The frustration of pricing handmade items

[KatyMac]

I dressmake using sustainable fabrics

My customers are split into;

Hand made? & you want how much?
Oh that seems fair yes I'll have it?
You really should charge more for your work, it must take hours

And then you see beautiful handmade trinkets/gifts/art sold at pocket money prices on the table next to you as "well its my hobby as long as I cover my materials I'm happy" to sew/knit/create for 2-10 hours for nothing

Frustration!

Yes it's frustrating. These "hobbiests" also seem to think they don't have to trade within the law online and don't accept returns, give out their contact information or even pay taxes. Try having to compete with them when you have to charge VAT on top as well. I've been doing it ten years though so I must be doing okay, it is possible. You just have to be savvy, one step ahead of your competitors and avoid craft fairs . I've had people barter with me "because they can get it cheaper in Dunelm". Off you pop then with your "mass produced, from another country where they pay their staff 50p an hour" tat.

Totally agree! It's so infuriating!

My mother-in-law is the talented hobbyist variety. She charges next to nothing for lovely things she spends hours making. She does it to raise money for charity, only series at local craft fairs, and she does a good job of it.

I imagine it is very hard to make a living from craft, unless you have retail outlets willing to buy stock regularly and reliably. The setting in which something is sold must sway people's opinion on the value offered - a fancy gift shop (£££) versus a church hall/Etsy listing (£).

*only sells

And if she charged for her time imagine how much more income the charity would have!