pricing craft items

[Zoe Girl]

I am looking at all my craft fair items for Saturday and realizing that I could raise the prices slightly. I think I have been on the low side. It is an experiment I guess. For example I have these adorable mini backpacks that have a keychain on them. I was putting $10. I can usually get one done in one evening of focused work. I am not sure what price, I am thinking of trying $12, I also have the octopus toys, totally baby safe with yarn eyes and soft acrylic yarn body. I had $15 but I think they need to be at least $20.

I will let you know how it goes, it is all a learning process anyway.

[Chicken lady]

The owner of the pottery studio here does a pricing workshop before the sale every year. He always says: you can have ONE item under $5. More will detract from interest in larger items. It needs to be something you can toss off quickly and easily. $5 is just as good as $4.50 because people’s brains think “$5 limit” also, the number “$4.50” will make them think about spending actual money more than “$5” will. But $20 is a big jump. If you can sell it for $18 you will sell a lot more of them than at $20. If you’re going to $20, you might as well go a little over that. $20-$22 won’t have as much detterant as $18-$20, And you can offer 2 or more $20 each to boost sales.

also, you have materials costs. You are working all evening plus the time spent on your sale for under $10? If you choose to do that, it’s a hobby, not a job, and you are devaluing others’ work by comparison.

[razz]

Excellent post, CL. i would also add, that as a buyer, I am paying for all the efforts that went on before as you were developing your expertise. But the display has to portray a sense of your expertise.


The owner of the pottery studio here does a pricing workshop before the sale every year. He always says: you can have ONE item under $5. More will detract from interest in larger items. It needs to be something you can toss off quickly and easily. $5 is just as good as $4.50 because people’s brains think “$5 limit” also, the number “$4.50” will make them think about spending actual money more than “$5” will. But $20 is a big jump. If you can sell it for $18 you will sell a lot more of them than at $20. If you’re going to $20, you might as well go a little over that. $20-$22 won’t have as much detterant as $18-$20, And you can offer 2 or more $20 each to boost sales.

also, you have materials costs. You are working all evening plus the time spent on your sale for under $10? If you choose to do that, it’s a hobby, not a job, and you are devaluing others’ work by comparison.

[Zoe Girl]

Thanks chicken,

I checked some prices on etsy and i am comfortable with the prices being fair. I saw some way low and i can't do that, plus i felt like you said about undercutting artists who are not just doing a hobby. I really don't have any 5 or under, maybe quickly make some spirals and put a bell on the end for a cat toy. I have make several in an hour and have the yarn.

Interesting point razz, my sign and backdrop is from maker faire where i also educate on crochet work. So i will put out my educational pieces as well.

[Chicken lady]

Make cat bells while you sit at your booth. You can still stop and talk to customers, but you are less “threatening” than a salesperson staring at them. Also, people will come closer to see what you are doing.

[Zoe Girl]

Good idea, and found my tags right after i bought more! But the new ones are big enough to add my email so i can use them for bigger items