tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post4951356881576332005..comments2024-03-21T10:19:07.720+00:00Comments on Stitches and Seeds: Project WIWTBWIGU: The thing Stitches and Seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-52091620773852020422014-10-23T02:29:09.138+01:002014-10-23T02:29:09.138+01:00OK…so it sounds like I might be a bit late to offe...OK…so it sounds like I might be a bit late to offer my thoughts but for what they are worth, here they are. <br /><br />I too am a person with a billion ideas (many more than I have time in the day to deal with) and I feel unhappy and unfulfilled when I am not making or thinking about making or having just finished making something. This is me since I was a kid. Its what I AM, not just what I do. I like the idea that what I AM can be a job but the most important thing, is to make stuff, money or no. (why my parents were willing to send me off to get a degree in art with ideas like this I have no idea…but God bless them!)<br /><br />This is the formula I use to price my work now. <br />materials + labor +overhead = wholesale x 2 (at least) = retail<br />And yes that makes an item even more expensive but here's the thing, you are correct, the value is actually what the customer is WILLING to pay. So you could say, "that item isn't worth £100 because the customer at the market won't pay that amount". OR you could go to the customers who do value that item at £100 and you do that with great design, marketing and advertising. I know the arguments against this because they were my arguments too when I first started selling my work. But there are people who value the work precisely because they can NOT do what you. And they are the customers you want to reach. <br /><br />But the first joy must always be in the actual making and I think making does not need to mean selling. Genevievehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01896028363300392097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-10961798543444492442014-10-20T21:03:41.986+01:002014-10-20T21:03:41.986+01:00A brilliant mental workout this and its resonated ...A brilliant mental workout this and its resonated with so many of us lol I took a break from selling on stalls to make things for myself and now, 2 years on am not sure I can be faffed by all the logistics and hassle again!<br />I recently fulfilled my first ever commission and frankly loved making the items but again, the cost was actually greater than the payment : )liniecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15643986273499722414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-60115255762660364212014-10-19T13:50:49.039+01:002014-10-19T13:50:49.039+01:00I've got a friend or two stuck with the same d...I've got a friend or two stuck with the same dilemma but seem to have found ways through it. They are all based in Sussex so no competition. Would you like me to put you in touch? I think all of them would say, push the door and nothing counts as a failure just a lesson learned or a memory made. Ceri xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-77719845212895384982014-10-16T14:20:46.980+01:002014-10-16T14:20:46.980+01:00Thanks. A lot to think about! xxThanks. A lot to think about! xxStitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-41897305327951993332014-10-16T14:20:02.469+01:002014-10-16T14:20:02.469+01:00How sensible you are! Sometimes it takes someone e...How sensible you are! Sometimes it takes someone else to state the blooming obvious. Thanks for stopping by. xxxStitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-65645332669859056452014-10-16T14:18:54.420+01:002014-10-16T14:18:54.420+01:00We have been on decluttering acid these last few w...We have been on decluttering acid these last few weeks. The chaps at the tip think I am moving in and the ladies at the salvation army thrift shop fear me darkening their door with another load of stuff!Stitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-67411240040169906502014-10-16T14:16:32.691+01:002014-10-16T14:16:32.691+01:00Yes time is a very illusive thing. Sometimes too m...Yes time is a very illusive thing. Sometimes too much and often too little. xxStitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-21104328984307850412014-10-16T14:15:26.929+01:002014-10-16T14:15:26.929+01:00The trouble is that I have been letting steal my j...The trouble is that I have been letting steal my joy. Not anymore, from now on if I am sharing the joy then it is on my terms. xxStitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-33458775177274295322014-10-16T14:13:56.491+01:002014-10-16T14:13:56.491+01:00Ahh ones own advice is often the hardest to hear, ...Ahh ones own advice is often the hardest to hear, let alone follow...Stitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-2696522241013952112014-10-16T14:13:16.578+01:002014-10-16T14:13:16.578+01:00Hello Sophie, Thanks for stopping by. I was thinki...Hello Sophie, Thanks for stopping by. I was thinking of you actually when I was contemplating whether and how to write this post. I remembered your dilemma about the potential to sell some of your beautiful Hettie Brown dresses it was quite eye opening to see someone else thinking about these things. xxxStitches and Seedshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035286337889153261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-67882591075828332472014-10-16T12:54:57.773+01:002014-10-16T12:54:57.773+01:00I think you are more likely to make money from the...I think you are more likely to make money from the teaching route. The problem with making to sell is people do not appreciate the time and work that goes into creating the item unless they stitch themselves and if they do they are more likely to make the article rather than buy it ready made does that make sense?