Acceptance into a Fine Art Gallery

[Frank Pellow]

1 hour ago, FrankEV said:

Based on the complexity (number of holes) and taking a number of other factors into consideration, I've  worked up my prices based on $1.50 to $2.50 per square inch (panel size).  After looking at my posted prices, the Curator said I should have made them significantly higher.

For example, when I assign a price to a piece, these are some of what I take into account: 

1. Materials (2 wood pannels @$6.00, Frame wood @ $12.00, Blades @$10.00 - I break a lot, Finishing Sandpaper/Stains/Paints/ Laquer/Polyurethane@Say $7.00) approximate $35/piece.
2. Estimate of Overhead cost including things like Electricity, Saw and other tool investments, etc.  I can easily apply $20/ piece.
3. Pattern associated cost including pinting, shelf liner, spray adheasive and Pattern purchase price when applicable.  Lets say $15.00/Piece. 
4. Of course now I have to add gallery Space Rental. This will vary based on Sales, but to assign to a sale price, I add $20.

That adds up to an investment of approximately $90/piece and does not consider my Computer (inkscape), scrolling and finishing hours which can be significant.  If I applied a $15/hour min wage factor you can see the prices would be off the chart, so I do not really take my time and effort into consideration. 

Since I know that every piece I make will not be sold, my goal is to "KIND OF" break even and cover my material/operating costs, and what ever return from sales I receive. will allow me to continue to produce my Scroll Saw Art.

Fortunately I do not need to earn a living doing my Scroll Saw Art or I would starve to death.  My Artist ego is fed by those who appreciated my work and are willing to pay the price I set to obtain it. 

I wonder how many of you actually realize how much you actualy spend on this hobby, especially when to take the work to a fully finished product?

Thanks for the explanation of how you price things.  I don't plan to sell any of my work but a I have donated a few pieces to charitable auctions and I plan to donate more.  Thus, establishing a basic value is of interest to me.  Like you, I am fortunate that I do not need to earn a living this way and, therefore,  my scroll-sawing, stained glassing, carving, and other woodworking projects are all hobbies.

[WayneMahler]

Beautiful display. Ans congrats on the sales. Well deserved. 

[FrankEV]

Update 5/26/2021

So far this endeavor of displaying my work in a Art Gallery has been fruitful.  Sold another piece at the Gallery the day before yeasterday. 

There is no work on my part other than making more pieces.  It is great not having to waste my weekends to travel and set up a booth, etc. at art festivals. 

I'm currently working on a group of beachy/nautical/boating/tropical  pieces.  I'm thinking they may be a little bit more interesting to the beach community population in this area that frequent the Gallery.   I need to rotate pieces anyway so the display does not become stagnant. 

[don watson]

Wonderful achievement Frank. The gallery display does look excellent and I think it great that you are going to rotate the pieces on a regular basis as that will retain interest in your work.

Pricing is something I have never studied as the costs seem to multiply when you include the time taken on the saw at an average of £10 an hour (a very minimum wage) I would need to charge a minimum of £100 as I am a very slow worker. The problem of cost doesn't arise with me as when I finish a piece it usually disappears and magically turns up at my daughters (if my wife hasn't gifted it to someone). I find it quite scary when I work out what I need to charge and would probably be happy if I covered the cost of wood which does create another problem.

Don W

 

[FrankEV]

6 hours ago, don watson said:

Wonderful achievement Frank. The gallery display does look excellent and I think it great that you are going to rotate the pieces on a regular basis as that will retain interest in your work.

Pricing is something I have never studied as the costs seem to multiply when you include the time taken on the saw at an average of £10 an hour (a very minimum wage) I would need to charge a minimum of £100 as I am a very slow worker. The problem of cost doesn't arise with me as when I finish a piece it usually disappears and magically turns up at my daughters (if my wife hasn't gifted it to someone). I find it quite scary when I work out what I need to charge and would probably be happy if I covered the cost of wood which does create another problem.

Don W

 

Thanks Don,

As I have said before, if I had to make a living scrolling, I would starve to death.  I don't reqly consider my time when I price my pieces.  Mainly just trying to recoup the rental fee at the gallery and maybe some of my material costs.  To me it is just a way for my work to be seen by the public and just maybe some will appreciate what I create.  

Although my prices are not over the top, I do live by one phlososify though: I'd rather give away my work free than sell it cheap.   When someone buys a piece of my work I feel confident that the buyer appreciates the work involved as well as the art itself.

[don watson]

16 hours ago, FrankEV said:

Thanks Don,

As I have said before, if I had to make a living scrolling, I would starve to death.  I don't reqly consider my time when I price my pieces.  Mainly just trying to recoup the rental fee at the gallery and maybe some of my material costs.  To me it is just a way for my work to be seen by the public and just maybe some will appreciate what I create.  

Although my prices are not over the top, I do live by one phlososify though: I'd rather give away my work free than sell it cheap.   When someone buys a piece of my work I feel confident that the buyer appreciates the work involved as well as the art itself.

I think that is what I am trying to say. Thanks for that Frank. I sold a piece of work last 2 years ago, it was a pen I had turned from Australian Mallee Burr (Burl) and fitted with an Empress design kit with Swarvosky crystals and it was purchased by a Russian lady who was visiting the venue at the time. This was an expensive pen to make and the purchase price covered the cost of materials and not much else. But I was happy because someone really appreciated it and it would be cherished (and used).

[munzieb]

Frank, I am really impressed with all your endeavors to display your work. The booth looks very professional and the artwork is top notch. Glad to see that you are selling your work and it is appreciated.