Friday, March 12, 2010

More bees


So, I took my camera in for advice about how to improve the color situation and came home with a new camera!  Then, a beekeeper stopped by and gave me a job of embroidering 3 bees on a denim jacket; this was very unexpected.  There was a dilemma about what to charge; he suggested $10. per bee.  (I would love to hear how others resolve this sort of issue.) It seemed really high to me, so I decided to time the process.  The first bee took one hour fifteen minutes...that was on the pocket...hard sewing.  The second took 56 minutes and the third took 45 minutes.  They are goofy looking bees and smaller than they appear here.  I still need to work out the details of how exactly to embroider them, but not today because tomorrow the two grandsons and their  parents will arrive from the east coast!  They won't be staying here but I will see them as much as possible.

13 comments:

  1. I think that 10.00 a bee or 30.00 for all of them seems reasonable. It took you almost three hours and he probably doesn't work for less than ten dollars and hour.

    I really like your bees. Looks like it was a fun project and I know he is going to get a lot of enjoyment out of wearing his jacket and seeing your bees.

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  2. Thank you Quilt Architect...pricing things is such a doubt-filled subject for me. I very much appreciate the input.

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  3. Thank you Jude! So glad you stopped by. (I haven't yet figured out how to put my reply directly after the comment.)

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  4. It's funny but I'm dealing with the same problem at the moment. A friend of mine wants to buy the mandala I'm painting. I didn't know what to ask. My art teacher told me to charge the costs of material and the hours I worked on it, 8 euro an hour. And not to go below the price of paintings that are made in a factory.
    But.... it feel strange asking so much, I worked many hours on it....

    XXX

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  5. It's difficult trying to learn to be businesslike about something (one's art) that doesn't fit very well into the business model. Right now I'm hoping that somehow by magic I'll become more adept at it, but this involves challenging myself a lot. On the other hand, I know that when I really love something, I'm happy to pay for it, if the money is available. Well, the best part is knowing that we all struggle with the same issue. Thanks Sandra, it's good to hear from you.

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  6. I like the bees! Hey Suzanne do you know Megan and Sidonie Christian? I do too!

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  7. Hi. I'm showing off my jacket at Beekind in Sebastopol. They sell honey in the comb. Beekind.com......
    Terry

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  8. Hey!! excellento. Merci, monsieur!

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  9. Thanks Deb G and Jeana Marie...I'm getting the urge to make some more.

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  10. I love your blog, Suzanne!

    ES

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