Comments for Hunter's Design Studio

Comment on What’s it worth? by Jane

Jane — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:21:23 +0000

I love how you calculated out the cost of making a quilt! I don’t really quilt but sewing can be calculated the same. Thank you for taking the time put what we (I) have been thinking for years, into words!

In the 70′s I sewed for (children) dance classes and even then $10 for the materials and making a circular skirt was too much, according to the parents! Even back then I would charge 2 times the price of the fabric and notions! But I learned then that because it was handmade by me, I could sell it cheap! ha! I learned to only sew for those I wanted to because my sewing was a gift for them! Now, being picky and choosey, I will tell the ‘client’ how much I charge and if they agree, ok, if not, I give them a name of someone else who sews! I work full time (not sewing) and my sewing is my ‘calgone take me a way’ time! I now sew for ‘just because gifts’ and charity, I get much joy out of creating and the pay back is 100 fold!
Jane

Comment on What’s it worth? Part 2 – A Bigger Picture by DrRuss

DrRuss — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:45:13 +0000

I just came across your post from Just Crafty Enough. As a male who makes handcrafted items, I don’t feel that your discussion is only applicable to women. I make items out of paper products–handmade books and journals, greeting cards, etc. I believe that the discussion can be placed in larger terms–fine arts vs crafts. People in the fine arts (sculptors, painters, etc.) have no problem in pricing their pieces—they are designing for public viewing/sale/auction. The problem is that our pieces are viewed as “crafty” rather than “fine art” and therefore, they are devalued by society because we are viewed as crafters rather than artists. I have run into this problem with my products all of the time. Yes, you can buy a machine made journal from any number of stores. Yes, you can buy a manufactured, mass produced greeting card from any number of locations. What you can’t buy, without my help, is a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind journal made specifically for you. If you do buy one piece of a set, you will own one in a limited series of handmade made items.

Until we value our own work at “art” and not some stay at home person making items as a hobby and get into the BUSINESS of selling our pieces, we will constantly be devalued by others and OURSELVES. By underselling our items, we help devalue our pieces to others and society. Until we step up to the plate and believe in our “artistry” we can’t help ourselves. And by all means, don’t forget–You Do Not Work for Free. You have to pay yourself for the manufacturing of the item at a minimum. And the creating and design work, if you feel necessary–in which you should.

Comment on Five years! by bb

bb — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:47:46 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story-you never know how many people’s life you have saved. I love the embroidery designs-are they for sale????

Comment on What’s it worth? by Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:18:35 +0000

I really like the way you broke that explanation down. I am a retired art educator and we never stop educating where the arts are concerned. I too struggle with pricing and we do need to look at the market we are in. A quilt sale “across a neighbor’s fence” is a different transaction than one from an artisan shop or art festival. But pricing does need to be consistent. Another quilt artist shared with me that she priced by the square inch, especially after she was more established in her craft. Your explanation made complete sense. Thanks.

Comment on What’s it worth? by Sharon Blackburn

Sharon Blackburn — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:48:52 +0000

Three years ago, a friend and I decided to make some home stitched items for the craft fair in our community. She was very sick from cancer and I was recovering from cancer. Thought it would be a great distraction for us both.
So she set out to embroider tea towels, framed needle work, etc. I decided to make nice size quilted tote bags. I asked the local quilt shop what I should sell them for and she said $45-50 dollars would be a fair price. I didn’t think that was enough, but she sold them in her shop all day for that price. So I priced them at that price. I only sold three of the 20+ I made and then had to sell for $40 each. I had many who wanted them come by, but they walked off at that price. My friend didn’t sell any of her lovely work, even at $2-5 dollars.
It cost me $25-30 dollars for the materials to make the totes. And each one took me 8 hours, and I’m a fast sewer. Not to sound conceited, I am a tailor and sew very well, so these totes were not made poorly. I even taught my quilt club how to make them. So at 8 hrs even $10 dollars, that’s $80 + $30 for the material = $110.
So I packed up all my totes and gave them as gifts to family and friends for Christmas. I would have spent that much on each person and instead gave them a cherished homemade gift from me. The following Christmas, they were begging for more totes, so I gave them what I had left.
I OWN MY WORK and won’t settle for selling too cheap.
I am sorry to say I lost my friend to cancer last year. But had many days of friendship with her. I am still in remission and leaving a boatload of heirlooms for the family.
I do longarm quilt for others. And feel bad charging my friends, but they would have to pay someone else to do the same, so never feel bad to ask what you are worth. Thank you for your great article.

Comment on What’s it worth? by LeiLene

LeiLene — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:37:25 +0000

Have you ever been to Amish Country? They start at $250.00 for a crib quilt.

Comment on What’s it worth? by Marianne Brown

Marianne Brown — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:45:31 +0000

You are so right! I teach quilting in Panama and the women are delighted with $3.00 an hour for their time which is a skilled artisan rate here. Some of them probably do not qualify for the “skilled” part yet but most of them definitely do. It is so difficult to price what they make and then sell it. They do not even think about the time spent and to get them to guesstimate the hours it took is close to impossible.
We get our fabric for much less as it is years OOP but it is still expensive for them to buy. And I bring in the $12.00 stuff for special projects so we get up there.
I also think there is another maxim you should add. A very wise lady told me this. “The right customer has just not arrived yet–they will come, just be patient” So if someone balks at your price just lay the object aside and be patient. Someone will value it enough to buy it tomorrow or at the next event. I sometimes rejoice when a difficult customer backs out of a deal. I can then make the quilt as I see fit and sell it at a price I like. I see quilts on Ebay all the time that are not selling for the value of the fabric. Sad but maybe someone will buy them and revalue them properly.

Comment on What’s it worth? by sheeshcraft

sheeshcraft — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 05:22:28 +0000

I am standing to applaud you! Thank you for the math, that is really helpful. And your passion about the art is inspiring. I tried to price a quilt for an auction recently, and clearly, I should have asked/claimed MUCH more. I love your two options, either make it a very lovely gift, or stick to your guns.
As a counter point, my husband is a “car guy”. And “car guys” just know that what ever you put into your car, you will never “get that out”. So part of their work is just for the love of it.

Comment on Fabric Crush – new Kona solid colors! by Barb Hallion

Barb Hallion — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 02:56:08 +0000

Thank you for your thoughtful offer – as a “color challenged” person this would be a remedial aid for me – fingers crossed for luck :-)

Comment on Fabric Crush – new Kona solid colors! by Jennifer Dale

Jennifer Dale — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:04:47 +0000

Oh I would love to have a chart. I just got back to Australia from the US where I tried to find a chart to buy but with no luck. As I can’t find Kona to buy here, I have to order online and this is exactly what I need to order the correct color and shade for my projects.