how much$$is 2 much for beadwork?

[Blackbear]

GASP!!! LOL I mentioned nothing about toe sucking.. only "I'm not worthy" kisses ROFLMAO!!!!

[Mato Winyan]

my beadwork isn't THAT good..LOL

All Hail Queen Christy!! Beadwork Goddess!!

[woggs]

nice beadwork

looked at it and its nice. The detail does take time and designing it too. But the price? $4700? I don't think I would be able to purchase it much less afford it. So I would just have to bead somthing myself. It may be the store's price, up it a bit to make a profit.

But the running price for a crown is around $500. The other items depend on size and how much beadwork. Oh and can't forget the leather, either the real deal (brain tan) or commercial hide. I know for northern items like fully beaded leggings and mocs your looking at $600 to $700 dollars. But it is an investment if you compete.

But mad props to christy, your work is beautiful. But my loyalty for "best beadworker" has to go to my grandma, she creates the best dresses (northern)!

[Drippin With Beads]

But the running price for a crown is around $500. The other items depend on size and how much beadwork. Oh and can't forget the leather, either the real deal (brain tan) or commercial hide. I know for northern items like fully beaded leggings and mocs your looking at $600 to $700 dollars. But it is an investment if you compete.

I enjoy reading the threads on Powwows.com . Some are funny. Some are thought provoking. Some, unfortunately, take off in another direction that strays from the original topic. Mostly, it’s all-good.

Even though I occasionally post my 2 cents worth, I am not the kind of person that will put someone down for their opinion. I just don’t think that way. This is one of the reasons that I don’t reply to threads more often. I just don’t like to be negative towards anyone. There is one topic that bothers me enough to comment on. That is the price of Beadwork!

I have commented on this subject, in more depth, on several other threads, so if you want further explanation on how I feel, please look at my history. I basically feel that a person should be paid fairly for their time.

Woggs is correct in that the average price for a Crown is $500. Most Crowns out there are worth $500. However, to imply that the Crown that Christy made is in the $500 category is just not right. Yes there are many of us that could probably do the same intricate beadwork as she does. However, how long would it take to do so? Also, would we be able to get the asking price for it if we did? Unfortunately, probably not. There are just not enough people out there willing to pay that kind of money.

I guess I just have to ask, how much is your time worth???? If we were honest with ourselves, that crown would take about 2 ½ weeks to make. If you’re the average person in the work place, you will make at least $500 (before taxes) a week. Why should an Artist make any less?

Woggs, I mean this with great respect, but, you say that fully beaded leggings and mocs run $600 to $700. Fully beaded moccasins and leggings would take, 98% of good bead workers, at least 3 weeks to bead. Are you saying that an Artists time is only worth $233 per week???

Please don’t feel like I am singling you out. There are many out there that feel the same. The problem is that there are many Artists out there, who are willing to do beadwork that cheap. Mostly it is because they feel they would not be able to get the kind of WELL DESERVED price for their good work. Maybe they can’t, and that is the problem. There are many Bead Work Artists willing to, basically, give their work away. That thinking puts into some people’s heads that “It is the going rate”. We are not doing these Artists justice with thought like that. They should be paid a decent wage for their hard work, and the people that want good beadwork to dance in should be willing to pay the needed price. Some would not be able to afford it. Others would have to learn to do it themselves.

I’m sorry, but $500 for all the time it took Christy to make that Crown is just an injustice.

[woggs]

I enjoy reading the threads on Powwows.com . Some are funny. Some are thought provoking. Some, unfortunately, take off in another direction that strays from the original topic. Mostly, it’s all-good.

Even though I occasionally post my 2 cents worth, I am not the kind of person that will put someone down for their opinion. I just don’t think that way. This is one of the reasons that I don’t reply to threads more often. I just don’t like to be negative towards anyone. There is one topic that bothers me enough to comment on. That is the price of Beadwork!

