hospitalhats

Beth: I'm in the process of setting up my shop. However, there are already 3-4 shops selling similar products. And, I sell my hats in a hospital now for $9 each. My fabrics, and special sewing techniques are totally unique in this market, however.
Would it be better to offer more sales, or free shipping rather than price my product higher than the competition?

OpulentOddities

Nothing is more frustrating to me than when people sell their goods too low. Its not that I like spending money, but I don't want to buy from someone who doesn't value their work. Why should I beleive in a peice that the artist herself doesn't value?

Will be looking for more articles in this series as you post them! Thanks!

Joeysdreamgarden

Brilliant article Beth. I agree, it does sometimes feel like there is a culture of not wanting to price adequately. I personally don't sell for the money, however I don't see that as a reason for selling my items short. You're right, you're selling your creativity and people will be glad to pay a fair price for a item that they will cherish. I would rather not sell at all, than let my items go to someone who will not value them as much as I have when making them.

southpacificbody

Such a great article. Way too many crafters/artists out there under value their products, work and time.

junebugz

I agree- too many people under value their craft. I too have been tempted to lower my prices. One year ago their was a fraction of the sellers we have now. Etsy's growth has really made me take a hard look at my pricing. My prices have gone up- but I also try to offer a few lower priced items.

In Bags & Purses- I wonder if people really value the work that goes into hand applique and beading, and vintage materials. There seems to be alot of people making great bags for $25.00. How can they possibly be making a profit?

triciamckellar

Excellent advice! I've certainly seen nice things on etsy that were priced too low and turned me off.

JUSTAGIRL27

So true! Thanks for such an encouraging article, I'm always tempted to wonder if my prices are too high, even though I know they're not.

hansigurumi

Thanks for the wonderful article!
It seems that at least a part of the underpricing and undervaluing of handmade work has to do with the 'Walmart'-ization of goods. Many people expect to get lots of stuff for little, without taking quality, business ethics, and sustainability into consideration. Thankfully, the seeds of change seem to have been planted. The success of sites like Etsy is a testament to this.

anandi

Thanks for the great article! I'd love to hear about recommendations for how to actually price your items - a gut feel "market value" sort of system, or a calculated time + materials + markup system?

allthosethrees

Good article, I look forward to reading more!

SudsMuffin

I agree with all the points of this article. Hopefully more people will read it.

APunkinCardCompany

Wonderful article. I wish more sellers would read this.

jcades

Well, that clears up all of my pricing dilemmas. Thanks.

alternatebliss

pricing is one of the biggest internal dillemas I have. More people need to value their work. Thanks for the article!

squiggles

This is a tricky, but very important area of business. I recently raised all my prices based on a formula that I worked up, which included my time (including time spent picking out fabrics and driving), creating the item, the cost of materials, listing fees, selling fees, etc. I tried to take into account all the "costs" associated with making my items. I was way under price. So, I raised them. I haven't sold anything since my prices came up, but I'm holding on.

miriam

I wish everyone read this article =)

ancientgamecupboard

People tell me all the time that I underprice our items, but I'm still afraid I'll lose repeat customers and those who have marked me as a favorite if I start raising prices!

This article has given me some ideas, so I will certainly go back and think about whether or not to do so. Thanks!

UrbanIslands

So very true! If we as sellers don't value the time and creativity we sink into our work, few others will! It's pretty much Marketing 101 all over again.

People are all aspirational and want to "trade up" to what alleged bigger, better and sometimes out of reach. If both were free, who would opt for the Camry over the Lexus? ;-)

Great piece!
http://urbanislands.etsy.com
http://fiercelystrategic.blogspot.com

StashHappy

I really have a hard time with this. Especially since some items in my store are relatively similar, but due to materials the cost is different. And when friends ask me to make something, I low-ball the price. How can I get out of this rut?

BarbaraCrochetStudio

Great article! Thanks for bringing up this subject. Very few realized how much time it takes to make a handmade product. I do my things for pleasure, so it's very hard for me to put the price on them. But definitely I'll think it over. Thanks!

Nnairdas

Great article! I recently listed 4 items in my shop and the most expensive item has the most views.

LisaRaspino

I'm so glad I found this article (and the others) *before* I set up my shop!

