good lampwork beads, you
will buy from her. She is ASTONISHING!!!
Droolworthy.
Becki
calz...@gmail.com
> Christine -- by the time you make it to the jewelry class, you will be
> able to TEACH it!! LOL.
LOL, I probably will Becki! It's going to be a while before I finish
this journey, but I'm having plenty of fun along the way :-)
Best,
Christine
Polly S.
> Hi Polly,
> Just out of curiosity, what where you doing when it broke? I was trying
> to break cable last night (I might start smashing beads this weekend to
> see how well they hold up :-D) by pulling on it with pliers and bending
I made a necklace of Tigereye cubes and bali for my daughter and it came
back broken (don't remember what I used the first time). I restrung it
with Softflex (19 I think) and it was back a few months later in a
baggie! :) She is one of those that puts a necklace on and never takes
it off so I think it was the combination of her (non)care and maybe the
stones themselves; they were decent but not high quality, possibly had
rough drills. Come to think of it... the beads and findings are still
here waiting! :) I have some Tigereye bones of much better
quality/polish I might use instead to just make her a new necklace.
> it and such. It seems quite sturdy, but I know all it takes is getting
> caught on something real good for things to snap.
When I first started making necklaces I obsessed about them breaking and
used clamshell bead tips and knotted the ends before and after, on the
assumption that the link part of the clamshell would be the weakest link
and the breaking point. That turned out to be true a couple of times but
I personally never liked the look. Now that I totally trust my crimps I
just obsess about jump rings not being closed well enough! ;) Time to
start soldering them closed!
j/k... sorta!
calz...@gmail.com
> used clamshell bead tips and knotted the ends before and after, on the
> assumption that the link part of the clamshell would be the weakest link
> and the breaking point. That turned out to be true a couple of times but
> I personally never liked the look. Now that I totally trust my crimps I
> just obsess about jump rings not being closed well enough! ;) Time to
> start soldering them closed!
LOL, it's so natural to do that though! A couple of weeks after I gave
Mom the necklace that I made for her, she called me to say it had fell
apart. I pictured having to restring it, but all that had happened was
that the loop on the barrel clasp hadn't been closed enough. Soldering
doesn't seem so crazy :-D The story you told about your daughter also
made me realize that I can't expect people to wear them the same way
either.
I have broken a few clamshells...but now that I know they were all base
metal, that's probably why :-P
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> you get to where you can afford the really good lampwork beads, you
> will buy from her. She is ASTONISHING!!!
Becki, my poor little credit card is going to be traumatized if I keep
looking at all these links! I love her fairies and the rosebuds. She
must be incredibly patient. A truly amazing talent and imagination to
go with it!
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
> pulled on the wrong spots to open the clasp.
Oh man, I could totally see someone doing that by accident. Those
magnetic clasps are very cool though.
> How do you break an earring?!
LOL, now I'm not sure how that could happen either without getting
stepped on or your ear caught in something. Hopefully it's easily fixed
and that you have a good visit!
Best,
Christine
calz...@gmail.com
Sorry it took a while to get to your message.
> If they want it they must pay the price of it or it goes in my
> collection.
> I must have the most jewellery in the village.
> When I made the bracelet that was portrayed on the front of B&B.
Oh! Is there a picture of it somewhere? I saw all the lovely things on
your website, but I only saw the one bracelet. Was that it? The Chinese
knotwork looks really intriguging, especially the one at the very
bottom. I didn't know rattail was that versatile.
> I left the class because she wanted exotic things for nothing. She was
> replacement for my tutor Martin who had suffered a heart attack.
The exotic things for nothing seems to be a common theme. I seem to
recall reading an art forum where a feather painter was saying how the
imported painted feathers were a problem. It goes back to the other
posts here...if the art on your walls comes from a dollar store, that's
kind of sad. When something is handmade, it seems more real to me. Did
Martin turn out to be OK?
Best,
Christine
Dr. Sooz
problem.
``````````````
Dr. Sooz
```````````````````````
CindyB wrote:
> She told me the other day that an earring I'd made for her broke. She
> tried to describe how, but I can't picture what she's talking about.
