Sure you can buy at a big box store some item made overseas in mass quantity for penny’s on the dollar. This is what you should consider when you look at a ordering a custom crafted item:
It takes several peoples time to make your gift special for you:
When someone gives you a custom item… realize a lot goes into making it custom for you. There is not two alike if the buyer is requesting it to be made in a custom way. This below is the lens of that person making it and realize your loved one is paying for that labor of love to make that homemade or custom item for you so cherish it! They also have their time invested in working to make the money that paid for this item, plus their time to work with the person making it.
Sewn items:
Respond to initial email 5 minutes
Develop cost estimate 10 minutes
More emails 10 minutes
Purchase materials (drive, shop, checkout) 1 hour
Prepare material (wash ans dry and press) 3 hours
Measure and cut material 30 minutes
Sew together 15 to 30 minutes or more
Send photo to customer and package 15 min
Mail or coordinate drop off 30 min or more
Total time… apx 6 hours of my time plus or minus… plus material and equipment costs.
Iron on:
Respond to initial email 5 minutes
Develop cost estimate 10 minutes
Design concept: 15 minutes
More emails: 10 minutes
Adjust design: 30 minutes
Order materials: 30 minutes
Prepare materials: 15 minutes
Cut materials: 15 minutes to hours
Weed materials: 15 minutes to hours
Validate order and remake boo boos 30 minutes
Photo and Package 15 minutes
Mail or coordinate drop off 30 min or more
Total time… apx 3+ hours of my time plus or minus… plus material and equipment costs.
Embroidered items:
Respond to initial email 5 minutes
Develop cost estimate 10 minutes
Design concept: 15 minutes
More emails: 10 minutes
Adjust design: 30 minutes
Load thread and design and position clothing materials: 30 minutes
On stand by while embroidering for error correction: 1 hour
Validate order and remake boo boos 30 minutes
Photo and Package 15 minutes
Mail or coordinate drop off 30 min or more
Total time… apx 4+ hours of my time plus or minus… plus material and equipment costs
Why does someone charge so much for a homemade or handmade item?
I have to buy all the machines, supplies, take classes, trial and error costs till I master it, risk of redoing and the cost of redo if it occurs, insurance, business tax, logistics to buy things, storefront or space rental, software, cabinets and storage, material selection, business licenses, website fees, fees to accept credit cards, fees for the bank, more taxes…. get the point.
