Congratulations! It is a thrill to have others enjoy your leaves enough to pay for them! I agree, pricing is the hardest part. I have only sold to 2 people who insisted they had to buy some of my leaves. It was fun to sell a few but awful to do the selling part.
Laura

Deb,
That is really great. And what a nice contribution to a group in need. I also did this a couple years ago and was somewhat suprised at what co workers were willing to donate to foster care fund.
Very nice!
Dena

Deb,

Congratulations on your leaf sale! I have sold a few leaves at a local art/craft/florist store and it is nice to have some money coming in. Right now it just allows me to pay for some of my supplies. But I have been wondering what would be involved in forming a business. Do you have any information on this or maybe point me in the right direction? I am not sure where to start or whether I should even bother at this point yet.

Carrin

Deb, Congratulations! Billie

Way to Go Deb! Outstanding! And "what to charge" is easy...as much as you can. And I'm not being flip, either. Having spent almost thirty years in advertising & marketing, one of the most important lessons I learned was this; consumers perception of "value" for any given item, is as much based on it's price...as any other consideration. In other words, if it's priced "cheap" it must therefore BE cheap. Conversely, (and this is more true of art than any other product on Earth), if it has a bigger pricetag...it must be "better". You do it. I do it. The whole world does it. Yes, you have to deliver quality and all that, but don't make the mistake of de-valuing yourself right out of the market. Put a price on your work that says, "Hey, I'm good at this and I work my a - - off and I deserve to be well compensated for it. When pride shows through in the product...it should also show up in the price.

Finding out what the market will bear in terms of high-end pricing is just a matter of homework. Shop around. See what range quality work that's similar is going for in your market. The sellers of every product from home-grown tomatoes beside the road to Lear jets has to do the same "due diligence" on pricing. Just make sure you aim for the upper end. You can always "mark down"...but it's tough, very tough to bump up once you've claimed a price point. Go get'em girl.

All my Best --- Tango

Thank you! You guys are a great support group.

Carrin, I'm researching business licensing right now through the State of Washington website. I keep hitting roadblocks, like what kind of business is it? I was thinking that it was manufacturing but it's really not. We are more artisans than anything. Also, what do I call myself? Do I use my name or make up a business name? I came to the conclusion that I had to use my name but then, which do I use...maiden or married? It's tough, because once I decide, it's pretty much cast in stone (pun intended).

Tango, that's excellent advice. My brother was just telling me the same thing...he said to charge what I think is a ridiculous amount. He's both an artist and is a partner in a software media company. It's hard because culturally, we're taught to not toot our own horns. We think that if we made it, it can't be worth that much. I've been really hesitant to sell anything too, because I want to establish a personal style or "niche" and have a very high quality product. It's pretty daunting but like anything else, is do-able in small increments, as long as I know what they are. ("Q: How do you eat a whole elephant?" "A: One bite at a time.") It is worth doing, though and I won't be content unless I try. Thanks for your advice. It means a lot to me.

Deb

Way to go Deb. The first feels the best. When picking a Name for you business look at it from a consumer stand point. When you are looking for say a clothing store what most catches your eye are the names with Clothing or Apparel in them. I would suggest a name with some kind of discription of your type of product. Something simple and easy to remember. Sometimes this is harder than it looks.
I started out with just Paw Prints in concrete therefore Paws4Pets but now I do much more than just the paw prints so while I really like the name it doesn't describe all I do now. Hope that is clear as mud (pun intended)
Good Luck
Paws

Keep at it. But as a retired small business owner, may I suggest a few notions for your consideration?
1. Find out from your local government if your's will be a "customary home occupation" (the verbage may be slightly different) and make sure you are in compliance with zoning laws.
2. Check out your state sales tax laws. Keep scrupulous records of income and expenses - it really isn't hard to do.
3. Go the SBA.gov and read through the "Starting" category. This wheel has been invented and an hour invested now may be of great value in making money, saving energy and avoiding frustration.