> Frankly, I can't even remember the pair she's talking about! I'll be
> heading north next month to visit with her for a week, so I'll be
> bringing my supplies and hopefully will be able to fix it. How do you
> break an earring?!
Shirley Shone
calz...@gmail.com writes
>
>> When I made the bracelet that was portrayed on the front of B&B.
>
>Oh! Is there a picture of it somewhere? I saw all the lovely things on
>your website, but I only saw the one bracelet. Was that it? The Chinese
>knotwork looks really intriguging, especially the one at the very
>bottom. I didn't know rattail was that versatile.
>
>> I left the class because she wanted exotic things for nothing. She was
>> replacement for my tutor Martin who had suffered a heart attack.
>
>
>. Did
>Martin turn out to be OK?
He is fairly well and waiting for angioplasty, which he was very
apprehensive about.
I was able to help calm his fears since I have had a heart bypass, 4
angiograms and angioplasty and 6 stents inserted.
I am hoping he will feel well enough to go back to tutoring next term in
September. I told him if I could get over it so could he and he is
younger than me. LOL if he does not I shall not go back.
Regards
Su
> You know, it's kind of sad. People who want everything for $1 must not
> think they're worth more than that.
That was my mantra for a very long weekend bead fair. And it worked, I
felt more kindly disposed towards the 'HOW MUCH???' crowd and thought
to myself 'how sad they value themselves so little'.
Thanks. It made a big difference.
-Su
Bacchae
> How do you break an earring?!
Drive over it with your car?
That's how I broke one. Well, it wasn't so much broken as smooshed. The
bead survived intact though. How's that for annealing!?
I have had the dangle bit come off the shepherd's hook which is an easy
repair but not if you can't see close-up well or have the tools to bend the
loops back into shape. There's also metal fatigue. I think if a piece gets
bent a lot it'll finally give.
- Sandy
m.pu...@jach.hawaii.edu
Bacchae wrote:
> "CindyB" wrote in message ...
>
> > How do you break an earring?!
>
> Drive over it with your car?
yup, been there, done that.
> That's how I broke one. Well, it wasn't so much broken as smooshed. The
> bead survived intact though. How's that for annealing!?
the garnets on mine did too, but the Job's Tears didn't.
And if they're hoops you can get them caught on something
(been there, done that too - hoop earrings and underbrush
don't go well together <g> and Norman refuses to buy me any
because he knows me too well.)
Maren
Palms, Etc.: Tropical Plant Seeds - Hand-made Jewelry - Plants &
Lilikoi
http://www.jach.hawaii.edu/~maren/palms_etc/
Kalera
> Bacchae wrote:
>> "CindyB" wrote in message ...
>>
>>> How do you break an earring?!
>> Drive over it with your car?
>
> yup, been there, done that.
>
>> That's how I broke one. Well, it wasn't so much broken as smooshed. The
>> bead survived intact though. How's that for annealing!?
>
> the garnets on mine did too, but the Job's Tears didn't.
Awww... poor Job's Tears!
That reminds me, I still have some I need to get in the ground. :) Maybe
soon they'll remove that pile of concrete rubble from my garden so I can
plant stuff!
--
-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.bridgetownglass.com
On eBay: http://www.snurl.com/1sfe
Vibrant Jewels
etc., and an old family friend was looking through my jewelry and fell in
love with this set. I normally don't put my cost near the jewelry I'd like
to sell - but since I was just showing this set to friends and family, I
hadn't noticed that my notes were still in the baggie with it. I figure my
cost of materials alone were $30. She was so excited and was more than
willing to pay that for the set. Told her sorry, that was my cost, I'd
probably charge $125 for the set if I sold it retail. I thought she was
gonna faint at that price - but I told her I'd sell it to her for $75. She
snapped it up. Probably should have charged more, next time I will.
Here's the set (not a fantastic pic, but fairly close):
http://209.239.56.130/jewelry/BIO/dichoricglassset.jpg
I wonder if I'd told her it would retail for $225, if she would have paid
$125 for it after all? :)
Perceived value vs. fair market value vs. our trembling, self-conscious
value... this is quite a learning curve. Still I'm definitely leaving the
$8-$15 price points and that's a good thing!
