grann of 6

I don't know anything about Etsy or Ebay, but my DDIL finally convinced me I should sell my quilts. She got me into a high-class consignment artisan gallery, where many people sell their wares, paintings, custom clothing, floral wreaths, hand made tables, jewelry, etc. I put 10 quilts in of various sizes, DDIL priced them for me, and I have sold not a one in the 2 months they have been there. I understand there were people asking about them, but no one bought them. They were priced from $200 to $500. It tells me that they think they were priced too high, and this is in a McMansion area where there are lots of affluent people. They have no clue about what goes into the makings of a quilt. I will keep trying, by making some "Modern" quilts, and stretching out my comfort zone, but it all comes down to what the others have said, we do it for the love of making them. I will continue my charity quilting and be happy with that.

Jean in Ohio13452

A quilter near me sells her Quilts up in the New England Area.. One of her Pieced Quilts sold for $850. So Please don't under price your Work...

MissQuilter

Early on in my "consulting" career, I was told that undervaluing my services hurt people who were honestly trying to make a living. I have always kept that in mind, and now my son, who is about to graduate from college expressed to me that his classmates and professors are saying the same thing about their field.

Some people undervalue quilts out of ignorance, and I am sorry for that. I love making quilts, and would like to sell one once in a while, but I will NOT give them away to strangers. I will make my quilts for people who know me, care for me and will value them. I will make my quilts to donate to good causes. I will have a pile of quilts designated for certain people when I die and they will think of me when they are using them.

Just my two cents~!

mshollysd

Just a thought, whether you sell them or donate them, do what makes YOU happy. Some people have given their fabric to me, and I have made some beautiful quilts that I donate to Quilt of Valor. These are not donation type quilts, these are works of art that I make and long arm for our service men who have been touched by war. My family has enough quilts, and even though some of these Quilt of Valors are not red, white, and blue, they are adult appropriate. I have a local retired quilting teacher who keeps me busy long arming with her beautiful creations for this organization. This is what I do, so that I am not a hoarder of quilts and I get great use out of my stash, and I love the creativity part of this endeavor.

nativetexan

Gran of Six, raise your prices to $1,000.00 a quilt and they will sell. Bet ya!!

ptquilts

If no one is looking at it, the problem may not be the price. You have to WORK to get your items noticed on Etsy. Join some teams, follow other sellers (used to be called circles), create some treasury lists, get yourself noticed.

shasta5718

I asked on ebay seller why her quilts were priced so low and she informed me that she quilted for the enjoyment and not the money. Nough said I guess.

Whacky Stacker

I agree with you 100%. Have had all kinds of hobbies and sold items I made never thinking I would become rich by selling them, but having money to continue with my hobbies. A lot of work goes into a quilt (or any other item you might make) and a lot of pride also, but you can only have so many quilts stored and all your family members have several, it's time to sell some and have money to be able to make more. It's what I love doing now and it's all I do and if I couldn't make quilts it would be a very sad day for me.

Maggieloe

In many ways we are involved in an artistic pursuit. Rarely does an artist get paid a decent hourly wage. He or she does it for the love of it and, in this day and age, usually has a day job. Some do come up with unique and beautiful work that ends up being worth far more than makes sense - often not until after their death. The true is there will always be cheap knock-offs and many people are quite happy with that. I do think that truly unique quilts, beautiful pieces of art often do command a fair amount. But lets face it, most of us are not Van Goghs. Someone that appreciates the look of a non-industrial home made quilt is probably willing to pay for it. But most are looking for an attractive bedspread that can be had for a reasonable price.
The fact that I have a couple of prints does not mean I do not appreciate their the artist's work. It means I can't afford the original.
Bottom line is the market sets the price for artistic works - not a calculation of hours served. And right now Ebay and Etsy are the market.
But to me, I still love the process, the creativity, and the joy of giving a quilted object to someone who really want it. Monetary value is not really in the equation.

cajunowl

Perhaps the ones on E-bay are out of country, the wages per hour are much less in other countries than in the U.S.