I originally became interested in jewelry design years ago when I'd see nice-enough mass-produced items in stores that were charging quite a lot for them. Being on a tight budget at the time, I realized that I could probably make a similar style item using better materials for less money (and have enough materials left over to create gifts).

Over the years, I've studied, honed my skills, developed my vision...but it's sometimes challenging not to lowball my pricing.

bybethstudio

Helpful article...it is always frustrating to me when I see "slave labor" prices...Like when you know you can't even buy the materials for the price...such a hard balance to reach though...but some shops just seem WAY too low...they are handmade items afterall and NOT Wal-Mart...it seems like most etsy folks understand this concept...

jules9105

The only problem is if a seller places a high price on their product and doesn't explain how many hours, amount of fabric etc. went into making the item, the buyer can feel cheated. The only way sellers can up their prices is if they explain to buyers what happens with the money, eg: inputs and outputs.

gingerlime

Thanks for this series. Pricing is definitely a challenge for me, but I keep hearing the same things. People seem to question value when the price is too low. Hmmmm....

f2images

Very useful information. My struggle with pricing is that most of my friends have modest incomes, so they think my pricing is high. I'm trying to be competitive with those I admire on Etsy who have a similar product. Hopefully, people will like what they see :)

arpiska

the price was my first concern on etsy. so i posted on the forum, and met friendly people who gave me the material+ hours of work formula. it's sometimes difficult to evaluate the price of something made for the pleasure. i have two ways of deciding for the price beside the above formula:
1- ok i made it with love, but for how much money would i accept to part from it? give it to a total stranger?
2- :) well, i ask my mother how much should i price the item. she really likes what i do, and she always feel sorry if i underprice my item. and for her i always underprice it.

now i found another tip: ok, i have one item which took an awful lot of time to do, which i had to price it high regarding to me. then for those who can't afford it but like it, i make another simplest model, with the same spirit but ten times cheaper, which will cost me ten times shorter to realize. and with this i found a peace of mind concerning the prices.

well i know i only have 4 items for the moment, but i thought a lot about this subject.

lullabybunny

I think its all to easy to find fault with your own work, when someone else may think it's great, thats what makes it hard for me to come up with the right price for things.

rabbitholestudios

This is a great article and conversation! I recieved some excellent advice from a fellow artist about pricing...That price not only reflects time and materials, but also all of your training, life experiences, trial and errors...etc. No one is born with the ability to whip out some great art or hand sew an evening gown. It really made me rethink how I price!

Cerr

This article was a great confidence booster for me!
I haven't sold anything yet (just opened shop) and I've noticed that my photographs are priced a bit higher than many of the other photos I've seen... but this really is a case where you pay for what you get.
I'm offering a premium product that I believe in and know is worth the asking price.
Thanks for the boost!

yellowhat

Lullabybunny - I know what you mean, sometimes when I create something I realise how I can improve it next time and am left feeling I should price low!

But this article/convo has been really useful, I think I'm going to have to be much stricter about how I work out my prices!

VINTAGEREBORN

I found this article both informative and interesting. Being new to Etsy it is hard to gauge the competition and yet not to sell yourself short. Most of the time, they are OOAK, that certainly should account for something. The difficult factor in pricing is the time spent in creating, designing, and making the item. Frequently, your time is not worth very much to others. The puzzling part of all of this is I have seen identical items in different stores and have seen many sales in some and very few in others. Therefore, it is advertise, get noticed, develope repeat customers etc.

wheellesswonders

I know as a student, my expenses and quality are not equal to the folks who have been doing this stuff for years. I specify in my shop that I am a student and this is student work, therefore my prices will be a little lower than other folks. I wonder how much sticker shock folks will have after I graduate and have to pay my own utility bills for the kiln and include that in my prices. I hope by then, my work will be worth the higher prices.

lisajulia

Such a great article. I am a professional photographer by trade buti am new to selling on etsy...but i have to admit that there is some STUNNING handmade items i have come across and my JAW DROPS when i see how little they charge for such amazing works of art. I hope this article gives those who might be afraid to charge what they are worth a nice little boost of confidence..YOU ARE WORTH IT! =)

RoseCottageTreasures

Hi! I have been Selling my HandPainted ArtWork on the Web now for 3 years. And recently joined Etsy. As for any WebSite, You as a Seller need to take into consideration, not only what You feel your ArtWork is "Worth"( 3X plus materials, labor, fees, etc), but also the "Market Value"! If you do your Research, and check to see what similar items have recently sold, at what price, and how often they have sold, you can then get a pretty good idea of what the "Market Value" of that item or similar item is. Unless You have an item that no one else Sells, you can then pretty much decide what the starting Market should be.