--
Karleen Page
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels: http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
Join our Yahoo Group: vibrantjewe...@yahoogroups.com
"Shirley Shone" <nos...@allcrafts.area51.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:eIoVbxCv...@allcrafts.demon.co.uk...
> In message <1153342427....@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com>,
> calz...@gmail.com writes
>>
>>> People HAGGLE?!?!? Oh my GAWD!!
>>
>>LOL! I wish I could hear you say that in RL, Dr. Sooz. It's not that
>>haggling is a bad thing, but you probably know those people that want
>>everything for $1. Or less. Then huff at you and say that they could
>>make it themselves :-) I don't mind budging on a price, or giving a
>>deal, but some people drive me crazy :-D
>>
>>Best,
>>Christine
>>
> I know how you feel Christine, here where I live in Uk people expect to
> buy my things for less than the price of the beads. They do not get them.
> If they want it they must pay the price of it or it goes in my collection.
> I must have the most jewellery in the village.
> When I made the bracelet that was portrayed on the front of B&B. I wore it
> to my computer class. Now one of the tutors very fond of jewellery was
> looking at with great interest. I said don't ask you cannot afford it.
> Taken aback she said why. I said it would cost you 200 pounds. I had to go
> to Sheffield for some of the beads. I had to send to London for the 200
> Swarovski crystals and to Germany for the clasp. Then it took me many
> hours to make it. Even then my hourly rate would only be a third of what
> you earn for teaching this class.
>
> I left the class because she wanted exotic things for nothing. She was
> replacement for my tutor Martin who had suffered a heart attack.
>
Vibrant Jewels
test market for my creations. If they can survive her, they can survive
anything! LOL She believes in really WEARING her pieces - to work, to play,
wherever. I don't think she's broken any earrings so far - just has lost one
of a pair - but she's destroyed almost every bracelet I've given her. It's
kinda making me paranoid! LOL Crimps and wire, string & bead tips are no
match for her - the only style that seems to be bullet proof is to make a
loop/bead (or button) closure, and go through all beads as many times as you
can.
--
Karleen Page
Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG)
Vibrant Jewels: http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm
JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770
Join our Yahoo Group: vibrantjewe...@yahoogroups.com
news:1153698063.5...@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Patti
Mavis also sells on Ebay under the seller ID beadsbymavis. She has
current auctions running and you can join her mailing list on the
website above to be notified of auctions, specials, etc. Her beads are
wonderful, and the smaller ones are very well priced. She's also one
of the coolest women you will ever meet.
Patti
Dr. Sooz
self esteem (and a halfway decent paycheck) won't quibble over the
price of well-made goods (unless the price is insanely high -- we've
all seen that too). Now, if one's stuff isn't well-made.........and we
know that isn't true in your case.........then that's another story.
Back to the drawing table, and get the quality up. Know your market;
that requires research and work. Don't whinge. Nobody likes a whiner,
and they'll avoid your table at the craft fair. Make as sparkling and
positive a presentation as possible. Put yourself in others' shoes and
make them comfortable at your display. Etc.
Most of it's common sense. I think you had some grumpy people who
think they're not worth a damn at your fair, Su! Sad. They must have
grey little lives.
```````````````````````````````
Dr. Sooz
````````````````````````````
Christina Peterson
excellent beadmaker with good photography skills. The back might be
different, the color might not be true, the size might be misjudged. What
you do is you take that risk in order to pay (usually) wholesale prices.
This is even true of something like Swarovski leaded crystals. Until you
see it in person, you don't know the exact color, or that exposed or larger
crystals are very scratching and irritating on tender neck skin.
I too prefer to see and touch what I buy, but it's considerably more
expensive. And it's the reason I don't buy jewelry on line.
Tina
<calz...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153283687....@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> > A lot of the people on this newsgroup buy their beads online. You are
> > not limited by what you have available in your community.
