Kathy -- I price them for what I think I can get for them, regardless of time/what I paid. I have sold very inexpensive necklaces (in terms of time and materials) for a lot of money and very expensive necklaces (in terms of time and materials) for very little money, LOL.
Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows
That sounds good - I just have no idea what I can get! I think maybe start at 70.00 for the single focal? God that sounds ridiculous!
Kathy -- where are you selling, at Ebay? If so, then do some research, sweetheart. Cruise through the listings and see what others are selling similar pieces for. It is worth the time.
Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows
Not ebay at this time. These are going to a real estate office (I know odd- but they want them) where the employees can buy them.
And a big fact DOH to myself I didn't even think of looking at ebay for jewelry - I just look at beads!!
Thanks Becki!!
Dream Master
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~~ Albert Camus
eBay prices are often wholsale or below, so keep that in mind.
Not for finished jewelry, it isn't.
Kathy -- I didn't think of this until I was in the car driving somewhere, but you can always take them in and add the cards later, correct (she says, what cards? keep reading).
Here is the answer -- charge whatever price you want, my dear. And then justify it by telling people about the materials on a card attached to or featured with the jewelry. For example, Tink's hollow glass bead necklace would command a higher price because this is a hollow (not always easy to do) handmade piece of glass, very precious, and pricey on the market. With handmade bali silver (or whatever). In other words, tell them why it is worth the price. This always works for me.
Good luck, sweetness.
Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows
Thanks,
I did a check on ebay (don't think I searched very well though) and on Justbeads (easier to find the finished jewelry!!). It helped some. I think I'm worried I'll set the price and people will think it's nuts (too high)!
And cards- how about that - I did cards last night!!! I identified the maker of the lampwrok beads and the types of materials on one side and the other side is my business card.
I know I have records of what I've paid for the lampwork, but I'll just make an educated guess on the other stuff.
I'm also taking in single lampwork beads in case people want to select a bead to be made into a piece (my landlady's idea - clever eh??)
I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing. I guess everyone is when they first start out though. Wheeeeeee.
Kathy K
vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.combuybeads (BeckiBead) :
]Here is the answer -- charge whatever price you want, my dear. And then ]justify it by telling people about the materials on a card attached to or ]featured with the jewelry. For example, Tink's hollow glass bead necklace ]would command a higher price because this is a hollow (not always easy to do) ]handmade piece of glass, very precious, and pricey on the market. With ]handmade bali silver (or whatever). In other words, tell them why it is worth ]the price. This always works for me.
very good point. it's what i'm doing with mine, too.
----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)
*Don't* list the actual materials cost! That's a surefire way to make people think you're price-gouging. Instead, play up the angle that each of your pieces is one of a kind. People are willing to pay considerably more for exclusivity.
Celine
I think she meant to list it for her, so that she could get a better idea of what advice to give, not to give that info to prospective customers (that *would* be silly), at least that's how i interpreted it. i'd be kind of curious, too, because i"m learning a lot from the questions of others.
Um, okay.....that was my experience when selling handmade jewelry on ebay. Maybe things have changed. I've noticed that there's so much jewelry competition on ebay that it really drives down prices. Of course, that's different if the artist is really well known.
to be made into a piece<
SUPER idea! Good luck!
Carol in SLC My newest creation (11/28):
Oops. On second look, I think you're right. Nonetheless, my advice to play up the "one-of-a-kind item" angle is still valid. This is especially useful for high-end markets, where it's the kiss of death for a woman to show up at an event wearing the same dress or accessory as someone else.
Celine
Kandice -- could just be perspective, LOL. From my point of view, I check out the finished beaded jewelry category about 4-5 times a week (sometimes daily). It is like no one is capable of selling a necklace for under $100, or if they do, it is $86 with ONE lampwork bead in it, and bracelets for $40. I think there are a lot of people who are very full of themselves, LOL. However, they are also selling regularly and there is no way to argue with that!
Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows
Also, Kathy -- and I hate this about me, that I can't ever seen to say what I mean the first time around -- I went back and read what I posted, and it was right, but I left out this part: the whole purpose of writing up info on cards is to Give Them A Reason To Buy It. Every time I tell someone why they should buy my stuff, they do. LOL. Get them invested in the piece.
I hope that says it better.
Becki "In between the moon and you, the angels have a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right." -- Counting Crows
Tee hee - actually I got that from your earlier post!!
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Yep, that's totally true. There's like a huge gap between those pieces that are selling at over $100 and those that are lucky to sell for $20. I think a lot of it is auction psychology, and a lot of it is the fact that there are soooooo many jewelry makers selling stuff on ebay these days. It's soooo much easier selling beads, in my opinion. But then again, it also has a lot to do with talent, uniqueness of the pieces and marketing.
Exactly! There are so many people who don't do this that when someone does, it stands out. Standing out is really very important in today's market.
Kathy, Realtors have big bucks; don'y underprice yourself.
I figure price by adding the price of material at replacement cost (retail), something extra for overhead (right now it's a token amount just to remind MYSELF about it), then figure $20 - $30 (or even $40) per hour for the time it would take if I were fast/professional with the particular item. This is a minimum for wholesale (unless the market won't bear it, in which case I need to sell something different). I have been advised that I should double (or more) the reasonable wholesale if it's especially nice, and "add a zero" (multiply your price by ten) if I really want to keep it.
Then I take it to the gallery, because I have trouble being timely. I will sell at wholesale. And if I were to put it up for auction, wholesale is what I would start the bidding at.
If you sell retail, you have to do a whole lot more work, have more expenses. That traditionally is double wholesale. That should be your official price. If you're selling at a friend's place of business or something, you could offer 20% off. Half price to the person hosting the sale.
Tina
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