[Jewelry making - Article 00315] - Re: [Orchid] The cost of holding out

[Jim Reitze]

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    I'd like to make an observation from my experience with pricing.  I
    am based in a retail store, though I am technically independent of
    that store, and I produce my own line of pieces.  The line includes
    charms, wedding bands and some other pieces.  My products are
    produced in small numbers and are labor intensive in terms of final
    assembly and finishing.  The store also sells charms that are
    purchased from sales reps by weight, not by the piece.  They are
    clearly of lower quality finish, but the metals are the same.  I
    simply can't compete with those pieces when they are selling for 1/2
    or less of the price I must charge to be profitable.  The problem
    here, though, (at least in my eyes) is audience.  The store I work
    from draws people who look for low prices above all, for the most
    part.  The better finish, unique designs and the locally handcrafted
    provenance means nothing to most of these people. 

    Now, 2 blocks down the street, there are many shops that draw the
    tourist crowd, and tourism around here is nearly year round.  There
    is also a large number of seasonal residents and retirees in the
    area.  Many of these folks value the very things that are meaningless
    to the others.  As we grow the production part of our business (the
    rest is repair work), we must find ways to tap into the market that
    will pay the price.  If we can't successfully tap those markets, we
    will stop producing rather than go broke selling for less than costs.
     I love making jewelry, but not to the point that I will starve my
    family for the honor. 

    Unfortunately, I don't have the option some in the forum seem to
    have of 'going back to the real world' for employment, while keeping
    the small studio going on the home front.  This is the only 'real
    job' I have ever had, so if I find I can no longer make it after 25
    years in the jewelry trade, I will have to start over in something
    entirely new. Jim in the mountains of NC, where the ski season is
    finally ending so I can have my life back.




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