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Crafty Tuesday: Selling One's self short
Sep. 29th, 2015 10:40 amwas reminded of this the other day when I was talking about building puppets.
I was asked how much would it cost for a specific puppet. I told them I would have to price out the parts but a basic person puppet from me is a minimum of $100. They pointed out that they could get a Melissa and Doug puppet for a range of 20 to 40 dollars. I told them then buy one. $100 is my minimum.
I know about how much I spend on fabric, foam, and notions for a basic human puppet.
Puppet skin is about 4.00 for one puppet. Foam is about 2.00. Wig or hair is 5 to 8. Eyes are 2 to 3. Clothing runs about 5 to 10 in materials cost so that’s about $25 on the low side and 45 on the high side especially if I have to buy some more expensive fabric to make it look right.
My time is worth something too. Minimum of four hours to make a puppet. So at minimum wage that would be 35. But I have over 30 years experience making these puppets so you are also purchasing my skills.
My puppets are built to be used. I make them for performance although they also look good on display. I try to make them for long term use. I know there are a number I build many years ago still being used.
I use to price them lower when I started but I had a fellow artist sit me down and explain how I was short-changing myself. Also the resistance I would get when I did raise prices, which he was right about.
Your time is worth something. Your skills are worth something. Never sell yourself short because you are worth something. Maybe you miss out on a couple of sales but you have to balance those sales with the time and effort it took to create the piece of art. Never sell at a loss.
I am grateful for people who value my work.
I was asked how much would it cost for a specific puppet. I told them I would have to price out the parts but a basic person puppet from me is a minimum of $100. They pointed out that they could get a Melissa and Doug puppet for a range of 20 to 40 dollars. I told them then buy one. $100 is my minimum.
I know about how much I spend on fabric, foam, and notions for a basic human puppet.
Puppet skin is about 4.00 for one puppet. Foam is about 2.00. Wig or hair is 5 to 8. Eyes are 2 to 3. Clothing runs about 5 to 10 in materials cost so that’s about $25 on the low side and 45 on the high side especially if I have to buy some more expensive fabric to make it look right.
My time is worth something too. Minimum of four hours to make a puppet. So at minimum wage that would be 35. But I have over 30 years experience making these puppets so you are also purchasing my skills.
My puppets are built to be used. I make them for performance although they also look good on display. I try to make them for long term use. I know there are a number I build many years ago still being used.
I use to price them lower when I started but I had a fellow artist sit me down and explain how I was short-changing myself. Also the resistance I would get when I did raise prices, which he was right about.
Your time is worth something. Your skills are worth something. Never sell yourself short because you are worth something. Maybe you miss out on a couple of sales but you have to balance those sales with the time and effort it took to create the piece of art. Never sell at a loss.
I am grateful for people who value my work.
