What to Charge for your carvings

[agaboric]

I know that this is a question that has come up in the past and probibly will again but what do you say and or charge a person if they ask to purchase one of your carvings? At this point in my carving career I don't feel that I can really even charge for my fancy firewood yet, but when that day comes I don't want to caught with my pants down so to speak. I love wood carving and I know I will get better at as time goes on but I know that that question will come about sooner or later. So any comments I welcome and I hope everyones summers are going well.
Andy

[brian-bailey]

Hi,

I ponder this subject every time I make something new and try to come up with a fair price.

In regards to your question,
I would first ask myself if this is being done as a hobby. If so, I would charge a price that would make me feel good. This price can be monetary or just the look of delight from the person that I'm giving the item to.

If you're doing this as a business, then monetary profit is your goal.
First, you need to find out if there is any demand for what you're interested in making.
Then you need to know exactly how much it costs you to produce the item.

Costs + TAXES + profit = selling price

With that information in hand, only then can you decide if the venture is worth it or not.

You also have to have a good marketing plan, like what "Lynn Doughty" does, to let the world know that you are out there.

[chuckt]

I am going to assume you're talking about carved pieces like relief carvings, or animals/birds, or caricature/holiday etc. - as opposed to architectural or the more "high falutin" sculptural "art" market.

I am no pro so take my thoughts for what they're worth. There have been some articles over the last year in either WCI or Carving Mag (forget which) that address carving as a business and pricing your work. You'll want to seek those out too.

The tricky part is determining the demand side of the equation. You need to look at what others carvings similar to the one's you wish to sell are going for - and you need to be brutally honest regarding your quality. There is usually a range of prices - with the highest prices being commanded by those carvers who have an established reputation and excellent designs. You need to honestly assess where in that range you fall. When you first start out - it may be at the lower end. At the same time - most folks seem to make the beginners mistake of setting prices too low. But the reality is that you'll likely not be able to charge enough to feel like your time is being adequately compensated. So if you're looking for the satisfaction of a sale or to cover costs, that's realistic. If you're looking to make an actual profit or for fair compensation for your actual time, that's MUCH tougher but achievable if you have a plan and are diligent. If you think this is a path to fame & fortune . . . well, you probably already realize that's near impossible. :-)

I am sure you'll get more input from those who've done this and have actual experience. The above is just what I've gleaned from reading. Like you - if that day ever comes for me, I'd like to go into it aware. So I am always reading up on this topic.

ChuckT

[DManning]

Hit as many "Craft Fairs", etc. as you can in as large of an area as you can. This will give you an idea of what is moving, what isn't selling, the quality of your "competition", and the prices that are working.
Keep in mind that:
1. Prices at these things are adjusted to cover space rental, permit fees, taxes, etc., that you wouldn't necesarily need if you are selling from "home".
2. Different areas attract higher prices. "Tourist" areas usually bring higher prices than selling at the old Drive-in swap meet.

Another avenue to (cautiously) check out is what woodcarvings are selling for on E-Bay. Once again inflated pricing and it's hard to judge the quality from photos, but, it gives a ballpark idea of the market.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Dan

[Mitchell]

previous discussions
Help with pricing my work, please :)

Question for those who sell carvings!

Making Money

Pricing & selling

Selling carvings

Pricing/Selling

[Clifford_Parker]

I figure prices like this.

Materials + Time + any other expenses = total cost
Total cost X 3 = Retail Pricing

(tip) If your carvings aren't selling RAISE your prices!! People often equate price with quality.

[agaboric]

Wow! thank you every one for the advice it is great I will take all of it into account when I start selling my stuff!
Thanks
Andy

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Here's how you figure prices the American way:

1. Start out real low.
2. If it sells a few times raise your price a bit, but not too much too quickly.
3. If it stops selling that gives you a pretty good idea of what the limit is.

How much time or how costly the materials really has nothing do to with the actual selling price. The person or people buying the article determine that. You can put $1000 dollars worth of effort in a piece and it won't sell for a $1. On the other hand I've seen where someone has put about a $1 worth of effort in something and it sells for a $1000. It's a complete crap shoot.

One thing we retired, hobby carvers have going for us is we don't have to depend on our work for support. We do it for the fun of doing it so anything we might make from it is pure gravy.

Another thing you always should remember is you will probably never be God's gift to the carving world no matter how good you might think you are so don't go delusional thinking the world will soon be ringing your doorbell. They won't! So just have fun along with the rest of us.

[Ron T]

Originally Posted by Lynn O. Doughty

Here's how you figure prices the American way:

1. Start out real low.
2. If it sells a few times raise your price a bit, but not too much too quickly.
3. If it stops selling that gives you a pretty good idea of what the limit is.

How much time or how costly the materials really has nothing do to with the actual selling price. The person or people buying the article determine that. You can put $1000 dollars worth of effort in a piece and it won't sell for a $1. On the other hand I've seen where someone has put about a $1 worth of effort in something and it sells for a $1000. It's a complete crap shoot.

One thing we retired, hobby carvers have going for us is we don't have to depend on our work for support. We do it for the fun of doing it so anything we might make from it is pure gravy.

Another thing you always should remember is you will probably never be God's gift to the carving world no matter how good you might think you are so don't go delusional thinking the world will soon be ringing your doorbell. They won't! So just have fun along with the rest of us.

Hi Lynn,

That's a very nice answer and coming from a carver who I have a lot of respect and admiration for just raised the level another notch. I would forgive a carver as good as you are for some attitude, but I'm glad I don't have to.

[Simplyme]

I agree with Lynn in that price is hard to set.

I saw a painting that to me looked like a blank canvas sell for $35,000.

I mean it was a white canvas...........WHITE.