[TheForge] how to price product

[bill]

It is just a small sleigh runner about 20in. long overall that other 
crafters use to make flower pot holders and such and the market is other 
crafters.  I will eventually get a pic of it on the picture site.  not much 
skill involved, you could say not a lick of blacksmithing is involved in the 
making of this.  a piece of 4in. pipe is used for the front scroll jig, and 
2 bends on another piece for an 'upright' that has 2 holes to screw into 
your sled body.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Worsley" <cpworsley at cox.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 7:36 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] how to price product


> Bill,
>
> There you go! I have been waiting to hear the answer to Dan's question.
> What are you making, and what is the market?
> Are you planning on selling to Main St. or Rodeo Dr.?
>
> How I priced things:
> After a few years of practice practice practice and learning how to make 
> metal do what I wanted it to do, my experience was making nicely designed 
> and finished items, mostly one of a kind (Oh, let's say napkin rings or 
> decorative fireplace pokers), and charging so much that most of the 
> lookers at a show just admired (or not) and kept on walking.
> BUT, there were customers out there who were aware of what I had in the 
> way of quality in the marketplace and they paid what I was asking. Several 
> became repeat customers.
> I did not bother to figure in the cost of steel or coal or gas or shop 
> time. I just put prices on the items that were what I thought the traffic 
> would bear. Keep in mind that I am not making a living on blacksmithing 
> alone.
> It has only been part of the equation, except for the 3 years I worked at 
> it full time for someone else's shop.
>
> I have been a professional artist for 44 years and treated all my art 
> sales the same way.  If asked about a commission, whether it is an 
> illustration, magazine cover, photography or a piece of copper or 
> ironwork, I quote a price. I leave a little wiggle room with some people. 
> After a while, you'll be able to tell when to do that.
>
> So, whatcha makin'?
>
> Chris
>
>
> Dan Tull wrote:
>
>> OK, now tell us what the item is.
>>
>> Not K-mart , but Neiman-Marcus customers.
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "bill" <wfuter102957 at comcast.net>
>> To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 9:45 PM
>> Subject: [TheForge] how to price product
>>
>>
>>> I know this has been thrown around before, but I have a show coming up 
>>> and I cant remember all your formulas that was given.
>>>
>>> my example is  23 items with $22 dollars of metal,  3 hours working 
>>> time.
>>>
>>> any help would be appreciated.
>>>
>>> bill
>>>
>
>
>
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