Art quilts?
02-02-2010, 05:56 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Chesterfield, Virginia
Posts: 725
Originally Posted by ckcowl
it is difficult to decide how much to charge for your work, and it applies to all art forms not just quilting...my mom is an artist, (painter) she tells a story all the time about the time she took a couple paintings into a gallery to try to place them...the owner asked her how much she wanted for them, one of them she told him $500 thinking that that was a HUGE price and he would probably tell her she was dreaming...turned out, he wouldn't accept the pieces because they were so (UNDER-PRICED) he told her she should be asking a minimum of $3700 for the one in question...she was excited and said..."i would happily accept $3700 for it" he told her that since she did not believe her work was good enough for more than $500 she needed to go home, when she felt her work was up to their standards they would talk again...she never went back, but she did start making alot more money for her work...she gets after me frequently for selling too (cheap) if you really are not sure...spend the $$ to have a quilt appraised one day. i have one i have about $300 into, plus time of course..was ready to sell it for $600...had it appraised...it appraised at $3400...who woulda guessed ?
They don't list the quiltmaker. You are not purchasing a piece of fiber art by "Trish Casey-Green", you are purchasing from their website, where they refer to themselves as we/they, not Mary/Janette. We could be as easily (*and I DO NOT KNOW THIS AS FACT) a bunch of immigrant women who are paid minimum wages under the table, as two or three prolific and highly skilled artists and business women.
When 'hobby' quilters tend to price their work, they DO undercharge. I read here how (and know in person) someone says they will do or have sold such and such quilt for $50 or $100.
Now, simple math here, assume you bought everything on sale at the LQS. A quilt requires HOW much yardage? At say, $7.00, you need 3.5 yards for the back, and maybe (making life simple) 4 yards over all for the front and then batting at say, $15.
You are at $67.50 BEFORE thread.
BEFORE buying needles.
BEFORE purchasing the pattern.
BEFORE charging yourself minimum wage ($7.35) for the (15??? )
hours it takes to make.
You should never sell a quilt for UNDER $ 177.45, with that math. And that isn't really even allowing a profit, nor is it taking into account the classes you've taken to learn the skill, nor the machines, rulers and other durable accessories you require.
ETA:: Having now read through, I see that I must have missed the names of the artists. I wish there was a more prominent BIO section for them...
02-02-2010, 06:51 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 954
Part of the description on the Chorus Line Quilt: "Size is approximate. Colors and fabrics may vary, swatches are available for a $50 charge."
I think that well-made quilts are worth as much as buyers will value them at, but $50 for a swatch?
I think that well-made quilts are worth as much as buyers will value them at, but $50 for a swatch?
02-03-2010, 09:17 AM
#24
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
Posts: 10,477
Originally Posted by beachlady
I ordered one of each!!!!
Let us know when they come in........... :lol:
None of them appeal to me. I would have to think twice (no make that 3 times) about something that costs $4000.00.
02-03-2010, 09:52 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 986
I think the quilts are price quite well, I am from NYC living in PA for 14 years. My work sells in NYC, and in places where there is alot of NY tourists. The last time I put "7" art quilts on the market, all my quilts sold in Lancaster, PA. to New Yorkers at a phenominal price. I just had an interview with someone very important and they told me I have to raise my prices.
02-03-2010, 10:19 AM
#28
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
I subscribe to APQ and buy C&T books but seeing a art/modern quilt I skip on by, that's probably why I never heard of these quilters as most here have not heard of them either. Now the Best in Show at major quilt shows, we know those quilters names! That's as mainstream as you can get. LOL
02-03-2010, 11:23 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 371
WOW....where is that market? Some of the quilts I have seen here are by fair better than some of those and I am sure "we" couldn't get that kind of money.
But I have seen some of Ricky Tims quilts and they are gorgeous. They are most definitely art quilts and I am sure his work commands similar pricing. I just think his quilts are more challenging that those examples. http://www.rickytims.com/
But I have seen some of Ricky Tims quilts and they are gorgeous. They are most definitely art quilts and I am sure his work commands similar pricing. I just think his quilts are more challenging that those examples. http://www.rickytims.com/
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