Tuesday 17 September 2024

Murine Musings*

 Apologies to those who were put off their lunch by thoughts of mouse body parts on my coffee table!

I have completed six mice, and sewn all their limbs in place. Now to get them dressed and ready to go into the shop. I'm thinking of doing three like Jethro the farmworker, in his Norfolk Smock, and three like Bonnie in a mob cap and floral dress.
I am not sure how much to charge for them though. They take a fair bit of work, and the good felt, and beady eyes are add significantly to the materials costs. What would you pay?

*murine is the adjective for mice- like bovine/cows, equine/horses  etc

20 comments:

  1. They are cute!!! Ursine is to do with bears and lupine- wolves!

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    1. Oh I do love these words! Thank you 🐺🐻

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  2. National Trust shop has little animals for sale up to £15! Each.

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  3. You need to charge enough to recoup the price of your supplies and extra for your time and effort. I hope your UK readers will be able to give your an idea of how much to charge.

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    1. The current minimum wage is around £11 an hour. But it takes a lot longer than an hour to produce a finished, clothed mouse. As you say, UK friends will suggest a fair price

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  4. Your mice are superb. I think 15.00 is very reasonable considering the amount of work that goes into them. Unfortunately, with handmade items, you don't recoup the cost involved. On saying that you would probably have to pay much more in a posh shop😗. 🐁🐁

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  5. The mice are delightful and I know took hours and lots of concentration to make. The question of what to charge is always a tricky one with craft items and it's a conversation I've had with Crafter friends many times. Perhaps take a look on Etsy and see what the equivalent cost......I realise you may have already done that.
    Sorry this isn't much of an answer to your question. I recently made a 100 per cent wool cable hat, very nice though I say it myself. The yarn was just shy of ten pounds, it took me about 4 hours in total to make but if I tried to sell it I don't imagine anyone wanting to pay more than a tenner 😏
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. Your hat example sums it up beautifully - people say "I could buy the wool and make it myself" and forget that your time has value too (and your cable knitting skills)

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  6. These are exquisite. I am sure you will sell as many as you wish to produce. JanF

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  7. They are gorgeous. A good starting point is to add up what they cost you to make, estimate how long each one would take from start to finish if made in one go and choose an hourly rate that you would be happy with ... and then the main retail, secret ADD 20%.

    Another way to look for pricing inspiration would be to look for something similar on Etsy and see what they are going for.

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  8. I've not come across the +20% thing before. Years ago, I read the story of Cranks restaurant and they used to take the cost of ingredients and multiply by 3 to get the price on the menu. I shall look again at Etsy and make a decision when they are ready to go onto the site. Thanks again

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  9. Hand made crafts should be valued much more than anything churned out in a factory. These are an art, so you should charge as such!

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  10. Sorry for the late reply-it was Norrie’s eye jab day, craft class, birthday lunch for a friend and then shopping. I’m shattered! £15 for each mouse is a fair price and Ali would add a little tag tied round the mouse to say that it is lovingly made by hand. I’m rotten at pricing things and often don’t make any profit for my work. Catriona

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    1. I love the idea of the tag. Thanks for that.
      I love auto correct, I was wondering at first who Ali was!?!

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  11. These are cute and will be even more so in their costumes. I hope you can get a good price on them from customers who will appreciate their worth. Handmade with handmade outfits are special, and are not just toys!

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    1. Definitely NOT toys, the eyes are not safety eyes, and the whiskers are too spiky for safe play.

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