I was lucky enough to be in a fiber arts collective when I began selling my work. Each member contributed to the rent and running costs of our shop, but when membership dwindled expenses for each member increased greatly. Still, our prices were competitive and most of us did fairly well.
When I began selling on commision for another shop, I wasn't honest with myself about how much labor was going into my work, and I really shortchanged myself. The allure of selling my work blinded me to how hard I was working for so little. I'm fortunate to have a 60/40 agreement with the shop where I sell. Many business owners will offer a 50/50 commision arrangement. Still, my work is not competitive in the market in which I'm selling.
Finding your market is the hardest part about selling your creations. I know I have to put more effort into that. In the meantime, I've decided to focus on adjusting designs and processes, so I get a fair price for my work.
That's how I came up with those slipper ornaments pictured above. In the past, I made a smaller version in a fussy way that sold well, but didn't pay me enough for my time. I fine-tuned the production process and feel confident that these will sell as well, if not better.
So if you sell or want to sell your work, please don't be like me and not look at the hard facts! Sometimes your aesthetic sense will lead you to do extra things that cut into profits. If you're not making enough, you need to adjust things. Charge what you deserve! And if it doesn't sell, make changes or find a new market. Working within tighter parameters can actually increase creativity!
