Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 < I hear her talking to the guy a couple booths down, and he tells her to come down and see my work, that I have responable prices!> I love this! This is fabulous support within your industry! I really feel that we need to support each other, to bind together and help each other out. At that last icky craft show I did, I sent folks down to the other soaper when they were looking for a particular scent I didn't have. I didn't send them over to the folks who were bad-mouthing me - no way, ! I think that they hurt themselves because of their viciousness. Thank you so much for sharing this story! ~ ..:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. A Garden of Soap: http://www.GardenofSoap.com A Place for Tulips: http://Tulips.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 Carol, Thank you for some outstanding ideas. Your work sounds beautiful, and I know the hours involved. Just making soap is a time consuming process (including trimming wrapping, labeling etc.) Then going out to sell the stuff, or haveing a shop (which I do). It all is work. We do it some because we love it. Sherry nAberdeen Re: pricing saga >I know this has nothing to do with soaps but it will about pricing. > I came to " soaping " after working in clay for 20 years. I developed >a unique and original style. I made thing like sculpted tea pots and painted >under sea scenes on them. they were fired as many as 3-4 times. Had >underglaze, glaze and luster. Many hours of building, and painting went into >each peice. My prices were high to say the least. A one-of-a-kind tea set >was $575. I had many ther items that were priced much lower, but were always >what the market would bare. > When at retail shows I had a " speel " that would tell the people in the >booth, how it was all made, etc. But you know you always have one..... > Women comes into the booth and wants me to make a expensive set like >a minature. Ok I explain I can do that and get more information from her >yak, yak, yak >And I tell her that the work will cost her $350. (including shipping & >handling) > " no, I mean I want a minature so it shoul only cost about $195. " I then >explain that painting what she wants on the minatur is harder then a full >size, yak, yak, yak > " Well I will just go to one of the other ceramic booths " Feel free, they can >not copy my work (it's copy righted) and they do not make the same work. And >she storms out. > I hear her talking to the guy a couple booths down, and he tells her to >come down and see my work, that I have responable prices! > OK long story, but the point is, crafters that under price hurt >themselves (they don't make money) and the other crafters. But this will >never change, it is in all crafts. So what can we do, Having on ingredeints >list out is a great booth display idea, how about blown up pictures of the >soap process (with soap in the picture), >And blown up pictures of the soaps all lathered up, these are great display >items for blank back walls. And of course educating the customers at all >times. > The point is, as we all know competeion is rough, but we can all rise >above it by producing good products and enjoying what we do. > OK I am done now. >Thank you for listening................... >Carol >Scents for the Soul > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Get your money connected @ OnMoney.com - the first Web site that lets >you see and manage all of your finances all in one place. >http://click./1/3012/0/_/533249/_/956149607/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Check out our homepage at http://www.angelfire.com/mi/Soapmaking101/index.html > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 Carol, Thank you for some outstanding ideas. Your work sounds beautiful, and I know the hours involved. Just making soap is a time consuming process (including trimming wrapping, labeling etc.) Then going out to sell the stuff, or haveing a shop (which I do). It all is work. We do it some because we love it. Sherry nAberdeen Re: pricing saga >I know this has nothing to do with soaps but it will about pricing. > I came to " soaping " after working in clay for 20 years. I developed >a unique and original style. I made thing like sculpted tea pots and painted >under sea scenes on them. they were fired as many as 3-4 times. Had >underglaze, glaze and luster. Many hours of building, and painting went into >each peice. My prices were high to say the least. A one-of-a-kind tea set >was $575. I had many ther items that were priced much lower, but were always >what the market would bare. > When at retail shows I had a " speel " that would tell the people in the >booth, how it was all made, etc. But you know you always have one..... > Women comes into the booth and wants me to make a expensive set like >a minature. Ok I explain I can do that and get more information from her >yak, yak, yak >And I tell her that the work will cost her $350. (including shipping & >handling) > " no, I mean I want a minature so it shoul only cost about $195. " I then >explain that painting what she wants on the minatur is harder then a full >size, yak, yak, yak > " Well I will just go to one of the other ceramic booths " Feel free, they can >not copy my work (it's copy righted) and they do not make the same work. And >she storms out. > I hear her talking to the guy a couple booths down, and he tells her to >come down and see my work, that I have responable prices! > OK long story, but the point is, crafters that under price hurt >themselves (they don't make money) and the other crafters. But this will >never change, it is in all crafts. So what can we do, Having on ingredeints >list out is a great booth display idea, how about blown up pictures of the >soap process (with soap in the picture), >And blown up pictures of the soaps all lathered up, these are great display >items for blank back walls. And of course educating the customers at all >times. > The point is, as we all know competeion is rough, but we can all rise >above it by producing good products and enjoying what we do. > OK I am done now. >Thank you for listening................... >Carol >Scents for the Soul > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Get your money connected @ OnMoney.com - the first Web site that lets >you see and manage all of your finances all in one