tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post3685120711555667011..comments2023-08-27T09:08:39.850-07:00Comments on The Magic Brush, Inc.: What determines the price of painted furniture??Magic Brushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09663747993075580281noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-56357609745903789492014-01-16T02:46:42.855-08:002014-01-16T02:46:42.855-08:00It’s good to have exquisite furniture stores onlin...It’s good to have exquisite furniture stores online. When I look for furniture stores in Central Coast, it is a tiring task. I am totally into online furniture now. Transparent policies and good designs<br /><a href="http://ifurnitureonline.com.au/%20product-category/beds/" rel="nofollow"><b>bedroom furniture central coast</b></a><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-25048063982828176162013-11-30T20:30:08.084-08:002013-11-30T20:30:08.084-08:00Thank you so much for this post. I just recently ...Thank you so much for this post. I just recently finished three pieces of furniture (that I would love to keep, but need to make a living for seven children :), and I was so worried someone would post something nasty about my pieces and prices. I was already thinking of what I would say in my defense. Now I know exactly what to say, so thank you!! Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425373437025515620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-88110756427733692932013-11-07T11:18:14.478-08:002013-11-07T11:18:14.478-08:00Thank you! I am a event crafter. I take my painted...Thank you! I am a event crafter. I take my painted furniture to events and shows and its so hard to get money out of my pieces at these events. Everyone wants to talk you down on prices and I have let items go at prices I am ashamed to repeat! As I prepare for a big show this weekend, you have given me the inspiration to add a sign to my booth this weekend listing the details of the work that actually goes into each piece, to explain why I won't come down to the price they deem appropriate. Thank you!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13114389458010745529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-80391969836386399062013-10-15T03:19:54.113-07:002013-10-15T03:19:54.113-07:00Exactly! I am so lucky to work with clients that ...Exactly! I am so lucky to work with clients that get that what I do is a talent. I do underprice myself, which is only because I feel guilty that I am doing something that comes naturally to me and it's FUN! Love your words :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801153457160483490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-72680621811108744042013-09-25T11:40:57.241-07:002013-09-25T11:40:57.241-07:00I loved your words..and actually read it out loud ...I loved your words..and actually read it out loud to my husband...and laughed, literally out loud. I am just getting started in this business and am having a time trying to figure out where you price things or even how you price them. Thanks for your take.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13593580759266144011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-51883677708236172642013-08-23T05:39:08.241-07:002013-08-23T05:39:08.241-07:00I checked out this blog and it was worthy to explo...I checked out this blog and it was worthy to explore why the cost of the painted furniture raised, although people usually under estimate it.<br /><a href="http://www.certaproloudoun.com/interior-painters-ashburn-va/" rel="nofollow">painters ashburn va</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-6510057131688365002013-08-22T21:57:21.098-07:002013-08-22T21:57:21.098-07:00I knew this blog post was existed someplace. Thank...I knew this blog post was existed someplace. Thanks to post such articles. Will unquestionably be using it very soon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13367868683316914505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-70830258459814612652013-08-22T05:43:33.979-07:002013-08-22T05:43:33.979-07:00I've been working 80-90 hours a week for the p...I've been working 80-90 hours a week for the past two years between all the hats I wear in this business. If I ever had time to sit down and run the numbers, I'd probably learn that all that time has cost me not only in valuable time lost with my family but in money as well. Everyone needs to stop using their thrift store pricing mentality as their starting point an walk into the Pottery Barns and Restoration Hardware stores... Give yourself more worth, PAY yourself an hourly rate then RAISE your prices<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127236146108087656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-84039181337943931552013-08-21T12:03:34.782-07:002013-08-21T12:03:34.782-07:00True-true-true. And don't forget the hours to ...True-true-true. And don't forget the hours to take it apart, reglue, repair and bring it back to life, the wood stripper, the sandpaper, the wood bleach or the hours of classes, practicing that it took to get to the point of being able to do this kind of work!<br /><br />Or the staging the photographs, photo editing them and blog writing, FB promoting, Hometalk promoting etc. Or paying the shop its $250.00 cut a month for your space!<br /><br />Great piece!!