How to price your Artwork - Selling Your first Carvings - Tool Talk Tuesday ep.4

How to Price your artwork for beginners to advanced for chainsaw carving
How to Price artwork is my most asked question So I thought I would finally do my best to explain How I factor in my prices for carvings and artwork
PLease keep in mind this is my thoughts and how I apply my theory to growth and price
I do Have ADD so I do go all over the place a bit but hopefully the information helps you sell your first carvings and give you a platform to deveolp how to price your artwork better next time
leave a comment and questions if you need help
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[@warrenfipp1856]

Thanks Ryan. It's a big help.

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Happy to

[@jeffsartadventure3634]

I just started carving but have been a professional artist for 30 years,and the way to beat doing art becoming a monotonous chore is to never stop doing your own projects for your own joy,whether you sell it or not doesn't matter,what's important is that you keep a part of your time dedicated to doing art for art's sake and never lose the fascination.

[@RyanCookCarvin]

agreed but tell that to my wife lolol

[@shawnmccormick6381]

I did my first carving at a carving festival, so I learned from 16 different people. I know you can price high in most situations. But it sucks lugging a bunch of wood place to place so cutting some prices are better than not having any money. I can sell every carving I've ever made, and I have gratefully. But I don't have inventory right now. One carving doesn't look great at a roadside operation. So like any other art, having a lot of them will get at least one sold. If they want more than one, give them a deal for quantity. This video explains it all though. Love from New Hampshire.

[@rustyrayfield6513]

This was a lot of truth and good advice. You're a good dude

[@troop315holyspiritcatholic2]

Having just started carving this year, I was struggling with this same issue. What I did was, I carved an item then if someine wanted to buy it I asked what they thought would be a fair price. I always had a price in mind that I wanted to get and most of the time people told me more than I thought was fair. I don't plan on making a living doing this, but this has worked for me so far. Just my thoughts.

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

Exactly I let people make offers, 95% of the time they offer me a higher price than I was thinking. After 30 years of part time alaskan souvenirs making, that's how I roll, no prices on anything. I give a discount on multiple item's. Trapper Scotty

[@mgervais10]

Once you get Idear for price. Measure high and width . Add those two measurements up divide by the price you want. And that’s relativity a pretty good formula to do carvings a little bit bigger a little bit smaller at least it gives you a good go-between.

[@nickcharles2472]

From Ontario I’m on my first year carving and glad I’ve been watching you Ryan thanks

[@johnoliver6213]

Much appreciated for making this one man! I've been rackin' my mellon tryin' to figure out where to price things...

[@arthurgran731]

I'm a relatively new carver on the mountain we moved to 2 yrs ago. What I did was see my fellow carvers works... see what they charge and compare my quality of work with theirs. I'm very competitive (w/o sounding arrogant) but I keep my prices equal to theirs for now as I build a following and my name. I totally agree with you... don't get yourself in such a hurry to turn a buck that you throw creativity out the window! Quality is whats going to turn heads for those who can pay for it. Make the COOL stuff! 😎 ✌

[@Ruf-Art-by-Tim]

Boy are you right....

[@LagoonofMystery]

Thanks for an honest and informative discussion!

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

I am fortunate, I run a seasonal (8 months) business and carve in the winter. Currently I don’t need to sell, so I carve what I like and am focusing on my technical skills and artistry. However, as I move toward being an old man, I would like to sell my work for the extra cash and to clear out space in our house. I dread the marketing and sales end of being an artist. As an artist for the last 40 years, I have sold many works, still I have a day job, and don’t wait for a sale to buy food. I simply trust in the universe and keep moving forward.

[@RyanCookCarvin]

cheers

[@TorsSongs]

I'm glad I just carve for fun- but its fun watching you cover all the angles of running your business!

[@baumcoiffeurforster9409]

I cut down commercial trees and carve as a hobby and sometimes I also sell carving ... in the time I cut down I earn more money than in the time I carve. A friend asked me why I take this time for it, that I would be too stupid if I only got so little hourly wages. My answer was ... I don't do it for the money, it frees my mind, promotes my creativity and most importantly, I enjoy it. And that's what it's all about. If you have to do something with pressure you make it unloving or finally break it ... I enjoy one of the most beautiful hobbies in the world - to carve!!! I don't think he understood! 🤷‍♂️ Best regards from the capital of Germany - Berlin. I like your videos and the carve style. Greetings Markus 👋🏻

[@ryanpayne6742]

Johnny mcjonnerson!!!!! Bwahahaha!!!! Love it!!! Great content as always.

