Ornament Prices

[Toneman]

I don't know if this topic belongs here or not,but if it needs to be moved to another area, Mr. Moderator please do so.
I am going to set up a booth at our local Christmas arts and crafts show and try to sell some ornaments and a few wall plaques and portraits. I was going to ask $4.00 each or 3 for $10.00 for the fretted ornaments and $2.50 each or 5 for $10.00 for the plain ornaments. Are these prices too high or too low? I have never done this before, but, thought it would be a chance to make a little money to buy more scrolling materials and tools. I will never do this as a business (intend to stay retired), but, hope to pay for a few expenses. Like my retired veternarian friend said about his woodshop:"Tony, you could not afford my work if I was to make a business of it". Now, I know some of you do make a living from your work and I applaud you. But, here in rural NE Texas, wood art is not really appreciated so much that people are willing to pay what pieces are really worth.
Oh, by the way, my ornaments are not finished, just dipped in lemon oil and thats it.

Tony,aka,Toneman

[dgman]

Hey Tony, Your prices seem fair. But it all depends on your market and subject mater and type of wood. Christmas ornaments sell well, but they have to be appealing. So I use only hardwoods. I know of folks who use only Baltic birch Plywood, and they don't sell. I have a few sets of the twelve days of Christmas, made from Baltic Birch finished in my BLO/MS mix with a top coat of spray lacquer, and nobody will even pick them up to look at them! I also think they need to have a topcoat on them. Without a topcoat, the piece looks unfinished. I don't like shiny, so I use a semi gloss spray lacquer. Then after they are dry, I take off the shine with a piece of brown paper from a grocery bag. Putting on a topcoat is a little more work, but in the end it will be worth it!
People love a deal so giving a quantity discount is great!
Good luck!

[Billy in Va]

Tony,

I don't know about others, but when I use lemon oil It tends to bleed for a long time unless I put on a top coat of something.  I have the stains on of my table covers to prove it.

I agree with Dan, you prices seem to be fair. I use the same prices on my ornaments. Last year went to an event called Christmas on the Town.  Took about 100 ornaments and came back with the same number .  Did another show with the same ornaments and did better. Did a sale in July, took the ornaments but did not display. Someone asked and I sold 6 there. So it is anyone's guess as to what and when they will sell. I cut a lot of small crosses the 4' tall range and they do a lot better in my area. Good luck with your sale.

[edward]

 I usually sell mine for $4 or $5 each, my customers have no problem with the price.  Edward

[MOONIE]

I've made lots of ornaments from 1/8 BB finished with BLO mix, and give them as gifts.  People love them, but not enough to spend $5.00 for them.   Question for Dan... where do you buy your 1/8 hardwood for ornaments? The only alternative I've seen have a MDF center. 

[dgman]

I've made lots of ornaments from 1/8 BB finished with BLO mix, and give them as gifts.  People love them, but not enough to spend $5.00 for them.   Question for Dan... where do you buy your 1/8 hardwood for ornaments? The only alternative I've seen have a MDF center. 

Fortunately for me MOONIE I have a full work shop. I re-saw thicker woods on the band saw or table saw, then plane then down to final thickness. Depending on the size of the ornaments, I use 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" hardwoods.
There are online sources where you can get thin hardwood. One source is www.ocoochhardwoods.com.

[BilltheDiver]

I do the same Dan.  It's even better when you have a thicknessing sander for after the resaw.  Gotta love power tools!

[julief]

Since it is a Christmas arts and crafts show, people are going there to buy Christmas presents and decorator items.  You should do well.  I agree with your pricing.  I also agree that you should spray a finish on them.  Since you have several, might I suggest a way to get them all done quickly.  Tie a string across an area and use paper clips bent out to hold your ornaments.  You can easily spray both sides and let them dry.  As you take them down, give them a quick swipe across some brown paper ( I use the brown painters paper in a roll from the hardware store).  It is very easy to get a lot of them done in a short amount of time.
Good luck with your sale.

[Toneman]

Thank ya'll so much for your comments and advice! Most of my ornaments are from 1/8" solid walnut and maple and I will spray them with a finish as recommended by ya'll. Also Julie, I like the idea of hanging them to spray; I have a 20' porch across the front of my workshop and can hang quite a few across to spray.

Tony,aka,Toneman

[tbolt]

I price mine all the same they all take the same amount of wood, finish time and booth space alittle more cut time on some but you aren't gettlng paid for your time anyway all the previous posts are spot on just my 2 cents

[jimbo]

I use local hard wood [Rimu]  and use a varnish to finish [gloss] and charge $5 each, sold a bundle earlier this month so people are shopping early for Christmas
Jimbo

[spiderman]

Toneman
online with your ornaments you can sell clocks they do sell well for between oh i see like $50.00 to $60.00 each clock steve gots some nice clocks. people also like ornaments that are 3D compounds those you could sell like $15.00 to $25.00 each.   hope this helps.