Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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2steps
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Ranges/linesFollowing on from my other thread and thinking about selling jewellery... do you think having a few set designs that are always available is a good or bad thing? I have always only made one or two of each design and used that as a selling point but I've been thinking about it and it could be a disadvantage as well, in that I have nothing to become known for specifically. It also means I have to constantly come up with new ideas.
I've been thinking that I could carry on doing new one off/limited designs but also chose a few designs I like making and always sell them. I can sill vary them to a point with different stones or colours. Or a range could be quite open like - charm bracelets, which leaves loads of room for items to be individual and not become boring to make.
I have a few designs in mind and haven't seen anything else like them around so they would stand out as being 'mine'
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RichardW
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Re: Ranges/lines | 2steps wrote: | | but also chose a few designs I like making and always sell them. |
No you always make the things people like buying. It matters not if you like making them or like the finished item. No point other wise.
Justme
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2steps
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true but if I hate doing it, there's little point too 
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Frewen
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I've found that while there are things I like making I have to lean towards what people want.
I can still do stuff I like but I've reached the conclusion that whether I am working in a "job" or studying, or self employed, there are always going to be things that I have to push myself to do (I hate writing essays too - I did read your other thread  ).
I would have a "standard" range of items that always sell well and a "premium range" of one offs  .
Which probably means that I will be needleing little teddies and toy dogs more that I will be making figures 
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2steps
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I have this dread of ending up feeling like a 'factory' constantly producing the same stuff, I don't even really like and feeling like I've sold out. It's only money and I want to do my own thing more than I want to be rich or well known but if I did want to make it our only income I'll need some sort of compromise. Surely, pretty much anything will sell (within reason) if you find the right market? (see other thread about $500 cables...)
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wellington womble
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have a loom at n's yarn yard website - she does a range of 'always available' yarn and a range of limted edition stuff - seems to work - and allows you to do both - I agree about making what sells, though. Also, with something like charm bracelets, you could maybe do a sort of 'customise it yourself' package - so the customer chooses their own combination of charms from what you have available?
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gil
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I have the following :
1. a core range of wines, that in theory will be made every year, because the harvest tends to be reliable and in sufficient quantity.
NB even when it is pretty certain, this doesn't always happen, because bad weather can wipe out the whole lot !
2. a range of limited edition : made from fruit that is in shorter supply than the core varieties, or where I get a surprise glut of something I wasn't expecting, or when I trial a new type to see how it will sell.
However, I sell them both for the same price (which doesn't mean anyone else should do the same with their premium / limited edition products). This is because although some fruit may be in short supply locally for me [such as elderberry], in other places it grows in abundance, and other winemakers can make loads.
I also do
3. Custom wines, harvested and made to order (very long lead time)
I have found that making wine commercially is / feels different from making it for one's own and friends' consumption - you do have to be [a lot] more organised. You also need to aim for consistency in quality (even if not in making absolutely identical batches every time).
I think 2steps idea of a repeatable pattern, but customisable, is a good one.
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Chez
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| gil wrote: | | I think 2steps idea of a repeatable pattern, but customisable, is a good one. |
Yes, I agree.
I don't agree 100% with Richard/Justme; doing something you loathe *would* be selling out. But, there's 'bread and butter' kind of stuff and stuff that really excites you.
Arvo does a load of 'turn up, get the lights out of the box and plug them in' type conferences which are our bread and butter; and then every so often we get an 'all bells and whistles design what you like' kind of gig, which is the icing on the cake and which keeps him sane(ish).
I think it's a trade-off between stimulating your creativity and paying the bills. It should be possible to do both with jewellery, I should think? If you get known for a few customisable items to start with, you can then start to expand your range; and have your 'limited edition' stuff be a) seen as more unique and therefore worth more money and b) more fun to do/make/design.
If that makes sense?
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RichardW
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I dint mean make stuff you loath doing that would be silly. Just remember that you are not the person buying so in the end its make what the buyer wants or go bust.
Justme
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gil
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I'd agree with Richard on 'what the customer wants', though there are different types of customer / market segments, with differing requirements.
For example, my rhubarb wine is dry.
This goes down well with wine-oriented and foodie people.
Some of the locals would much rather it were sweeter.
I am thinking of doing some sweeter versions of my wines for that group of customers, provided I can fit it into the production schedule without too much disruption. Even though it is not what I intended at the outset.
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Rosemary Judy
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one of the best lectures I had as a student, was from a wonderful dietitian, who told us that we would be bored with 80% of our working life.......
we were shocked to our cores, as we had studied for 3 and a half years and knew SO much and were so keen....
she explained it a bit like this :
this is because we are so skilled at our skill that we can almost do it in our sleep, and despite the patient - and other staff- only seeing the tip of the iceburg of our knowledge, it would seem effortless..... but for it to be effortless, it would also be boring......
things like paper work are boring - but we have to keep records and write to Dr's to keep them informed and then file these records.......
and even basic construction of a common diet would be soon be easy because we would have done a thousand or 6 before.....
It is the 20% that is new, out of the ordinary, challenging and fascinating that will keep you on your toes and keep our interested.
And do you know what, she was right !
No job can be challenging interesting and fascinating for more than a few months at the beginning of it, and you have to accept that most of what you do is routine and frankly, boring.....
I find people endlessly fascinating, but after 20 years I have actually heard all the reasons why this diet is too hard to stick too by now - good job I find the overcoming these reason more intersting...
and I would argue that being at home is the same too - I have had months at home over the last 3 years, and the thought of going to the lottie every day at first was great, but do you know what, most of growing my own is boring.......and hard work.......
BUT it is overall satisfying and worth it......
this is a heck of a ramble, but you have to accept that certain things you do to earn money are boring, but it PAYS for the 20 % that makes your soul glow, cos only you can do it.......
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