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Unframed portraits


edward

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I'm a little in the dark on this one.

A question : Portraits of what?

Are these generic like lions and tigers, dogs and cats?

Famous people? Flowers.

Obviously, I cannot answer your question.

Except to say, Every craft show is different, depends on the affluence of the area...

Nah, I keep my prices the same no matter what.

Price them for what you think they are worth unless you just want the 'pleasure' of

saying, " I sold one!" 

Sorry Edward,,, I just wanted to ramble a little before I go to bed.

 

Good night

 

Larry

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Like Larry says, it depends on the portrait. It can just be 4 easy cuts that take just a few minutes, or many cuts that take hours, from as pattern you spent time making. See below.

I have used frames from the dollar store, and I grab them from wallyworld sometimes for 5 bucks. I think it makes the project look "finished" even if it's a cheapo frame. You can easily recoup the cost of the frame.

Pete

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Edited by jrpeteo
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And larry what is the same price you use for your portraits? One member likes to charge  a dollar a cut hole,sounds fair to me ! and go up or down on how he relates to the portrait.Lots of things to concider,time spent ,cost of getting the wood cost of the wood,rent food basic labor machine repairs all get added in . :)

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Good morning Edward

 

Haven't done a show but will be at a later date. This is my thought if you do decide to go into a show with your selection of portraits.

I feel presentation is most critical. Just think, you can go from $5 to more than $50 for the same portrait just by changing the way you present it.

But that's not all. If you were to take that portrait and frame it ... You have now left the world of "craft" and entered the world of "art". Since "art" sells for more than craft you should be able to more than double your asking price for the same amount of effort. What I'm trying to say here is that people have certain ideas what things are worth and it doesen't make much difference how much time or talent you put into them.

All my portraits are framed and I will spend at least as much time selecting a frame as I would choosing a suit for a special occasion. As for example, a cheap plastic frame could cause a beautiful portrait of a wolf to feel like a mutt.

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You can have 2 prices; framed and unframed.  A lot of artists do that. I think a lot of people will want to reframe the picture when buying art so the frame compliments their current decor.   However, I think the frame really adds to the finished look of the portrait.  I'd buy some inexpensive (not cheap looking) black frames.  It really makes the portrait pop.

 

If you go the unframed route, look how watercolor artists and photographers package their art.  They usually have a matte (probably not applicable in this scenario), the art, then a foam core backer.  Everthing is slipped into a plastic pouch and taped tight against the picture.  The plastic pouch is usually archival/acid free pouches specially designed for art.  Make sure it looks nice.  A good presentation will earn you more money for your work.

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I usually sell my 8 by 10 portraits from patterns that may take a few hours to cut anywhere from $25 to $35, (unframed). But have sold some pieces for $65. They took 6 to 8 hours to cut. For example the turkey sold for $65 and the deer for $30.

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Edited by husker
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I saw a vender at a town festival that was selling yard ornaments. He seemed to have a lot of lookers but,

wasn't really selling much. A short while later he put a hand painted sign out that said,
"I know you can make it cheaper and I know you can make it better but, WILL YOU?"
I actually think his sales volume went through the roof! Probably better than any show he had ever

done before! Truth in advertisement I guess! LOL
God Bless! Spirithorse

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I sell unframed pieces from $30-$75 depending on the complexity of the cut and whether it is a custom photo type project. 

 

That being said, I prefer to have pieces framed. I think framed pieces show better then unframed pieces, plus I am always afraid that the unframed pieces are going to break. 

 

I buy frames a size larger then the cutting and mat the pieces. I buy frames on sale from michaels, not the cheapest frames but on sale I usually get them for $15 or less. I find that displaying my work this way really kicks it in to "Art". Framed pieces I sell for around $150. 

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Hi MrsN, 'scuse the dumb as it's still early and the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet. I'm guessing when you cut your pattern you leave enough on the 4 sides to fill the larger frame and support the matte? Thank you, Barry. (p.s. I cut my own frames)

Edited by Overfifty
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