[@spikewillow4552]

Wicked TTT bro, I live on disability benefit so my pieces give me a few bucks in my pocket. The biggest thing is I love carving so someone paying for one of my creations is just a bonus in my eyes. Thanks for sharing bro hope you n the family are all good.

[@Ruf-Art-by-Tim]

Cancer survivor here dude...i know exactly what you're sayin' ! And as i get better the pieces are quicker but also more money.....damn someone has to pay for all the new tools

[@RyanCookCarvin]

thanks bud keep it up bud

[@RyanCookCarvin]

exactly those things add up

[@steveplante4701]

The best tip I got from this is to enjoy what your doing. The more I enjoy carving the more carvings I do, and now iv got a solid collection started and eventually I’ll sell, but right now I try not to worry about it. If you stay carving for the joy of carving then You will eventually have a sock pile built up.

[@Ruf-Art-by-Tim]

Alberta boy here it's been awhile, and now more under the name Ruf Art, you really hit the nail on the head with this. One of the best things in the world happened to me this, where I sold a pileated woodpecker and when they came and picked it up, they said I was too low in my pricing and they gave me a nice increase. It felt very good to be recognized as more accomplished than what I thought I was. Now the trick is to not let it go to my head. And I must know how correct you are on the fact that every one you do another one of you are. Much quicker and in essence that means a pay raise because you spend less time making it, less wear on your tools while still getting better on each next one.

[@clavy5420]

Perfect subject to cover!!! 3 years in and I’m still figuring out how to charge.

[@Ruf-Art-by-Tim]

Alberta Boy says " Thank You " for backing up my thinking. My 1st yr i was ,literally giving my pieces away or at a loss ! But thanks to yours (and Jordy, Kyle, Eric) inspiration and knowledge, encouragement.....I'm getting my levels up and work noticed. Thus my prices are creeping up too. The odd person whom "suggests" thats a little expensive, i then start listing the cost for my tools and the raw wood...then I'll good silent for a couple of seconds and then tell them that "as i think about it, you're right.", and double it

[@clays_carvings8359]

Great points, will help a lot of people. Nothing harder to figure out in my opinion.

[@WJBiggs-k6p]

I admire your frankness and no BS about the carving business. Your attitude is as honest as your carvings, ( my prospective) and I feel that I will have no problem continuing watching you and learning from you. I wish I lived closer to watch and learn, however I will to watch and learn from your videos, Thank you and please keep the videos going. "Woody the Urban Forester of CA"

[@mstreefern]

Super! Candid, and useful info, even though I'm not even a carver yet, let alone one who's trying to sell my stuff😄

[@RyanCookCarvin]

thanks

[@dannyschacht4274]

Thanks. I'm new to carving, only 2 years. This video is a great help. BTW, I'm enjoying your TV program, "A Cut Above"

[@olafgeisler8967]

it couldn't have been said any better 🤟🏻👍🙋🏼‍♂️

[@willepps6620]

Thank for that talk now I feel relaxed about how you explained everything I needed to know , good speaking

[@rg-ms3po]

Love that you keep it real!

[@RyanCookCarvin]

thanks bud

[@davidmcculloch1621]