I totally agree with "You Get What You Pay For", BUT if the "Market Value" has decided your item or a similar item is only worth a low price, then you are Not going to get a high price for it, unless YOU are Willing to Wait! We as Artists can Price Our ArtWork accordingly, but the "Buyer" is really the one who determines "Our Worth"! I know that sounds like a contradiction, But in reality, it is true.

Regardless, Don't Sell yourself short! If you as an Artist, Crafter, or whatever feel that "Your Work is Worth More", then Price it that way! Just believe me when I say the words "Starving Artist", as most of us True Artist do starve. But when that Buyer comes along who sees Our Work is Worth every bit of the $300 we are asking and Buys it, It makes the wait "Worth While"! You know they say "All Good Things Come To Thoughs Who Wait"!

OctahedronJewelry

Now that I am finding my way around Etsy more, there is more I find to pay attention to.

This article and the comments grabbed my literal interest because I just sold my biggest dollar sale since I opened my shop. Moreover, since opening my shop, I have had minimal sales.

This is the piece: http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction....

When I saw I had this sale of my most favorite creation to date, my eyes filled with tears, my palms started sweating, my heart pounded up into my chest, my breath was labored, I woo-hoo’d several times, and after my muscles jumped for joy they hurt!

So, here I sit a few days later pondering reading this article and the responses.

Get out the paper, calculator, and pen.

This piece sold: $162.95
Shipping cost: $2.26 w/delivery confirm
Etsy fee's total: $6.97
PayPal fee: $5.03
Materials: $40.00
Leaving $108.69

I calculated approximately 10 hours of labor, thus I was paid $10.87 per hour. NOT including the shopping, driving, storage (had the centerpiece for a year), designing, and whatever else I may not have thought of. How about a percentage of my electric bill, water bill, food & beverages, utilities, telephone, classes, reading educational beading materials, mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc...

When looking at it this way, I should just have sent the buyer $200!

Ugh, ...Help

cbarjcrafts

I do a lot of custom work, in fact that is a majority of my business income. This gets really frustrating because I don't want to overcharge folks, but there just doesn't seem like a fair way to set prices for custom work and still have a steady customer base. I want to be affordable, but still maintain an aire of quality and respectability.

I love doing commissions, but I don't like eating the cost of my time.

FGMoriginals

Believe it or not, my 21 year old son is the one who helped me realize that my time is just as valuable as the materials. NEVER sell yourself short! If you have to sit on your work - do it!! Ditto, by the way, to what jcades said. I, too, had a hard time seeing the worth until my son said this. I am not even a seller (YET) so take it from a customer.

RibbonalityBySushi

Beth, I feel like I have overpriced. My husband has encouraged me to go over my cost and pay myself. So, I've been paying myself minimum wage per hour it cost me to make my product. I only have 2 items in my shop and have lots of views but no purchases. Have I overpriced?

DaisiesAreOurSilver

I'm so glad I found this this morning. I asked for a shop critique the other day because I wanted thoughts from more experienced etsians. And underpricing was something that came up.

All this is really making me think. Separating out the strand which is how you really value what you've done and the time you have used, and tying that into the price you ask - this is a huge new idea for me, seriously!

The issue for me is the balance between the time and care and love I put into my stuff, and what the result is. Or at least, what I perceive it to be. Or what I might think the "market value" might be.

Blah blah! Good to get it off your chest!

yellowwalls

Thanks for this article. I used to price things way too low - paying myself less than minimum wage for my time and not even taking into account all the indirect costs.

Capree

This is a great article! What do you think about my pricing? I just lowered it, but now I'm thinking I should have kept the original prices!

BaRbaRaGIOrDaNoArt

I sometimes find pricing my artwork a challenge. I want to offer a fair price at the same not undersell my work. Any tips for me?

