Nicole Hanna Jewelry
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials
    • Tutorial Membership 2022
  • Shop
    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
    • GODDESS COLLECTION
    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving

To The Handmade Artist: Your Time Has Value!

6/12/2017

4 Comments

 

And A Note About Product Pricing.....

Time is finite. While it evolves independent of the individual, our experience with it is limited. Every moment is a gift, and every time we chose to express ourselves and share the stories of our experiences, we are gifting that moment to others.

As such, I'm always saddened to see artists undervalue their time. The five years it took to perfect that crotchet crocodile stitch has value. The semester of bench skills jewelry classes to learn the soldering of prongs has value. And that spool of wire you mangled last night while learning the channel setting.... yep.... it has value. Not just the wire, but the night itself! Just imagine you'd decided to spend those finite moments binge-watching Netflix instead (I'm not saying that's what I did last night, but.....). Those Netflix moments can't be as easily gifted to others as sharing with pride that very first bezel setting, for instance. And think of the inspiration the sharing of that accomplishment offers to others!
Picture
So, when pricing your work, consider more than your materials. Consider more than the overhead of your electric and cable costs, marketing expenses or website maintenance. Let's abolish the abhorrently insufficient "materials x 3" pricing model and use a structure that recognizes the value of time. You are worth it. Your time is worth something. Choosing to share the gift of those moments with others should be recognized, so let's charge for our handcrafted goods according to the value of that time.

Here are some resources to help you value your time:

  • Auntie's Beads Jewelry Pricing Calculator
  • Blue Buddha Boutique: Pricing Your Crafts
  • Creative Hive Pricing Guide
  • Jewelry Designer Manager
  • 10 Things To Avoid
4 Comments
Yolanda Bates
6/23/2017 04:12:43 pm

You are so right.

Reply
Bev Cormier
6/23/2017 06:13:49 pm

So very well said Nicole! You are an inspiration! Thank you for all you do!

Reply
Leonard C. Tubbs
8/29/2017 06:15:56 pm

Pricing of a piece i have made if often time more difficult to me than actually making the piece itself.... I have never had the idea of getting rich.. or even "making a living" on my jewelry.. i do however feel that i would rather give the pieces as a Christmas/birthday gift than to allow it to go too cheaply... even with family encouragement i often time find myself pricing pieces less than what others thing it should sell for.

That being said, the amount of joy i get from seeing someone wear my jewelry, often times makes me wanna nearly give it away.

Reply
Theresa
2/5/2018 11:54:28 pm

Pricing has been very hard for me. I try to look at comparable things on etsy but I'm always hit with the same reaction when they see the price tag (usually at "craft fairs" where flea market junk is sold) the "oooo" or "wow" and then I have to show them a work in progress so they appreciate the effort. I also have to explain the time in it. I don't even make minimum wage on some pieces if I price just my time and not the materials. I've come to realize the problem is not with my pricing, it's with my choice of venue. I can't compete with re-sold imported crap. So I don't do those fairs anymore.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Enjoy my content?

    Categories

    All
    Articles
    Blog
    Contests
    Giveaways
    Reviews
    Tutorials

    Archives

    February 2023
    April 2022
    January 2022
    July 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015


    Follow Me!


    Search My Site!


    Feed your creative spirit! Shop now!

    Picture

Check out my private Facebook group for live chats, giveaways and more! CLICK HERE!
FAQ
Contact
​
Gift Cards
NEWSLETTER
Jewelry Care
Privacy Policy
Permissions & Copyright
​Returns & Exchanges
​Shipping Policy
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials
    • Tutorial Membership 2022
  • Shop
    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
    • GODDESS COLLECTION
    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving