Price

[Tom Gi]

I am a month and a half into making thing and it is time to stop practicing and giving things away

how much would you sell a snowflake for 3-4 inches tall

 

Edited Monday at 02:16 AM by Tom Gi

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

My price would be $8 to $12 especially if stack cutting. Tops. Really not complicated of a cutting. Type of wood plays a role too. if BB I lean more toward $10 

[OCtoolguy]

18 hours ago, Tom Gi said:

I am a month and a half into making thing and it is time to stop practicing and giving things away

how much would you sell a snowflake for 3-4 inches tall

 

Whatever the market will bear. If they don't sell, lower your price until they do. Then decide if it's worth your time and trouble. 

Edited Monday at 07:41 PM by OCtoolguy

[kmmcrafts]

I think a lot would depend on where you're trying to sell at and also how are they packaged if they are.. All of my ornaments starting priced at $15.97 + shipping ( I sell online so shipping is a factor for me ).. I also package every ornament in a gift box.. so they're ready to give as a gift if the customer is purchasing it as a gift.. if not the box gives a bit more padding for packaging in the mail as the gift boxes are cotton filled too. Shipping is usually right around $4 - 5 for ground advantage.. so they're spending a total of around $20 some of my ornaments are double layered so they're priced closer to $18.97 + shipping and then adding any type of personalized or custom design is yet more money.. I sell a lot of them too and being priced higher like this allows me to be able to run a sale, or do bulk / wholesale orders which is really the larger part of my income.. The lowest I will sell a bulk order is $10 each.. for a pretty basic design..and goes up from there..

Selling at a craft show or farmers market.. I'd probably price things similar to the others saying $10 - 12 if there is no gift box etc.. I just think the gift boxes are a must have as then if the customer does purchase they have a box to easily carry with them rather than just handing them a ornament in a bag or something.. Everyone will have a different idea of price and many times it's based on experience and the market in their particular area..  

[Joe W.]

1 hour ago, OCtoolguy said:

Whatever the market will bear. If they don't sell, lower your price until they do. Then decide if it's worth your time and trouble. 

I struggle with setting a price on some things I've made.  
I take into account my location (not a high priced area to live in), complexity of the item (how long it took to make), and type and cost of wood it was made from.
Plus, the "ready made" competition of similar items found in stores like Hobby Lobby.
Some of my items have taken 2 years for the right person to come along and buy.  
Over the past 3 years doing this, I have reinforced and come to believe the best I can do and am quite OK with, is that I have a hobby/pastime that pays for itself, and makes me happy as well as the people who buy my works.    

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

5 hours ago, Joe W. said:

I struggle with setting a price on some things I've made.  
I take into account my location (not a high priced area to live in), complexity of the item (how long it took to make), and type and cost of wood it was made from.
Plus, the "ready made" competition of similar items found in stores like Hobby Lobby.
Some of my items have taken 2 years for the right person to come along and buy.  
Over the past 3 years doing this, I have reinforced and come to believe the best I can do and am quite OK with, is that I have a hobby/pastime that pays for itself, and makes me happy as well as the people who buy my works.    

This is basically how most people think who make this and other things as a hobby. It is not a job where you rely on the income. Because then you would approach selling a whole lot differently. prices vary from state to state and even area to area if selling in person. If selling on line you set a price that you are comfortable with and everyone draws from the same pool of items. We went through the pros and cons so many times on this forum it gets boring. I see the same questions asked in the pen turning forum and the same answers apply. I made my money in my real profession. This business was a hobby with the ability to make a few extra dollars. 

I will say that just about all shows I ever done and been at no one sells a box with ornaments. Just about every crafter sells some sort of ornaments weather scrollsaw, knitted or some other medium way it was made.  I do see people with small bags for lack of a better word. You can buy those in bulk for very cheap prices. I sold some pens and ask my customers if they prefer a pouch or a box. Now if they say box I have to decide or let them decide what box because I have 50 cent boxes that do just nice but also have $50 boxes that drive cost of pen up and have to charge as such. Now selling on line you have to put in a box of some sort so why not a decent one and reflect it in the price but again you can buy those in bulk for cheap money. That being said though size of ornaments can determine how it is shipped also. I use plastic boxes for my birdhouse ornaments that I sell both in person and send in mail. They can be delicate so needs protection. All this stuff depends how, where and what you sell. 

[kmmcrafts]

26 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

This is basically how most people think who make this and other things as a hobby. It is not a job where you rely on the income. Because then you would approach selling a whole lot differently. prices vary from state to state and even area to area if selling in person. If selling on line you set a price that you are comfortable with and everyone draws from the same pool of items. We went through the pros and cons so many times on this forum it gets boring. I see the same questions asked in the pen turning forum and the same answers apply. I made my money in my real profession. This business was a hobby with the ability to make a few extra dollars. 

