Saturday 6 March 2010

Fair trade

Last December a friend suggested that I contact a gallery that was looking for a local knitter to provide items for sale. I thought about this for a while because I wasn't sure if the things I made were saleable or if I wanted the pressure of knitting regularly for sale but the kudos of having my work in a smart gallery beside some beautiful art and jewellery did appeal so I sent off some photographs of samples with an email. It took another email, a phone call, a visit and a reminder before I actually got any response though during the two months or so I was assured that the gallery was interested in my work. I eventually got an email asking me to take along some items to be selected for a new exhibition, starting in about 10 days, and telling me that the commission would be 45% plus VAT. It didn't take much working out to realise that for every £1 of work sold I would get 48p though I would be providing the not inexpensive raw materials and doing the work. I said I wouldn't be taking the matter further.
I know the gallery has its own overheads but does anyone else think that 45% commission (plus VAT) is a lot. I did a Google search and found rates varying between 10 and 50% and it seems the crafts person takes the hit as the price is the same regardless of whether an item is purchased direct or through a middle man. Assuming that the yarn costs about £7 for a pair of socks, and its probably more, I would expect to sell them for around £15, the commission (plus VAT) would be £7.80, leaving 20p per pair for me, that'll be right.
I'm a bit disillusioned about the whole business of so called fair trade having seen on the television that the Co-op, whose strap line is good for everyone, pays its milk producers the lowest rate per litre of any of the major supermarkets, probably below production costs. Every week another UK dairy farmer goes out of business while the supermarkets continue to make huge profits. Milk from the supermarket goes against the grain with me when we are fortunate still to have a milk delivery every other day, a service that has never failed us despite some truly appalling weather.
All is not lost with the knitting however as there is to be a market in our village hall in May where I will be sharing a stall with my friend Pam for the princely sum of £5. I intend to produce socks, gloves and scarves, I've already got a few in stock. I realise there are copyright issues so I shall invent some simple patterns for scarves and gloves and make socks from the standard recipe, I don't think anyone has a claim on that as it's far too old. I'm not desperate to sell my knitting or wanting to start any kind of business but I'm looking forward to seeing how the market goes and so far enjoying filling the basket with bits and pieces whilst watching the stash reduce slightly. If I don't sell anything I shall have quite a lot of Christmas presents already made.

15 comments:

  1. I think that's a lot of commission... I'm sure you'll have lots of luck on your own stand!

    Love the socks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Going to the market sounds a lot more sense than the gallery. I don't know much about commission, but 45% seems an awful lot!

    Could you sell them in the on-line Etsy shop?

    You knit beautifully - I am full of admiration!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think 45% is pretty low actually. Where's the other 55% going? Straight into the gallery's pocket. Yes they have overheads but even so that's steep.

    No wonder artisans have a hard time making a living.

    Are there any little vintage lifestyle shops near you that might like knitted items to add to their stock as well? You might find replica 1940s patterns for socks, tea cosies and cardigans would go down a treat.

    I remember sniffing around Brackley Antiques Cellar one Sunday and found a trader's stall where she had knitted up vintage 1940/50s cardigans and bed jackets from original patterns (adjusting for today's sizes) and they were lush!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's why I only knit items for gifts. :-( Hope you have lots more luck on your stand. Though £15 for a pair of handknitted socks is a flippin' bargain! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think you'll have a lot more fun on the market stall, than creeping in to espy your wares in some posh gallery!!! That's a truly shocking amount of commission. They should feel honoured to be able to display your hand-crafted wares!!!! Good luck with the stall. Ros

    ReplyDelete
  6. It'll be interesting to see how you get on with your stall. I once made a load of stained glass candle holders, and was charging £5 for them. The feedback I got was that they were too expensive!!! I think that many people want something for nothing. A lot will depend on what else is for sale on the other stalls - setting the tone for the day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Doing the market sounds like a much more sensible, and probably even more fun approach, Jenny! Those items are beautiful...and you deserve good money for them if you sell them. Having a shop at Etsy I know how hard it is to break even and get a fair deal money-wise for what I create. After nearly 3 years there, I'm now doing it more for fun, as I've tried to make a real business of it, but in these times it hasn't worked out. Anyway, this is very exciting, and I admire how you've handle the matter. Let us know later how it goes with your stall. LOVE your knitting! Hope you're having a good weekend, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd go with the market myself but as I'm too lazy to do anything but knit for the family then I really don't have a say!!!!

    You knit so beautifully and I wish to be half as good as you!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. One word.... Etsy. Hope the stall works out, people either buy in droves or not at all, and there's no rhyme or reason to it either! You could promote your socks "Buy one get one free!", individual socks that is, not pairs!

    Yesterday we shoveled a path from our patio doors to a clear, sunny spot on our sheltered deck and had our lunch outside, surrounded by snow! My face is a bit red today!

    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  10. I saw your comment on 'Bad Bill', popped over to visit your blog ... and discovered you live near me (I live just outside Hawick) Good luck with your market - I've done a couple of things like that and had great fun - but you always get people who think things are too dear!!
    regards, Anne

    ReplyDelete
  11. But just think what you could do with 20p. You could.........I'll give it some thought. I may be some time.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The market sounds like more fun than the snooty gallery. It is the gallery's loss.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've read this about trying to sell knitting. The yarn can be expensive and we all know how long a pair of socks takes to knit. No matter what they pay you, if you divide it into the hours of work--it isn't fair. However, the place you've mentioned goes way beyond "isn't fair." Do try the market. And what about Etsy? Your socks are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's a hard one this one, isn't it? On finishing a textile degree I tried selling via an agent, she took fourty percent and it just was not worth it. I had the prestige of saying I had sold in the States and in Japan, but to be honest, by the time I had bought the materials, worked long hourss, spent money on train fares to London to see her, none of it was worth it. I would go with the market idea and have a fund day just seeing how it all goes. Good luck! :O)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thats criminal. I'd sell directly. xxx

    ReplyDelete