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#11
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#12
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In article , ] says...
That is true, but in this case I was moaning about the fact that this person, although she could see that I had a better product, was trying to beat down my price to that of an inferior product. That's one of the best ways I know of to go home satisfied that you've made a great buy - talking down the seller so that you have a price you can live with for something you liked but may not have bought at the advertised price. It's what flea markets and "free markets" are all about, after all. People who shop only at stores where bargaining isn't usually done miss a great opportunity when shopping at markets where it's expected! As for the the other post, from "R," most craft shows state explicitly that "all items for sale must be originals hand-made by the artist" or some such qualifying statement. If you enter an art/craft show that does NOT have such a qualifying statement, then you have only yourself to blame if other exhibitors are displaying items "made in China" or whatever. Art/craft shows come in all sizes and types, IME! |
#13
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Lippy Zaner wrote
In article , ] says... That is true, but in this case I was moaning about the fact that this person, although she could see that I had a better product, was trying to beat down my price to that of an inferior product. That's one of the best ways I know of to go home satisfied that you've made a great buy - talking down the seller Well, if you like to go home feeling you've cheated somebody out of their rightful earnings, then I suppose it is..... (Okay I know the seller does not have to accept the offer) Eliza. -- URL: http://www.2fishes.co.uk/ - Skye-inspired Cross Stitch New!! Lindisfarne Collection - 2 designs, start of new series. |
#14
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In message , R
writes Hi, Just a quick question: "What is the definition of a Craft?" I'm interested to know as some of the things I see around today do not appear to be crafts, but more like hobbies. In my opinion craft is the successful application of skills of hand eye and mind to produce an item of quality and appeal. There is no harm in it being a hobby. What I do think however is that if a hobbyist chooses to sell their work they have a duty to their craft and other crafts people to sell the work at a fair price which reflects the time skill and materials used. They should not be selling it at a price to cover their materials and give them a small profit. I was under the impression that a craft was something that could only be achieved or undertaken by a professional, as in craftsman? (or woman) NO need to be professional as in being paid with the condition about sale above applied. To me the skills and quality are what make it craft (not to mention a certain amount of hand work - see below.) I understand that there are many people who undertake crafts in their spare time, No harm in that providing they maintain good standards and don't undermine full time craft workers by their quality or prices. I'm just a bit peeved with people who throw stickers on cards, a bit of glitter and then charge the earth for a handmade, crafted card? Most I have seen are reasonably priced compared with similar commercial products. Perhaps I haven't been looking in the right (or wrong) places. To play devils advocate you could say if they get customers then the price can't be too bad. -- Malcolm Kane |
#15
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In message , Lippy Zaner
writes In article , ] says... But that's what we are often up against I'm afraid. I presume you live in a free enterprise culture where competition is encouraged? If so, then what system would you prefer instead? Art and Craft fairs are often a microcosm of world trade practices, IMO. Those who are working for the least wage can sell their widgets cheaper. The problem is those who are working for no wage at all. I have seen one stall holder telling every customer he only charged for materials and going by the prices he did. -- Malcolm Kane |
#16
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In message , Eliza Wright
] writes Lippy Zaner wrote In article , ] says... But that's what we are often up against I'm afraid. I presume you live in a free enterprise culture where competition is encouraged? If so, then what system would you prefer instead? Art and Craft fairs are often a microcosm of world trade practices, IMO. Those who are working for the least wage can sell their widgets cheaper. That is true, but in this case I was moaning about the fact that this person, although she could see that I had a better product, was trying to beat down my price to that of an inferior product. Sadly we live in a world which is being encouraged to always expect to be able to encourage the price down. I know it is not the same field but programmes such as the BBC's "bargain Hunt" which give the impression that you should always expect to get things for a reduced price do not help. IMO what will slowly happen is that prices will adjust to allow for "discounts" an every thing will seem dearer on the price tag. If the dolls had been the same, (or even if she hadn't been able to notice the difference) she would have gone and bought the cheaper one wouldn't she? There would have been no argument. I guess it is her attitude I'm complaining about. (But you will always get someone trying it on). Sadly more and more expect it. -- Malcolm Kane |
#17
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Let me throw this in:
