Selling embroideries

[Julie Thomson]

I have sold quite a few pieces of my original designed hardanger.... I sometimes think that I undersell them but I really can't keep everything I stitch.I would like to have a guide line for pricing embroideries.
Any thoughts?

Julie

[ALKA ACHARYA]

Quite true. It depends on person to person.. I feel one should get atlease the reward far the work that is done. Should be resonable enough.

Have a great day and hope to see your all beautiful stitchings.

Elizabeth Braun said:

My own view is that one shouldn't undercharge so as not to undervalue the genre of goods for those who are making a living out of it and selling for artists' prices (they do exist!). For someone like me, that would translate into something I can make relatively quickly and cheaply so that I don't have to charge the earth for it. The customer gets something special for a reasonable price and I get a fair reimbursement. I'm quite against selling for 'stash replenishment prices' and I think some others feel the same way. Of course, there are plenty more who just enjoy the pleasure of selling something.=)

[Julie Thomson]

It has been interesting reading all your comments... Thanks ladies

Julie

[Nat Uhing]

I'd tend to agree with Elizabeth on this...you simply can't make the same sort of embroidery if the plan was to sell in the first place. I think it is a mistake to assume that embroidery for the self, or friends, or heirlooms, etcetera, and embroidery for sale are interchangeable. One is done for love, the other for money. There is a whole class difference in materials, skills used, size and time spent between the two. A commission would be another matter...
Elizabeth Braun said:

...For someone like me, that would translate into something I can make relatively quickly and cheaply so that I don't have to charge the earth for it.

[Kathryn Peers]

Interesting. How do you value your art. Like most struggling paint artists, they price their work according to the market.
If you can sell a piece for £10 increase the price to £15 if it still sells increase the price to £20. Market will always find its value. Once it stops selling you can always reduce it back to the price it sold at.

Most paint artists have the same problem. Less cost in paints maybe but the same effort they take to paint art.

[Julie Thomson]

Sorry Nat, but I don't agree with you on this..... whether for love or money I would never use inferior fabric or thread.
My point is.. I usually design a piece of hardanger,usually for no specific reason other than the pattern is in my head..... once it is finished it will usually be entered in an exhibition. The Wollongong Group of the Embroiderers Group NSW has a yearly exhibition so our group has a good venue for displaying our work. We are also allowed to sell our work as well and I have sold several large pieces for realistic prices..... don't forget that 90%of our visitors are embroiderers so they understand the work that has gone into the embroidery plus the fact that it is a one off design.
I do not do commissions because I find people have different ideas on what they require.... eg wanting a few different designs they have seen , all in one piece. This is not enjoyable and quickly becomes a chore. Embroidery is supposed to be relaxing . I guess when it all boils down if somebody wants your work they will pay a fair price to have it.....

Nat Uhing said:

I'd tend to agree with Elizabeth on this...you simply can't make the same sort of embroidery if the plan was to sell in the first place. I think it is a mistake to assume that embroidery for the self, or friends, or heirlooms, etcetera, and embroidery for sale are interchangeable. One is done for love, the other for money. There is a whole class difference in materials, skills used, size and time spent between the two. A commission would be another matter...
Elizabeth Braun said:

...For someone like me, that would translate into something I can make relatively quickly and cheaply so that I don't have to charge the earth for it.

[Judy B]

Some time ago we had this discussion here on stitchin fingers, and sugggest that you go back and read it through.

I can only repeat what I said then, but there were a lot of others who contributed some valuable opinions and information.

[Julie Thomson]

Thanks for that Judy.... I have read through most of it, some good info.

Judy B said:

Some time ago we had this discussion here on stitchin fingers, and sugggest that you go back and read it through.

I can only repeat what I said then, but there were a lot of others who contributed some valuable opinions and information.

[Elizabeth Braun]

I'm wondering if this is really what Nat meant. Thinking of what I'm interested in doing, there are certain specialist things that I wouldn't use on things to sell, such as hand-dyed threads, flat silks, certain other trimmings and bought hand-dyed fabrics (although I might use my own coloured things at some point). I'd be most hesitant to use these more pricey items on things for sale, but I buy them in for use on things 'stitched with love'. On the other hand, the basic fabrics and threads would be the same decent quality as I'd use on gifts and personal items.

Perhaps, Nat, you might clarify?=)

Julie Thomson said:

Sorry Nat, but I don't agree with you on this..... whether for love or money I would never use inferior fabric or thread.