<br />Small House / Big Sky Donna / White Oak Studio Designs / SW Michigan<br />Hand-Painted Vintage Furniture Transformations<br />Blog: http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com<br />Facebook: donnaallgaierlamberti@facebook.com (for portfolio of chalk painted work)<br />House Crazy in Michigan!https://www.blogger.com/profile/06069554052596515946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-35785471468475162002013-08-20T14:36:34.530-07:002013-08-20T14:36:34.530-07:00Thank you for sharing - so, so true and I always s...Thank you for sharing - so, so true and I always say, If you think you can do it yourself cheaper, by all means, go ahead :)SHEILAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11425445678205974221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-18685423090876191692013-06-30T06:46:29.931-07:002013-06-30T06:46:29.931-07:00I don't know how you paint, but I know you wri...I don't know how you paint, but I know you write with incredible passion with a twist of humor ;) Thanks so much for sharing. My girlfriend and I are just getting into trying this out. You my dear have already inspired me to go for it. The very best to you :)<br /><br />EricAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13516363499247456419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-44555889363404503962013-06-26T11:28:29.673-07:002013-06-26T11:28:29.673-07:00Thank you so much for posting this! You were able...Thank you so much for posting this! You were able to say, so eloquently, what we all feel. I LOVE what I do but I also do it to help pay the bills. If I only charged what some people think I should be charging, my family would be on welfare! <br /><br />I sell in a couple of local shops here where I live. I do well in the one and practically nothing in the other (moving out the end of the week). I have sold a number of pieces through craigslist where I am firm on my prices. I also sell through my Etsy shop and do fairly well there, too. Shipping large pieces isn't fun, but I am constantly amazed at what people are willing to pay for a piece including the S&H!<br /><br />I am NOT one of those ones, tho' that will give all of my secrets away. I have worked hard, invested A LOT of time and money learning and working on techniques that have worked for me. It irks me when someone sees one of my pieces, tells me that they have to "go home and think about it" and then later come to me telling me they found a similar piece and now how do they do what I did to mine. I'm sorry but I don't see that as a compliment. I see it as cheap and cheesy! (There! I said it!)<br /> <br />What is a compliment is when someone sees my work, loves it and wants ME to please do that to a piece they have and are willing to pay what I charge! ;)<br /><br />So, yes....see what I mean by your being "eloquent". You said it very "nicely!" Big THANK YOU!Terry McLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01639853114926311683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-69183093616020305782013-05-21T18:58:57.487-07:002013-05-21T18:58:57.487-07:00Very well said. Thank you for posting this. Very well said. Thank you for posting this. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-2016853316970030832013-05-19T09:13:36.003-07:002013-05-19T09:13:36.003-07:00I sell painted furniture in Oklahoma and I couldn&...I sell painted furniture in Oklahoma and I couldn't agree more with your post. I'd love to LINK to it later this week if that's OK!<br /><br />Rebecca @ A Gathering PlaceRebecca Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662129266792835433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-37397968819076345192013-05-08T14:21:29.436-07:002013-05-08T14:21:29.436-07:00My words exactly! My words exactly! Sincerely Danielle Shunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543661817001599945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-9802835241017980652013-03-28T09:48:45.620-07:002013-03-28T09:48:45.620-07:00Amen sister! i think everyone should paint a piece...Amen sister! i think everyone should paint a piece of furniture and then they would realize it is not as easy as it looks. They do not understand the prep time, cost, searching, cleaning, sanding, priming, fixing, altering, customizing, and just having the skills knowing about colors, technique, and products. i could go on and on. Great post!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07428925219047128987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-11210882165548530182013-03-19T05:44:02.092-07:002013-03-19T05:44:02.092-07:00Very well said and I totally agree. Thanks for pos...Very well said and I totally agree. Thanks for posting!<br />Nancynwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09407979391585740495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-64109984675797246422013-02-24T14:57:51.039-08:002013-02-24T14:57:51.039-08:00Absolutely love this post.Absolutely love this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-70210871307822594062013-02-24T14:57:35.163-08:002013-02-24T14:57:35.163-08:00Absolutely love this post.Absolutely love this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-77111526733616276422013-02-24T09:00:34.770-08:002013-02-24T09:00:34.770-08:00I agree overall that salvaged/painted furniture is...I agree overall that salvaged/painted furniture is often underpriced or we furniture refinishers have to reduce our asking price to sell pieces. My husband and I refinish/deal furniture and have many conversations about this. We don't think it's as simple as just raising the price-you know we deserve it but it won't override economics. <br /><br />We sell through craigslist and have an etsy shop. The majority