And jewelry makers in the house. I need advice.

[LittleClarkie]

I've started making jewelry as a hobby. Every once in a while somebody will ask to buy something. How the hell do you figure out how much to charge? I'm not using really expensive beads or findings yet, just base metals, some glass beads, some dyed limestone, unakite, some plastic iridescences, with some snowflake obsidian and jasper thrown in. Nothing too fancy.

So I make simple bracelets, dangle earrings, and bracelets that take me about an hour, less if I'm just using that elastic stuff to string a stretchy bracelet. Do I charge for my time by the hour? How much per hour should I make?

Any ideas?

[warrior1]

1. check this out

http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/basicbizinfo/a/120505.htm

[LittleClarkie]

4. Cool. Just printed it out. Thanks

That should be handy!

[FloridaJudy]

2. Check out the bead shops in your area

Most of them also sell hand-made jewelry on consignment. Pick out a comparably complicated piece and price yours accordingly. You might also want to take a look at some of the hand-made stuff on E-Bay to get an idea of what stuff sells and the price it fetches.

[LittleClarkie]

3. I'm searching Ebay now per your instructions. It seems some folks are starting their stuff out low

though. I'm trying to find more "Buy it now" pieces. Thanks for the suggestion.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Here's a third idea...

if you have absolutely no intention of actually going into business doing this, simply charge double for the materials and something for your time. This is a variation of the "cost plus" pricing mentioned in the About article.

Cost plus pricing is really the pits for a craft business, though. For that, you have to work fairly hard and find what the local prices for similar articles are. And then do some serious guessing if your stuff is really unique. Ultimately, the market will set your price and if the stuff takes off, and you can maintain your identity against the knockoffs and ripoffs, you can keep raising the price to unspeakable levels. Not many people get to that point, though.

[LittleClarkie]

7. Since I'm just starting out, I forgot to keep track of cost

now I'm left sort of guessing. Maybe a trip to the craft store is in order, to figure out what I bought and what it cost each, not just the package.

And then someone else pointed out there's the cost of the tools and travel time as I hit more than one store.

Up to this point I've resorted to "what do YOU think I should charge" when someone likes a piece. The amounts I've been given for my stuff have varied greatly so far. I tend to undercharge, I think, wanting to charge under $10 for everything. But then I sold a three piece set for $50.

Thanks for the help.

[wildhorses]

6. rule of thumb

cost times 3 ....

[LittleClarkie]

8. Thanks. Now I just gotta figure out what I've spent so far

Including tools and travel.

And I've GOT to stay out of the bead store for a while before I buy more beads. I have enough to make lots of jewelry right now, but I've discovered it's sort of an addiction, buying beads.

[wildhorses]

9. if you get a chance post some pix

would love to see your stuff. here is some of mine (and partner's)