Post #271391 by Tamapoutini on Sat, Dec 9, 2006 12:38 AM

I agree; a very interesting discussion & one relevant to anyone making & selling anything, from T-shirts to carvings to ceramics...

A 'fair' price is always something that should be aimed for - fair to both maker & buyer obviously.
(I am speaking in regards to those who create for a living, whether part or fulltime. Hobbiests or beginners can really name their price, cheap or expensive as Im assuming their income/livelihood isnt dependant on sales). Also I am talking about art/craft where there is a degree of handmade-ness/uniqueness/one-off-ness to the craft as opposed to mass production method.

When creating for a living, of course you must build into the price your own expenses: materials/tools/time being the main ones. If these arent covered, you're going to go broke!
An hourly rate is fair enough, but doesnt always reflect in a finished piece. Sometimes a very sucessful piece is made in a short time; sometimes a complete failure is produced that took forever... Obviously if priced under a ridged structure, the former is going to sell quickly/cheaply & the maker feel ripped-off; while the latter is going to sit unsold forever with a huge pricetag attached...

I have found over time that most works will fall into a price 'range' which takes into account the expences mentioned earlier, but then 'adjusted' according to overall success... A particularly successful piece will charged at a higher price than an unsuccessful one, despite which took longer or which is bigger, etc.

There is also the knotty problem of quality or skill; we all know an exceptional work when we see one, one made by the hand of a learned pro. That X-factor hasnt come overnight. The Master of his craft has become that through time and committment & sooner or later became recognised as such. This committment to learning/improving & becoming Great at what they do deserves the right to command greater prices. Often years of sacrifice or study has been the price paid.

How do you judge/quantify your skill? How 'good' are you at what you do? These are the real questions to ask if wanting to set a fair price for creative work & often the pivotal dilemma for an artist.

I have no real answer to this other than 'listen to your gut'! If a finished piece really makes you proud, then that is the one to either keep or stick a big price on. If a piece ultimately disappoints the maker then I believe it better to sell it off cheaply; (covering costs) chalk it up to experience & get on with the next piece. There is nothing worse than having unsold/overpriced 'failures' sitting around to taunt you. Give someone a break; they will be happy at getting a good price; you will be happy at selling a less-than-perfect piece & a 'fair' deal is still struck.

So my answer is: Overall 'success' & your gut-feelings. What was the question again..?? :lol:

Tama