>
> That's very true Dr. Sooz. I like to be able to see the beads close up
> though. There have been times when I bought beads online, and they
> weren't quite what I expected, due to monitor and scanning differences.
>
>
> Best,
> Christine
>
Christina Peterson
variation of spectra (or similar) line. Sometimes I use crimping tubes to
fill in too large bead holes.
Tina
"Su" <cutw...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:1153296297.2...@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Sooz, do you still feel SoftFlex/SoftTouch is the best or is there
> something you like more for general stringing?
>
> I've not made it into beadweaving yet in any significant way so I don't
> have to enter the great beadweaving material problem but I suppose when
> I do it will be time to start looking into ordering internationally
> again as prices here are still so stiff for whatever I want.
>
> I agree wholeheartedly, use the best materials including your findings.
> When we're at a craft/art fair and we explain that ALL our findings
> are sterling, all our accents are sterling or Bali silver and we do NOT
> use silver-plate (but for the teeny exception of the cell/mobile phone
> lanyards as they're only available in plate) the expressions on the
> faces of the customers tells the story. It means a lot to them.
>
> If you buy your findings online in bulk, even if you buy 100 or 500
> crimps in sterling, they're not horribly expensive and it makes a huge
> difference.
>
> I wouldn't buy something now that is plated metal and I wouldn't sell
> it either.
>
> We're definitely not WalMart.
>
> -Su
>
> www.tillermanbeads.co.uk
> www.britishlampwork.co.uk
>
Christina Peterson
Calif is a good place to be FROM! I enjoy visiting, but the surfeit of
EVERYTHING exhausts me. You even need to make reservation for many of the
park trails! But yes, I do know quiet parts too.
And I will be down on November. Probably first and last week with the two
middle weeks in Mexico for dental work. And Pete will be going too!
By the way Sooz, what is artis anal work?
And speaking of Sooz, Suze (my daughter) is coming up tonight from AZ for a
10 day visit. Goody!
Tina
"Dr. Sooz" <penh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1153458306.5...@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> I LOVE Seattle. But where I live is not the land of sun and glamour --
> we're more like Portland and Seattle. You're envisioning the southern
> part of the state. San Francisco is the land of fog and cold summers.
> Everyone always makes that mistake....it's really hard for a lot of
> people to feel how big California is. (Not people from Texas or
> Alaska....they think CA is small!)
>
> Visitors often write to me, "I'm flying into L.A. -- can you meet me
> for coffee?" Well, I could -- if I drove for seven hours! (one way)
> As for people raising their consciousness about artisanal work, it's
> happening a lot of places -- it's improving. I think it's best in
> towns that have big universities, personally, but that's just my
> observation. Well-educated people tend to understand the long path and
> hard work that goes into a subtle piece of craft. (Or an obvious,
> *garish* piece! Which is fun too!)
>
> ````````````````````````````````
> calz...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > I live in Berkeley, California, right across from San Francisco.
Those
> > > two cities are teeming with artists, artisans, and craftspeople, and
> > > most people know what stuff is worth (well, pretty much) because there
> > > are lots of crafts galleries, shows, etc.
> ~~~~~~~~snipped~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
> > Cool :-) I hope to make it to California one day. So far I have been to
> > Lexington and Seattle (Seattle was so nice!) but California has always
> > been the mystical land of sun and glamour :-D I probably watched too
> > much TV when I was a kid :-) I'm glad you have such an available
> > market. I think it will be a while before it is like that here,
> > although it has gotten better in the 12 years I have lived here :-)
> >
> > Best,
> > Christine
>
Christina Peterson
pacemakers, etc. And they can attract lots of other metal. Maybe they
should be worn with the clasp in front with clusters of paper clips? :-)
Tina
<calz...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153698063.5...@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Christina Peterson
in Edm.
Tina
<calz...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153281273....@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi Cindy!
>
> > Hi Christine...min wage in Alberta has gone up...$7 an hour...looks like
you
> > are in for a raise :D!!
>
> Oh my gosh, that totally passed me by! I certainly will have to give
> myself a raise :-)
>
> > Where do you live? I am in Edmonton.