AmyRehnae

I, like almost everyone here, have a hard time pricing my work. I certainly don't want to underprice, but where is that magic line, anyway?? I have done all the calculations for shipping, but so much harder to do for each piece, and even trickier for prints of those same pieces. Any advice?

squeeky001

I really liked the article but am still having a hard time deciding if my work is underpriced. It is all one of a kind pieces and nothing to compare it to so I just charge what I think is right but many people seem to think my work is underpriced.I have looked at many pottery sites but still don't have a good feeling about my prices. Can you help me?? Squeeky 001 in Oregon

beadgoddess61

I am glad I found this article. Besides the article, reading the comments really opened my eyes. My plan is to open my shop this weekend and I had planned on keeping my prices low, enough to cover costs & a bit of my time. Not that I undervalue my work, I just want people who don't have a lot of extra spending cash to be able to afford my jewelry. Is it wrong to think this way? I value your input since I am totally new at selling.

GoneDoggie

Hey Beth, someone send me this article after I voiced my frustrations on this very subject. There is a lot of comepitition out there for the products I make. Mine are made to be strong and durable, they are made to hold up, last, while being pretty and fun. I see people selling similar items that just aren't going to hold up and people are buying them and paying a whole lot more than I have mine priced at. I want people to be able to afford my items, I want them to be enjoyed but, I am afraid that my lower price is hurting me. Quality doesn't have to cost a fortune does it???

caryyork

Beth, This article is fantastic. It gives me the validation to trust myself and honor my work by not selling too low. I just had my first Etsy sale this week for the price I believed in. I jumped up and down laughing with joy. It has been a great lesson as an artist to value myself and my work. The realization of success as an artist has been a lifelong pursuit. I am living the dream in a bigger way now. Thanks for the platform and all the support. I can't wait to read more.

wendyconradart

I am in the midst of changing my pricing for my cards. I spend alot of time making them, taking better photographs (thanks to a storque article, i made the front page YAY), and listing. I am taking the leap and charging a little more to see what happens. Should I address this change in my shop announcement? Or is it best to just change without explanation?

markasky

It does seem like the first thing you think of when you're not selling anything is that you're prices are too high, but there are probably a lot of other factors we don't think of, like timing and patience, for example. Handcrafted work has value in a lot of ways and getting a fair price is one of them. The following is one of my favorite quotes from a book called the 'Unknown Craftsman' by Bernard Leach:

Why handcrafted? “Mass produced work has its place, but it is missing something essential that is found in handcrafted work. An intimate expression of the spirit of its creator, the heartbeat. It allows for enthusiasm and play of nature, a chance to experiment and make mistakes and grow. Good work proceeding from the whole man, heart, head, and hand, in proper balance...the relationship of truth to beauty -- the seeing eye.” (Bernard Leach The Unknown Craftsman, p.95.)

jewelryatsusans

I thought I had overpriced the first item I listed so I lowered it. I'm glad I read this article before I start pricing the other items I want to add.
I make a lot of one of a kind items and it really is difficult to figure a price when there isn't to compare to.
Thanks Beth for giving me a formula and for telling me to value my work.

Helecameries

In addition, a seller who prices items extremely low doesn't do the rest of us any favours either!

I came across one who has put summer items on sale because of the change of seasons, to get them out of the workshop. Why not aim for the southern hemisphere? We're coming up to summer, so I am putting winter hats up for northern hemisphere folks. In our winter, I'll have some, too, but will also be able to sell here in brick-and-mortar shops.

janedeaux

Thanks for this article. Sometimes I wonder myself, because I see many jewelry designers with very low prices and It makes me wonder if I am a slow maker. I use a pricing spreadsheet that I bought from an artisan jeweler and it gives me many breakdowns for my pieces including wholesale. Sometimes the prices seem even high to me so I lower it. Thank you again.

debbiecarroll

Timely article, I've just spent hours repricing some items to be a little more competitive with what I see SELLING on Etsy. I do often wonder - do most of the other jewelry sellers also sell wholesale? If so, they must be only covering the cost of materials with no compensation for time. I am aiming to make some money so that I may continue to do what I do, but the pricing still remains a mystery to me....

LiteArt

I agree with RoseCottageTreasures regarding the market value concept. That is one of the key concepts in economics. You can spend hours of creating something, but if the market does not value it, you'll probably either end up waiting for when the market will value (like Van Gogh's pictures that are valued hundreds years later) or make a clearence and start over, trying to identify what people on the market not only need, but also are willing to pay for.

