I have had my eye on this hat since October of last year on Etsy. The hat still sits and sits problem is she wants 45.00 for the hat. Which mind you is not such a bad price but for me to buy it for a doll! Ok I know what most of you are thinking Cheryl has completely lost every single ounce of sanity that she once possessed. But I can't help it gosh just look at it. It has Miss Somebody written all over it. Now the most I have spent for a hat to place on a doll was *clears throat* 25.00 dollars. Ok ladies you can all get up from the floor now and stop laughing. This all goes to say I never cared what it cost to me to make a doll if that what it takes to make the spirit of that doll come alive for me.
Now I did contact the seller and asked her if she would consider negotiating the price with me and of course the answer was no.....sigh just think that hat has been sitting there since October. My question now to everyone is to what expense would you go to making a doll your dream? I had someone yesterday try to break it down to me that I am just give away dolls because I don't take in account the labor nor do I take in consideration how much money it cost to put the whole doll together. I just hate cutting corners, most of the fabric I use is reproduction colonial or civil war fabric which I spend anywhere between 8 - 11.00 a yard for which most of the skirts I use a yard in a half of fabric and around two yards for the dresses. Ok now let me stop rambling off I guess I am just a little down over a old Vintage Hat.
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~!
I am so with you on the vintage hats Cheryl! I collect them myself but I actually wear them LOL.
ReplyDeleteI am also with you via the price of dolls. Just as an example, I sell most of my Baby Giants around 137.00 and once I add up the cost of supplies and then add the amount of time it takes me to make one (approx 15 hours start to finish) I am working for very little. It's a hard spot right now though as the economy is poor so I tend to try and keep my prices the same. I do see a point down the road where I may have to add a little as supplies have even gone up more since my first BG. My Uht Ohs are priced around the same but I am not sure what to do with them as the fabric that I make them from is no longer being made. I do have a decent stock of it though so that's atleast nice but my main line of Uht Ohs range 22-27 inches tall and they are chubbers lol eeeeeee.
I was once told the normal pricing method was to add up your cost in supplies and then multiply that by 5, I am still even selling under that.
Sorry I am not of much help here but please know you are not alone lol and it's a very hard thing to find a comfort zone in I think.
Big hugs!
Xoxoxxx Ree
Oh Ree that is exactly my point as well with the economy being so bad right now I can't find myself asking but so much for my dolls. If my doll make a person happy then it is ok with me. My most expensive dolls sell for 150 only a few I have ever sold for 200. The prices always have been between 75 to 150. I was given the same calculations as well heck I remember those calculations from way back in the late 70's when I was doing ceramic lol. Oh and I also wear the vintage hats along with using the vintage handbags oh so glam lol
ReplyDeletePeace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~!
Love the hat! Im a new follower to your blog,I love dolls.cant wait to visit again soon.
ReplyDeleteOH My Mammy hats...I am with all of you...I wear hats all year round...fur head muffs in the winter and many hats in the summer...And yes the price of dolls is a dilemna...I can tell you I give away my dolls, the price doesn't even cover my costs...not even close. For me it is more of a hobby, My accountant just freaks when he sees my expenses...new machines, new materials, new tools...you all know it...But here is the scoop. for me and I am just talking me..the Payback for me is I get to share something of me with people who actually love my dolls..the rewards come in different forms...wait you will see, I will share that with you someday...There are amazing rewards..anyway, I am blogging in hopes I don't miss you too much lol...
ReplyDeleteno peeking...I am ready...( psst, place a pic of hat everywhere..it will show up) wink..
blessings ms
I start my dolls on eBay at 9.99 and let the market dictate how far they will go. Sometimes for a little, and sometimes for a lot. The one thing I have noticed is that there is a lot of people who like a good deal and that gets the bidding going.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to sell on Etsy, that would be different story. I was told a long time ago that the formula for pricing a doll, is to add up the cost of all of your supplies, then times it by 2 and add 10% to that number.
I do like the vintage hat!! I hope I see it on one of your beautiful dolls someday.
Dear Cheryl, I have a gift for you, please stop by my blog and pick it up when you have time! xoxox Christel
ReplyDeleteI love your work and your blog!
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you. Hope you can stop by and pick it up!
Warmly, Marcie ;-)
http://marciehart-aworkofhart.blogspot.com/
knock knock....anyone home...just taking a moment to say WE MADE IT lol. luving ya to bits...blessings ms
ReplyDeleteOh my I see I have new followers thanks Becky and Marcie. Christel and Marcie thanks so much for the award. I will be following each of you as well. Yes Samm whew made it. I will have a post later on.
ReplyDeletePeace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~!
Cheryl, that is why I am not sure the handmade thing is for me. I love your mammies. I love their dresses and the stories and the hats but $45 is a bit much. I hate to see what people sell their handmade things for. At that price I prefer to give them away. Have you tried eBay for hats? You can get a bunch on there cheaper I think. Then you could repurpose the ones you don't like.
ReplyDelete