Hey there, glass alchemist! Your journey from a spark of inspiration to a kiln fused masterpiece is a dance of creativity and skill. Each piece you craft isn’t just glass fused together; it’s a narrative, a slice of your artistic essence. Yet, when it's time to price your artwork, does the figure you jot down echo the journey and the artistry?

Much like our jeweler buddies, glass artists often find themselves at crossroads when pricing their artwork. If you've been touring the art fair circuit or setting up shop online, you’ve likely mulled over the digits on that price tag more than once. Whether you're crafting glass full-time or during the weekends, it's crucial your prices reflect more than just the material cost.

Here are some common conversations I’ve had with glass art students regarding pricing:

Glass Art Student: I am passionate about what I do.
Response: Passion is priceless, yet it doesn’t pay the bills. Your pricing should reflect your skill and effort.

Glass Art Student: I haven’t considered an hourly wage.
Response: Your time is valuable. Assigning an hourly wage helps in understanding the labor cost involved in each piece.

Glass Art Student: I just want to cover the cost of materials.
Response: Pricing should cover materials, time, overhead costs, and also allow you to make a profit.

Glass Art Student: I’m afraid higher prices will drive customers away.
Response: Your ideal customers will appreciate and pay for the value you provide.

Here are some things to consider, in order to better price your kiln fused glass art:

Time is Money:

• How many hours did you pour into creating the piece?
• What’s a fair hourly wage for your skill and effort?

Overhead Costs:

• Renting studio space, equipment purchases, kiln firing – they all add up.
• Have you factored in these costs?

Material Costs:

• Calculating the cost of glass per square inch can offer a clear picture.
• Remember, you’re charging to replace the material, not what you paid initially.

Unique Value Markup:

• Is your piece a one-of-a-kind or does it boast a complex design?
• A markup for uniqueness or intricacy is fair game.

Offsetting the Unsold:

• Not every piece will find a home.
• Have you factored in a little extra to cover the cost of unsold pieces?

Art Fair or In-Person Selling Hours:

• Selling your work is part of the process.
• Are you paying yourself for the hours spent selling?

Now, let’s whip up a formula to make pricing a tad easier: