Joe, as you have indicated pricing is always a tough thing to determine.  There are several factors that have an impact on what to charge.  The two most important as a starting point are: 1) where you live/sell and 2)your level of skill.  When I started selling my work I charged about what you have indicated.  However, as my skills improved and my work became more requested my prices increased.  Right now, my base price for bowls and platters is $12 per diameter inch.  My HF base price is $15 per inch of width plus height.  Increases in the base rate are based on any embellishments that I might add and wood characteristics (burl, exotic, etc.). Just so you know, my prices are probably in the low end up to the middle of the road when it comes to selling at some of the better known art fairs.

I would suggest that you look at some of the art fairs in you area and/or check with some of the wood turners in your area to see what they charge.  One of the things that I think is important is that you don't look at your pricing level and say, "This is just a hobby for me and I really don't need the money."  Just remember, if you don't value your work, no one else will.

Good luck, just know you'll be changing your prices as time goes on.

Steve

Steve\Don,

Thanks for the input and good advice. My situation is fairly unique I suppose since the two pieces are going to hang on the wall along with other things from other people and will not be for sale, just display. The friend intends to hang a number of hand-made pieces; paintings, crochet, yarn, etc. I won’t have time to visit any craft shows for info.


I’m not going to make a statement that I’m ready to display in the Smithsonian, but I would proudly put my name on either of these two pieces.

John Cepko wrote on Mar 3^rd, 2016 at 6:57pm:



Thanks, a good idea.