Of course, not everything that bad when it comes to the market challenge. Any market is not static and it can be influenced by a variety of forces. Being attentive to those forces as well as influencing the market through a balanced marketing approach (those 5 P's of marketing!) should help to achieve some confidence in the market place.

linguaNigra

I love Etsy. I feel with everyone else about pricing, but have not really had a problem with price. My numbers are low here, but when I talk to the owners of stores that my things are in, they are surprised my things aren't priced higher.
It really is about percieved value, no matter how cheaply it was made. I make molds of everything I do, so my prices are pretty on target, but I remember when I was making all the things in the store from scratch and people would balk at the price ( which was waaaay less!) because at the time it was just unplated brass. Forget that I made it BY HAND!!
You also have to think what category you would like to be in, price wise. I like to think of myself in the high end costume jewelry world. I wouldn't want to make anything cheap and be percieved as a cheap jewelry designer.

erinmapes

An interesting article. I was talking with some people in the forums about this recently. They had posted comments similar to the sentiments in the article, which really made me second guess my prices because they were on the low side. I asked if they thought my prices were too low, and they said yes, that I definitely should raise them. I guess I was undervaluing myself, because the quality of my work is very good, I make sure of it. We shall see the effect it has on my sales (hopefully it's a good one!)

LJNixonartist

Thank you...as an artist/painter I encounter those who would like to purchase my work for a little of nothing...others are willing to pay the modest prices.

auntsuesoldnewlovely

I have always tried to price my items by what I would pay for it retail.
On my hand made pendants and other items, I know they are low, but I want them to sell as well.
Aunt Sue

BreadandCircuses

Beth, I tried to lower a few prices but it didn't result in any sales. Would it not be a good idea on your part, a person who has a talent re prices, to tell Etsy shops that they are asking too low a price?? That would be really kind.

loriyab

Great article. I am new to Etsy and need all the help I can find. Pricing is tricky I am glad I am not the only one who has trouble with it.

ccdoodle

Thank you so much for this helpful article. I think about my newly opened shop constantly and was wondering what I could do to improve my shop and why I have not sold anything since I've been open for a week. I've been learning something new everyday and this article was perfect as I was just thinking about pricing all night. I'm glad to hear what you mentioned in your article is exactly what I was thinking. Thanks again Beth for the reassurance!

midi73

Yes, I have trouble with the pricing aspect too. I really enjoyed this article. I think it addresses something most artists have problems with. Maybe that's why other people seem to have no problem selling my stuff! They don't see the flaws. ;-) Thanks for the reassurance to price more in line with what goes into making handcrafted items.

maiziedesigns

Thank you. This is motivating to have confidence in the products that each Etsy seller creates. As artists we all don't see our work objectively and need to respect our creativity each and every day!

hothats

Thank you for the great tips and information...pricing is an important part of any business. Rock on Etsy!

bluetina

Interesting article! I use a spreadsheet of my own devising to price my jewellery. (I used to be a bookkeeper!) It takes everything into account and sometimes I think "nobody's going to pay that!" but they do! Sometimes the system comes up with a price that I think is too low because the piece looks a million dollars! Then I go with my gut instinct and price it upwards. Also, I never reduce prices and have "sales". If it doesn't sell it goes in my jewellery box or it's taken apart and I make something else! You have to stick to your guns and not undervalue what you do! Etsy is still new for me - who knows what will happen!

PortrayalsInGlass

I also am new to Etsy and am having a terrible time deciding on pricing. Therefore, I chose to go low on a couple items to see what happens.
Unfortunately, I have not received too many views even at
these low prices. So I am holding off on putting any more items up for sale until I have a better idea. I am finding that experience in web selling is difficult but Etsy is such a great opportunity.
Thank you!!

favoriteforgotten09

I had this same discussion with a friend recently. She marks things up 3-4 times. i.e. If she paid $5, she charges $20 and up.

I struggle because I am self-taught. I look at other jewelry pieces and their techniques are solid. Does technique and years of experience also calculate in the cost?

I am with you PortrayalsinGlass. Hopefully-I will list more in the future. Any great tutorial places on Etsy to learn more tricks when designing earrings and necklaces? Thanks!

KnitsByEllie

Great article. I don't want to sell myself short on all the hours I put into my work. This is the advice I needed as I set up my new shop.