I will say that just about all shows I ever done and been at no one sells a box with ornaments. Just about every crafter sells some sort of ornaments weather scrollsaw, knitted or some other medium way it was made.  I do see people with small bags for lack of a better word. You can buy those in bulk for very cheap prices. I sold some pens and ask my customers if they prefer a pouch or a box. Now if they say box I have to decide or let them decide what box because I have 50 cent boxes that do just nice but also have $50 boxes that drive cost of pen up and have to charge as such. Now selling on line you have to put in a box of some sort so why not a decent one and reflect it in the price but again you can buy those in bulk for cheap money. That being said though size of ornaments can determine how it is shipped also. I use plastic boxes for my birdhouse ornaments that I sell both in person and send in mail. They can be delicate so needs protection. All this stuff depends how, where and what you sell. 

The clear top gift boxes are a great way to display ornaments at the shows if you build a stand to make the boxes sort of stand up at a angle to show them better.. When I did in person sales almost everyone commented on how nice the packaged ornament is to give as a gift.. I'd have to get me old computer out to get the photos off it of how they're displayed in the clear top gift boxes.. When I switch to the boxes sales went up.. I no longer use the clear top ones since I'm shipping them the cardboard boxes give a little more protection and I'm not needing to display them at a booth anymore. 

 

Edit: I remember I have a photo on my FB page from back in 2016 where I was packaging some orders for the day that is showing the ornament displayed in those clear top boxes.. You can see that a business card fits in nicely.. having these set up on a rack at a show in the box is how I displayed them and I used address return labels to hold the clear top on in some cases.. The return label with printed just like a mini business card. 

When displayed at a show I would use colored paper to place behind the ornament on top of the cotton to make the contrast better and make them more Christmas looking with red and green paper behind them. 

Edited yesterday at 02:58 AM by kmmcrafts

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

The clear top gift boxes are a great way to display ornaments at the shows if you build a stand to make the boxes sort of stand up at a angle to show them better.. When I did in person sales almost everyone commented on how nice the packaged ornament is to give as a gift.. I'd have to get me old computer out to get the photos off it of how they're displayed in the clear top gift boxes.. When I switch to the boxes sales went up.. I no longer use the clear top ones since I'm shipping them the cardboard boxes give a little more protection and I'm not needing to display them at a booth anymore. 

 

Edit: I remember I have a photo on my FB page from back in 2016 where I was packaging some orders for the day that is showing the ornament displayed in those clear top boxes.. You can see that a business card fits in nicely.. having these set up on a rack at a show in the box is how I displayed them and I used address return labels to hold the clear top on in some cases.. The return label with printed just like a mini business card. 

When displayed at a show I would use colored paper to place behind the ornament on top of the cotton to make the contrast better and make them more Christmas looking with red and green paper behind them. 

See that usually does not work for when I see people that sell them They usually have some sort of display such as a Christmas tree or just metal tress where they can thumb through them easily. Hey if selling with a box means more $$ then go for it but I have watched many people sell ornaments next to my booths or in the show when I walk around. I have been told I should make them but my answer is too small and not worth my effort. Can not do multiples. Just not built for making multiples. I have a very active mind as I mentioned before. Have so many ideas run through it and to get bogged down with cutting same things is a drag for me. Just the way I am built.  I leave that all to you Kevin Have fun.  

My sister makes ornaments that are knitted. No boxes. Displays on a stand.   

 

As I said when selling my pens or even giving them away I ask if they want a box and then ask  will they keep pen in the box because it is waste to buy a $50 box to throw away. That is why I offer different range of prices in boxes. I just bought a couple days ago some $3.50 pen boxes that are beautiful and make great gifts with a pen. But I will not charge for those boxes because there is enough markup in the pen. Have boxes that are $10 each. People use pens differently than ornaments. Can be a desk pen or a carry pen or a special gift pen. I do not display pens or anything in a box. People love to pick up and touch and feel. 

Edited yesterday at 04:14 AM by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[Bill WIlson]

I've been to a lot of craft shows over the years (as a customer/observer, not a vendor).  I've seen a lot of ornaments and bought a few.  I've never seen any displayed in boxes.  I have no idea what that might mean or if the boxes would hurt or help sales, I've just never seen them displayed that way.

[kmmcrafts]

I was turned onto these boxes by @Rolf many years ago... I think he sells at a few shows displayed in the boxes maybe he can chime in on this.. I no longer sell in person so maybe the craft shows now days would be better without the box. The boxes are cheap enough when buying bulk that it's really only raising the price by around $50 - 1.. Most craft shows I've been to the people selling ornaments are only charging $5 - 8 as my area isn't the greatest area for shows.. however back in the early 2000's I did fairly well at $10.. It's been a few years since I've even seen anyone selling ornaments at the shows..and back in 2014 at a show there was a vendor selling laser ornaments for $2 or 2 for $3 LOL.. probably why I don't see too many selling handmade ornaments much anymore, LOL 

Giving the option for a box is a great way to go about it I suppose.. I've always tried keeping things simple.. and the boxes are cheap enough that I never really raised my price just because of the box.. in fact I lowered the prices for in person sales as back then I was selling ornaments online for $12 but I rolled it back to $10 so I didn't have to make change etc. also out of the $10 I paid the sales tax. 

