How to Price Your Handmade Product & Free Calculator

Hello,

A few of my crafter friends often asked me how to price their handmade products when they just started out. It is difficult to determine what price is fair price. Especially with the booming e-commerce, the competition is fierce out there. 

trifold women's wallet

You want to make things that sell, but on the other side you also want to make a decent profit so that you can make the business going and growing without draining your personal resources. 

I'm no expert here, but I've learnt my lesson and I read a lot of blog post and books about pricing handmade. Especially when people around you (your social media followers, friends, etc) seems to think that handmade should be cheaper,because they tend to compare your product with ones in Amazon, Ebay etc. Well, send them to Amazon and Ebay! 

Ooak Handmade Wallet

But they won't get the same high quality product as yours, which everything is carefully chosen, it's unique, one of a kind  and the whole thing is carefully made without sacrificing a child or cheap labor somewhere in a dingy factory. 

But how to run a profitable handmade business without draining your personal resources? Price them correctly! Remember, your handmade is not only the material cost, but the time your spend making them, taking photos, marketing, your internet connection, not to mention your mental torture dealing with difficult customers :D. Well, You may want to read this post from Creative Hive on How to Pay Yourself in Creative Business and Pricing Handmade Guide. 

Bifold Wallet 

Now, I am not math genius here. My hubby dear made a handmade calculator for me, which I am still using it this date. You can download the  file HERE if you want. It's in Indian Rupees but you can use it for any other currency I suppose. 

The rows highlighted with light blue is adjustable. You can adjust your margin percentage for Wholesale and Retail Price too. You can even add a row or two. The labour cost/hour is included the overhead expenses . 

I also included Etsy Pricing formulae in case you want to start selling on Etsy too. The USD exchange rate is adjustable. If you're using Paypal, you may want to check paypal exchange rate, usually 4% lower than market rates). The Etsy  Fees paypal fees are  recently increased. So, do your homework before inputting the number. 

I hope this will help you a bit with your handmade business and when you want to start your business. 

You can download the HANDMADE CALCULATOR for free and start making profit :)

Happy Crafting!!

Elvira

New Zipper Pouches

Hello again,

Yesterday I made these one of a kind zipper pouches which in my wish list to sew. It's a free pattern from Noodlehead. I downloaded the pattern a few months ago, but yesterday after sorting out another scrap bag I felt so inspired and got down to make these 4 zipper pouches!

Double Sided Zipper Pouch

I called this fabric the little black dress. It has very fun print. I added black fabric. This is the first one I made, I used interfacing on both exterior and lining. It made the pouch really sturdy. 

Little Black Dress Pouch

The second one is this black and red pouch. The fabric I used is rayon cotton which has interesting pattern. I fussy cut the fabric to get this double sided pouch! 

Black and Red Pouch

I only put interfacing on the exterior fabrics for the three pouches. I think I love this better, since the pouch can turned out more spacious and flexible. I medium weight cotton fusible interfacing. It gives enough structure for the pouch. 

Wide Open Pouch

I used the same method for my previous pouches which I am still using now. Even after several washing, the pouch remain the same. If you're in India, you might want to check out my post about interfacing . 

Floral Zipper Pouch

I also use the same interfacing for this newsprint pouch. The newsprint fabric is a lightweight canvas fabric. 

Newsprint Pouch

Making pouch is always fun and the result is so rewarding. It is also great for gifts. I always keep few handy for gifts. You can also learn to make one with this Basic Tutorial on How to Make Patchwork Pouch or download the PdF in the link below this post.

So, what are you sewing this week? 

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Sewing!

~Elvira~

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