Pricing Amazement

One of the things I have never been good at is pricing my items. However, I noticed something this past weekend during Art in the Park. People will pay what I think is an outrageous price for one titem, but won't pay what I think is a reasonable price for another item.

I'll give you an example. I had several crocheted cotton washcloths for sale. I priced them at $5 each. That is, $5 for one washcloth. I sold two of them. Now mind you, I can make 2 2/3 of these washcloths from a single ball of cotton yarn that cost me about $1.89 after tax. That's a pretty hefty profit for 2 washcloths if you ask me. I'm just saying. :P But yet people didn't even flinch at seeing that the washcloths were $5 each.

Now we have one of my favorite bracelets that I've made. (Go on, click it, you know you want to. I'll wait.) Now that bracelet right there is $20. The materials alone make up half of the price of that bracelet. Yet when people asked me how much that bracelet was, they were shocked to hear that I wanted $20 for it. They would quickly put it down and leave our booth. Yet when I talked to another jewelry artist who was selling at the next booth over from ours, she said that she had bracelets she'd made with beads she bought for $3 at Walmart, that she had maybe $5 worth of materials total in these bracelets, that she had priced at $35 or more, and the same people who refused to buy my $20 bracelet were more than willing to go to her booth and pay what she asked for a bracelet that she said herself, was worth less than the one I had made. She was in shock as well.

Now I will say that maybe, just maybe, $10 for my time to make that bracelet isn't quite fair. After all, I don't think the bracelet took me more than 10 minutes to string together. But when I attempted to price it less than $20, I was told that I wasn't charging nearly enough. And another bracelet that I had made (this one which I sold to a friend of mine) had beads from the same company, same store, but were $2 less in price, and my friend refused to pay less than $20 for that bracelet. I know, because I tried to knock it down to $15 since she is my friend, and she refused.

But yet people weren't willing to pay $20 for the playing cards bracelet. How can it be that people will pay $5 for a single crocheted washcloth with less than $2 worth of yarn in it, but won't play $20 for a bracelet with $10 worth of beads in it? I just don't get it.

Art in the Park 2011

So today was Art in the Park at Latham Park in Sioux City, IA. For those not in the know, Latham Park is a privately owned park in Sioux City, IA. The Latham family home sits on the park grounds, and when the last of the Lathams passed away, the land was mandated by the person's will to become a park. Now last year it was rainy and cold all day long. This year it was misty and cold all day long. The funny thing is, the last two years have been the only years the park has had this problem - and the last two years are the years I have been attending! Maybe it's me? LOL There were quite a few window shoppers, but not many buyers. What did I sell? A bookmark and 2 round washcloths. Yes, I said a bookmark and 2 round washcloths. That was it. My best friend's mother sold one of her baby blankets and my best friend sold nothing. :( We attribute it to the dreary day as it was very cold and most people were in a hurry to get back home and out of the cold. I did manage to see some cousins of mine at the park although it was brief. :) I also saw other people I know including some people I went to school with, one of whom I am working on a couple of custom orders for. And now, for those who would like pictures, you may view them below.

Want to see the rest? Click here!

Fall In The Air

Fall is a time of year that I actually like really well. It's cooler but not too cold. The kids are back in school, meaning that the neighborhood is a touch quieter during the day. The crisp fall air makes me want two things - Halloween and to start crocheting the big blankets and afghans that will keep myself and others warm this winter.

Fall is also the season that finds Sioux City's Latham Park holding it's annual Art in the Park festival - which the last piece that needed to fall into place for me to be able to be an artist vending my items there has fallen into place as of today, so I will definitely be there - this year on September 18th.

Latham Park is a gorgeous, privately-owned park that is a favorite spot for weddings here in Sioux City. It has a fountain, roses, and it is just a really beautiful spot. Art in the Park is one of the things that they do throughout the year and it brings to light the park and local artists! I am proud to say that Eternal Stardust Designs will be a part of the festival this year and I hope I'll be there next year as well!

Are there any local art festivals or craft fairs that are held annually at a specific time??? If so, do you attend as a patron or as a vendor??

Is It September All Ready??

Wow - time sure flies. It seems like only yesterday it was January 1, 2010 and now here it is the 7th of September! I can't imagine where the time has gone - especially since I really haven't been all that busy! :)

I've been a bit busy the last week or so - I've made a few hats - yes, I'm going to post pictures below:


Floppy Brimmed Hat w/ Pink Flower (Custom Order)



Mesh Cap (Custom Order)



Crocheted Hat (Custom Order)



Earth & Sky Stocking Cap



Mesh Cap in Bright Yellow



Mesh Cap in Watercolor



Turquoise & Lime Stocking Cap

There's what I've been working on. A friend of mine had suggested I do so because the weather is starting to get cool and people would be looking to get new hats and scarves. :) It made sense so I made some hats.

I'm getting ready for a festival called Art in the Park that's done here in Sioux City's Latham Park. Latham Park is a private park and this is one of the events that they hold each year. This year I'm going to have my first year as a vendor. I'll try to take some pictures to post here on the blog. :)

Ok, as it's 4:43 AM and I should be asleep, I'm going to go for now! :)