Value or Savings?

In my search for other jewelry artists, I came across this post by casual gal about Free Shipping Versus A Dollar Discount.

I found more info here, from Havi, on the difference between value and price.

You can check them out, they are super neat folks and I love their writing.

I find that I have priced things a bit differently over the course of the time I have been making jewelry. Originally, I specifically based all of my pricing on the items I was using, what type of metal and stones, then I multiplied by 3. This went okay, I felt like I was getting ahead, but sales were slow and meager. I met up with a friend and she said I should charge based on my time, or my skill level, since not everyone is able to make what I make. {huh, imagine that} So, I sat on that thought for quite a while, and mulled it over.

Now, my pricing is a bit of both. I charge for time, at a rate of $20 an hour, and I charge for 2 times the cost of my materials. This has been working out much better, even though my prices are about 15-20% higher. I think it may be along the lines of what Havi says in her little story, the more money one spends, the more "value" they place on the item.

What do you guys charge, and How Come?

TOOLS!

Don't you just love new tools? All the possible things that tool is going to do for you, all the amazing accomplishments. Now, how to decide the right tool for you? I don't know an easy answer to that question, at all!

I'm building a workshop right now, work bench, torch, and flex shaft! That's a lot of tools! I'm checking suppliers, and I'm researching temperatures, and of course, price! I figure that this is an investment to hold out for me for the next 50 years, so it had better be good, (no pressure)!

In a recent workshop, (short class) I took at North Bennett Street School, I got the opportunity to work with the tools made available by the school. It was a great experience to get comfortable with torches and really be aware of the safety involved around a workshop.

Some of the sources I have been checking out are: Rio Grande, Otto Frei, Gesswein, and Monster Slayer.

What are the different sources that you guys use?