More on the demo......

Oh, here is a link to some beads I have for sale this week, so you can have an idea what I sell.

OMG. OMG!!!! Such gorgeous beads!!

Your prices are so freaking low on Justbeads it's scary. Double or triple them for retail, especially while doing a demo in a local bead store. If you can get up the nerve to do the demo, try really hard to have some inventory, because that will be your pay for going. I'll bet you will sell every single bead you take with you, even at high retail prices. If you can't have inventory - maybe consider taking photos of your work and accepting custom orders, if it's okay with the manager of the bead store. And charge more - lots more! Your stuff is amazing - especially the tile beads. And the hearts!!

Ditto everything Kandice said. I would KILL for the monarch and hummer tiles. *swoon* I seriously love your work, and I am one picky chick.

Ok. I take back what I said. I would kill for ANY of your beads. You are amazing.

Your Wholesale Price should be 5 times Cost (Include time, materials, transportation, overhead [rent, phone, Internet access, Web Hosting, lights, water, gas, storage, etc.], and incidentals).

Your time should not be minimum wage. Would you get someone with your talent and ability to replace you for minimum?

Transportation to get the supplies and tools from your supplier to your workplace is worth something (at least 35 cents a mile...probably 50 cents a mile to cover upkeep on your vehicle), and the shipping and handling costs to deliver your product have to be accounted for (How many miles round trip do you drive to the Post Office?).

Tools and equipment used in your business (including computers, modems, scanners, digital cameras, printers, desks, tables, racks, shelves, storage containers) can be

100% expensed in a year. If these items are not exclusively for business, determine the percentage of business use versus personal use and divide the business portion by 360 (Financial Calendar Year) to get the daily cost.

Retail Price should be Double or Triple the Wholesale or Dealer Cost. Mark Up is different than Profit Margin. A 100% Mark Up is only 50% Profit Margin. Discount is a different consideration. If you Mark Up 30% then give a 10% Inducement Discount, that represents 43.33% of your Profit.

A good Business Plan is essential to your future success.

Have a great day,

Darwin

Double or triple

bead store. If

to have some

bet you will sell

prices. If you

your work and

the bead store.

especially the tile

Catherine,

When I buy your beads on eBay, I consider your opening price to wholesale. Most artist seem to start around wholesale, and hope to get bid up to retail. So at a demo, selling to the public rather than to a specialized group many of whom resell in jewelry, you should bring the price up to retail by doubling it.

If you sold your beads to a store, you wouldn't charge less than your opening bid would you? Well, the store would take a standard "50% mark-up". Meaning half the price is mark up, and half is what they pay. Or, in other words, the store would double the price. And it is a no-no to charge less than the store would.

I don't know what to say about the demo though. It might not be so hard if you just have a bead in several stages. Butterfly cane, flower cane, butterfly and flowers cane, edged cane, and tiles. Something like that, and just work on things a little, but let the stages speak for themselves.

When would the event take place.

Tina

OK, now I understand the definition of KLUNK! I played around with polymer clay a little bit a few years ago and I can't even imagine the work that went into making your beads. Just a flat-out WOW!

Tanya

November 1 & 2. Which is what, 2 weeks away?!

Wow! She really gave you the hard sell and quite a bit of encouragement. BUT if you're not ready, you're not and she likes you as much as she says she will welcome you and your demo when you *are* ready whether that be in two weeks or in two months.

Do you have a friend you can practice on and is interested in learning?

-- Margie

auctions:

Your beads are drop dead gorgeous. The tiles are superb. I envy you of your skill. Knowing that you make such beautiful things I should not worry about doing a demo. You cannot fail. Shirley in UK

In article , csteele writes

Catherine,

Your beads are gorgeous! If you want to do the demo please do it, I'm sure lots of people would love to watch you work. Don't worry about not being the chatty type. I've done demos and the people watching ask questions and the conversation just happens.

On the other hand if you really don't want to do any type of demo don't do it, and don't let the shop owner pressure you.

take care, Linda :) (who would love to watch someone make such beautiful beads!)

Vancouver Island, bc.ca :) (remove 'nospam' to reply) See samples of my work at:

ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh. her tiles were the first things i ever bought on just beads.

I always heard 2Xs cost plus hourly time for work. Am I so wrong and do I ever need to raise my prices in that case. Of course, then I would never sell anything, because around here I still get a lot of "your stuff is so expensive!"

Barbara G.

I think I might try the demo. I might enjoy it, who knows. If I really hate it, at least I'll know for the future and know I mean no!

I have some inventory and I have some time to make more. I don't think I'll have many tiles though, because to make about 7 sets it takes two full days. Those tiles are really time consuming and I really should charge more for them but I would be afraid they wouldn't sell.

I guess selling online is not a good indicator for prices? I would think the demand for my beads would show how high the prices should be.

Go to this page:

scroll down (it's a long page) to Pricing Formula - this was written bysomeone here in the newsgroup awhile back, and is a good formula for pricingbeads and beadwork, in my opinion.

Catherine, I would bet a bead that once started with the demo, you'll be fine.Just put the clay in your hands, you'll be set!! The enthusiasm that comes from showing the process of working with polymer clay is not only infectious, it LOOKS like fun and it really is....can't beat that, when it comes to gathering the attention of onlookers.

I'm shy (yes, I am, in my own way--don't let thousands of postings fool you) and yet I've always found it easy to talk about/show the fun of polymer clay---you won't be nervous once you get going because its a joy to share. Not at ALL like the usual stresses of Meeting New People or Being Nice In Public. Don't worry, just enjoy!! And make sure you wear some PC beads/jewelry. And take bottled water or something; you will be amazed how fast the time goes and how much you say during it. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

ACK!! Dragonflies - she does dragonflies. Swoon.

Kathy K