SakuraSoapworks

This was really helpful. I have sold my soaps for way undervalue in the past, They are great and I use top quality ingredients, so I really do need to charge what they are worth if I want to keep making them.

Spleodar

I've just joined Etsy, and whilst I have no problem pricing my creations for my real-life shop, I find it very difficult here. I'm in the Euro-zone, so with the conversion to dollars, my usual prices seem so much higher that they're unreasonable. I lowered them, but am uncomfortable with what I'm left with. What do I do?

jewlzs

Hello fellow artisians.........here is my two cents about pricing your creativity/time/materials/design to make your creation.

SO much comes to mind here as I read these comments. A few quotes come to mind " A man never appreciates anything he didn't have to work hard for to get"

People will always place the value you place on an item. When I'm working on a project I decide in the middle of it what my price will be.

How many of you have seen a trinket you just had to have, no matter what the cost you bought it. Those are the customers you want purchasing your items.

Stop selling yourself short........I refuse to haggle with people who don't take into consideration the time and creativity that goes into one of my designs. Especially when they know they can't get it anywhere else they pay your price or they don't get it.

My specialty is fashion, All my crocheted tops are my original designs. I never learned to sew so I started 6 years ago crocheting halter tops with beads, I charge $225.00 a piece that includes materials, and my time. It takes me a week to complete one. It takes roughly 40 hours to make one. When you divide 40 by $225.00 it comes out to $5.63 an hour! Now that's way under minimum wage! So am I under pricing my halter tops???? absoulutley! 40 hours multiplyed by 8 equals $320.00 So I will change my price since I just opened a few days ago. In my heart I believe that is a fair price because we all as artisians should get paid at least minimum wage for our labor if not more.

Given if some famous designer's name was on it like Valentino it would cost you $1000.00's to aquire it. I'm not Valentino, but I'm just as talented with my mind & hands as he is designing & sewing.

I just don't have the fame behind me.

If you feel your charging to little, listen to your gut feeling and charge what you'd expect to pay for it after all you know the time that goes into it so charge accordingly.

I've been crocheting for over 30 years and never have I seen designs like mine so I know I have something unique. People may try to copy them but it would be difficult since they don't know my pattern and certain tricks I use in my designs.

So every one with that said, keep your head high..........go with your gut feeling and price your work accordingly. Be patient and ask God to bless your work!

haphazardcreativity

Informative article Beth, appreciate your time and thoughts and thanks to all of your for reminding me what I keep trying to get across to my daughter regarding her artistic creations in not selling herself short!

GrannySacks

My problem is that being a senior citizen and living on a VERY limited income, I tend to think how much I can afford to pay--which isn't much. That is a trap. I am shocked at the price others are willing to pay and they value their purchases much more than something "cheap". So I must quit judging others by my own circumstances.

TaisiraShop

I'm a little bothered by this article. I haven't set up my shop yet (need to build solid inventory first), but I can't imagine pricing my items high, especially as it is not my main income. I look at a lot of items on Etsy and feel that they are overpriced. But then, I'm the kind of person that gets my clothes at Salvation Army once a year. If I were to charge more than $15 for any piece of jewelry, unless I'm using 24k gold, I feel like I'm cheating my customers. I make $7.75/hour at my main job, why would I expect MORE than that from a hobby?

artbytrudy

Gee.I read this article and upped my prices immediately! Haven't renewed them only because I'm waiting for my printer to get samples back to me for the paper I want to use. I agree some do price their items way too low. If I have a piece of art work and I go to the best printer so that I can offer my prints at a reasonable rate it does disappoint me seeing others sell them $10-15 cheaper for larger sizes....I do love art! It is my passion, but I also need to make a profit at the end of the day.....T

jojoesretro

Your article reminded me of a conversation I had with my former Husband's Aunt, who, upon seeing the Hand-made Christmas stockings hanging on our mantle remarked "gee.. you could make and sell those." One cross-stitched, and very intricate stocking had taken me a year to make (after my full-time job, kids, etc.) So I replied: "well, let's see.. I've got what totals to a profit sharing year's time (I was in payroll then) into making that." What do YOU suppose I ought to charge for it?" Etsy is NOT Wallmart, or I'd be living in China working for slave wages and living in their housing!!!!!!!!