[kmmcrafts]

18 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said:

I've been to a lot of craft shows over the years (as a customer/observer, not a vendor).  I've seen a lot of ornaments and bought a few.  I've never seen any displayed in boxes.  I have no idea what that might mean or if the boxes would hurt or help sales, I've just never seen them displayed that way.

I have never seen anyone selling them or displaying them in boxes either.. Not many do it that way.. sometimes it's good to be different than the others.. and is some cases make it better selling..

[Rolf]

Thanks for the nice comment @kmmcrafts Kevin.

We have been selling Ornaments since 2005, not sure who's idea it was to box them. Probably my wife.

They are clear topped boxes and we put sparkly felt under the ornament. It really makes them pop! It is a bit of additional work but my wife enjoys the process. The Jump in sales was dramatic!  The boxes make it easy for someone to gift the ornament with just a bit of wrapping paper.   I cut 6 at a time and charge 12-15 ea.  I only do a couple of events a year.  The image is from 2009. 

 

Edited yesterday at 02:24 PM by Rolf

[Scrappile]

I rarely make ornaments, so I never sell and never buy, but if I went to a vendor show.  I would think the boxes would be a more attractive display.  A nice background displays the ornament really nicely, and I think it makes it easier to store them from year to year.  And that is my unproven, unsolicited, worthless opinion.   

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

51 minutes ago, Rolf said:

Thanks for the nice comment @kmmcrafts Kevin.

We have been selling Ornaments since 2005, not sure who's idea it was to box them. Probably my wife.

They are clear topped boxes and we put sparkly felt under the ornament. It really makes them pop! It is a bit of additional work but my wife enjoys the process. The Jump in sales was dramatic!  The boxes make it easy for someone to gift the ornament with just a bit of wrapping paper.   I cut 6 at a time and charge 12-15 ea.  I only do a couple of events a year.  The image is from 2009. 

 

Brings back a few memories. I see the Berry Basket collapsible basket in background. Also see the book of other items. I use to do both. I would leave a book full of photos of different items that can be ordered or I had but no room to display. I think what sold your ornaments was the beautiful ornament not so much the box. I say this because we do not box other things and sell. Why just ornaments? I know when I first started I carried to the shows different sized cardboard boxes to be able to give people a box to put the item in instead of a bag. But that just slowed things down too much. Everyone is different and if it makes sales then it is a good selling practice for we all are after the same thing$$$. At one time I was going to use those portable picture frames that can show photos on a loop. Then thought of a lap top but never did any of that. Anyway nice display. 

Edited yesterday at 03:11 PM by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

2 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I rarely make ornaments, so I never sell and never buy, but if I went to a vendor show.  I would think the boxes would be a more attractive display.  A nice background displays the ornament really nicely, and I think it makes it easier to store them from year to year.  And that is my unproven, unsolicited, worthless opinion.   

Yeah, most people use a pegboard with hooks to hang the ornaments on.. Nothing wrong with that method but I feel like they all get blended together and don't really stand out.. building a rack so the boxed ornaments can stand up at an angle towards the isles to grab attention is key.. IF customer wants to get all touchy feely they can simply open the box.. the box with cotton also gives a bit of protection from the kiddos that like to grab and touch everything too..

[Rolf]

With rare exception we don't box anything other than Ornaments. I hope to do a high end Artisan event this summer to sell Intarsia pieces and turnings.  I will provide a box for the Intarsia pieces primarily to protect them for transport. I will get professional pricing help for this event. 

[Bill WIlson]

Rolf, your ornaments are so detailed and delicate that I think maybe customers appreciate the boxes, if for no other reason than to ensure that they survive the trip home.  The boxes really do enhance the display.  Like I said before, I've never seen ornaments presented in boxes like that, but I've never seen ornaments as nice as yours at any of the craft shows I've been to.

[Wooden Lace]

I used to do large 5 day craft shows and sold almost nothing but ornaments.  I had several table with stacks of each ornaments, as well as a large table at the front with either 2 or 3 brass ornament carousels.  These each held 60 ornaments and revolved slowly.  This way people could see them hanging.  I never used any boxes, just small bags and no one seemed to care, so I didn't add the expense of the box.   

Sorry I don't have a picture of the carousels, but we've moved twice in 4 years and I'm lucky I even know where I am, let alone anything else!

[Rolf]

The first couple of years we would put a stack of each ornament out. We no longer do that, now it is one or two of each then replenish when sold. We also have to have something new every year, as we have several of our customers tell us they have a tree dedicated to our ornaments. Talk about humbling.!

[BadBob]

There isn't a magic formula.