The craft show season is in full swing so I thought I'd share some thoughts on these events.
Participants at a craft fair are generally artists who design and create each item that they sell. They work very hard and generally find it difficult to charge a living wage for their work. They do this work for the enjoyment of it and generally live very frugally.
Crafters and artists create each item on its own. None are mass produced. And, while crafters and artists may be able to purchase some supplies at a wholesale price these supplies are generally far more than what a manufacturer, who is purchasing in very large quantities, will pay. Crafters and artists costs can be very high while their profit margins are very low.
So, when a customer visits an artist's display and asks the artist if they will accept a lower price, the artist finds this exchange disheartening and insulting. It is disheartening because they have put their heart and soul into each piece, and it is insulting because crafters and artists have difficulty selling their wares at a price that would provide them with a living wage.
How do I know this? I am one of those artists who has had customers offer a lower price for one of my designs. I already work for pennies so when a customer offers a lower price I decide that it would be better to not sell that item than reward the customer. Perhaps they don't realize how much time and effort goes into making an item? Perhaps they don't have enough money to pay the full price? Perhaps they just want to get something for less? I don't know the reason, but I do know that a craft fair is not a flea market where people dicker on price.
Why do I sell my creations if I don't make much money at it? Creating is in my blood and fortunately, at this stage in my life, I do not need this income to survive. This income provides me with a few extras as well as spending money to buy more supplies to create more items that I can sell.
Allow me to further illustrate by breaking down the cost of one of Cruisin' Creations trinket baskets.
Each trinket basket measures approximately 3.5 inches in diameter and is 3/4 inch tall.
Each trinket basket takes up to 6 hours to create. Let's break it down...
It takes up to 2 hours to cover and fill the plastic ring that is used for the center of the basket. The time difference is dependent on the thread that I am using. A variegated thread has to be applied in a manner that is much slower but results in a very pretty design when it is finished. The solid threads take a little less time because I can use an easier, faster method.
It takes 2-4 more hours to actually sew together and shape the basket.
The 4-6 hour timing does not factor in the time and gas it takes to go to the store to purchase the plastic rings and polyurethane, the time and costs to order the thread, glycerin, and pine needles, the time to wash, bake and dry the pine needles, the time to seal the basket, the cost of packaging, nor any other overhead costs that may be incurred. Another cost to take into account is the cost of the event. These average $90.00 and the event cost per item is determined after the fact when it is divided by the number of items sold.
The price for a trinket basket? $20.00 While I won't depress you or me by doing the math for this item, I'm sure you get the idea.
Why don't I charge more? People will not pay more for these items. I price at what the market will bear.
Artists designs are intellectual property. Taking photos of these items so they can be passed on to someone who also does crafts or so that it can made by yourself is stealing from the artist. Obviously, this is wrong on so many levels.
Many craft fairs are admitting direct sellers such as Mary Kay, 31, Tupperware, etc. to fill space and increase the earnings of their fundraiser. It is difficult for a skilled artist to compete with these vendors. The items they sell are mass produced and while they may still be more expensive than we will find at our favorite store or on our favorite website, we would never ask those sellers to reduce their prices. We understand that their prices are set. Discounts are only provided if the parent company authorizes those discounts.
Crafters and artists do understand that customers have different needs and different amounts of discretionary income. If the price is more than you would like to spend then please compliment the artist on their work and move on rather than offend them by offering a lesser amount. Another solution for paying a lower price would be to ask the artist to create something smaller, and simpler that would be more affordable.
Crafters and artists create for the love of creating. And while they love their craft they do have to support themselves on the money they make. To offer a person less is telling these skilled artists that their time and talent are not worth that of a person flipping burgers at a local fast food restaurant. Really? Why not?
What's New?
We are increasing out listings of pine needle baskets as rapidly as my little hands can produce them. Here are a few new ones!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/536413771/blue-trivet-navy-blue-pine-needle-trivet?ref=shop_home_active_1
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| https://www.etsy.com/listing/531441311/bread-basket-pine-needle-bread-basket?ref=shop_home_active_4 |
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| https://www.etsy.com/listing/516447090/pine-needle-basket-sea-shell-pine-needle?ref=shop_home_active_7 |
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| https://www.etsy.com/listing/536418003/brown-pine-needle-basket-brown-beaded?ref=shop_home_active_11 |
View all of our pine needle baskets, trivets, ornaments, and suncatchers at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com.
Upcoming Events
We are looking forward to upcoming events in July. You can find us at:
July 8 & 9 - The Shaker Heritage Society, 25 Meeting House Rd, Albany, NY
July 15 - Schroon Lake Town Park, Schroon Lake, NY
Also, Santa Snacks and Cruisin' Creations will be selling at the East Greenbush Farmers Market every Wednesday from June 14 - Oct 4. Stop by from 4-7 pm to pick up your delicious gourmet seasoned pretzels, pine needle creations, and fill your cupboards with food items straight from the farm!
Until Next Time...
Diane
