First Bead Show... Need pricing help... Warning Thread Hog!!

[Katiefl]

I am going to do my first show next month and I dont have a clue on how to price. I have researched all the threads here on the subject, but would like some more specific advice.
Here are some examples of what I have...If some of you experienced bead show people wouldnt mind giving their 2 cents worth, I would so appreciate it.
I hate to go to my first show, and either under sell other lampworkers, or over price and not sell a thing.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011510.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011508.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011525.JPG

[Katiefl]

some more...
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011528.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011506.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011535.JPG

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1011533.JPG

[Katiefl]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jan-2006/32799-P1021491a.jpg

[Alan Cross]

Those are great Katie but you have to price them how much you think you have into them for materials and time plus a bit for profit...each person's idea of value will be different but good luck!
Alan :)

[Crazy Woman]

Pricing is such a hard thing. I sometimes don't like a set and put a really low price on it and it's the first one gone... One I think is awsome.... never sells... go figure....

[RoyalBead]

Katie,
I know, it is very hard to do. The last show I did, I had a lot of sets and they were selling out fast. My friend (who taught me to lampwork) told me they were too low. Next show I raised the set price by $10.00 and they still sold. Sometimes you have to experiment the first time around. It they are selling really fast, raise the price a little. If they are still selling fast, raise it again. If they aren't selling, find out if everyone else is having a bad show too. If they aren't then your prices may be too high or it may not be the type of show you want to be in. Hope that helps a little. ( :
Love the bunny earrings!:clap:

[Katiefl]

Lori, I looked at some of your past auctions,i see what you have set your starting bids at... is that about what you set your bead sets at for the show, or higher than that?

[RoyalBead]

My sets at shows are usually higher than that. I was selling sets of 9-11 round beads at the show( they are bigger than most people's round beads) for $80 a set. They all sold so I changed it to $90 and they still sold. If I went any higher, they didn't. It is different for everyone though. If you are going to sell sets at a show, I think it is better to do some smaller sized sets at good prices. Focals may do well, but keep in mind that a majority of jewelry sales right now are bracelets. I think there are more bracelet wearers than necklace wearers. Which stinks because I LOVE to make necklaces.

[RobynT]

No pricing help from me...but good luck at the show!!! You have some great stuff!!

[Katiefl]

Thanks everyone! But lets see if I can squeeze a price out of one of you :) I have a lot of sets like the little clown one... beads alone, no pendants... what would you ask for this set? 14 accent beads... would $60 be too high or low?
Or like the pink and purple enamel set, 7 lentil beads, would say $50 be too high or too low?
Now like the bunny earrings, I was thinking of asking $20 would that be out of line for them? If I were to put them on ebay, I would start them at 20, but probably wouldnt get much more than that for them.
BTW its not a big show, and just here in Tampa, I know that makes a bit of a difference.

[Katiefl]

Oh and dont worry about hurting my feelings, Be candid... thats what I am looking for honesty!!! :) :) :)

[starlightdesigns]

Hi Katie,

Well, it's really hard to tell others how they should price their beads, and I was once in your shoes, pleading with WCers for some pricing help.

Someone finally stepped in and told me what THEY did for a show, which helped immensely, so now I'll tell you what I've been doing for a show.

First off, forget ebay pricing. Ebay is not a show and a show is not ebay. They do not compare.

I sell pressed bead sets (lentils, lozenges & the like) for about $5.50 per bead.

Bead squeezed beads are a little bigger, so I'll price those out at about $6.00 per bead.

If it's a simple design (just a base color rolled in frit) I might price them 50 cents lower, or if it's a real complicated design, I might even price them higher.

My basic encased floral focals range from $15 to $22, depending on complexity of design.

My other focals like hearts and bicones and such range from $12 to $18, with some that are intricately decorated as high as $32.

Simple round sets are priced at $2 per bead, decorated rounds at $3 per bead.

Spacer sets sell well, so don't forget those! I price them out at $10 for a set of ten.

With this pricing structure, I've done very well at shows...

I really hope that helps you!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Hugs,

[hummingbird72]

Hi Katie,

Well, it's really hard to tell others how they should price their beads, and I was once in your shoes, pleading with WCers for some pricing help.

Someone finally stepped in and told me what THEY did for a show, which helped immensely, so now I'll tell you what I've been doing for a show.

First off, forget ebay pricing. Ebay is not a show and a show is not ebay. They do not compare.

I sell pressed bead sets (lentils, lozenges & the like) for about $5.50 per bead.

Bead squeezed beads are a little bigger, so I'll price those out at about $6.00 per bead.

If it's a simple design (just a base color rolled in frit) I might price them 50 cents lower, or if it's a real complicated design, I might even price them higher.

My basic encased floral focals range from $15 to $22, depending on complexity of design.

My other focals like hearts and bicones and such range from $12 to $18, with some that are intricately decorated as high as $32.

Simple round sets are priced at $2 per bead, decorated rounds at $3 per bead.

Spacer sets sell well, so don't forget those! I price them out at $10 for a set of ten.

With this pricing structure, I've done very well at shows...

I really hope that helps you!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Hugs,

This is really great information! I haven't planned to do any shows yet, but it is inevitable that I will so this is valuable to know! Thank you both...Katie for posting the question, and everyone else for their answers! :)

Terrific beads, Katie! I really like the sets...pretty colors, but the clown, bunnies, and fish are so clever! :)

[Katiefl]

Thanks everyone, for the terrific comments and help... and Debby, I really appreciate the information, I was struggling just to come up with a starting point, you certainly gave me something to work with.

Thank you :clap: :clap:

[starlightdesigns]

You're welcome, Anna and Katie!

WC is such a great place. I've learned a LOT here, so I was really delighted to help!

Hugs,

[Kayzee]

Katie,
I read once about selling via a board which had various colored dots with a price next to the dot, each dot represented a price ($6, $10,$40,$50, $75.) Each piece then had a corresponding colored dot. By matching the dot on the glass to the dot on the board, the purchaser determined the price. She went on to say, she strolled the show, viewed others and came back, replaced the board which showed the prices with another board with lower or higher prices. She also said at the close of the show, last day of a multi day show etc., she often replaced the original prices with lower prices just so she got rid of more.

This probably reads like it's difficult and confusing. However, I have attended shows and seen it in practice. It is quite easy to follow.

It saves you from having to changes prices on individual pieces.

Perhaps you already knew about this manner of pricing.
I also have a friend who lives in FL and comes to the midwest during summer. She told me she figures she must make 11 beads an hour for her finished bracelets to begin at $40.00. That conversation was in 2004, perhaps prices will be higher. Everything seems to be increasing!

Good luck at your show!
K