Check my prices

coffeecup12 · #1 05-15-2012, 02:04 PM

I will have a booth in a small antique & art festival this weekend in a very small town. I really don't expect to sell anything but I want to get out there and be seen since it is local. As most artist, I find pricing my art to be the most difficult challenge of painting. My doubt over no sales is whether it's the price, the whole economy or is my work just not what the world wants.

I would like to get some opinions here on the prices I have in my online shop. Since this show is in a rural farming town I can't expect much...though there is a lot of old money around. I just plan to have fun. My sister has just started a quilting business and she will be set up with me.

Please let me know what you think of my prices here. Any advice will be appreciated. http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetteadesigns

Thanks

coffeecup12 · #2 05-15-2012, 09:30 PM

No ideas? Really? Wow...

Thanks

Katie Black · #3 05-15-2012, 11:47 PM

Mary, I think your work is lovely, it seems very reasonably priced to me, I am sure the art festival will give you a good idea of what people like and what they are prepared to pay, which will then give you a better understanding for future events..

Also a nice idea might be to promote the fact that you do commissions, as you mentioned it's a rural farming area, probably with many dog owners that might like a painting of their pet...a friend of mine did this at an art fair and received a few orders!

coffeecup12 · #4 05-16-2012, 10:30 AM

Thank you. I'm taking pet portrait samples and hoping for commissions.

**Greg Long** · #5 05-16-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffeecup12

No ideas? Really? Wow...

Thanks

Mary, it would be pointless for someone who does not know your area to comment on your pricing. Also it would help if you provided some further information such as your part of the State or nearest city or large town. Many of the forum members are from diverse areas, some like myself read your post but were unable to provide any comment on your prices as we don't have the information or knowledge. If you wanted a comment on pricing for a show in Dublin, Ireland I could offer a view, but not for a small town in South Carolina, somewhere I've never been. Members could give a view that would be totally useless, or even worse, misleading but nobody did. For this they may deserve a little less sarcasm, and a little more patience.

Bringer · #6 05-16-2012, 03:04 PM

Hi,

Well, like Greg said, prices depend on location. But I guess he'll agree with me when I say that it's still USA and not some third world country (with all due respect that those countries deserve); of course it's not the same as selling on 5th Av.
All this to say that in my opinion, you're prices are more than accessible.
If I saw them at double price, I'd still find them accessible, and I live in a country where the medium wage is near €800 month.

José

Diane Cutter · #7 05-16-2012, 04:17 PM

I saw this earlier today and, as Greg suggested, didn't quite know how to respond.

I agree that your prices are maybe a bit on the low side but the question is... do you want to sell or do you really want to keep them? While it's true that people perceive good art as expensive, you are just starting out. As mentioned, this is a chance to find out what is marketable. Listen to people and what they like or would like to see. If it's a comfortable fit, you can add those ideas for future work. You might even be able to convince someone that they might like to request something, that you can contact them when you've finished. (Of course you could get a deposit along with their personal information.)

Generally, if almost everything sells, next time, raise your prices a bit. If nothing sells it's either the wrong market or the right person hasn't seen it because for those prices you should have buyers. If you have anyone who tells you that you are giving your work away be sure to let them know that they should take advantage of you before you become more well known.

Diane

RobinZ · #8 05-16-2012, 04:47 PM

I think you are a little low. That is, if you have a lot of art to choose from. I am thinking you're going after a more casual art buyer, who wouldn't mind something new. Not the gallery show, in-it-for-the-investment type. And in my experience, with the casual decorating type buyer, the more pieces the better your chances of selling!

Good lluck and have fun!

Use Her Name · #9 05-16-2012, 05:03 PM

I would not automatically assume that rural/farm people are "poor"-- farmers, cattle men, truck drivers-- people dealing with farm stores and tractors, and all the rest that goes with it are usually pulling in pretty good paychecks.

coffeecup12 · #10 05-16-2012, 07:37 PM

To Greg and everyone viewing this thread, I sincerely apologize to all that I offended with my impatience and sarcasm. That was not my intent to hurt. I was honestly surprised that the thread had so many views and no response at all. I'm truly sorry.

Thank you all for your input. Wetcanvas has been my artistic guide for many years. I think for simplicity I will round up my prices to The next "ten" dollar amount and go with it. Some of them will be sold with upcycled frames too.

I'll take pictures of my booth and post later along with my results.

Thanks again!

RobinZ · #11 05-17-2012, 08:31 AM

Best of luck to you, I am interested in hearing how you make out!

Katie Black · #12 05-17-2012, 02:41 PM

Good Luck!

Diane Cutter · #13 05-17-2012, 03:11 PM

Yes, good luck. Let us know how it goes...

And, no you didn't offend... I can understand the frustration of posting something and thinking no one is 'listening'. We are so accustomed to quick responses here on WC because it is so active. Actually the combination of it being better weather and more people are outside instead of at the computer and a kind of hard question had a lot of us quiet for a few hours...

Diane

Skylynx · #14 05-17-2012, 03:46 PM

I will confess I was right behind you, stealing looks over your shoulder for the answers. So, don't feel bad for insisting!

I could have written your question about pricing. Always wondering if I'm asking too much or not enough. Wondering about pricing in areas not so artsy or big city.

What has helped me most is to search the posts on this web site related to pricing and how others figure it. I print out some of the ideas to keep in a file so I can be more sure what to do myself. I feel so much more confidence now to go out and offer my work.

Celia Blanco · #15 05-17-2012, 05:22 PM

I think you do beautiful work, people should be interested. Maybe you should not worry so much about selling at the moment but offering business cards in order to promote your commision work. Another idea might be to set up an easel and paint or sketch as people browse at your booth. I've seen other artists do it and find it very inviting.

Salute to our Partners