I have a question about your philosophy on what you make and sell. There is no right and wrong answer, but I thought it would be an interesting discussion.
First some background (I know it's a little long):
I just got done with my first craft festival since last November. I did much better than expected, and will post pictures when I have a chance to upload them and clean them up.
I sell a lot of things that can be stack cut from 1/8" baltic birch, including both flat and 3D ornaments and other pieces. I have very few individually cut items. I'm selling the flat ornaments for $3.00, and the 3d ones for $5.00 and sell a lot of them. Usually, I earn 2x or more my booth fee just selling these. My prices go up for more complex items, to around $80.00.
Another item I had is some of Sue Mey's nativity crosses. I reduced the size about 25%, stack cut them from 1/8 baltic birch, then mounted with a colored background that was the outline of the cross. I asked and got $20.00 each for them.
One other scroll sawyer was there and we talked toward the end of the show. While we didn't discuss actual money, I believe I did much better than he did. He had some of Sue's crosses, and they were full size and cut from 3/4" hardwood. (Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go down to his booth to see how much he was asking.) He also has a lot of stand up puzzles, also 3/4" wood. I believe he was 'proud' of the fact that he doesn't stack cut anything.
Here's the question for discussion - If you produce to sell at craft shows, etc. - Do you prefer to cut a few real nice pieces and try to get as much as you can for them, or would you rather have a large number items that you can sell for less per unit, and make it up in volume.
First some background (I know it's a little long):
I just got done with my first craft festival since last November. I did much better than expected, and will post pictures when I have a chance to upload them and clean them up.
I sell a lot of things that can be stack cut from 1/8" baltic birch, including both flat and 3D ornaments and other pieces. I have very few individually cut items. I'm selling the flat ornaments for $3.00, and the 3d ones for $5.00 and sell a lot of them. Usually, I earn 2x or more my booth fee just selling these. My prices go up for more complex items, to around $80.00.
Another item I had is some of Sue Mey's nativity crosses. I reduced the size about 25%, stack cut them from 1/8 baltic birch, then mounted with a colored background that was the outline of the cross. I asked and got $20.00 each for them.
One other scroll sawyer was there and we talked toward the end of the show. While we didn't discuss actual money, I believe I did much better than he did. He had some of Sue's crosses, and they were full size and cut from 3/4" hardwood. (Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go down to his booth to see how much he was asking.) He also has a lot of stand up puzzles, also 3/4" wood. I believe he was 'proud' of the fact that he doesn't stack cut anything.
Here's the question for discussion - If you produce to sell at craft shows, etc. - Do you prefer to cut a few real nice pieces and try to get as much as you can for them, or would you rather have a large number items that you can sell for less per unit, and make it up in volume.
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