How Much Should I Charge For Labor To Make Their Jewelry?

by Jennifer
(Illinois)

The bride has purchased all of the beads and supplies for herself and the bridesmaids.


How much do I charge for labor per hour for making the jewelry???

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Oct 31, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pricing Higher
by: Anonymous

Re: having an item sell after the price was adjusted HIGHER rather than lower. I've had the same thing happen to me. A gorgeous bargain item sat and sat and I couldn't figure out why nobody bought it since it was really pretty. I'd have snapped it up!

A friend who works in marketing for a large corporation told me that people question bargains. She suggested that bargain prices suggest shortcuts, seconds, and such so they hesitate to buy. 'You get what you pay for' and so on.

The person who has come to you has a special need that you can meet. Price accordingly.

Btw, I figure my time at $30/hour when I price my items.
Sep 23, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Labor Charge
by: jenKcreate8

Thank you for the input! Helps me immensely.

I have been charging $12 an hour for labor, as I am in a rural town, but that should not make a difference right??
Sep 22, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Charging For Labor
by: Sunshine INdustries

You labor charges depend on what materials you're working with, how long it takes and how difficult the pieces are AND your relationship with the bride. No one can really tell you a direct answer on this without knowing the details.

Balance out these ideas to create your own price:

1. The bride obviously requires YOUR skills or she would have done it herself or found another. Do NOT under price.

2. Brides want special. Make it special and unique and charge her for that.

3. Unless she is family or a very good friend, do NOT undercharge. This sets a very dangerous precedent for more brides to find you and expect cheapness.

4. If the piece is using expensive components such as sterling and gemstones or Swarovski crystals, charge accordingly.

I charge $20 per hour for my work, but having said that, I also look at the final product and ask myself what I would pay for it. Sometimes I adjust up and sometimes I adjust down. I have found that if you charge too little, it won't sell because people think there must be something wrong with it.

Case in point - I had a sterling/garnet necklace around for months. I had a price of $35.00 on it. No one would buy it, even though many picked it up and oooo-d and ahhahhh-d over it. Each one said, "Is that really the price?" No one bought it.

A friend suggested that it wasn't high enough for the look of the necklace. The next show I had, I put a price of $80 on it. It was the second thing to sell. Do NOT under price.

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