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I am facing a dilemma, one that many makers of handmade goods face. The old question of pricing fairly to you and your customers. With this new bag, my friend Carin says I am not charging enough for bags like this. Because I really believe in making beautiful things that are still affordable, I would list a clutch like this for $25- $40. She suggested I charge $300. On the one hand, I want the bags to be affordable but on the other... she is right. It is one of a kind and that should command a fair price for the uniqueness along with my skill in making it. So I settled on $75. Too high? Too low? I could really use some feedback from other buyers and makers of handmade. Please share your thoughts in comments or by completing the poll below.
Description from my shop:
The "runway worthy" clutch is a stunner for anyone who champions the cause of literacy or just likes to be accompanied by wise words.
Soliloquy is made from a one of a kind handpainted pink/orange and navy fabric by my wonderful friend Mollie from Monkey Shine Design. She only made a very small piece and this is the ONLY bag I can make from it.
The background is this vibrant orange tinged with brink pink with many variations & swirls of color over the cloth. In my house this special color, seen most frequently in mother nature's spectacular sunsets, is called "plorange." The lettering is in a deep, dark blue, almost black. The cloth features hand painted literary quotes in an elegant curling calligraphy.
The piping is a hand dyed blue/purple cotton. The bag lining is also hand dyed deep navy with a tinge of purple.
Crowning the bag is a handmade lampwork borosilicate glass bead. The outer clear glass encases a complex swirl of color in purple with orange and peach highlights. It almost glows luminous in sunlight. The bead was made by Elesha in her studio up in Oregon.
Framing the focal bead are matte cherry red and orange glass beads from local lampwork artist Trev at Geosoul Arts. Finishing off are little roundelles of pink and red glass.
Soliloquy closes with a brass tone magnetic snap under the flap. The bag measures 9.5" wide by 5" high. It has some shape to it and will nicely hold phone, keys, cards, lipstick and cash.
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5 comments:
Hi Krystal,
I tend to agree that $25-$40 is too low. I just had a similar experience with my $50 bags. I sold two of them to a lady who was going to put them in her shop to sell. Now, assuming that she thinks she can get 30%-50% markup on them, that means I'm selling them too low. Try it at $75 and see what happens. Tim Adam says that all shops should have an item or two that are higher priced. It tends to make the lower priced items look more appealing. Let me know how it goes.
Wendy
Hey Krystal - I think this bag is gorgeous and worth way more than $75, but with the economy the way it is right now, it's probably better to sell a little low than not at all. Its a really fabulous little clutch!
*~Laura~*
Hi there,
I love it but I couldn't pay 75 dollars and stay in my budget, it is worth that for your artistry , I have had the same troubles myself actually in my shop I have no idea what to price .
I totally get your delima. I can see how all of that handwork and details is worth what your friend suggested but you would have to wait a long time to find the right buyer at that price. $75 is still probably out of my budget right now for a purse but if I really wanted it I would totally go for it, if you know what I mean.
I was just in an upscale store in town, looking for a bag (at the last minute) to take on my trip overseas. The bags were way too pricey for me. If I had thought sooner, I would have looked on Etsy or 1000markets, because I know the handmade pieces are well done, but less expensive than designer.
I don't think I would buy a clutch for $75, but would love it as a present. Other people can afford it. Maybe take a few that are the same size and raise their prices - give people a choice, and see what happens.
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