Pricing question and critique needed...

My daughter has the ability to break ANY piece of jewelry, and she's a good 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.

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

Glad to have been of help, sweetie! I've found people with healthy 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 comm> Dr. Sooz wrote:

The way I figure it, buying on line is always a gamble. Even with an 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

I dislike any kind of wire, because I dislike crimping. I use whatever variation of spectra (or similar) line. Sometimes I use crimping tubes to fill in too large bead holes.

Tina

As a second generation native Californian living in Alaska, I often think 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

Tina

But magnetic clasps can't be worn near computers or by people with 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

I lived in Edmonton in the 70s, but am in Alaska now. Susan Burwash lives in Edm.

Tina

I probably do my pricing differently from anyone else. I determine what it 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

It's so cool that things are so good with your in-laws.

Tina

"Dr. Sooz" wrote...