Pet Peeves

[Lyra P iCraft Writer]

As a newbie to the craft scene, I need the inside scoop for iCraft - What do you hate most about the arts + crafts world?  Let us inside, do a little venting... share your frustrations!

Is it how people don't appreciate homemade pieces enough?
Misconceptions about crafty people?  
Overpriced supply stores?

Bring on the rants!  :twisted:

[Dancing Monkey Jewelry]

I would say all of the above.

I think people associate "crafts" as "cheap" and expect the prices to reflect their expectations (real cheap prices).

[Lyra P iCraft Writer]

yes, that's unfortunately so true.  people expect to get dirt-cheap bargains and don't realize how much time, effort AND money is put into producing high quality products!

i'm sadly slightly guilty of this myself, as i'm new to this world.. i'm getting seriously addicted though. and i honestly don't even really care if the price is around the same, or even higher -- i'd way rather give my money to someone who deserves it than some lame corporation

haha... maybe we can turn it into a revolution of sorts

[Roberta Murray]

Okay you asked for it! I moonlight as a fibre artist (actually I've been involved in the fibre arts for over 10 years, so I'm actually moonlighting as a photographer!), and the expectation of cheap comes from many angles. It has always been my cause to encourage artists (no matter what medium they are working with) to place value on the work they do and charge a fair and honest price for their work.

Most craft artists make less than labourers in third world countries. Consumers lobby corporations to quit exploiting workers from these countries, but no one is lobbying for artists to earn a fair wage. On many sites you will see items priced so low you know the person isn't even covering the cost of materials.

I can't understand why people would do that. They are losing money, and lowering the standard of that craft. Also, if artists price and sell cheap goods, consumers can't be expected to respect the craft industry.

When you price an item you need to consider the cost of your materials, any tools that are used, your time (not only in producing the item but in marketing it too), any marketing expenses you incur (photographs, advertising, websites, business cards, etc.).

I've gone on long enough. Are you sorry you asked?! :-)

Cheers,
Roberta

[Lyra P iCraft Writer]

haha, no i'm definitely not sorry!!

that is so true. i can relate even from a writer's perspective. many sites exploit writers (especially young ones) offering "internships" and say they'll eventually pay you, but never do. but, unless someone could somehow convince every person who wants to be a writer not to work for free, publications still get away with this.

so yes, anyone pursuing a creative career is always at risk of being exploited and underpaid. it's so unfair!!

i hope that with the help of iCraft, artists will be able to sell their pieces at prices that truly reflect all the time and energy that has gone into them.

we'll try to help spread the word!!  it's really true that people don't realize how much supplies can cost, as well as the value of additional time spent when not explicitly "working".  all the outside aspects -- even of having to go shop and buy the products -- that is you working! people fail to take these kinds of things into account... again, i can relate

so let's hope we can open people's eyes and also encourage artists not to undersell themselves!

thanks so much for your reponse! keep them coming

[Dancing Monkey Jewelry]

Roberta:  I support you in your cause.  I'm always shocked at how little value people place on their crafts.  I probably do the same to some extent but I have a formula for my pricing:  the cost of the materials x my hourly rate x 3 (to cover the cost of running my business) = the price I charge.

Martha

icraftgifts.com/martha_hughes

[Decadence2]

I think my biggest rant right now would be that when you are self-employed, making pretty things that people who are not in a creative field dont consider it 'work'.

like I can drive other peoples kids everywhere cause I 'dont have a real job'...

which is why Im on here doing marketing and updating websites at 11:30 and they're watching tv....gah!


brenda

[mlvoc]

hmmmm, i would have to say you have all hit on peeves of mine.
i didn't however, see my favorite:
"hand made" tag put on items that are only "hand made" in the loosest use of the term.
i mean, what is hand made about a computer generated image; or a computer print of a painting or other item?

when digital methods of generating arts and craft are put in the same mix with truly hand made methods the public is confused by it (in my opinion) and of course they buy the less expensive items, for the most part.

dont' get me wrong, i have respect and admiration for digital artists and their works. i just feel they don't belong in the "handmade" aisle.  

anyone else feel the same?

oh, brenda, do i know what you mean!

[Marys Garden]

Brenda - that sounds exactly like my rant on being a stay-at-home mom!   I can drop everything to do anything anyone asks me because it's not like I have anything better to do, I don't work!  Like the kids (5 and 2) are going to take care of themselves, dinner cooks itself, floors vacuum themselves, blah, blah, blah.  It makes you want to tear your hair out!

Of course the story changes when I try to do something different (like my volunteer work or my business).  Then I get asked 'who's going to do this... who's going to do that'!  :roll: Somedays, you just can't win!

Kady

[Decadence2]

I think people associate "crafts" as "cheap" and expect the prices to reflect their expectations (real cheap prices).>>>

I think thats true to a certain extent....BUT....the trick is to find the niche market for your item.
There are a LOT of people who appreciate handcrafted items.
Ive been in business formally since 2004, Im looking for the person who buys handcrafted items because:

1- doesnt have the time to make it themselves and accepts that.
2- knows they dont have the talent or the determination to learn the craft.
3- is willing to spend a little more to have something unique.
4- like to feel good about supporting an artist or a local business.
5- they have a feeling of self-worth and like to treat themselves.

You will ALWAYS have people who will shop at the dollar store for jewellery...and thats fine and dandy.

