Absolutely no. What most people are basing their pricing opinion on is asking themselves what would Walmart sell this for or target?. Most people don't think about how each item a crafts person makes is made by one person not a factory. Most of us don't get bulk discounts on supplies, although we do have cheap labor....:) In making animals, I don't think most people will be able to charge for their labor. I am a fine artist and a sock monkey maker and it is much easier for me to sell a painting for over $100.00 which usually takes me much less time ,than one of my custom monkeys. I do believe you have to take into consideration what the market will pay, but I do that by looking at my fellow Etsy sellers pricing and other Internet searches. When I first opened my shop I was selling my custom monkeys in the $20.00 range, now they are $40.00 and up for custom, although I do sell premade monkeys and bunnies for around $25.00(these take much less time and are not customized or personalized). I have not had trouble selling my custom monkeys. I have 17 to do before Christmas...yikes. I have been open a year and it takes a little time to find your buyers, but you will and they will appreciate something handmade versus mass produced. Sometimes we just need to educate potential customers about the process, time involved, why what we make is special, unique, worth the money...etc. On a side note, I do a couple of good (juried) arts and crafts shows each year and sometimes it helps for people to see these items in person, plus it helps to see and hear what people think about your product. I sold most of my 20 monkeys I made for the show and got 3 custom orders all pre payed, and lots of potential customers. Sorry for the ramble, hope some of this helps. Good luck. One more thing my sister in law is also a fine artist who does a lot of free lance work, she said to me that she doesn't do anything unless she is getting $40.00 and hour, she told me this after I told her it took me 5 days to finish this cross stitched school logo patch on 28 ct (2800 cross stitches). Can you imagine what my monkeys would cost if I added even a dollar an hour labor let alone $40.00...lol I love what I do so I'm not complaining just still rambling. Good luck to you!
