Every hobbyist, crafter and enterprenuer has at least one well-thought out, well-planned and most importantly, well-executed product that should have worked out to be a money maker but.. some how it just fell short. Like that kid we all went to high school with, you know the one who had the best grades, was in all the clubs and when you found them 5 years later, they were a stoner living in their parent's basement. Yeah, it's like that.
Well, at ACEN 2010 this year, I had come up with the bright idea to let some of my 'old stuff' go at a fraction of the price. Oh, it sold beautifully, but, some of the 'critically acclaimed showstopper' pieces, the ones I'd put blood, sweat, and tears into came up short. I, was vexed. Everyone stopped at the table, examined, inquired about and exclaimed happily at the sight of my crafts, but I barely made it away with any sort of profits. It sucked, royally. Really, the amount I spent to BE at the convention's artist's alley was equal to what I made. That's sad.
To make up for it, I tried selling items to boutiques and individuals and ended up with the same results. I came with what I brought and my pockets were lighter because I'd used bus fare to get there. ARGH! Well, Christmas is coming and hot dang it, I'm going to figure out what to do with this stuff... somehow. It's hard to get rid of. I can't give it away as gifts because everyone I would give gifts to has already seen it! But people won't buy it! I'll let you guys decide.
Spartan Lady
Spartan Lady
Work time: 8+ Hours
Original Price: $50 for the set
I thought it was a good price. I mean, chainmail, expensive glass beads, BRASS up the pooter and lots and lots of work! But a girl at the convention said and I quote, "OH MY GAWD!? Is this, like, seriously 50 dollars? What the hell, man!? I can find better looking stuff at other tables for cheaper!" ...I know this is mean-spirited of me, but I told her quite kindly, that she ought to go look at other tables and see if she found anything she wanted within her price range. I know she didn't, because I'd already looked. Everyone else with chainmail had much higher prices than mine. They actually found me at the end of the con and said, "...That's 50 dollars? I'd have charge 100 or more, at least. You're an artist, stop starving yourself!"
I thought it was a good price. I mean, chainmail, expensive glass beads, BRASS up the pooter and lots and lots of work! But a girl at the convention said and I quote, "OH MY GAWD!? Is this, like, seriously 50 dollars? What the hell, man!? I can find better looking stuff at other tables for cheaper!" ...I know this is mean-spirited of me, but I told her quite kindly, that she ought to go look at other tables and see if she found anything she wanted within her price range. I know she didn't, because I'd already looked. Everyone else with chainmail had much higher prices than mine. They actually found me at the end of the con and said, "...That's 50 dollars? I'd have charge 100 or more, at least. You're an artist, stop starving yourself!"
Fae Wild
Work Time: 3 hours
Original Price: $80 for the set
Materials: Swarovski Crystals, brass plated pewter wire and chain.
There's only been one person in the world that said that she'd pay the price of this item + a premium and the cost of shipping... and that poor dear doesn't have enough disposable income or the willpower to make just one 80+ dollar purchase before it will start snowballing out of control. For her, I'd lower the price because she's been nothing but sweet, supportive and enthusiastic with her encouragement for me pursuing my hobbies. That, and her boyfriend helps me whenever my computer explodes.
Materials: Swarovski Crystals, brass plated pewter wire and chain.
There's only been one person in the world that said that she'd pay the price of this item + a premium and the cost of shipping... and that poor dear doesn't have enough disposable income or the willpower to make just one 80+ dollar purchase before it will start snowballing out of control. For her, I'd lower the price because she's been nothing but sweet, supportive and enthusiastic with her encouragement for me pursuing my hobbies. That, and her boyfriend helps me whenever my computer explodes.
Liliana
Work time: 7 hours
Original Price: $80 for the set
Materials: Czech glass, brass, swarovski crystals and physics
I actually had one lady give me an IOU for this one, saying "Set this aside, call me and I'll bring the money and pick it up". The thing is, she never did, so in my box of Sellables it sits.
Princessa Choker and Earrings
Work Time: 4 hours
Original Price: $50 for the set
Materials: Czech Glass, Swarovski crystals, brass chain, beads and findings, fake pearls.
Now, someone bought the bracelet, but they didn't want the other parts of it and since other people who see it see that it once had a bracelet, they don't want to buy any part of it without having the bracelet too. Don't they know that they'd pay over 50 dollars for just the necklace in ANY boutique?
Boho SeaGoddess Necklace
Work time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Original Price: $15
Materials: Moonstone, Czech Glass, Brass chain and findings
Everyone Tells me how stunning this one is, how 'striking' the moonstones are and how the colors come together brilliantly... but no one wants to pay the paltry $15 dollars to own it.
Bloody Cathedral
Work Time: 1 hour
Original Price: $20
Materials: Black woven cord ribbon, Brass chain and findings, swarovski crystals
This choker's sexy. Yes... maybe a little too sexy, MAYBE sexy enough to be the bane of its own existence. if someone doesn't pick this up, I just might. Maybe I'll get a hot date.
While you're deciding what I ought to do with these little gems, check out my mom's blog here: http://themahoganystylist.blogspot.com/
Then check out my deviantart page to see what's new and exciting!
Whoops, sorry if you got my sample "blah blah" comment. I'm so used to blogging on LJ.
ReplyDeleteI might want to commission a version of the "Bloody Cathedral choker from you at some point, except with dark green crystals instead of red. :o
LOL. I have not been on LJ in forever... God, I'm such a horrible blogger. I thank you for the comment and perhaps something can be worked out for the choker thang.
ReplyDeleteThey're gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteToo bad I'm broke, cos $50 is a steal!
Iv'e seen similarish designs at orient trading and they are a lot more expensive than you.
You should try to set up an ebay shop and sell your stuff to European customers, I'm sure They would sell fast, because of the low dollars.
Okay, I'm not familiar with ACEN, but I am familiar with craft fairs. Unless it's a high end craft fair, people come looking for bargains. And you're probably at the mercy of the (let's say it) the economy. I love the pieces but the colorways are not colors that I normally wear. As for your customer good for you!
ReplyDelete@Sabrina: That's a really good angle I hadn't thought of. Maybe I'll 'flash my stash' to some of the online European boutiques as well. You're VERY insightful!
ReplyDelete@Melodye: ACEN is an anime convention. It's like a slurry of Japanese culture enthusiasts, gamer nerds, DnD nerds, all mixed in with Ren Faire nerds. It's good times! I had debated about setting up my travelling shop at a high end craft fair. The unfortunate thing with the high end craft fairs is their high end table fees. That doesn't work well with college student wages, BUT I will keep that in mind... for when I have money.