ever looked at a craft show or browsed on etsy.com and thought "i like this stuff, but it's too expensive...i can get(insert product name here) cheaper at wal-mart"?
allow me to let you in on a little secret: it isn't.
buying handmade is almost always a bargain when you consider what goes into the product itself and the quality of the craftsmanship. heck, most crafters barely make their money back when you factor in cost of materials, time spent, cost of promotion...etc. good crafters - true to their art and their heart - are in business for other reasons...not just the money.
as an example - take the following:
allow me to let you in on a little secret: it isn't.
buying handmade is almost always a bargain when you consider what goes into the product itself and the quality of the craftsmanship. heck, most crafters barely make their money back when you factor in cost of materials, time spent, cost of promotion...etc. good crafters - true to their art and their heart - are in business for other reasons...not just the money.
as an example - take the following:
here is a listing from my etsy shop for 2 handmade washing cloths made from 100% natural cotton yarn. they measure 8x8 inches. the set of two retails for $8. oooh....expensive, right? i must be making a lot from that sale, right? in fact, i'm not.
here's the breakdown on this example (add in $2 for shipping):
cost of yarn - $1.50
cost to post/sell this listing on etsy: 44 cents
cost of shipping plus delivery confirmation: $2.27
cost to use paypal: 24 cents
packing materials/wrapping: about $1
total spent so far by me to make the product: $5.45
now consider:
time spent to make product - about 2 hrs.
time spent photographing - 15 minutes
time spent posting - 15 minutes
total time: 2 hrs, 30 mins
considering that my "profit" before factoring in time was $2.55, that means i was working for $1.02 per hour. who needs minimum wage standards?!?!?!
here's the breakdown on this example (add in $2 for shipping):
cost of yarn - $1.50
cost to post/sell this listing on etsy: 44 cents
cost of shipping plus delivery confirmation: $2.27
cost to use paypal: 24 cents
packing materials/wrapping: about $1
total spent so far by me to make the product: $5.45
now consider:
time spent to make product - about 2 hrs.
time spent photographing - 15 minutes
time spent posting - 15 minutes
total time: 2 hrs, 30 mins
considering that my "profit" before factoring in time was $2.55, that means i was working for $1.02 per hour. who needs minimum wage standards?!?!?!
honestly though - this is what it comes down to - i can't price higher because no one would buy (and other crafters would "undercut me"). i can't price lower because, well...i'm not nuts and getting carpel tunnel at 26 has to be worth something...
but the bottom line is i love creating and i love being able to offer people a product i can make by hand...regardless of price.
i don't look to get rich off crafting, i look to make my soul and life richer.
just thought you might want to keep this in mind the next time you consider a handmade product. there is a lot of love and (underpaid) time put into it...and it is worth the price.
but the bottom line is i love creating and i love being able to offer people a product i can make by hand...regardless of price.
i don't look to get rich off crafting, i look to make my soul and life richer.
just thought you might want to keep this in mind the next time you consider a handmade product. there is a lot of love and (underpaid) time put into it...and it is worth the price.
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love this post.... so true, every word!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so true!
ReplyDeletehehe very true!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and so true.
ReplyDelete