I made the bracelet without the focal cabochon and really like it. It’s heavy and fits perfectly.
I timed how long it took me to make, and I figured about three hours all told.
Then I tried pricing it out as the flourish and thrive course suggests.
Which brought it to $451!
I’m just not sure about that.
Anyway I also made some earrings.
And an unusual yet booootiful necklace.
But I think I’m going to have to stop thinking about pricing for a while because I just can’t seem to get my head around it.
In the meantime…
To dangle or not to dangle, that is the question.
Do you like a little tail on your bracelets – or not?
We’ll discuss lobster claws next time.
Very exciting.
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I do like a little dangle, nothing too big and not so long that it gets in the way. But it’s just such a lovely little extra touch. I also find myself playing with it which makes me look at the bracelet more often and appreciate it that much more.
I’m not really a dangle person myself. I find that I put the extension on there so that it fits more than one wrist, but perhaps I should just have the buyer ask for the length they need.
OMG I would love to see how they told you to price jewelry. WOW that is high, especially if it only took three hours. But I don’t know what you have in supplies for this bracelet.
Your time per hour, plus materials and overhead, x 2.5 (to x 4) for wholesale, x 2.2 for retail. As I mentioned to Gale I have another way that I prefer. Your time, plus labour, x 15% overheads, x 20% for wholesale. I think those are the numbers, I’d have to check.
Yes – dangle. Not only for the aesthetics but because it also aids in the ease of putting it on… at least for me.
The necklace is gorgeous!!!
š Thank you.
Pricing and marketing – both subjects that I detest! My jewelry is so under priced – The Flourish and Thrive Academy would slap me silly! While I truly understand the formulas used, it is still so difficult for me! I always undercut “paying me”….I so get this!
OMG – that is one gorgeous bracelet! I have found that my bracelets with “dangles” and a series of links on one end – which makes them adjustable – are my best sellers. On a personal note, I do not like them, as the dangle always gets “caught” on my clothing/keyboard, etc. That is because I am a clutz. HOWEVER, I would certainly wear the one pictured here, because of the simplicity of the design and the way you dressed the pearl!
I cannot wait for your discussion on lobster clasps! I am going to add my two cents now. I PERSONALLY LOVE THEM – it is the most secure clasp on the planet, in my opinion. 99% of the jewelry in my personal jewelry box have lobster clasps. However, I rarely use them in my designs and tend to create my own clasps – it makes it 100% handmade, you know? My jewelry with lobster clasps do not sell as well.
lol Patti I don’t really have a discussion on lobster claws, I just got excited š
I agree with you on the dangle, and the only reason I put them on is because it’s easier to sell.
As for the lobster claws. I like them because I think they are safer for the more expensive bracelets. I also think, for the bracelets I’ve just made, that they are easier to clasp. Usually that’s not the case I know, but I think the bracelets I’ve made with the cabochons should be worn snuggly so that the stone doesn’t turn. I’ve found that it’s harder to hook the end closed in that case.
That is an excellent selling point-to keep the bracelet snug on the wrist so the focal does not twist! I may steal that idea and include the verbiage in any future listings I have with lobster claw clasps!
Following these interesting posts about your ‘learnings’ from the Flourish and Thrive Academy. I too find pricing stressful.
I’m a dangle person…I love the little detail. Often add one on the closure of necklaces too. The silver pearls are soooo gorgeous in this bracelet!
I love the silver pearls. They really are my favourite. How was your sawing class?
Bracelets are my favorite pieces of jewelry (because I get to see them), and even if they may clank around, I have to have that bonus on the end, even if it’s the maker’s tag. I have offered to take dangles off for buyers, at times, and they always refuse (except for my mother). I think dangles are winning. On your other note, lobster clasps are tolerable on the right piece, especially if they’re not too small, but I think the turning ones are the best (and of course more expensive) on silver jewelry; I say that because I used one once… on my own bracelet. I probably like handmade clasps better. Usually. Was that opinionated enough?
Re. pricing…. So, if I’d made some facsimile of your lovely bracelet, taking about 6 months (not even counting what will have gone into the trashcan), I could raise the price considerably? There is (at least one) inherent flaw in any of those formulas: The time we spend making a piece has to be factored in against the time it might take someone to say “bah” and walk away. I hope FTA will not slap Patti or you silly for underpricing–and is discussing what “the market will bear” (and I say, ha, ha, “the” market–where is “it”?), considering that we can’t all sell to the high-end, luxury market.
Anyway, I am so happy you can keep making things while perhaps suspecting that (say) Richard Salley’s time is “worth” more than yours. To others. Not me.
Sadly, I won’t be paying either of you $451 for a bracelet any time soon, so my opinions are worth about ten cents.
I had to look up Richard Salley š Fortunately I have a different pricing formula that is more up my street, taking at least a $100 or not more off the price the course suggests. Until I have people knocking on my door waiting for me to make my next piece (i.e. never) I’m not going to worry about pricing any more than I have to š As for Patti, I think she does need to have a re think…
I do like dangles, especially on bracelets, as long as they aren’t too bulky and or long.
i love your jewelry, you do a great job and are an inspiration to me! So glad I found your blog. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Mary š
I love the look of a dangle but I am careful when and where I wear a bracelet with one….always nervous about getting it caught on something. Love that pendant–cool prongs around the stone!
I also think pricing is my least favorite part of making jewelry—there are are far too many things to factor in. I do try to keep an accurate record of material cost on an index card for each piece I make and then just price according to what the market is at that time. I love your pieces and your stones…would it be too rude to ask where you find them?
Opps—–I forgot to vote—dangle adds for personality in my opinion! (-:
Not at all. I get most all of my stones on Etsy. There are a few shops I go back to – https://www.etsy.com/shop/xaosart – https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilurianEra – and https://www.etsy.com/shop/JimsCabochons are a few. xaosart is a bit expensive, but sometimes I just can’t resist them… I’ve got a bit of a cabochon habit…
Love your bracelet, don’t like dangles. I am always doing dishes, getting wet and the dangle gets in the water.
As for the pricing, just depends if I would like to sell it. In my rural area that would never fly. It also seems out of step with Etsy prices.
Yes, pricing is hard. I think that a lot of Etsy prices are too low, however, so I think it’s finding a good balance between the two. There’s no way that I would price this bracelet at $450!