I make christmas orinaments out of cloths pins. They are "dressed" as people like "Plum Pudding girl", and carorlars(sp). I also make "critters". They are deer(male and female) that are the size of a toddler 2 years old and dressed in different types of clothing. Right now I am working on a set that will be dressed in middle age "garb" as that is what my daughter wants. But she also wants me to make some of the same thing to sell at the Renissonse(sp) Fair here in PA.
My problem is that I have no idea of how to figure out what to charge for them. To do the ones she wants me to do means that they will be dressed as "noblels(sp)" of the time, which means silk, satin and other expesive fabricts.
If I start to add up what it cost me to make them, it comes out to around $100.00 for materials alone and does not include my time. So to make money I would have to charge more then that.
My daughter assure me that people will pay that much or more for them, but my problem is I look at them and (like I do with any craft I look at, think that I can make that myself).
What do you all think and how do you determine the price that you put on your crafts that you sell?
TIA,
msmarymac2

I feel for you. That is one of the hardest things to do is put a price on something you've made. I double my cost on most things but not on everything. If it's something easy and fairly cheap to make-I'll price it cheaper with only cost +1/2 of what it cost. And if you do price your items at double your cost-If they aren't selling you can always come down. I don't know what others do but this is what I do. Hope this helps.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shauna's crafty quilter,

I have always been told to take my cost into it and double to triple it you will be surprised that people will pay for it

My opinion on it is that you should at least be able to earn as much as you would earn for comparable time at a job, plus the markup on the materials you use. Also, consider that you will have to pay in self-employment taxes on your net earnings.

Just doubling or tripling material cost does not always work, because sometimes materials are cheap, but the project takes time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MsSippi,

Marketing handmade crafts varies creatly depending on where you live, and if the buyer is aware of how much love and work go into making your creation.

I used to make Mr and Mrs Santas on tomato cages with fabric. It cost around $30 each to make and I sold them for $50 each or both for $90. This was not easy and I could not afford to make and sell them any cheaper. I finally stopped making them as I couldn't sell them.

I keep track of my cost to make and then double that. I seem to do pretty well in that area. I have been told I should charge 3 to 5 times the cost of materials but I have found for my rural area that rule does not work.

I wish you luck in your venture.

Thank you all for your input. It has given me a place to start with pricing my crafts.
Iam still not sure what I will sell my things for but, as I said, your replies give me a starting point.
I do know that I will start to keep track of what I spend on material and the amount of time I spend on making them.Since I have only made both items as gifts for friends I never bothered to keep track of the expecises or time.
Thanks again,
msmarymac2

msmarymac2, when you begin keeping track of your cost I have another suggestion. For example, if your project calls for 1 yard of material, I use the cost of that yard if bought new, not what I bought it for on sale or at a yard sale. That way you won't have 3 of the same craft with 3 different prices.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cleo42,

I will tell you. I went by the pricing guidelines I was given here and it just didn't seem to work out for me. I think it totally depends upon where you live, what you make, what people want and the economic times. I know right now that not a lot of people are buying extras and decorations for the holidays seem to fall into that category. I live in the northeast and my area is a poorer one so naturally sales are down here. In my area, certain types of ornaments seem to sell better than others. You will always find that one person who rants and raves about what you made that will convince you that everyone would want it and pay dearly for it. Don't go by that. I have found that the best way for me to judge what to charge for my items is to ask my husband. He brings me down to earth most times. I look at something and think, "Well, that is nice. I love it so it will sell." He looks at it and says, "That is nice but I wouldn't spend that much for it. Let me ask at the coffee shop what they think of it." and he has actually taken some things there for other opinions. Family and friends always seem to like what you make - if they don't, they won't get a free one lol. Ask someone for an objective opinion on whether they think it will sell. If they say yes, then start making your calculations. As for the fabric, have you thought of going to thrift stores or garage sales and buying evening dresses for the material? Might be a cost-saver for you.

I calculate the cost of the supplies and then double that. Then I add my services for $10 and hour. That is the simplest way for me to price my goods and it ensures that I make a profit on my products.

If you price it too cheap, some people will buy a lot..only to resell them at a higher cost!!!!Office and hospital workers and all...

When I did craft shows, I priced my items this way...

Cost of materials, time, shipping charges or gas and did 2.5. Some people just double it, but you have to also include incidentals in that equation which is bags or gift wrap, show costs, and gas/tolls to get there. That extra half covered those items.

Hope that doesnt confuse you too much