Craft is a body of work, such as book binding, chair canning, jewelery making, quilting etc. Any one can perform the work needed to do a craft, although not always well. A craftsman is someone who has learned the skills needed to do a craft in a manner that shows a high level of expertise in a givin craft, a Master Craftsman is one who is profecent in the performance of the craft and is able to preform new forms or add new techniques to the craft. A crafter never reaches the level of craftsman, only those who are dedicted to thier craft reach that level and only the few of those who have the talent and dedication and love of the craft ever go to Master. To much of the stuff you see for sale is done by crafters, or done for money and not love of the craft. The public has gotten the "Wal-Mart" mentality of buy it cheap and have more and that will never change. We can only hope for more people to buy for quality and beauty and keep the different crafts alive. |
#18
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Hi Sweet
That's an excellent summary, which I agree with. My only concern is that the general public doesnt know the distinction between the levels of expertise, especially given that anyone can seemingly call themselves a "Craftsman" regardless. Personally, I think that there should be something (like a legal certificate) that you should need to aquire before being allowed o call yourself a Craftsman or Master Craftsman - this certificate should be based on the level of your work regardless of medium. This would also give people something to aim for, and achieving that level of work would definitely allow you to charge for the extra lelev of work, quality and value. There definitely needs to be something to sort out the wheat from the chaff! Otherwise, we'll all get tarnished with the same brush... Best wishes Richard "Sweet Sawdust" wrote in message ... Let me throw this in: Craft is a body of work, such as book binding, chair canning, jewelery making, quilting etc. Any one can perform the work needed to do a craft, although not always well. A craftsman is someone who has learned the skills needed to do a craft in a manner that shows a high level of expertise in a givin craft, a Master Craftsman is one who is profecent in the performance of the craft and is able to preform new forms or add new techniques to the craft. A crafter never reaches the level of craftsman, only those who are dedicted to thier craft reach that level and only the few of those who have the talent and dedication and love of the craft ever go to Master. To much of the stuff you see for sale is done by crafters, or done for money and not love of the craft. The public has gotten the "Wal-Mart" mentality of buy it cheap and have more and that will never change. We can only hope for more people to buy for quality and beauty and keep the different crafts alive. |
#19
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Here in Kentucky we have a program called the Ky Craft Marketing Program
which does that to some degree. It is a juried program by the state. To become a member you have to pass a jury process and then get to put a logo on your work to show that you are a member. The jury process is rather stiff and is done on a 3 year basis and all new work has to be rejuried. I think we ought to have a national group like that myself. "R" wrote in message ... Hi Sweet That's an excellent summary, which I agree with. My only concern is that the general public doesnt know the distinction between the levels of expertise, especially given that anyone can seemingly call themselves a "Craftsman" regardless. Personally, I think that there should be something (like a legal certificate) that you should need to aquire before being allowed o call yourself a Craftsman or Master Craftsman - this certificate should be based on the level of your work regardless of medium. This would also give people something to aim for, and achieving that level of work would definitely allow you to charge for the extra lelev of work, quality and value. There definitely needs to be something to sort out the wheat from the chaff! Otherwise, we'll all get tarnished with the same brush... Best wishes Richard "Sweet Sawdust" wrote in message ... Let me throw this in: Craft is a body of work, such as book binding, chair canning, jewelery making, quilting etc. Any one can perform the work needed to do a craft, although not always well. A craftsman is someone who has learned the skills needed to do a craft in a manner that shows a high level of expertise in a givin craft, a Master Craftsman is one who is profecent in the performance of the craft and is able to preform new forms or add new techniques to the craft. A crafter never reaches the level of craftsman, only those who are dedicted to thier craft reach that level and only the few of those who have the talent and dedication and love of the craft ever go to Master. To much of the stuff you see for sale is done by crafters, or done for money and not love of the craft. The public has gotten the "Wal-Mart" mentality of buy it cheap and have more and that will never change. We can only hope for more people to buy for quality and beauty and keep the different crafts alive. |
#20
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Although it sounds like a good idea.
I would rather see it done on a local or national level through local crafts organizations, than by getting the government involved. Once the government gets involved, then fees start getting added and finally they require a license. All too soon a permit will then be required at additional expense. Then inspectors will follow-up on government payroll, etc. And soon, only state licensed craftspersons will be allowed to sell their works. Don't say it will never happen. Look what happed to ALL of the building trades! TTUL Gary |
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