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Post by miket on Dec 13, 2019 13:11:39 GMT -5
So I finished a wrap that an ex-coworker wanted, she's buying one for herself and one for her mom for Christmas. This one is hers. The stone is nothing special, one that I self-collected that she likes. And I noticed that somehow I crossed the wires in the back of the bail but I think it will still be ok. Now, here's the big question- what do I charge her? Oh, and it's very small, maybe a half inch wide and an inch tall overall. Honest opinions, please....and thank you.   |
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Post by drocknut on Dec 13, 2019 17:22:02 GMT -5
There are so many variables in pricing such as how long it took you to wrap it, how much wire did you use, what kind of wire it is, and if you made the cab, how much work did you put into making it?
Does that make sense?
Generally with sterling silver wire using a stone supplied by the buyer I would charge about $20 for a wrap that size.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 13, 2019 21:09:39 GMT -5
You cut that stone, right, miket? Must charge a bit more because of that and the Sterling. Sterling ain't cheap. I'd probably go more on those than what Diane quoted because you are supplying the stone.
rockjunquie will chime in, I'm sure and she's better at pricing than I am. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 13, 2019 21:32:35 GMT -5
What is the stone and what kind of wire?
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Post by miket on Dec 13, 2019 22:08:28 GMT -5
What is the stone and what kind of wire? It's one I found but I'm not positive if it's agate or jasper . Sterling wire I think. I did cut and polish it. Honestly I was thinking $25 since I'm new at this, it's the first one I've ever sold, and she's buying 2. But I don't really know.  |
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Post by miket on Dec 13, 2019 22:26:05 GMT -5
You cut that stone, right, miket ? Must charge a bit more because of that and the Sterling. Sterling ain't cheap. I'd probably go more on those than what Diane quoted because you are supplying the stone.
rockjunquie will chime in, I'm sure and she's better at pricing than I am. I did Robin. The stone was free but there was a ton of labor. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 14, 2019 7:43:41 GMT -5
Let's see..... the cab is probably an agate. I think 20 is a good price for a small agate. The wrap is a small one with silver and copper. And you are new, so I think 20 for the wrap- but, she wants 2, so you should give her a little break. So, 35 sounds good to me. Not so little that you'll be cutting your own throat if she comes back for more. Now you are a working artist.  |
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Post by miket on Dec 14, 2019 8:32:34 GMT -5
Let's see..... the cab is probably an agate. I think 20 is a good price for a small agate. The wrap is a small one with silver and copper. And you are new, so I think 20 for the wrap- but, she wants 2, so you should give her a little break. So, 35 sounds good to me. Not so little that you'll be cutting your own throat if she comes back for more. Now you are a working artist. Thanks for the advice, Tela. I'm planning on wrapping the second one on Monday and I'll post it if i do. I was thinking about 40 total but we'll see. I need money for supplies! 😁 She really likes stones that you can see through so maybe I'll make a suncatcher and throw it in since it would be the first one. She liked the mahogany obsidian that I did. And who knows, if she's happy maybe she'll spread the word! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 14, 2019 11:58:10 GMT -5
Let's see..... the cab is probably an agate. I think 20 is a good price for a small agate. The wrap is a small one with silver and copper. And you are new, so I think 20 for the wrap- but, she wants 2, so you should give her a little break. So, 35 sounds good to me. Not so little that you'll be cutting your own throat if she comes back for more. Now you are a working artist. Thanks for the advice, Tela. I'm planning on wrapping the second one on Monday and I'll post it if i do. I was thinking about 40 total but we'll see. I need money for supplies! 😁 She really likes stones that you can see through so maybe I'll make a suncatcher and throw it in since it would be the first one. She liked the mahogany obsidian that I did. And who knows, if she's happy maybe she'll spread the word! Mike, I'm just gonna put this out there, but it isn't necessarily aimed at you.
Hand made goods suffer from low prices because people don't value what they do the way a customer does. Perceived value by the customer is usually higher than what the maker thinks. We all suffer from a sense of inadequacy to one degree or the other. Some of us don't have a lot of faith in what we do. If you price something too low- you will actually drive people away because they think it doesn't have any value. You can always price too high and drive people away, too. It's a fine line. But one thing I know is that if you price something low and someone likes that bargain, they will expect the same bargain when they come back and they will tell their friends how cheap you are. So, after you have some experience both as a seller and a maker and you want to raise your prices- you may find yourself in a difficult spot.
There is a tradition- at least I think there is- that people who sell rocks, cabs and slabs will include a lagniappe- that is a thank you freebie. In my case, the freebie gets better the more money they spend. So, rather than give a big discount, I give nice freebies. I have found that almost everyone really appreciates it and loves surprises. I know I do.
Just some food for thought. Not really trying to tell you what to do.
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Post by greig on Dec 14, 2019 13:01:10 GMT -5
An alternative (which is not for everybody) is ask for a bottle of wine for the creation. That way, you didn't set a price. They have to go to the store and spend what they think is fair.