Pricing is a difficult topic, because it’s a moving target. As you said, a bear that took you 3 days in the past now takes an hour or less. I used to joke that i should work at a hamburger joint for minimum wage, because I’d make far more than i make for the hours invested in my carvings. As you said, there are NUMEROUS factors to consider: Cost of wood Time involved Cost of tools Cost of other supplies (sandpaper, bits, chains, gas, oil, batteries, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, etc. The quality of the work you produce. As you carve more, you get better, and your carvings get better The detail you put into a carving. Some of my carvings take WAY too long, because I’m spending forever putting in more and more detail. The basic carving took 30 minutes, but after putting all the detail, I’m up to 3-4 hours or more. Inflation. Even if the time spent on a carving is exactly the same this year as last year, the price of everything else has gone up. That means if i sell a carving for $100 last year, and the exact same carving this ear for the same price, i actually made less money this year because all of my costs went up. Regarding how much to charge for a specific piece, i get ideas by seeing what other carvers charge. I never miss a chance to look at other carvers work. I learn new things, and i see what they are charging. I’ve told friends to just “pay me whatever you think is a fair price”. Usually, they pay me more than i would have asked. I sell some carvings in shops. I ask the owner of the shop how to price it. You can bet they have a fair idea of what something will sell for in their shop, and it’s as good a place to start as any in figuring out pricing. I sell some stuff on consignment. The more a piece sells for the more money i make, but also, the more money the shop owner makes. I’m still a hobbyist. I’m fortunate that I’m selling stuff about as fast as i can make it, which means it’s not piling up in my back yard, and I’m at least paying for the new tools and supplies I’m purchasing. I’m in a happy place. I have a hobby that i really enjoy, and i make enough money at it to pay my expenses, while avoiding cluttering up the house and yard. Every other hobby I’ve had in my lifetime has cost me money. They are fun, but expensive. Carving is expensive too, but it’s awesome to make enough money to cover those expenses. I know carvers who made the jump to full time. As you said, it changes everything. From my perspective, as soon as you quit doing it as a hobby and do it to support yourself and your family, it’s no longer fun, it’s a job. I hope i never see carving as anything but fun.,

[@mikeschmidt5115]

Thanks Ryan😊

[@michaelsnell4034]

You are lucky to be in an area with ready access to wood. I moved from minutes from The Rendezvous surrounded by trees to western Michigan that was clear cut decades ago. Most of my recent carving has been by hand. That and living in the city doesn't lend well to gas saws.

[@dougstuckinoklahoma7661]

Pricing keeps me a hobby carver the demand down here is great if yall could sell here. Great video missed you

[@richardperrotta5599]

you are inspirational ! most important to enjoy carving. i always like to over deliver more than expected

[@thomassannar7601]

At the end of the video is so true 👍 after thousands of bears you can burn yourself out and you do lose a little bit of the fun but have tried to stay true to the beginning as the artist we are the worst critics true stuff keep the good work

[@thomassannar7601]

Good video have been craving for 10 years now so prices are always hard to judge thanks for your time explaining things out this is my full time job so it's definitely not easy still have fun at the work thanks again for the video's way to go peace

[@glenmckelvey5952]

Thanks for the honesty Ryan I never know what to charge for my pieces this will help . Thanks for the vid .

[@joejarecki-bf8nv]

Unless your asking astronomical prices after Covid it’s unreal what people are getting for their trade it all comes down to knowledge of the industry trying to have fun with it but be in position to just to pay for materials I liked your video next time I’ll just say hey Ryan I liked your video

[@revanredgames2325]

Thanks for the video! Just started out carving as a hobby, but I plan to start selling my carvings eventually

[@Fullchiselchainsawartistry]

Great advise, don’t be afraid to lose the customer for your time! Remember not everyone can do this. I knife carve and am considering saw carving, it’s about the journey! Enjoy it and you will be surprised how it works out!

[@thesheff79]

New sub, doing my first carving this weekend. I look foward to the learning process. Thanks for all your tips and videos.

[@joejarecki-bf8nv]

Exactly dude you’ve been there , my worst customer night mares =my only nitemares are made up of trying to hard to get the customers to agree on a price that I. Would just break even when alli had to do was set a higher price and they would have paid it any ways so there you go!

[@duanevanwinkle3488]

Maybe not Bring the Best!!! But you are PRETTY GOOD!!! You have come a long ways from driving the fork lift on Sawdawgs!!!!

[@RyanCookCarvin]

well thanks saw dogs was amazing I loved acting and breaking things on the show... it was all scripted lol but it changed my life thats for sure

[@Cchikkii]

Absolutely you are 100% right.

[@DCSuperShine]

thanks for the honesty and the good info!!! keep the vids coming :)

[@stuartmackenzie5948]

Really good advice dude, thank you👍🏼👍🏼

[@jamesrankin9833]

Absolutely awesome information! Also, your pretty much the best in the world! Good stuff

[@ryanhuber9556]

You're awesome dude! Thanks for the info! I've turned away a couple people and still sold what I wanted for it. Stick to your prices!! Wooo!