place. >http://click./1/3012/0/_/533249/_/956149607/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Check out our homepage at http://www.angelfire.com/mi/Soapmaking101/index.html > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 Carol, Thank you for some outstanding ideas. Your work sounds beautiful, and I know the hours involved. Just making soap is a time consuming process (including trimming wrapping, labeling etc.) Then going out to sell the stuff, or haveing a shop (which I do). It all is work. We do it some because we love it. Sherry nAberdeen Re: pricing saga >I know this has nothing to do with soaps but it will about pricing. > I came to " soaping " after working in clay for 20 years. I developed >a unique and original style. I made thing like sculpted tea pots and painted >under sea scenes on them. they were fired as many as 3-4 times. Had >underglaze, glaze and luster. Many hours of building, and painting went into >each peice. My prices were high to say the least. A one-of-a-kind tea set >was $575. I had many ther items that were priced much lower, but were always >what the market would bare. > When at retail shows I had a " speel " that would tell the people in the >booth, how it was all made, etc. But you know you always have one..... > Women comes into the booth and wants me to make a expensive set like >a minature. Ok I explain I can do that and get more information from her >yak, yak, yak >And I tell her that the work will cost her $350. (including shipping & >handling) > " no, I mean I want a minature so it shoul only cost about $195. " I then >explain that painting what she wants on the minatur is harder then a full >size, yak, yak, yak > " Well I will just go to one of the other ceramic booths " Feel free, they can >not copy my work (it's copy righted) and they do not make the same work. And >she storms out. > I hear her talking to the guy a couple booths down, and he tells her to >come down and see my work, that I have responable prices! > OK long story, but the point is, crafters that under price hurt >themselves (they don't make money) and the other crafters. But this will >never change, it is in all crafts. So what can we do, Having on ingredeints >list out is a great booth display idea, how about blown up pictures of the >soap process (with soap in the picture), >And blown up pictures of the soaps all lathered up, these are great display >items for blank back walls. And of course educating the customers at all >times. > The point is, as we all know competeion is rough, but we can all rise >above it by producing good products and enjoying what we do. > OK I am done now. >Thank you for listening................... >Carol >Scents for the Soul > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Get your money connected @ OnMoney.com - the first Web site that lets >you see and manage all of your finances all in one place. >http://click./1/3012/0/_/533249/_/956149607/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Check out our homepage at http://www.angelfire.com/mi/Soapmaking101/index.html > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 Everyone who makes soap makes it differently. You can send the very same recipe to 12 people and you will get 12 different soaps. It doesn't matter where these 12 people are. We all have different ways of doing things. Now, there may be people who love your soap, and dislike others and vice versa. Life is too short to let the competition get your goat. No matter what they do. Eventually what they put out will come back on them. You have to do your own thing. Just because you got a bar of the competitions soap and liked it doesn't mean that other people will like it too. If they sell their soap too cheap, they won't be around long. Not unless they are independently wealthy. You simply cannot buy the supplies, make the soap, cut and warp the soap, market it, and do all the necessary paperwork to survive as a business and do so cheaply. Now, if you get your volume up to where you can buy things in bulk.. and I don't mean like in coconut by the pail, but by the drum.. and sell a lot of soap without wrapping it, etc., then you can lower your price and survive, but you can't do the cheap soap thing at craft fairs and survive. No way. I think the best thing to say to customers if they ask or make comments is to tell them.. I am sure that they have great soap, but it's not the same as mine. (especially if you have done that craftshow before). Tell them how good your soap is, and that you make it yourself, and if they have any questions, that you will be happy to answer them. It is surprising how people's interest is piqued when they find out that you actually made it yourself.. LOL Okay.. nuff pep talk.. LOL Ellen Ellen's Essentials has Soapmaking Supplies Essential Oils, Fragrance Oils, Containers (lotion bottles and more) and other soap supplies ... more great supplies are on their way Visit Our Web Page: http://www.ellensessentials.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 <If they sell their soap too cheap, they won't be around long. Not unless they are independently wealthy. > If they are independently wealthy, do you think they could adopt me? <G> Sorry - couldn't resist. Well said tho, Ellen! ~ ..:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. A Garden of Soap: http://www.GardenofSoap.com A Place for Tulips: http://Tulips.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 <If they sell their soap too cheap, they won't be around long. Not unless they are independently wealthy. > If they are independently wealthy, do you think they could adopt me? <G> Sorry - couldn't resist. Well said tho, Ellen! ~ ..:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. A Garden of Soap: http://www.GardenofSoap.com A Place for Tulips: http://Tulips.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2000 Report Share Posted April 19, 2000 <If they sell their soap too cheap, they won't be around long. Not unless they are independently wealthy. > If they are independently wealthy, do you think they could adopt me? <G> Sorry - couldn't resist. Well said tho, Ellen! ~ ..:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. A Garden of Soap: http://www.GardenofSoap.com A Place for Tulips: http://Tulips.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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