Yesterday I spent the entire day at the Goodwood Organic Farm fun day, manning a stall with all my bits and pieces. I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone that bought something - mostly knitted dogs in their baskets. I must say, the people of Sussex were a very pleasant bunch too!
Whilst there, I met with another on-line pal, Helz and her daughter Chloe. Helz was kind enough to pass on the details of this event to me months ago for which I'm grateful. She's also a talented artist and it was lovely to chat with her 'in the flesh'. It's been quite a surreal week, meeting up with people who I've got to know through the internet and finding out they are just as lovely in real life as they are on my computer!
It was interesting to do a bit of people watching throughout the day - if I had a Pound for every time someone touched and admired the painted wooden daisy pendant or the Country Garden bag, I'd have doubled my profits...and yet they weren't bought. Throughout the afternoon I was visited several times by a little girl who'd obviously fallen in love with a small crochet monkey on my stall but was eventually whisked off by her parents with the words 'we'll come back later'. It was about ten minutes before it was time to pack up and I'd just been remarking that she must have been taken home via the back route to avoid passing the stall, when she came running up with her coins clutched in her hand and finally got her toy!
On a serious note, it's always galling when some people look at your prices and mumble about them being expensive. It didn't happen much yesterday but it did happen. I don't think they realise just how much time and effort goes into the creative process - for example, I charge £15 for a set of knitted dog with knitted coat, basket, blanket, bowl and toy. The dog alone takes about 4 - 5 hours to make; the accessories another two evenings work - 10 hours? So that works out at approximately £1 per hour, not taking into account materials and the know-how. Would anyone else in this country accept that as a rate of pay? I'm not having a whinge (well, perhaps a little!) but it does get my goat!! Luckily, most people are kind and appreciative and they more than cancel out the complainers!
3 comments:
Hi C,
Glad all went well yesterday and you met up with Helz.
People just have NO idea, most handmade stuff is ridiculously cheap, as you pointed out, the hours it takes to make, makes me mad when I hear complaints about prices.
P.
It was great to meet you too Caroline! Chloe adores her little doggy, and has put him to bed each night with his blanket covering him! I am so pleased it was a good event for you.
Helz x
I am glad it went well for you, and I perfectly understand your whinge. It makes me mad too when I hear people complain about prices for handmade items. The thing is a lot of handmade items come from China and other countries and because cost of living and salaries are much lower in those countries the items can be bought/sold much cheaper. We're spoilt with those prices. :-(
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