What is the right price for an unique silk scarf?

[Maria Jürimäe]

Dear fellow silkpainters!

I am quite experienced in silk painting already (have done it for 13 years) but I am really bad in selling.
Maybe some of you could suggest, what would be the appropriate price range to my scarves on international market?
I am asking it because I am planning to open an Etsy shop. I have a web page too, but unfortunately this page is almost not findable in Google, Yahoo, etc - I get about 4 international inquiris . . .per year!, and no one outside Estonia has bouht or ordered anything yet : ((
If you have time you can see my Estonian prices on my web page: http://www.singingscarves.com/for_sale.htm
In local market my prices seem to be quite high, but at the same time I feel that my work is worth even more. . . ; )) and I would not like to be someone from "cheap" eastern Europe and spoil the market. . . But I also don't wont to ask for too much because I need someone to buy my silks too - at least to continue this not very cheap hobby, but my dreams are bigger of course ; ))
What would you suggest?

Looking forward for your advice!
Maria

[Lynn Meek]

Hi Maria - Welcome to Etsy!! Please let me know when your shop will be open and where I can find it. I know there are several silk painters on this site who also have Etsy shops. Pricing is difficult for any kind of art. I was really afraid my prices points were too high for etsy but it hasn't been the case - in fact, I just recently raised my baseline price from $130 to $150 and have several quite a bit higher (my cats for instance). I'm convinced if you have a unique, quality product, buyers will find you on etsy. My suggestion would be to browse thru all the silks on etsy and get an idea of what's out there and the prices shopowners are getting. I decided early on to paint a large size of silk because no one else was doing it and I've found my niche in that. Don't undervalue your time or creativity -- everyone here knows what a challenge silk painting is :)
Let me know if you have any questions about etsy. Lynn www.silksiren.etsy.com

[Maria Jürimäe]

Thanks, Lynn!
Yes, I have already browsed the silks on Etsy, not all - there is so many of them. . . The prices are really from wall to wall - some items seem to be overvalued or undervalued, but it is just my opinion. . . I don't know, how they sell!
You are absolutely right - pricing is difficult for any kind of art. Especially wearable art - a painting on the wall can cost a lot, but the similar painting around neck seems to be something much cheaper ; ))
If the scarf costs too much nobody wants it.
And if the prices are too low it may seem that the items are not so good. . . Sometimes it is true in opposite way too - on my page I have asked a lot (in Estonian context - a bit more than $100) for my best scarves, and some people have still chosen to buy those, even though they cost more than half more than others ; ))

[Pauline Wherrell]

Hi Maria
My suggestion would be that you should have a range of prices so that there is something for everyone. As you have researched the etsy site you know the prices of other silk artists' work so put some of your scarves at the top end price, some at a middle range price and some that are quite quick to create quite cheaply - that way you will get a feel for what type sells. Would love to see your store when it is up and running so be sure to tell us all here its web address.
Pauline

[Heli Talinurm]

Yes, the prices are always a good question. I feel always quite embarrassed when I have to finally mention the price, just because I always feel I ask too much, even though it is actually cheaper than prices mentioned here...But I guess you should just follow your own 'gut feeling' 'cause you are the only one who knows how much time and lets be honest - money - went into certain pieces of artwork.

About the Etsy shops. I had a look around there, but as I am a beginner, I have maybe a bit stupid sounding question. Do you have to have your own complete web page, or you have to create certain one there...or how does it exactly works? And it would be very interesting to know how much of those presented silk items get actually sold through this web page...