of our sales are through “local” craigslist buyers and a few have been on etsy. Shipping furniture is very expensive. We've found that esty buyers are willing to pay closer to the value of the piece but often they are used to higher costs being located in larger cities. But that brings up another topic-location. We're in the metro of a big Midwest city and still have to reduce the price of most pieces, sometimes 3 or 4 reductions. <br /><br />The pieces we pick up to refinish-we don't pay over $75 big pieces -are in really bad shape. We work to bring them to working/attractive order. The hourly rate we charge is $20 and we tend to get it. In the beginning (about 3 years ago), we noticed certain furniture doesn't sell well-chairs, side tables, nightstands (unless they are client orders of course)-so we avoid those items because we never see a good return. No matter how good of a deal they are. <br /><br />Something else we realized was that just because we put a lot of effort and handpaint a piece doesn't make it intrinsically more valuable. I wish people would value the handiwork of an artist and realize what it takes to do furniture makeovers well. Ultimately, it's storage and people have a lot of options so as much as we furniture refinishers don't want, we have to keep that in mind. People are choosing our pieces because they are unique and quite honestly, we have to continue refinishing furniture and must at some point accept a price we aren't pleased with while not lowering it so much to insult the craft. <br /><br />We charge for delivery and sell from our home. Most of the time people pick it up themselves. We know being in a shop would wipe out most profit. Often the places here charge a monthly booth amount and take a cut. Some things we've done to help get us out there are targeting and working on our craigslist ads and etsy listings to find our demographic. We also have a blog and have found some support, attention and orders through it. <br /><br />We spend $80 to $175 on dressers (which make up most of our work) plus the supplies and new hardware. We then work 8-20 hours (20 or so on a very badly damaged one), paint,poly then sell it in 4 to 6 weeks between $325 and $475 (which is still under the value other refinishers charge but not shabby). Our clients often want nursery dressers so we design those and look for pieces of that nature. They sell faster and we can then get more pieces we wish to do in our style. It's worked well. <br /><br />We've also noticed that the reduction of prices in shops that sell unique furniture have had an impact on our business. They need to turn things over fast but then people think that price is what others should charge. Craigslist seems to be full of people looking for a deal and we have people offer us less because some say they have seen other painted pieces on craigslist cheaper and we should accept a lower amount in turn. (Not all handpainted pieces are created equal..) Salvaging and refinishing is our passion. <br /><br />So, I agree but believe there are steps we can take to avoid some of the issues. We support your work and here's to hoping we can have a better future in our endeavors! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-234218800796394372013-02-24T09:00:16.267-08:002013-02-24T09:00:16.267-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-41729645971266902292013-02-24T08:38:33.278-08:002013-02-24T08:38:33.278-08:00Soooooo glad to have found your blog and your post...Soooooo glad to have found your blog and your post on painted furniture!! I have re-furnished/re-finished furniture for years now and believe me, I'm not getting rich!! People seem to think that "all you got to do is paint it" and spit-spat, you're done. Well, sister, I'm glad to hear there are others out there who know the pain, sweat, painted-fingers and yes, joy, that goes into each and every piece. I do love it so much and I found your message very refreshing! Looking forward to hearing from you again,<br />God Bless,<br />Pat, A Remade LifePat Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847327285768624059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-62408660547403966272013-02-24T05:40:54.952-08:002013-02-24T05:40:54.952-08:00So well said....thanks for saying what so many of ...So well said....thanks for saying what so many of us don't!!<br /><br />Found you through my buddy, Allison @ Fab Rehab<br /><br />Aimee@TheVintageEstateAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16398423228410473714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-44629124080114585302013-02-24T04:51:22.018-08:002013-02-24T04:51:22.018-08:00This is getting an applause from me in Minnesota!!...This is getting an applause from me in Minnesota!! Nice job..I'm sharing this on my FB page too!Allison@FabRehabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03458175103607781604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774460650617373734.post-7478174951909367052013-02-23T08:25:15.954-08:002013-02-23T08:25:15.954-08:00So timely! I am in a discussion about this in a p...So timely! I am in a discussion about this in a private chat room with like minded artists. I found your blog last night when searching for paint finishes, then this morning, my friend sent me this link! I was meant to find your blog. I am sharing this link. You provide so many good points to remember. Thank you for reminding us to not undervalue our work! Good Time Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01908976938935127147noreply@blogger.com