Go for it. Keep us posted. And post pictures!
(Free advice is worth what you pay for it. Discriminate and find good advice

We use the same name for our various endeavours.We add what it does to the end of it(for example,and,nothing to do with our business,ADMIN!)Jane"s Outlook Books,Jane's Outlook Publishing,Jane's Outlook Pig Racing..you get it.At a conference in Seattle about store identity,A friend of mine found that her store name(Wild Rose Cottage)did not reflect what she does for a living(antiques, retro furnishings,knicknacks).She had chosen her name somewhat in haste,and is considering changing it.
You don't really have to attach your name to it,but do try and provide some form of identifier;e.g.,Puget Sound Concrete Art,or,you could be Deb's Art for the Garden.
A few cents from your friends up north.
Cheers from here

Tufftufa, what I've found out so far is that my business license will have to include a resale license because of state sales tax (and I'll have to collect and send it in to the Dept of Revenue). In addition, I will also have to be licensed with the City of Gig Harbor. Although I don't live within city limits, I have to be licensed with them to do any business there. Then there are quarterly taxes, FICA and L&I, etc. I still have to find out about zoning rules for residential, unincorporated Pierce county--I think they're less stringent for an artisan producing things to sell from a studio in one's home, i.e. cottage business. I do capital projects accounting for a public organization in my other life, so I'm familiar with some of these things from the other side and can do the bookkeeping. You're right...it's a lot to keep track of.

Paws and Rick, those were some of the ideas I had, too. I have to use a name that people are familiar with (Deb) as well as some description of what I do. Since my market is people in my community, they need to be able to tie me to my business name and get an idea of what I do. I would like to keep it a little open ended though, because I'd like to do some garden design if I get a chance. I really like Deb's Divine Spark Inspirations but that's waaaay too New Agey and if not that, sounds at least vaguely religious. Rick, I like where you're going with the Deb's Art for the Garden...maybe Deb's Artful Garden would work. On a business card, I could put a small line under that that says, "handmade concrete sculpture."

Thanks for all your ideas. It's nice to be able to bounce ideas back and forth and I really appreciate your voice of experience.

Deb

Did you take a picture of your donated leaf? If not, could you describe it? I'll be involved in pricing my donated items next week and every clue helps. I wish some of mine would bring in that kind of money. Thanks

Fleur, I didn't take a picture :-(

It was a medium rhubarb leaf (the size they were a month ago) made of hypertufa with terra cotta colorant. I cast it over a bowl and sand so it had enough of a dip in the middle for a bird to bathe and shoved in plenty of sand at the edges so it would be fluted. It was in two layers: the first was too thin and cracked on the back so I wetted, applied bonder/fortifier, mesh drywall tape and another layer of 'tufa.

The price for this leaf was inflated because this was a fundraiser and administrators were involved. The auction bidding for the leaf started at $50.

A lady at our local farmer's market sells rhubarb leaves of comparable size for $35. Hers aren't fluted or as finely detailed--the edges aren't as clean and her leaves are thicker. I would say that $35 might be a starting point and you could ask more (exponentially) for bigger size and better quality. At a Tacoma nursery I saw 5' cast gunnera leaves for $500. And they sold them all. I have a copy L&L's price sheet (thanks to Belgianpup) and take it out every so often to remind myself of possibilities...

I think a lot depends on your market--prices are inflated in major metropolitan areas and tourist destinations. Tropical/exotic gardening is big on the West Coast so there's a demand for big leaves and flamboyant garden hardscaping.

If it's for a fundraiser, then it really depends on what people are willing to give and may not be connected with the actual value of the leaf. I guess I will give you the advice I was given: Charge what you think is a ridiculous amount.

Viva!

Deb

Deb,good morning.
You mentioned a price list?From a famous maker of concrete art?Is there a way that you could let me know a few of the prices,please?We could correspond off the forum so that the Masters won't be displeased.
Cheers from here

Hi Deb!

Congratulations on your sale! One of these days, I'm gonna feel the same feeling...

One point from a consumer/customer/browser-to-buyer point of view....

When I'm browsing through a store, craft show display, website, etc. of an artisan/crafter who's work I am drawn to, but might not quite be able to afford, I look for a smaller and less expensive by that person that I like.

There have been many times when I have lusted after the work of an artist, but found another piece, sometimes of the same medium, sometimes not, which I could afford and appreciate owning. It also keeps the artist/crafter in the back of my mind whenever I am able to afford something a bit pricier.

