[Woodcarver] Business Plans?

[Donna Menke]

Ivan, I think you said a mouthful there. The don't insult me and least you will take scenarios are a very good way to estimate price. By any other measure you lose sight of the intrinsic value of a piece. What I mean is that you can do two pieces that take the same amount of time, material, and effort- but one is to die for wonderful and the other is just OK. I use your technique most of the time.
Donna Menke
http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com 
Author: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book



----- Original Message ----

> From: Ivan Whillock <carve at whillock.com>

> To: [Woodcarver] <woodcarver at carverscompanion.com>

> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 7:14:03 PM

> Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Business Plans?

> 

> Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit the Carvers' Campanion Shop 

> at http://cafepress.com/woodcarving

> 

> 

> Thanks, Joe.  Your handsome visage is on the carv-fest.com website, being 

> interviewed by Melanie.  Go to 

> http://www.woodcarverswarehouse.com/_e/Class_by_Instructor/product/Dillett/Joe_Dillett.htm

> 

> The topic of pricing is complex.  Because artistic value is in the eye of the 

> beholder, and many factors other than traditional "market forces" are at work, a 

> hard and fast formula is difficult.  Most carvers who want to "turn pro" do so 

> with something of a track record:  They've had some success in selling and thus 

> want to pursue it full time.  At that point it's a matter of doing the math.  

> How much do you need to make to live on, what price do you have to get, what 

> must your production be in order to do that, considering factors of all sorts, 

> marketing, keeping an inventory, you're not going to sell everything you make, 

> etc.

> 

> For someone who simply wants to determine a value of a carving they've done, I 

> suggest the purely subjective, not entirely tongue-in-cheek, "Don't insult me" 

> rule.  Imagine a buyer offers three dollars for your carving.  You think to 

> yourself, BUT NEVER SAY OUT LOUD, "don't insult me."  Another offers six. Again, 

> you THINK, "Don't insult me."  The next offers 12, etc.  At what price would you 

> no longer be insulted?  That's the minimum price you will take.  Add a little 

> "profit" say 20-30% and you have a price that you can accept.  It also could be 

> viewed as the "what's the least you will take?" rule.  At what price point would 

> you rather keep it than sell it?  Add 20% or whatever to that, and determine 

> that either way you win.  You either get to keep your carving that you've 

> determined is worth such and such to you, or you walk off with a reasonable 

> amount of cash in exchange for it.

> 

> Most artists don't inherit a price value for their work, they create it through 

> exposure and marketing.  For example, many people who see a small figure carving 

> have only the $15 figurine at the souvenir stand as their value guide.  Figure 

> carvers then can either sell their works for $15, not sell at all, or work to 

> establish a different public perception through displaying their art well and 

> showing its value again and again.

> 

> 

> Ivan Whillock Studio

> 122 NE 1st Avenue

> Faribault, MN  55021

> Visit my website at

> http://www.whillock.com

> Visit my Picture Trail album at

> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve

> 

> --------------------------------------------------

> From: "Joe Dillett" 

> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 3:34 PM

> To: "[Woodcarver]" 

> Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Business Plans?

> 

> > Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit the Carvers' Campanion 

> Shop at http://cafepress.com/woodcarving

> > 

> > 

> > Another great idea Ivan. Nice to hear from you with more helpful tips.

> > 

> > We're planning to see you at Carv-Fest this year. Looking forward to another 

> fun time.

> > 

> > Joe Dillett

> > The Carving Shop

> > 645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3

> > Somonauk, IL. 60552

> > 

> > (815) 498-9290 phone

> > (815) 498-9249 fax

> > http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]

> > http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask Joe' column]

> > http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett

> > ******************************************************************

> > 

> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ivan Whillock" 

> > To: "[Woodcarver]" 

> > Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 2:46 PM

> > Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Business Plans?

> > 

> > 

> >> Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit the Carvers' Campanion 

> Shop at http://cafepress.com/woodcarving

> >> 

> >> 

> >> 

> >> 

> >> Back in 1978 I bought a book by Diane Cochrane called "This Business of

> >> Art."  It was very helpful in helping me move away from the idealistic

> >> "artist in his garret"  way of thinking into the real world.   In the "real

> >> world" the people who can fine you put you in jail for tax evasion don't

> >> really care if you just created the greatest masterpiece of our age.

> >> 

> >> A business plan can take many forms, from a lengthy, detailed study to a

> >> general outline.  What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

> >> However, I do suggest that anyone who would like to pursue art as a

> >> profession purchase a book on the business of art.  Not every chapter will

> >> relate to you, but discussions of contracts, copyrights, commission

> >> agreements, working with a dealer, insurance, income taxes, bookkeeping, even 

> estate

> >> planning, can be very helpful.

> >> 

> >> Ivan Whillock Studio

> >> 122 NE 1st Avenue

> >> Faribault, MN  55021

> >> Visit my website at

> >> http://www.whillock.com

> >> Visit my Picture Trail album at

> >> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve

> >> 

> >> 

> >> 

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> >> 

> > 

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