How much should I be charging for handmade jewelry? I usually charge $6 for a necklace earrings and bracelet.

Question

People seem to like the items I put together but then they always say I am not charging enough. I want to keep the prices affordable.

People are actually buying so many that it is getting hard for me to keep up. I am just afraid that if I charge more I will lose some of my clients. I am using metal, glass, plastic and wood. I usually get the items at a pretty good deal but it is time consuming. And I never make the same piece.

Answer 1

It depends on the price of the raw materials, how long you spent making the items, as well as where you're selling them. Some places you'll want to sell them at $6, but if you're selling them at an area where you can mark the price up by $2, then by all means do so.

Are these people actually buying your stuff or are they just oohing & ahhing over it? If all they're doing is looking & maybe buying one object, then I wouldn't worry about the prices. While I'm sure they mean it, a lot of times people say stuff like that to sound nice.

Answer 2

I sometimes buy handmade items and if I like something and it's nicely made I'd be willing to pay more than $6 for a single item, let alone a set. I think you're charging too little.

I like things that are wooden and natural and would be happy to spend $20 or $30 for a necklace, earings and a bracelet.

Answer 3

Check this site out:
http://www.etsy.com/category_top.php?top_tag=jewelry

I would check out some of the other artists handmade jewelry and see the prices they list compared to the piece their selling. I'm sure you know what's too expensive, but the not expensive enough factor can get ya;) I've been selling my own jewelry for years, and some pieces are just plain worth more than others...So it's tough for me to tell you whether or not you are charging enough. I would compare on this site, just to see what's reasonable for what you're selling.
Don't sell yourself short;) Hope that helps!

Answer 4

It should be a factor of the cost of the parts, and the time that you spend making it. and only you know what your time is worth. If it's a hobby and your doing it for the love then perhaps you dont care so much. However if this is your job, or a primary way of producing income then you need to make sure that your charging enough to cover the time you put into it.


Nate

Answer 5

My favorite jewelry out of those are earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and sometimes rings. Honestly, I don't wear jewelry that much. Most of the jewelry I wear makes me itch for some reason, so when I wear it I am not too happy. I love your shark head!▼♀☺☻♥↨Ö♪╒

Answer 6

I'd start raising my prices. $6 is hardly worth your time. I've usually in juried art shows. Besides covering my materials, I also have to pay things like booth fees and travel expenses.

At $2 a piece, it would probably be easier to buy all your stock and resell it for at least double what you're charging.

Answer 7

are you making enough money? Your jewellery should pay for the supplies and your time, also, I would charge $6 for each peice and maybe $14 for a set, then they get a deal if they buy all three
what are you using? beads, metal, etc

Answer 8

I don't think $20 for the whole set is unreasonable. I use higher end findings and beads and charge that much just for earrings and people are just as happy paying for them. Good luck!

Answer 9

You might want to check out some of the formulas for pricing that some jewelry makers use, as well as some of their comments on how much one "should" charge:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/business.htm
(... click especially on PRICING & LEGALITIES...)

(that page is on a site that deals mostly with polymer clay, but that Business page should apply to most any craft as well)


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 10

Depends on the initel priseline of the base materials + time and effort. Try LoveBites and Bruises, they give you examples of how to make the most out of DIY jewellery.