Sometimes the artist only deals in large or expensive pieces, then I resign myself to holding on to the brochure/catalog as a reminder, when I cannot afford those artworks.

I realize that alot of this depends upon how much commission work you are dealing with, whether you have the time or energy to create smaller pieces.

I think that the auction may have helped you decide what your price is/will be. Don't be afraid to ask for a little bit more than you could ever imagine it being worth. If it doesn't sell, you can always reduce the price, "end of season, etc.," but never less than two-thirds of your original asking price, unless you just want to keep from loading/unloading it. Artwork appreciates in value, not the other way around....

If someone wants your work, but can't quite afford it, you can offer them a break if they bring you additional business in the form of friends, co-workers, etc. There's nearly always a way to make most folks happy.

My two cents...;D

Congratulations again! Continued success!

Jo

Hi.. great info.. been awhile wondering how you made out with your business. I am contemplating a similar venture so I was wondering how it all worked out for you. Lol yeah the pricing seems to be the hardest part of it all ...lol...

Guess what he 'price' of certe rhubarb leaves has not 'deflated' any!!! Believe it or not this is exactly the same amount as to what my leaf brought at a 4/24/08 fund-raiser for a Youth-Leadership Program Gala in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On a different note, In June I will have my first booth at a spring event in Waterloo, and have many leaves to take - on rainy days I'm busy painting those that I cast last summer. Want to make several tufa pots and a few more spheres this summer-as have giving every family member and friend I know leaves; and more leaves lol, birdbaths etc. they now are ready for something else-and so am I:) Wendy

good luck.. I cant believe you need to get all that licensing stuff. IF you just go to craft shows pocket the cash.
Maybe you could paint some of those leaves at the craft show, it is always nice to have something to do and folk like to see things being made.

Happy to report here that I have sold rhubarb for as much as $100.

Wow! Good for you wannadanc, but I think we are talking donated items here. In this part of the mid-west I think pricing stuff is tough...I don't think here anyone could get that much for a rhubarb leaf or any other leaf for that matter, but then again I could be wrong-wouldn't be the first time... do you have a photo of the leaf-would be nice to see a $100. one!! maybe we could start a new thread! Wendy

Out west here, we have Little and Lewis fame when it comes to leaf castings ..........and with THAT name, and a Gunnera leaf, you are looking at in excess of 1K. So - the price on the rhubarb was not out of sight. I will scratch through my pix over on webshots and post one here ......I realize NOW how few photos I took of rhubarb - but there are others there you may want to check.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rhubarb

Those are very nice leaves! looks like you use metallics quite a bit, also looked like you were having fun there at your stand. We don't have anything like -or even similar as a 'Little & Lewis' gallery; although I did purchase their book for the inspiration that oozes out of it,lol. There are still many people here who have never heard of what we do with crete and are very much amazed of the process it takes to make these leaves etc. Liked your idea on using a crete-hand to keep the print outs from blowing a way, I have some of those from Halloween so shall definitely use your idea. Thank you so much!

wannadanc, your leaves are terrific...I like your crete hands, too. .I tried to make some crete "hands" last year by filling rubber gloves with a loose cement/sand mixture. Is that what you did? Do you need a release agent inside? What sort of rubber/vinyl gloves did you use? Whatever I did didn't work. Ideas?

iriemilly - I used the latex gloves back then - the kind you get in boxes at Costco. They now sell the safer brand which should also work fine. No release needed - just cut them off w/ scissors.

The problem I had was keeping the finger joints from being too thin and therefore likely to break. In that one photo, you can see where I have them hanging over a ledge....if I was to do it again, I would at least try placing them on an inflated ball - something to give a more gradual curve in the digit joints.

I used same mix for these as I did for leaves: equal parts portland cement and sand - no gravel. I think they were set up in a day - but I poured a lot because I expected to lose a number of them - which I did.

I used Gorilla Glue to fix a couple fingers. Funny part there is that I eventually wrote to the company to applaud their product for repairing broken CONCRETE fingers. Guess what? They thought (duh) I meant biological fingers. OMG.
I still laugh over that one.

HTH