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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Feb 3, 2014 15:35:30 GMT -5
No offense, but there seems to be a conflict between what you're saying here and the prices on your Etsy store. I pay myself $20/hr for labor and at that rate would come up with similar prices given the material cost as what you are selling your items for. Now here's a person who pays themselves nothing for labor, assuming that they actually do the lapidary work (probably just reselling overseas imported work): www.etsy.com/shop/NaturesStonePendants$4.00 ocean jasper cabochon, cut well, high polish and drilled for bead mounting. how do you compete with that?
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 3, 2014 15:37:33 GMT -5
I wont argue with your pricing on those ocean jasper cabs at all. seems fair. I find it easier to put a price on high end rare material then the more common materials. If all of those OJ cabs were the same size and same shapes but they were snowflake obsidian or tiger eye what would your prices be then? The problem is that there is just as much labor involved but not near the return when cabbing some of the more common stuff.
Nice looking cabs by the way.
Chuck
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Feb 3, 2014 15:41:48 GMT -5
No offense, but there seems to be a conflict between what you're saying here and the prices on your Etsy store. I pay myself $20/hr for labor and at that rate would come up with similar prices given the material cost as what you are selling your items for. Now here's a person who pays themselves nothing for labor, assuming that they actually do the lapidary work (probably just reselling overseas imported work): www.etsy.com/shop/NaturesStonePendants$4.00 ocean jasper cabochon, cut well, high polish and drilled for bead mounting. how do you compete with that? I don't see anything in any of his listings that says he is making those cabs. The drilled holes remind me a lot of stuff that comes from China etc ... Even under shop info there is nothing listed describing his "craft" smells a little fishy to me. Chuck
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dbrealityrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2010
Posts: 1,084
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Post by dbrealityrocks on Feb 3, 2014 16:24:54 GMT -5
Don I don't make much off etsy almost all my income is from doing shows. It would seem to lots of folks seeing my gross at some of the shows that I'm doing ok but I won't be paying any taxes this year. Etsy accounts for only 10% although that is increasing. I spent 3 weeks working an avg of 10hrs a day to get a lot of my stuff on etsy going from about 60 pendants to what I have now plus the new store up and running. Like I said most of my shows are 300 miles or more one way. To drive set up and do the show to back home is from 32 - 40 hrs then I have to spend the next few days trying to get ready for the next show. I'm not complaining but truth is I'd make more per year working minimum wage jobs. Luckily my house and vehicle is paid for, not sure I could afford payments.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 17:07:24 GMT -5
Hardly seems like Etsy is worthwhile at $4 for a cab. You lost money making the listing.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Feb 3, 2014 17:32:23 GMT -5
You might explore the possibility of getting your finished jewelry into galleries. The commission is high, but it essentially gives you passive income every month. Put together a digital portfolio and send it out. look for gallery owners at the art shows you participate in and ask other artists for gallery recommendations. Just a thought.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 17:58:10 GMT -5
No offense, but there seems to be a conflict between what you're saying here and the prices on your Etsy store. I pay myself $20/hr for labor and at that rate would come up with similar prices given the material cost as what you are selling your items for. Now here's a person who pays themselves nothing for labor, assuming that they actually do the lapidary work (probably just reselling overseas imported work): www.etsy.com/shop/NaturesStonePendants$4.00 ocean jasper cabochon, cut well, high polish and drilled for bead mounting. how do you compete with that? Don, et al, I have had a look at that company. I am certain you are correct, that they are selling chinese made cabs as their own.
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dbrealityrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2010
Posts: 1,084
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Post by dbrealityrocks on Feb 3, 2014 18:02:47 GMT -5
Heres a piece of petrified wood priced@ I think$155 but don't remember. I do some run of the mill stones and wrap @$30 to $45 I have a difficult time with galleries making so much commission. The only place I sell like that takes 20%. I did the mkting for an orchard selling everything retail @ farmers mkts and also wouldn't farm @ wholesale either. We grossed 750K from a 20 acre orchard with about 25% buy and sell (tomatoes)A typical wholesale farm the same size and location could expect to gross 150K. Maybe someday when I'm old and grey...OK old.
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Feb 3, 2014 18:44:38 GMT -5
Oh wow those are some great rare pieces. I love the Kabamby Ocean Jasper and great job on the cabs.
There is so much opinion on prices that I don't even go there.
Rock on! Jason
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,555
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Post by jamesp on Feb 3, 2014 19:44:31 GMT -5
I want to do some festival/shows here in Atlanta. Many of them. Huge crowds. Lots of fun. All within 30 miles.
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Post by pghram on Feb 4, 2014 17:04:05 GMT -5
I know nothing about selling, so I'll be reading with interest. Your cabs & pieces are well done.
Rich
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Post by Tonyterner on Feb 5, 2014 19:24:48 GMT -5
Those prices seem great compared to out east. I'm lucky to get $20 for a plain cab no matter what the material. That's the reason I don't even try to sell.
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bhiatt
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2012
Posts: 1,532
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Post by bhiatt on Feb 5, 2014 23:57:21 GMT -5
I want to do some festival/shows here in Atlanta. Many of them. Huge crowds. Lots of fun. All within 30 miles. When I hear festival. I think of Vince Herman. During his concerts he'll break out a fessssssstivaaaaaaaaalllllllllllll. Crowd goes wild every time. He plays a lot of hippy festivals throughout the year. Only bluegrass band I can listen too. They are considered newgrass. This Vince Herman pretty is like this ages Jerry Garcia. He is very popular among the hippies. Im a big fan of him. Seen him quite a few times.
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bhiatt
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2012
Posts: 1,532
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Post by bhiatt on Feb 5, 2014 23:59:43 GMT -5
them hippies would be all over your coral jewelry. I haven't seen anything like it at festivals. There is always someone set up selling rock jewelry too.
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Post by christopherl1234 on Feb 6, 2014 3:54:21 GMT -5
I agree rocks can be highly addictive!!
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