Wendy Rosen on fri 12 dec 97
Although formulas for pricing make us all feel more "comfortable" I must
remind you that a formula is a LEFT brained approach to pricing... on the
other hand the real world evaluates an item on more subtle aesthetic terms
and every artist must consider the more RIGHT brained approach to
pricing... WHAT THE MARKET WILL BARE !!! Both approaches are "right" and
useful and each serve their own purpose. The left brained approach keeps
you thinking of time, efficiency and cost... and the market approach keeps
you looking for new ways to add VALUE without adding alot more expense. The
really creative task is how to add value without adding effort!
Wendy :)
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Oriental carpets are priced by the sq. inch and by the number of knots per sq.
>inch. Makes sense to me. When my students ask how to price, I tell them the
>$2/pound method (I read this ages ago) and $0.50/ handle, knob spout,
>whatever. Problem is. . the better (lighter) they get, the less the pot is
>priced. So then we have to discuss the quality of a piece, how well it is
>made, can one made another as good or better (hopefully yes). Pricing is a
>very subjective experience and I still have difficulty with it. Obviously we
>all do.
>Marcia in Montana
>(5 days and we are on vacation!!!!)
>
>Dannon Rhudy wrote:
>>
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> ........ How does one sell oil paintings by the inch?.......
>>
>> Oh, Marshall, I hate to tell you this, but many, many painters
>> price their work by the square inch; they believe it is the
>> only logical and reasonable and EASY thing to do. Indeed, in
>> college painting courses, the instructors TOLD their students
>> (my experience) that that was the way to do it.
>>
>> When their work/reputations indicate, they raise the cost/inch.
>>
>> Dannon Rhudy
>> potter@koyote.com
>>
>> Who has nothing whatsoever else to say on this subject
*******************************************
Wendy Rosen
The Rosen Group
Niche & AmericanStyle Magazines
http://americanstyle.com
3000 Chestnut Ave #304 Baltimore, MD 21211
Voice: 410/889-3093 Fax: 410/243-7089
*******************************************
David Hendley on sat 13 dec 97
Wendy wrote:
>The really creative task is how to add value without adding effort!
I know that we all need to make a living to survive,
but this is the kind of thinking that leads to flashy
objects that catch the eye but have no depth.
Anything that truly adds value requires effort!!!
The effort may not be directly attributable to that particular
piece, such as years of working on the same form so it is refined,
but the effort is still there.
Speaking as a consumer, I have bought countless things that,
after I've had them a while, I realize have less value than
I was lead to believe.
Adding perceived value without effort or expense is the
battlecry of industry.
I try to take the opposite approach with things I make.
Part of my definition of a good pot is that it reveals itself slowly.
I want my customers, after having my pot for a while, to think
it is worth MORE than they paid for it. To enjoy using it MORE
than they imagined they would. To appreciate subitlities that
were not perceived in the shop when they bought it.
Idealistic? Yes.
Bad business? I don't know, maybe.
But a noble goal.
By the way, the only thing the market has BARED to me
could best be described as "Full moon over Miami".
Ever the contrarian,
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
At 08:34 AM 12/12/97 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Although formulas for pricing make us all feel more "comfortable" I must
>remind you that a formula is a LEFT brained approach to pricing... on the
>other hand the real world evaluates an item on more subtle aesthetic terms
>and every artist must consider the more RIGHT brained approach to
>pricing... WHAT THE MARKET WILL BARE !!! Both approaches are "right" and
>useful and each serve their own purpose. The left brained approach keeps
>you thinking of time, efficiency and cost... and the market approach keeps
>you looking for new ways to add VALUE without adding alot more expense. The
>really creative task is how to add value without adding effort!
>
>Wendy :)
>
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
See David Hendley's Pottery Page at
http://www.sosis.com/hendley/david/
MGibb21521 on sat 13 dec 97
Wendy,
It is nice to hear some reinforcement for "what the market will bare" pricing.
Basically this has always been a major consideration when I price my work.
Two reasons this works well for you:
1. It keeps you "out there" looking at similar work, not similar work, what
is selling what is not and what kinds of prices are being paid.
2. In addition to paying attention to the prices you are keeping up with what
is being sold, made, admired and left to die on the shelves. An important
awareness if your plans for your work is to sell it (so you can make more!)
This has always worked well for me, (I also come from 15 years of retail
management and I guess it is really instilled in me to "comparitive shop" and
see what the "market"is looking toward.
Marie Gibbons
Arvada CO
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