I have commented on this subject, in more depth, on several other threads, so if you want further explanation on how I feel, please look at my history. I basically feel that a person should be paid fairly for their time.

Woggs is correct in that the average price for a Crown is $500. Most Crowns out there are worth $500. However, to imply that the Crown that Christy made is in the $500 category is just not right. Yes there are many of us that could probably do the same intricate beadwork as she does. However, how long would it take to do so? Also, would we be able to get the asking price for it if we did? Unfortunately, probably not. There are just not enough people out there willing to pay that kind of money.

I guess I just have to ask, how much is your time worth???? If we were honest with ourselves, that crown would take about 2 ½ weeks to make. If you’re the average person in the work place, you will make at least $500 (before taxes) a week. Why should an Artist make any less?

Woggs, I mean this with great respect, but, you say that fully beaded leggings and mocs run $600 to $700. Fully beaded moccasins and leggings would take, 98% of good bead workers, at least 3 weeks to bead. Are you saying that an Artists time is only worth $233 per week???

Please don’t feel like I am singling you out. There are many out there that feel the same. The problem is that there are many Artists out there, who are willing to do beadwork that cheap. Mostly it is because they feel they would not be able to get the kind of WELL DESERVED price for their good work. Maybe they can’t, and that is the problem. There are many Bead Work Artists willing to, basically, give their work away. That thinking puts into some people’s heads that “It is the going rate”. We are not doing these Artists justice with thought like that. They should be paid a decent wage for their hard work, and the people that want good beadwork to dance in should be willing to pay the needed price. Some would not be able to afford it. Others would have to learn to do it themselves.

I’m sorry, but $500 for all the time it took Christy to make that Crown is just an injustice.

LOL I don't know who posted this cuz I leave my puter on..so personally I (tha real woggs) can't answer you..LOL
Wait I think this price average refers to the average most people on the reservation ask for..I know it's "cheap", but that is an average....and the beadwork my sis is talking about is fabulous and thats an average asking prce of many people back in fort hall!
NOW that's all I know!!HEHEHE

[Native 1]

re: beadwork

I think that is awesome work esp. if you are using the smaller beads it takes a while to cover more space with. I agree with the person above about the price and the amount of time it takes to do large projects. One of the reasons you keep beadwork/sewing in the family. Right now I will only do my families beadwork and I don't take orders for the very reasons mentioned. It's very beautiful work but if the store added their 50% profit then she probably only got half of that amount or less right? That is still cheap b/c the store will in the end take the profit. I know she said that she makes a living from it, and I just wished that more people would appreciate the time & effort it takes in making beautiful creations. I think that the crown would prob be worth more b/c of the bead size....thats just my opinion but the smaller beads should be worth more.

[posha one]

Native 1, you hit the nail on the head with your comments. Guessing yer a beader too 'cause you have made some good points. As every beadworker knows, you never get your money back for the work ya turn out. Don't think Christy made near what Sharps is asking fer her stuff. If'n she DID, then she sure earned it (I think she worked on that set for about a year. Figure it out, that's less than the government scale. Flipping burgers pays more but she is an artist and a darn good'un. Just can't say enough good things about that gal and I get cranked when people kick her butt and say it's too high. Those that talk big should turn out work like hers and maybe the supply and demand will enter and the prices will be forced lower. Just my 2 1/2 cents worth.

[posha one]

Drippn with beads, my last post also goes to you, ya sound like you know what it takes to do this kind of work as well. Sorry I didn't include you when I posted to Native 1.

[tipis]

I have been around a long time and must say that is ONE of the nicest and detailed sets without getting into the teeny tiny beads I have ever seen and well worth the price. Just hope you get the money and not most to the store. It is flashy, showy and makes you want to look at it across a dance area.

Pricing is the hardes to do in anywork...IT IS WHAT THE MARKET WILL BARE. AGAIN....it is work every penny of the price. I am jealous and wish I had the flash in my designs you have. Hope to meet you some day at a dance so we can compare war stories on beadwork.