[@thomasmorgan5317]

I'm just starting out and your videos have been a lot of help. Love your work and how you make your videos so educational for everyone. Probably never would have thought of carving if it wasn't for your videos. Thanks for sharing

[@ritahanigan7896]

Wonderful video - well explained . I'm way too old to begin chain saw carving (82F) but I'm getting back to trying to work with a Dremel again after quite a number of years hiatus. I also have ADD so I get it --- Oh look, a squirrel!

[@jefferyhines6067]

Thanks for the advice it helps alot

[@deserethomestead1889]

Thank you great presentation it was long but enjoyed every minute. Thanks for your Insight

[@Chris-ug6zc]

Thank you. I appreciate the last 4 minutes. I have a full time job and I do little small projects, but I can't keep them all and I don't know how to price them so this was very helpful. We all have to value our time and the price of the wood to coome up with a price. Thank you for the helpful tip and things to think of. I appreciate it! I appreciate ALL your videos.

[@rickjobin8241]

Thanks for all the tips on price carving Ryan. I think you're an amazing carver. I haven't done much of chainsaw carving but I'll do more in the future. I make custom carved walking sticks. My problem is pricing a carving job for my client that I don't have a clue how long the piece will take to complete. Because not one is the same. So the only way I can do it is, Charge an hourly rate that I think is fare.Then price of wood,finishing,burning etc.. I hope that my tip helps. Rick from Ottawa. Happy Carving. Stay safe.

[@Sam-zr6dm]

Thanks for tackling this topic! It's something I've been struggling with. I don't feel ready to sell things, but I have had some people want to purchase carvings. My dad worked as fabricator for several years and he keeps hounding me about setting an hourly rate. But, right now while I'm still learning that just isn't realistic because I know I'm taking so much time. It takes me about 6 hours to get a bear done. Charging $40-$50 an hour plus taking into account materials and wear 'n tear on tools makes the price unrealistic.

[@LAVABOTTOMFiTNESS]

Thank you brother 💯💯💯

[@RyanCookCarvin]

You bet my pleasure

[@rickmeisch472]

I see your point and to me it's got to be a bottom line decision when you know it's your best effort.

[@benthechainsawsculptor7553]

Really great video bro, this one hit home on so many levels . 👍🏽

[@RyanCookCarvin]

That means a lot .. thanks so much

[@patrussell9375]

Yeah it was helpful … you’ve taught me a lot .. God Bless You brother

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Awesome, thank you!

[@karvinkevin8886]

Good advice Bro! I have a construction co. And , in a lot of aspects, it's the same. I'm just enjoying right now. Don't really care about profit right now. But, I'm sure I will in the future. 👍

[@tylerwelfing97]

Great rant with alot of good info. This is exactly what I needed to watch this morning. Thank you again my friend

[@mylesmclean7121]

Good advice Ryan thanks for sharing

[@onsight2822]

Cheers man nice one 👍 Much appreciated

[@mikedelauter904]

Thanks for the advice, your opinion is valued and appreciated. I have been doing Pencil Portraits for some time, but am trying to get into Power Carving. Pricing ones "craft" is always tough. Starting out with a ryobi rotary machine, my Friends and Family seem to think I'll do well with it. And your advice is very helpful, Thanks. Love your Work Brother

[@ccarbe3878]

Great info Ryan

[@garysides636]

Thanks for this Ryan .....such a difficult subject ....wood x materials x consumables x man hours x skill level x area x time of year .....I agree with putting pressure on yourself or meeting deadlines ....it's soon becomes a chore over expressing your personality on / in the wood...

[@fotiskoutsou2089]

i liked the video just before you told us to do so hahah, thanks for the tips!

[@joejarecki-bf8nv]

It’s all about your burnout points❤

[@LenaCarving]

Ryan thank you for so useful advices!!! And thanks for your point of view and you experi👍👍👍👍👍ence about price and work time. From Russia with love👋😊

[@gremics-gallery]

A very useful video, even shooting from the hip as you were. It would be good to see you charge the sorts of prices that clients were paying when appearing in the "SAW DOG's" series... One carving per year would be ALL you need. 👍

[@whitneyhuffer470]

Thank you so much Ryan! Very insightful and thorough explanation on a complicated subject. You help a lot of people with these videos and your spirit is truly inspiring. Thanks my friend!

