Sunday 11 August 2013

Some Tassels, some thrift and $$!


It has been really nice this week making and filling orders.
The above garland is heading off to the U.S and the tassel twins are heading off to Sydney!
I think the arabian-blue and chartreuse are a great fit! 
I like making to peoples tastes, then they get what they'd like and I get to experiment with my colour palette and make tassels....not bored yet of making tassels!

This morning I floated an idea on insta for a dream catcher/tassel thingy. I popped up a pic pre-dyed and kindly folk offered their support and liked the image, that's what you do on instagram 'like it' if you like it or move on?

One follower expressed their 'love' for the new idea but that I was way too expensive.
I was fortunate that many of my insta pal were able to express eloquently, the reasonings behind handmade etc and money!



So am I too expensive?... well, interestingly Mr Ouch did the math, I don't do numbers but here's tassel pricing 101 in a nut shell!

1 x batch of twine = $7.00
Dye = $4.00

To cut, bind, dye and fluff up a single tassel takes one hour and 20 mins. Based on minimum wage of $19.00 an hour, I "pay" Mr Ouch $6.00 for his part in tassel making, whilst "paying" myself $19.00 for my part in designing, creating, measuring, cutting, assembling, dying and putting the finishing touches to the tassel.

So, that's $11 for materials, $6 to Mr Ouch, $19 to myself as my wage, which equals $36. Wow, $4 profit...

Hang on, they have to be packed and posted too... 

That's tissue paper, fancy sticky tape, business card, hand written thank you letter and a healthy dose of ouch-goodness. Plus the postage of $6.95.

So I'm actually more than $2.95 out of pocket! How'd that happen? Who's idea was it to make these stupid tassels anyway? You've convinced me, prices are going up. Right NOW!

Not really, because I love doing this and seeing my work make other people happy. 
I want tassels to be affordable and accessible to the design conscious, savvy shopper such as myself who has loads of class but on a budget! 
That's why I thrift and why I support the handmade community.

.....And whilst I won't be buying a new BMW with the proceeds (although I may have 2 sell the 2 Ferrari's to pay for the postage deficit, or employ a friendly pigeon or 3), there's a reason that handmade costs a bit more than machine-made in an anonymous factory in South East Asia.

 Here's some thrift!


Homemaker, UK, 1950's

Midwinter-Conran 'Nature Study', UK.

Zoo Line-Monkey

Spanish silver, modernist, brutalist ring.

Silver, Finnish, P Sarpaneva, 1975.
Thanks for reading!
Pippa x

28 comments:

  1. I'd like to know the addresses of those thrift shops please(!)

    x

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    1. Now tht would be telling......eBay and etsy, gold mines! x

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  2. That's probably the best haul of thrift items I've ever seen. You know how I love the Sweeney and Conran pieces. I just bought monkeys myself, so you know I love yours too. The ring is gorgeous, and I've been watching a few Pentti Sarpaneva pieces on eBay myself. Wow, you did great!

    As for your prices, I think you're more than reasonable for all the work that goes into your pieces.

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    1. Thanks Dana! xx

      Oh and I think I will be looking for more Sarpaneva pieces too, they take up no room and look very pretty on!

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  3. I agree, Pippa, handmade should be appreciated and valued. The amount of work and thought that goes into making a piece is often much more than the price would suggest. I remember a dreamcatcher you made once, I REALLY loved it- keep them coming!
    Oh wow, the thrifts are gorgeous! I'm completely mad about Sarpaneva jewellery, but don't yet own a piece. Yours is absolutely gorgeous, you lucky girl!!! I'm gonna want one for Christmas. Or my birthday:-)

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    1. Oh you put me onto Hopea, I went to the sale section and was hooked, thanks for that!

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  4. We are all watching our pennies these days but I'd still rather buy things that are unique, it's much more enjoyable....I still spend but much more wisely! I love your creativeness! :) x

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  5. Raise your prices my friend.

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    1. LOL ......I know I will have to think of another way eventually :)

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  6. I saw that comment on your IG feed. I think that your creations are beautiful and some people will never understand or appreciate handmade. Personally; i prefer to save for for some special handmade pieces, over buying cheap crap from the $2 store. Love your work Pippa.

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    1. Hello Leah. Thanks so much for popping by and or your support! Handmade over cheap crap any day! xx

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  7. Pricing is really hard! I have read "formulas" for pricing and it's always paying for the time with hand made things that just makes things crazy. But I think all makers need to support each other with well priced items and not sell ourselves too short!

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    1. Yes...it's a hard juggle!
      As handmade is becoming a real choice for many I think things will change for the better! X

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  8. You should never have to justify your prices Pippa. Your pieces are fabulous and your background in the arts is evident in them...that is why they are awesome. Love your latest finds too. xx

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    1. Thanks Brismod....it can get a bit catty out there, hanks for the kind words and support xx

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  9. Love the top teaset Pippa! I can vouch for your prices...cushion making was similar. If you didn't like doing it, it wouldn't be worth it!

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    1. Exactly! ....it's worth it if I'm happy to do it! Thanks Carol! xx

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  10. I have been in your shoes (I had another Etsy store where I sold my artwork) and it is completely unfair how some people do not appreciate how much time and money we invest in the production of our product! But I also know that many others appreciate handmade as worth paying more for. Keep up the good work! Love to see a happy monkey in his new home :)

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    1. I love my monkey! ....very happy home indeed, full of tassels! xx

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  11. Some people just don't get it but many more do! Your tassels rock and happy to hear they are going off to places far and wide! Love those Conran dishes! They're fab. And that necklace?! Want!

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    1. It's a very special find, I polished it a little bit and wear it every day! Thanks Francine x

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  12. its never too expensive if you truly love it. well that's my motto anyway. I adore all your sweet finds. the sarpaneva is fab!...are the conrans going on the wall?
    you pay hubby $6!!....hope he knows what a good wicket hes on! Al x

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