<br /><br />I am sure there will be an opening for you to do classes as the colleges do not seem to offer anything for the stitcher and there seems to be more interest in learning to stitch, I think the tv channel create and craft has helped here. Best of luck to you whichever path you go down.margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14225676137708827434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-10174765415812945642014-10-15T14:07:09.093+01:002014-10-15T14:07:09.093+01:00Simple really, if you need to then do. If you don...Simple really, if you need to then do. If you don't need to 'financially' then don't. You are lucky if you don't need to as then you get to keep it all, give it away etc. Money doesn't validate you and your worth although all too many people think it does. If you sell then do so at the proper price. No, many can't afford it but that is it's true worth and why should you do it for free? They can take it or leave it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-17594920873845198382014-10-15T09:06:42.705+01:002014-10-15T09:06:42.705+01:00Yes, all these are indeed difficult issues.....Ets...Yes, all these are indeed difficult issues.....Etsy might be a good place to start as the overheads are minimal?! Glad you're settling back into life here, what a lot of boxes! There's one thing, a great opportunity to de clutter! :) xxxVintage Sheet Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027266547200808397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-3885092885068849892014-10-14T17:38:05.051+01:002014-10-14T17:38:05.051+01:00I'm nowhere near talented enough to sell my ma...I'm nowhere near talented enough to sell my makes, but even if I were, I doubt I'd do it because of the worry of it all. I'm such a worry wart, I'd stress myself out. I think you have to be very lucky to make a decent living out of this game, but some people are willing to pay what a hand crafted item is worth because they value that item and realise the work that's gone in to it. Unfortunately, many others won't pay it's worth because in this day and age, most people are after something for nothing, sadly. Good luck if you do decide to go for it.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-18943218138005432402014-10-14T17:28:06.688+01:002014-10-14T17:28:06.688+01:00I couldn't teach , I just have no patience, as...I couldn't teach , I just have no patience, ask the kids....but I love to make , sometimes I get a bit carried away and there's half finished stuff everywhere, but it's winter soon so I can kid myself I will have more timekate steeperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05772776996207438308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-43064250222799380152014-10-14T16:31:48.366+01:002014-10-14T16:31:48.366+01:00Well I could have written that post.....maybe not...Well I could have written that post.....maybe not as eloquently as you but still..... for every positive aspect there are 10 negatives that just pull me down.......... Everybody wants a piece of the pie...... And in the end i think it just makes no sense to try to sell my things.....but oh how i would love to find them homes..... to think of my art or crafts gracing someone elses home is just a magical idea to me..... My art out there in the world. And i tell myself if nothing else...make just enough money to keep me in art supplies...... :) But how to go about it? Here in California ... you have to have a business license and seller's permit...more $$$ .......so for now i just sit and stew about it.......make things...decorate my home with them......give a few to friends and family or have a giveaway on my blog now and then...... Either i'll figure it out one day or i won't but i refuse to let it steal my joy... :) Hugs! debjinxxxygirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12349344319328467284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-79721137587230589222014-10-14T16:30:34.386+01:002014-10-14T16:30:34.386+01:00What's the harm in giving it a go - they are a...What's the harm in giving it a go - they are all reversible decisions. Maybe thinking about it is worse than actually doing it! Have a go and don't be afraid of making somme mistakes or changing your mind.<br />Having said all of that, wish i'd follow my own advice :)<br />PennyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5281766033122528610.post-83850524260345649052014-10-14T15:51:17.822+01:002014-10-14T15:51:17.822+01:00hello eleanor, blimey this post has really struck ...hello eleanor, blimey this post has really struck a cord with me...only last night i re-opened my etsy shop thinking towards maybe starting to sell a few of my makes again, I have no idea why i have done this, its crackers because the weirdest thing happens to me when i decide to sell my things, my creativeness just flys out the window!! its happened before and its happening now, I'm not sure where this need comes from as I have a full time job and really have no time. Any ways i just wanted to thank you for your post its made me think that maybe I should get my head out of the clouds and just realise that what I have it just grand as it is without being the next Alan Sugar!! good luck with your thoughts, xx ps i do hope this garbled comment makes sense xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13831452606024076452noreply@blogger.com