tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916622420471059281.post7776356361025609029..comments2023-06-07T11:23:13.775-05:00Comments on What's On My......: Is their a minimum price for fine craft?Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05029942907223672805noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916622420471059281.post-41795091312631879432007-03-25T08:09:00.000-05:002007-03-25T08:09:00.000-05:00Karrin, thank you for your thoughtful comment. Yo...Karrin, thank you for your thoughtful comment. You are right that fine craft could not possibly be made in this price range at the quality that you are talking about. I could not agree more with you. <BR/><BR/>But there is craft that is beautiful, thoughtful, and creative out there and selling for $25, and appropriately so. In the post on your blog, you are referring to socks made overseas. I agree that they do not have the elements that you see as essential. <BR/><BR/>It is rare, it is not easy to find, but I do know it is possible. But that number is probably about as low a price as anyone could realistically go, and it is probably close to the breaking point.<BR/><BR/>Not all craft that people fall in love with is made by master craftspeople. But not everyone could possibly afford work of a master. But if we limit our defintion of craft that is made with care, attention and skill by price, do we possibly create an elitism that will only serve to further harm the overall craft market? The market cannot support a product that is limited to the work of the masters.<BR/><BR/>I know of a few galleries that generates some great cash flow with "those socks" but also have work from masters. In order for galleries to be strong and vibrant financially, they must consider the pocketbook of the consumer. They can show them work to aspire to as well as work they can afford. This psychology will keep them coming back and keep the gallery in business. <BR/><BR/>Your work is stunning. I saw it in person in New York in December and I stopped and gasped at the beauty of the pieces. Your materials and the care and attention absolute demand a price far, far above the $25. But I don't think you can directly translate that into the work of others.Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029942907223672805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916622420471059281.post-88247182887340941692007-03-24T20:41:00.000-05:002007-03-24T20:41:00.000-05:00Of course you can make something that reflects the...Of course you can make something that reflects the head, heart and hand of the maker and sell it for less than $25. Even if it took you a year to make.<BR/><BR/>What you can NOT do is make a living -paying for the heat, telephone etc.with health-care for you , flea protection for your pets, a cellphone to stay in touch with family while on the road.... all paid for in the US.<BR/><BR/>If you use Wendy Rosen way to estimate the retail price of something you made, in place of detailed calculations, time and materials to make the item is 1/6th of the retail price. Thus the $25 item has $4.61 for time and materials. If we say the materials were free the maker gets $10/hr you have just bought 25 mins. total of her time including some design thoughts and sourcing. I'm not sure that is what I want from a master craftsman.<BR/><BR/>I do understand your point about making without without understanding the consequence of working effeciently. Creativity can be applied to how you do it not just what you do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916622420471059281.post-63332994774680320162007-02-01T18:00:00.000-05:002007-02-01T18:00:00.000-05:00Judy,
I totally agree that you can put your head,...Judy,<br /><br />I totally agree that you can put your head, hands and heart into a creation and sell it for less than $25.<br /><br />I also think that occassionally we create something that hits us (the artist) so personally and profoundly that no price tag would ever do. Of course, that amount of *head, heart and hands* is a certian rare jewel that most of us would be very blessed to find.Mollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01682919555211176248noreply@blogger.com