Commission worries...

[chibimiji]

So, Vans just came out with a canvas high top line that is PERFECT for shoe painting. The reason I gave all my friends who were pushing me into doing custom shoes as a side business was that I couldn't find a suitable replacement for the discontinued shoes I originally used (I don't like Converse for several reasons

Comments

[lyandar]

I know how you feel a little bit - I've not been able to find permanent work in my field since moving and my landscaping contract is due to end in a couple weeks, but car payments still need to be made :( sooo... My bro-in-law has invited me to go to a craft fair he has a place at with some of my comic-book-mod-podge stuff, kinda like the Captain America shoes I made and try to sell stuff. But what to price for a frame? or a clutch purse? Would someone actually buy this stuff or just take away the idea and make it themselves? I looked on Etsy and have a vague idea of what others would charge, but wouldn't want to offer stuff online myself...

As for your stuff - those shoes were incredible, and I could see someone with more disposable income asking for them as a bespoke one-off item. Charging a respectable price for your time is a lot harder though. Another thing might be those shirts you made? I'm never sure what the rules are with copyright stuff, etc, but your design work is solid and I'm sure if you came up with a range of stuff (even possibly non-ME or geek-topic related) you might get some buyers.

(one reason my sister convinced me to take my comic stuff is that she feels it's very "in" at the moment?? I can let you know how I do in two weeks!)

[chibimiji]

Ugh yea, all of my friends who have found jobs (except one) are all doing contract work. It's actually really common in animation, and it really sucks =( Job hunting/applying is seriously the WORST.

Those shoes are really cute and well done! I think that people would totally be willing to buy stuff like that if the cost was reasonable. But yea, figuring out what to charge is so difficult. I think my main problem is that I am super slow when it comes to art, so calculating the cost based on time spent would probably lead to some insane prices =/ I just need to learn how to work faster.

I was planning to start out with shoes and see how that goes, and then maybe branch out into other more easily produced things like tshirts or tote bags. I'm not toooo worried about copyright stuff when it comes to commissions, I feel like if you're smart about it and don't draw too much attention most companies wouldn't bother with you. It probably gets a little riskier if you actually set up on online shop or get into higher quantity produced items though. But then again there are a TON of people selling fan-made Mass Effect stuff online so...

Anyway definitely let me know how that craft fair goes! And thanks for the comments, it helps to know I'm not alone XD

[lyandar]

I just gotta share one thing with regards to artist works. There's a woodcarver near me that sells lots of hand made stuff, mostly artistic bowls, carvings etc. I went in there and was like "DAMN - I guess I'm not buying anything today" but then he had a sign up that said something like for the time he spends carving, and the prices he charges, he's not even making minimum wage. And that sucks, but seems to be a common problem for artists. (I still didn't buy anything, but he's been in business there for like 20 years so SOMEONE must buy his stuff!!)

For my crafty stuff, it's totally a side-line. I'm doing it to relax in the evenings or weekends, usually with some tv show or movie in the background. I'd be doing something anyways, so I figure, if I easily cover cost of materials and all else is profit, I'm pretty happy.

Hopefully as you get more comfortable/confident you'll find ways to cut down time without sacrificing your detail which makes those shoes look so great. And yeah - shirts and totes would totally be a quicker and therefore cheaper option to offer people.

Good luck!! :D