LotusMira

I'm a little late posting my weekly team feature-but I think this shop is worth the wait. LotusMiraGe Ephemera has an electic mix of items featuring  vintage imagery, found items, and ephemera. She thinks there is a lot of value both in the artistic chaos of collage, as well as in the simple beauty of something classic.

I find her two sided pendants and bracelets fascinating. I love the imagery.

One of the things many artisans struggle with is placing a value on their work. While wanting to be affordable, we often undervalue our work. I like the piece that she has about this in her shop profile:

As Mary Ann Williams writes:


"I believe that many artists don't put a high enough value on what they do. Many work for pennies. Some do it 'just to earn enough to buy more supplies.' Unfortunately, in doing so, they are educating the public not to appreciate what they do, or at least not the time they have spent on it.

"We have educated the public in thinking that most artists are hobbyists and this is something 'extra' that they do to earn a few bucks. I have seen some beautiful work done by excellent craftsmen and have heard the buying public say 'can you believe what they want for that????' Most times, the prices compared to the hours spent have meant the artist is working for less than minimum wage. Many talented artists are discouraged from continuing their craft because they can't make a living at it and we are thus deprived of the beauty they could create and we could enjoy. Many people think nothing of spending $100 on a dinner out but wouldn't spend $100 on a piece of art that they could have forever. It's because they don't value it the same. It's not because they can't afford it."

http://www.thebeads.com/articles/pricing.phtml
 
How often have you felt that you have to price your items "cheaply" to sell them. Pricing should take into account your supplies, overhead-things like utilities, rent, insurance, advertising as well as wages and a fair profit for yourself.
 
I am slowly raising my prices, realizing that I have not been taking all this into account. When potential customers come into your shop, what perception do they have? Are you an artisan that values your own work?
 
Thanks LotusMira, for reminding us about this.
 
To find out more about LotusMira:
http://LotusMira.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/LotusMira
http://www.lotusmira.com/

... and search for "Lotus MiraGe Ephemera" on Facebook!