Anyway, all the best with the new shop, Maria :)

Heli

[Maria Jürimäe]

I have been thinking and have put some silks to my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/singingscarves
Let's see how they sell!
And thanks for your advice and support! It really means a lot for me ; ))

[Sandy Hopper]

Maria .
Your work is very beautiful. It just takes time to get your name and your work out there. I think your prices are very good. Just hang in there an keep painting. Look around for ways to market your name..local arts groups...etc...or if you can afford it get a professional web designer. I just hired one and it is not the website that matters as much as it is optimizing the site with all the search engines...check out this lady if you are interested. I just got my first international order from the UK and the website has only been up for about two and a half months...my sales have really gone up!
her email is [e-mail] or check out her site: gnuwav.com
I also struggle with pricing. But, you have to go with your own gut. Funny thing is I tend to sell the more expensive items...I argee with one of the other ladies...have a wide range of prices...Seems there will always be someone who thinks your items are to expencive and someone who will think they are a bargin for such beautiful work...good luck

[Maria Jürimäe]

Thanks Sandy!
You are absolutely right, it just takes time to get a name.
And internet can surely be a great help. This is one reason I joined Etsy - I have my own web page too, but it is done by myself, and . . .well, I do know somehting about design but I had to learn how build the web page from the very beginning and I am still just a beginner. And I don't know how to optimize the site to the search engines.
If I have free resources I have maybe to hire someone too, so thanks very much for your advice and contacts! your web site looks really stylish and professional!
And when talking about prices - I tend to sell the more expensive items too ; )) In my case I think it is just the question of energy. If I try to paint something cheap, it will look and feel like that too. . . And if I put my love into that piece of silk it also could be felt even on photos!

[Muse Silk Paintings]

HI Maria,
I have had an etsy shop since May. If you want to just sell a lot, I would pick one basic size, do quick texture techniques like tie dye, salting, freehand painting and those types of things seem to go for between $30-40 USD. However if you want to spend time, and only sell to high end buyers, I would price your highly detailed work wayy higher (like Lynn who has phenomenal, museum quality work in her shop). However I think pricing depends on so many things - how much detail and time went in to each one, what type of silk it is, etc.. I think the general rule of thumb for "artisans" is the product should sell for about 3 times the amount of the cost of materials (any additional could be due to special details, metallic accents, really nice silk like stone washed crepe,etc..) At the end of the day, I ask myself, "would I feel badly about the time and effort I put into this piece if it sold for less than ______"? I charge what I will feel good about ultimately after the costs are considered.

My shop is http://MuseSilkPaintings.etsy.com

By the way, Etsy has ALL sorts of resources to help out sellers, including this article about, yes, pricing! http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/the-art-of-pricing-three-helpful...

[Maria Jürimäe]

Hi Angel!

Thanks for your advice!
I just have to learn the art of pricing. I dream to fly high but it takes time. And being a good silk painter is like being a good piano player, dancer, etc - it needs daily practice.
I have had the possibility to be a stay-at -home mother for last five years and to paint almost every day. And to keep this lifestyle I have had to sell my scarves to people (with normal prices) and to local boutiques too, and those wholesale prices I have got from them have been really. . . well, I surely had the possibility to buy some more silk and ties, and I didn't break the general rule of thumb for "artisans", but I really feel my silks are worth much more.
I have visited your shop, you are great not just in silk painting but also in selling, promotion, etc. And I really adore your style - I can write too, but in English it is not an easy task for me. . .

But forums here and in Etsy are great places for learning!
Right now I read your shop announcement and borrowed the idea to promote a thanksgiving weekend sale in my shop too! Thanks so much! ; ))

[Linda Marcille]

I agree with the others that have said you need to start with a wide range of prices in your shop. Once you have a following of customers and people that have marked your shop as a favorite you can raise your prices. Here is a link to my Etsy shop, I do quite well with it and often get contacted for custom orders that do not end up getting listed in the shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/silkartisan

Good Luck with your shop!
Linda Marcille
http://www.crowhousestudio.com

[Maria Jürimäe]

Thank you, Linda!

I really admire your style - it is so fresh and fairy tale like! I also hope to get a good reputation in Etsy and then people already know what to expect! It may take time, but I am patient ; ))

With my warmest wishes
Maria
http://singingscarves.com