Thats right... Im having another sale!!

After....

Its one of those weeks (and i dont see an end in sight), where I cant get my mind to settle down. Its always making lists, thinking ahead, prioritizing things that need to get done before the show. Actually beyond the show- my fingers are crossed that I will have MANY orders to fill afterwards. Here's hoping!

As Im getting closer and closer to the Buyers Market, Im slowly crossing things off of my to-do list. One of the biggest things on the list is my catalog and line sheet. Im working on finishing up my line sheet but have reached a bit of a road block. Its time to plug in my prices-both wholesale and retail, and i find myself going back and forth between raising the prices and keeping them the same.

So far, Ive felt my work was fairly priced, and i was happy with what i was getting for each piece. Then again, so far Ive only done retail shows, so ive been getting double what I will be getting in February. My work is all hand made from start to finish, so every piece has a lot of time and love put into it. I know all makers can relate. When its time to put that price tag on, you cant help but think of all the time, and steps that goes into each and every piece. Of course, ive done the traditional cost of material, labor and mark up equation, but it doesn't always seem to match up with what i think is a good price. Sometimes its too low, and sometimes too high.
I guess the bottom line is- i dont want to undercut myself, and i dont want to be too greedy. Its a fine line to walk.

Im curious about the implied value a high price tag adds versus the amount of sales a low price tag can get me. Which one is better for an artist just starting out. (in a bad economy no less!)

Just throwing that out there...my current dilemma.... too raise or not to raise, that is the question.

I really try to stay positive on my blog and not complain. Who wants to hear that....? But something just happened to me that I am SO mad about, i dont think i will feel better until i vent it...

Its official. My little bird will be cast this week and available soon in my shop and at market!

Although Philly is still 5 weeks, I feel like its getting down to the wire when it comes with creating new work and designs. Im ready to finalize my catalog, and stop thinking about it!

I spent a wonderful day with my good friend Annie in her studio. I got to ask her a million questions about wholesale shows, and got her opinion on lots of things too. Although i am appropriately nervous about this adventure, she helped to calm me down and re-prioritize.Her intern, Lizzie, has been helping me out with the production of new work for the show as well. Thanks Lizzie!

This year I have 2!

1. Stay in better contacts with the people I love. Im ofter amazed at the amount of time that goes by between talking too, or seeing good friends and family. Im sorry guys. Im gonna change that.

2. Not be such a people pleaser. and just say "no" sometimes.... imagine!


Here is a photo of a pillow I made over the holidays. Its over stuffed and quite large with a patchwork front. Casey has been thoroughly enjoying it, as you can see...

Its the first day of 2009, and Im back at it!! What a whirlwind this whole holiday season has been! I can hardly believe its all over. We got to spend time with family, enjoy good food, catch up with old friends, and just relax.

Santa was very good to me this year! It was definitely a handmade/domestic themed Christmas. Ive been cooking recipes from my new Rachel Ray cookbook, using the new crockpot, and sipping some new wines! (Im trying really hard to like red wine- no luck yet!) My mom found lots of treasures on etsy for me, and even got me a sewing machine! Its heaven!! I never thought i could be so domestic!

Another way cool present my step mom got me was a bag of geodes. I got to crack theses open myself too!! So far ive only been strong enough to break one open! But i was happily suprised by what i found inside:
I dont know what it is about these stones..but i just love them!

Casey and I went to PA with my mom yesterday to go antiquing. She was looking for treasures for her jewelry, and i was looking for vintage sewing supplies and stuff for my Philly booth design (t-6 weeks.....AGHHHHHH). Here are some vintage bottons i scooped up!
So i have been in major show planing mode. I just decided on my booth layout, and that answered questions i had to resolve. Now I jsut need to make some more new work...but thats the fun part!!