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Post by miket on Dec 14, 2019 13:17:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, Tela. I'm planning on wrapping the second one on Monday and I'll post it if i do. I was thinking about 40 total but we'll see. I need money for supplies! 😁 She really likes stones that you can see through so maybe I'll make a suncatcher and throw it in since it would be the first one. She liked the mahogany obsidian that I did. And who knows, if she's happy maybe she'll spread the word! Mike, I'm just gonna put this out there, but it isn't necessarily aimed at you.
Hand made goods suffer from low prices because people don't value what they do the way a customer does. Perceived value by the customer is usually higher than what the maker thinks. We all suffer from a sense of inadequacy to one degree or the other. Some of us don't have a lot of faith in what we do. If you price something too low- you will actually drive people away because they think it doesn't have any value. You can always price too high and drive people away, too. It's a fine line. But one thing I know is that if you price something low and someone likes that bargain, they will expect the same bargain when they come back and they will tell their friends how cheap you are. So, after you have some experience both as a seller and a maker and you want to raise your prices- you may find yourself in a difficult spot.
There is a tradition- at least I think there is- that people who sell rocks, cabs and slabs will include a lagniappe- that is a thank you freebie. In my case, the freebie gets better the more money they spend. So, rather than give a big discount, I give nice freebies. I have found that almost everyone really appreciates it and loves surprises. I know I do.
Just some food for thought. Not really trying to tell you what to do.
Yet another good point. Maybe I'll ask $50, not say anything about the other and just surprise her with a thank you gift for being my first ever customer. Then ask her not to tell anyone what she paid. Oh and thank you, ma'am. 😁 |
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Post by miket on Dec 14, 2019 13:21:00 GMT -5
An alternative (which is not for everybody) is ask for a bottle of wine for the creation. That way, you didn't set a price. They have to go to the store and spend what they think is fair. Not a bad idea. But I really would like to take what I make and spend it on supplies. Equipment, grit, saw blades- or more slabs! |
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 15, 2019 11:15:13 GMT -5
I think your $40-$50 price range is about right, and I really like the idea of a lagniappe, got to learn how to pronounce and add that to my vocabulary.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 15, 2019 11:49:41 GMT -5
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Dec 15, 2019 11:52:17 GMT -5
miket congratulations, it's a beautiful piece! You are way ahead of where I was at your time in the hobby. I knew I loved rocks and the concept of lapidary but it still took me a couple of years to focus in on what I really liked to do and what I thought I could make hobby-supporting money on. In the early days I gave away everything to family and friends and coworkers and don't regret it one bit but that's just me and I'm not implying that you should do that too. Some of those people I gave pieces to came back later and made big purchases and or sent other people my way - and some did not and that was OK too. That being said I really like greig's bottle of wine idea as a good "first sale" way to start spreading some good will and might land you a customer for life whereas being asked for $50 for someone's very first sale would make me scratch my head a bit. I hope this makes sense - I don't mean to devalue your time and materials in any way so I hope you don't take it that way.
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Post by miket on Dec 15, 2019 13:13:47 GMT -5
miket congratulations, it's a beautiful piece! You are way ahead of where I was at your time in the hobby. I knew I loved rocks and the concept of lapidary but it still took me a couple of years to focus in on what I really liked to do and what I thought I could make hobby-supporting money on. In the early days I gave away everything to family and friends and coworkers and don't regret it one bit but that's just me and I'm not implying that you should do that too. Some of those people I gave pieces to came back later and made big purchases and or sent other people my way - and some did not and that was OK too. That being said I really like greig 's bottle of wine idea as a good "first sale" way to start spreading some good will and might land you a customer for life whereas being asked for $50 for someone's very first sale would make me scratch my head a bit. I hope this makes sense - I don't mean to devalue your time and materials in any way so I hope you don't take it that way. Thanks for the compliments, Tommy. Ordinarily I would agree but in this case she saw what I was doing and actually hired me to do these two pieces specifically. I do plan on giving plenty away as well with Christmas coming and all. 😃 Oh, and I should add that I didn't take it that way at all, no worries! |
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Post by knave on Dec 15, 2019 23:10:21 GMT -5
Keep us posted on how it goes down. Giving that extra gift to someone who is already impressed and happy, can really take it up a notch. As long as you both are happy that’s what counts.
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Post by miket on Dec 17, 2019 15:21:53 GMT -5
Here's the second one. I haven't sent her a pic yet, we'll see what she says. Went with copper on this one, too, instead of gold. Opinions/critiques appreciated, please and thank you!   |
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 17, 2019 19:51:22 GMT -5
Here's the second one. I haven't sent her a pic yet, we'll see what she says. Went with copper on this one, too, instead of gold. Opinions/critiques appreciated, please and thank you! Beautiful cab and very nice looking wrap! I like this one even better. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 17, 2019 20:57:18 GMT -5
Yep, me too. Love the copper with that stone!
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