I read an opinion piece today about artists and their value. While it specifies those in the artistic industry such as photography and videography, I find this applies to both my crafting and my work.
I am frequently asked to knit, sew, craft, etc...items for friends when they see what I've made. Some offer payment, others offer to buy the materials, and still others just expect me to do it for the fun of doing it and offer it as a gift.
Before I began to sew and knit seriously, I often thought that hand knit items were ridiculously overpriced; that was until I sat down and knit my first sweater and sewed my first dress. Then I realized that people offer handcrafted items for sale are woefully underpaid. My tastes run towards more costly items like fine quality yarns and stylish fabrics so when someone sees something I've made, they don't realize that my handmade item cost maybe twice what it would have cost if I'd picked it up in a store. After factoring time to craft the item, well...it's a hobby as I tell people, and I don't make things for fun and profit, just for fun. I do knit and sew for others as gifts, but when I have requests, more often than not I will say no.
That's hard for me, saying no. I was raised to give of myself and then give more, but I rarely have time for the crafts that I love so much and having to do them for other people makes it onerous. I actually will put off crafting an item for other people's requests until the very last minute because I am just not feeling it.
As for work, that's a very hard one for me. I have learned to accept rejection of my rates, hard as it may be, and to refuse to offer services when potential clients attempt to haggle me down. I've done favors before, but I've often found that the favors are seldom returned and rarely appreciated. They also tend to lead to multiple requests for favors.
The other day I had such a request. I would normally charge about $280 plus, given the condition of the home, a $40 wear and tear fee on my equipment and sanity. I was offered less than half my standard rate, and as much as I wanted to help a person I like, I politely declined their offer and told them my rate is my rate, friendship aside.
Of course, there's a part of me inside that thinks that extra money would be nice, I could do something nice with the kids or invest in some hiking equipment for my big fall trip, but I have to value myself and say no when someone attempts to undervalue me. I offer a service, and I expect to be paid for that service in a profitable manner. While I truly enjoy what I do, it's very hard and dirty work, and I do a damned good job. That's why I charge the rates I charge, you get what you pay for and you get a lot from me when I work for you. I've had housekeepers in the past, and I've come home from a long, hard day only to clean up the mess the housekeeper has left behind: puddles of cleaning fluid, smears on my windows and doors, and worst of all...Pledge furniture polish buildup on my bathroom tiles.
I am not a charity, I'm not looking for an "opportunity" to get my business name out there. Out of all the favors I've done for others, I've never seen a referral or money that I was promised in the future. It was an opportunity for the person whom I helped to save money and get a great deal, and it has always left me feeling angry, bitter, and used.
So I don't do favors. I reject low ball offers of payment. I accept rejections from potential clients who feel my prices are too high. That's life and I will not undervalue myself.
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