>
> I livei n Calgary, but I moved here from Edmonton when I was 16, been
> here for over a decade now :-)
>
> Best,
> Christine
>
Christina Peterson
would cost to replace the beads I have at the LBS (Local Bead Store), etc.
If I pay 10 cents for a SS daisy spacer, and it would cost 50 cents at
Pristine's, .50 is the replacement cost. If I got 9 beads from Brendan
Blake for $18 , the replacement cost is the $5 per bead she charges to make
beads. The gold filled lever back earrings I got a year ago from Rio Grande
for $5 cost $10 in the catalogue and at least $20 at a store. I add the
costs and add 20%. The reason I do that is because I have such poor manual
and digital dexterity (if I were any worse it would be, not below average,
but sub-normal) that I take a long time.
That's the starting point. I add for artistic merit. That's wholesale. If
I sold it to a store or gallery, that's what I'd ask for. They'd double it
for retail. I label my jewelry for retail cost, and if I sell it myself I
can the take 40% off. To me, that's fair.
Charging for time instead of per piece would mean that because Marnie is
good at wire work and I'm only adequate, it would take me longer and so I'd
get paid more for the piece. Makes no sense.
Because I base my price primarily on material (on strung pieces), it is even
more advantageous to use good materials. $3 in materials, is just not going
to fetch a good price. After all you work buying beads, putting you piece
together, and marketing it (on eBay, at a craft mart etc), paying for gas,
fees, etc, you might make $10. If you use good materials and buy
judiciously and it costs you $50, that same amount of work will earn you at
least 5 times that amount and probably more.
Beadweaving is altogether different, because the materials are less
expensive but it's very labour intensive. Frankly, I can't work efficiently
enough to get a reasonable return (can anyone), so those pieces are for
gifts only.
Tina
<calz...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153262473.1...@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>
> > TOO LOW!!!!!!!!! HOLY COW!
>
> Hi Dr. Sooz!
>
> Ok, I hear ya (loud and clear :-D)
>
> Here is how I arrived at the cost of the mixed Czech glass necklaces on
> flexible steel cable (I think this is Tigertail? The lady at Beadzu
> didn't say. I asked for something flexible and sturdy that wasn't
> nylon). The findings came from Beadzu and the cable is securely
> crimped.
>
> The bag of mixed Czech glass cost $6.99; I can get three and a half
> necklaces out of each bag (the necklaces are about 18" long). So
> there's ~$2.30 worth of beads in each necklace. IIRC, the findings work
> out to be about 50 cents each. I can't remember how much the cable cost
> me, but let's assume it works out to about $1.50 as well. It takes me
> an hour to make each necklace. So I factor in Alberta's minimum wage
> ($5.90). That works out to be $10.20 for time and materials. $15 if I
> add on a little to make a profit.
>
> But...somehow I doubt someone at a craft sale is going to pay $15 for
> these. They'll just look at it and say "I could make that myself!" or
> pass it up. I have heard it said that if you don't price your work at
> what you value it, others won't value it...but in my heart I know the
> shoppers may not value it as much as I do. I'm definitely not a
> "Wal-Mart" shopper, and I have paid for artisan jewellery and other
> artwork - hehe, I own a jug of a nude female torso that I paid $225 for
> :-). I'm not afraid to pay the price because I appreciate the time,
> work and education of the artist. But not everyone is, unfortunately,
> so I have to knock off a few bucks. Don't get me started on the craft
> show hagglers :-D
>
> If you have any pricing ideas, I would be happy to hear them.
>
> Thanks,
> Christine
>
Christina Peterson
Tina
"Dr. Sooz" <penh...@sbcglobal.net> wrote...
> My in-laws are my biggest fans. My MIL is always saying she wants to
> be my sales rep for the newly-retired folks in Florida. (These people
> have MONEYYYYYY) I'd love it, but I can't work enough to open that
> particular can of worms. Hopefully my health will get better and
> better and I will someday be able to produce more -- maybe I'll even go
> into remission! I would so love that. I have so many things I want to
> do.
>