I dont entirely dismiss that demographic because you never know when their situation (financial for example) might change or that they understand when you explain why your jewellery (or whatev) is more than W-mart....BUT....I do concentrate my efforts on finding that niche market that appreciate and support handcrafted items.

I pick and choose my venues carefully, theres nothing worse than putting a ton of effort into a webstore or a craft show to find that your demographic doesnt visit it!
been there done that, cried on the way home...  :cry:

You have to be a little calculating and distance yourself from your work but also show people you love what you do, you believe in what you do and hope that they love it too...

and Im not sure how this turned into a novel :lol: but kudos for reading this far!  :shock:

brenda

[Decadence2]

i mean, what is hand made about a computer generated image; or a computer print of a painting or other item?

when digital methods of generating arts and craft are put in the same mix with truly hand made methods the public is confused by it (in my opinion) and of course they buy the less expensive items, for the most part. >>>

mmm....i dont know if I agree, really.

I make up collage sheets for artists and it can take me up to an hour or more to scan,repair and refine a single vintage image for the quality I like....I can make a dozen earrings in the same time period.

 Plus the financial investment of software (I can only dream of having photoshop one day!)...

Its a slippery slope to ask how handmade is handmade....compare handsewing to machine sewing for example....

Id rather worry about factory produced items infiltrating the handmade market. Gotta love how you see something unique at a craft market then 6 months later its on the shelf at W-mart! ugh! :twisted:

[Petits Bijoux]

Mine are selling myself and advertising.......... The first is awkward and the second boring!

[HomeOfTheGumbles]

I think my biggest pet peeve (today) is that people seem to think that because my craft is crocheting that it's not worth anything. I've been told that! "No one will pay anything for crocheted items!"

It really bugs me.

[MeMeBevsCreations]

I have to agree with PetitsBijoux. Many do not understand how much time goes into each item, not including the cost of the supplies and everything else involved.

[Valeries Gallery]

I think we will find these opinions in every market - homemade or industrial.  The economy and marketing has made people feel that they are getting the best for less, when actually, the more inexpensive to the consumer, most likely, the most inexpensive it is to make and consequently made with very poor quality.  

We currently live in a throw away world and I personally am happy to see the uprising of recycling and appreciation for quality long lasting items.

With that said, I think that as crafters and artists, we need to be careful not to undersell ourselves and price accordingly.  

Fortunately, I do believe there is a market for those consumers who appreciate and will purchase quality handmade items.

[The Pink Peony]

It drives me crazy when someone sees one of my handbags priced at what I consider to be a very fair price and then the say "I could get the same thing at the store for half that".   :evil:

Well, NO, you can't get the same thing at the store!!!  Each bag I make is unique.  I don't mass produce 1000's of them!  You will not see 5 other people at the mall carrying a bag exactly like yours.

[Cindys Creative Crochet]

Yes I agree with pretty much everyone! People don't really understand that it takes hours to make something, and the supplies aren't free. This is quality because a machine didn't churn it out I had my hands directly on every last surface of this and it's the sturdiest piece of jewelry you'll ever see. Even if it kinda looks like lace.

I crochet wire jewelry, some don't think I CAN crochet wire, it's not really actual crochet. well it is. Or that it's somehow not REAL jewelry because it's crocheted. :roll:   so I can't win on that one, It's not real crochet and it's not real jewelry. I just wear it that way I guess.

[Cupcake n Kisses]

I get flack about the price of my tutu's. I have lowered the price slightly. but I dont think people relieze how much it actually costs to make one. I put in a TON of tulle. spools or ribbons, just to make it special for a child and NOT cheapy. I also live in the Bay Area California. it is expensive here! They also take me hours to make!

[normas bath and body]

I do agree that others don't see the hard work that goes into making anything period.

you take it to the craft fairs, and very little buyers and a ton of sellers, and not to mention how much $$ you're out of too.

make sure if anyone does craft shows to not set up where there are food vendors.

but now that I got into making the handmade, I do appreciate crafters more than ever. gotta love it! :lol:
~Norma

[Hummingbird]

I think a lot of it is a change due to a generational swing.

When i was a kid many moons ago it was the poorer folk who made their own clothes, and other needs. People would look down on you for wearing a handmade dress and I learned to never tell anyone because I was too embarrassed (my poor mom, I'd give anything to take that back).

As I grew up things seem to switch around as art & crafts became more of a leisure time and because of this the cost of supplies also skyrocketed. Arts & Crafts supplies are way too expensive for what we get but they know they can get the price. It has become something that the wealthier or those with lots of time on their hands do. There are exclusive clubs, guilds, forums, you name it. Its become somewhat snobby now.

The craft suppliers don't really care about the cost of you producing your item as long as they make their margin. Often these products are so selective and by keeping art & crafts exclusive clubs etc they can demand and get the prices they want. The lack of competition also helps this and new suppliers see the value in keeping prices high as well.

Anyway, just my 2 cents worth.

[PaintersParadise]

What bugs me the most is these craft fairs charge $3- 400 dollars for a space, no table, no elec.  Where do these people think we can make any money after these fees.  they are the only ones making the money.

[Craft Boutique]

Interesting discussion. I definitely have a problem with hand-made products being associated with "cheap" or "poor quality". I think it's exactly the opposite, and browsing through stores here on iCraft is a good example of that.