newbies first projects

[Eastjack]

Last year I purchased a used carvewright version C with only a few carving hours on it. I am retired and live in Nova Scotia Canada and this machine seemed just the thing to help keep me busy. Well some months have passed and I am getting more experience and have made a few items. My budget is very limited so I am forced to produce my own patterns where ever possible and cannot yet afford the new software additions. Having looked at the rose tray project I decided to prepare a pattern from scratch using the photo as a guide. I felt that I would be forced to learn more doing that than I would is I purchased the project. One of these trays was a gift for a friend who has Airedale and Welsh terriers so I purchased a couple pf patterns from the store and set to work. The dragon tray is for myself. The other project was for our garden clubs anniversary and was also a gift.
During 2013 I intend to make some items to sell at out local craft show in the fall. The problem is, how much do I charge for them? How do you guys and girls decide on a fair price. I don't want to sell to cheap as that is not fair on those of you who make a living doing this. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[fwharris]

Job well done and you have taught yourself very well!

As for pricing, that is a wide open topic. Some charge based on machine time($/hour of carve time) or cost of materials time X amount markup. Do not under value your time and abilities just to make a sale! Seeing your results on the trays I would have no problems asking at a minimum of $60.00.

[eelamb]

I agree with everyone else, really nice work

[oldjoe]

Nice job on ther trays. As far as a pricing thing it is the most difficult thing I have face with my machine. Seems you ask too much and you don't sell anything but too little and you find yourself barely covering your wood expenses.
Good Luck !

[henry1]

realy nice job keep it up

[myshop1044]

Pricing your work, I have found when it come to craftshows the best formula is "ask your wife what would she pay for it".
Looking at your projects and the fine quality I would start at $75.00, if you hold on to it for a while , you may come down some.
If it take you 5 hrs of carving time, you can forget the carving time price and go for a general price in the area you are in.
Some items sell better in different parts of the country. I have found if I'm new at a show, I do very well. No one has seen
my work before and I sell. You may also explain how long it to make and finish you used to complete the project. People are look for
a quality piece that is different from some one elses.
Anyway give it a shot, There is old saying "when you give your price, don't say another word, the next one that speaks looses".
I have done that and the person may or may not buy it right away or they will come back later.

Perry B.

[Old Salt]

One thing I have seen a lot is that most people apologize for the price they charge (don't do that) .
Like , I spent 5hrs carving and 2 hrs finishing , they don,t know or care.
You should know what it cost you if it's to high for them or they want to get you down you left them an opening.
Tell your price , Then Keep quit. Leave yourself some room to go down if you want but Keep it about 10%
They will buy or walk.

[olsenla]

Wow!! I'm impressed with your designs and the carving job. You are off to a really great start. Thanks for sharing these.

Larry

[Eastjack]

Thanks for all the helpful advise. I guess what it really comes down to is a pricing level at what the local market will buy. As far as I know nobody has a similar machine in this area so I should not have much competition but Annapolis Royal is not a wealthy area. There are a lot of retired people (me being one of them), and many people of British origin. There are also some well off retired people from Toronto and other major urban centers in Canada. Anyway I will make a selection of items and see what happens at the craft shows.
I am lucky in that I don't find the software difficult although infuriating in its deficiencies. But then I used to work as a machine designer and used 3D cad for 10 years.

[Bigtyme]

Really nice carvings, Eastjack. Looks like you are getting very comfortable with the software which is a great thing. I agree with all that has been said about pricing. It isn't an easy thing and not eveyone is a buyer. I really like Perry's suggestion of asking your wife what she would pay. I have done that myself and have had the best luck selling and making a profit.