Mycookiescloset

Thank you beth for the invaluable info! it certainly helps those of us who are new to etsy ! keep up the great work.

creativityjewellery

I think we need to remember that the reason people shop on Etsy is because they are shopping for unique handmade items they can't get from a chain store!
NOBODY makes your art like you do, that is why it is so unique and valuable, so it is worth charging what it is really worth to you. A lot of us spend hours of our time making the most beautiful items which we then panic about selling and charge prices that are way too low.
If we ALL price our artworks based on what the materials really cost, and what our time is really worth (you could have spent those 10 hrs with your family, or at the beach or a museum instead of slaving over the crafting table for that miserable $50 sale!) then we could invest more time and money into our materials, our finishing and improving our craftsmanship, which is the goal for most of us!
So stand firm, keep your items priced at their genuine worth, and make your artwork rewarding to both create and sell. Nothing is as deflating as seeing your work of art go out the door for the price of a burger combo or a movie ticket!
Brad Sugars writes some amazing books with his Action International franchise which are worth reading to remind you of your value, to develop your point of difference, pricing and profits, and to retain and grow your repeat customer database, check them out!

ZambakDesigns

I am going to open a shop soon. I'm very excited about it, but BOY, do I have a lot to learn! I really appreciate all the help there is to get us 'newbies' off to a successful start.

SylvieGirl2

My husband has been saying I need to lower my prices in my fairly new shop in order to get more sales. I feel my prices are very reasonable. After reading the article, I will keep the prices as is, with an incentive i.e. "buy one, get a gift".

I like the idea that others will value our work if we value what we do.

underoakstudios

Too low prices drive me nuts. Thanks for doing all these articles on pricing.

beadnchainjewelry

Thanks for all this pricing advice. I have contacted many shops to ask how they were able to price so low. Most of the time I am told that they craft for a hobby and only look to break even. When I go shopping at the stores, I always look to see what they charge for their beaded necklaces and earrings. It's always high and for inferior quality and in mega quantity. You really need to realize that your product is designed with much thought and love and only one of a kind. I have been crafting jewelry for over thirty years and have never duplicated except when I first started learning and working for someone, but no more. I wish everyone much success and for me too. I sure could use the sales.
Blessings,
Jeannine

JamiesArt

Thank you for the great article! It has been very helpful, however, I think I may need more advice so I hope people are still reading this article. I have been selling (or trying to) my drawings and paintings on Etsy for a month now and I know this process takes time, but I feel I have gotten a great amount of views for the little amount of time I've been selling, but no sales. I have never sold my work before and figure that being a an unknown artist I should keep the prices low. I do have a couple at a higher price because they are in large frames. I was hoping maybe someone wouldnt mind taking alook at my shop and giving me input on whether my prices are reasonable or not. I honestly am not sure.

babeandme

I haven't opened my shop yet. I make batik patchwork baby blankets. They are selling well at a local gallery and I suspect they are priced too low.. I'm not sure what price to ask. I figure the cost of fabric and supplies but I am not including all the time it takes to make each unique blanket. I have so enjoyed the process of developing the pattern and selecting the fabrics for each piece. I do not want to undervalue my work.

LondonParticulars

I think money is a tough topic for a lot of people to deal with, what a great topic for an article and so very helpful. I see a lot of incredible workmanship here on etsy...and low pricing is common.

blackscrapcat

I have a really hard time with pricing because I'm very frugal at heart! I never buy new if I can find something second-hand, and my usual thought at craft sales is "I can make that!" It's tough! I usually ask my sister-in-law the shopaholic what she'd pay for something so I can get an idea what to charge :)

LaughLand

I make items that children use at Australian kindergartens and schools, such as library bags. Even though they are very neatly sewn, generous in size and most likely worth more than I charge, I deliberately try to keep my prices as low as I can afford to. This is not because I don't value my work. It's because I'm aware that often library bags are compulsory items that parents must supply for their children, regardless of whether they are financially comfortable or are struggling. I wish that every child could have nice things at school, not just those whose parents are well off. How do I get this message across to potential buyers? I sell a lot of library bags (and other things) at markets, where people can see the product and the quality. But I have not sold many online. I am hoping to generate etsy sales by promoting my etsy shop to my happy personal customers. I don't want people to buy mass produced chain store rubbish because that's all they can afford. How do I explain that my low prices mean that I think every person deserves something special, no matter who they are?