It's official. We have hit the busiest season of the year. If you thought summer flew by, just wait for the next month.
I have sunken to a new level. I have enlisted Google apps to help we stay organized and prioritize my schedule.
I have basically three schedules to maintain. 1) real job as tech coordinator at a small Catholic school, 2) teaching at the local junior college, SWCC 3) designing and creating jewelry using the various mixed media that I enjoy so much.
It's the last minute crunch and although I have a list of things to do at home, I want to make as many new designs as I can so customers have a good selection of my work.
But, what is enough? I'm not an international discount chain, I don't buy from third-world countries. Each piece is designed and created by me. I don't duplicate my designs exactly, that's how my work stays unique.
How can I justify making new items? I have items that haven't sold since last spring, even at reduced prices.
This time of year, everyone is looking for a bargain, myself included, but there is a limit as to how low I can price my designs. I seldom make an hourly rate equivalent to the amount of time the piece took to create, but if I can't at least recoup the cost of the materials, I can't continue.
I know my prices are lower than others who make similar designs using the same materials. I've seen these items as shows and for sale on the Internet.
I've had people confirm they have seen items similar to mine going for much more money in the cities.
I've priced my pieces in a range where they aren't the most expensive pieces, but they are more expensive than some others who make jewelry in this area.
I have priced my work in a range I feel is appropriate for the local market. I use sterling silver in many designs and my cost for this precious metal varies with the market. I try to keep my prices consistent.
I have high overhead for the materials and tools required for the type of designs I make compared to someone who makes beaded items that can be packed up and carried almost anywhere you need to be.
It might sound like I'm complaining and maybe I am. I read an article about pricing your jewelry and the author said it was important not to price it too low, as that cheapens your work and the work of your fellow artists.
So, I don't want someone to come up to me at a show and exclaim how outrageously high my prices are, but I would like to make some profit, isn't that part of the reason I'm doing this?
I wanted to make a new necklace using rose quartz. I played with the stones for awhile before I finally started putting the necklace together. They are cold and fairly smooth, although you can feel the faint crevices which form in the stones naturally.
I started and stopped a couple times. I decided what I wanted to make.
As I selected each stone, I strung it on brass wire, looping each end. I made jump rings from copper and attached them to form an openwork sphere between each stone.
 |
| Here is a rather poor quality picture of the Rose Quartz piece |
I decided to make this piece more of a choker length at 18" rather than as a long draping piece partly because of the heft of the stones, but also due to the fact that my fingers were getting too sore to shape the wire.
I finished the piece, priced it $30. Using any of the methods for pricing, it is still priced too low. So why didn't sell?
My theory is it didn't just grab some one's attention enough for them to make it a must have purchase.
I'll keep trying to come up with pieces that really have that "must have" look to them, but what I see isn't always what a customer wants. Hm........ maybe that's why I do so many custom pieces?
I'm gearing up for my last planned show of the season. It's a fundraising event for the local animal shelter, C.A.R.E. and will be held in Creston, IA at the restored depot uptown. If you're out and about stop in and say hi, or buy. (That's a joke)
Until next time, wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.