[@marieschnurr5921]

Excellent subject! Thank you for covering this, I am not a carver but I craft and have always struggled with putting a value on my creations. I also have been flip flopping on turning my crafting hobby into a career for fear of it just turning into a monotonous chore that I will no longer get pleasure from.

[@dbwoodcraft]

Great advice! A genuine In-depth insight from behind the scenes. Keep her lit Ryan. 🙏🇮🇪

[@tyrellwatson7389]

Good video you hit on allot of points. I'll never know what to charge I do 100$ per foot ppl don't like those prices around here I think I just need to move lol

[@jaysenjohnivanturner1972]

I have nearly done 2 pieces and the local foundry told me $30-50,000 a set limited to bronze of course. The moulds will cost finally 20,000 originals are wooden and masonry product I would love to share it. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Great work!

[@rong6994]

Very good video. I am way off I give everything away!!! Ha that’s by choice love the people who get my stuff. I go to the local parks and give mini wood spirits to the kids and there parents, they love em like I love your videos Ryan take care..

[@Ruf-Art-by-Tim]

I did the same thing to the kids across the road from for Christmas ..little Owl and little Sasquatch, and told their parents to say it was from Santa even though the kids are old enough to know that it came for me but I then told them that Santa asked me to make them for them . It was a big hit with them. In the first 3 months I gave everything away, but now I need to charge because of the tools and saws and everything else that I purchased as well as my carvings have gotten that much better

[@KyleHallwoodworker]

Really good stuff man . This is such a tough topic to try and tackle. I have to put out a similar video my self as subscribers have been asking the same questions. I think you covered this really well ! Keep up the great work man !

[@Ruf-Art-by-Tim]

You youtube guys really are the best for insightful subjects. ....im trying to figure this out at almost 1.5 years. Had a couple people buy my early work and they got great deals ( at a loss to me) now they figure that it should be the same.....

[@jordanzothegreat8696]

Thanks Ryan, I know I was guilty of asking you the question on price. Thanks for the in depth video (and answering my email) what you are saying makes sense. If I can add one thing to what you are saying, is that at first you will take a hit on the price because you don't have any examples of that particular sculpture to show folks, and you don't know the ins and outs of the piece... Great video, I feel a little more educated for sure

[@RyanCookCarvin]

my pleasure bud

[@neilfreeman4443]

great video very helpful info enjoyed it Im a retired semi retired work 2 days wk ive had people ask how much now I have some nohow thks Ryan

[@noelmccully4951]

Thank you! I'm totally having fun learning and experimenting and do feel the creative freedom to explore that you talk about losing as time goes on. I really hope I don't lose that as I start to sell more.

[@timpeyton9066]

That was very helpful and if it wasn't for you I wouldn't know what tools to use it's been a godsend carving thanks a lot for your time

[@ASMRaphael]

I learned so much from you my dear friend :) Lovely video :)

[@RightWayOptions]

Great content Ryan and thank you for your honesty. I carve for the fun and passion and don’t ever plan to do it full time. That said, I carve what I want to carve and post them on pictures on Facebook. I get contacted all the time if I’m interested in selling them. If I do, I give them a price ( much lower than yours are worth) and sell them. I keep what I want sell what I want and enjoy the passion of carving without the pressure. Once again thank you for sharing. Your the best!

[@RyanCookCarvin]

i need to learn from you bud !! i am very curious of stocks i always watch your vids

[@shanereed5027]

I continue to learn. Many good points on the video. Appreciate the focus on keeping the joy along the journey while valuing the process. Thank you for your continued content, nice job.

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Well said!

[@michaellafleur2077]

Ryan from what I've seen you carve you are one of the best in the world period!!!! Thanks for these great tips carve on buddy.

[@sethbrayer504]

This was a wonderful and helpful video Ryan. I really appreciate your perspective and input on this challenging topic. Also, I must be even more ADD than you because it didn’t seem at all to me to be random or all over the place, lol!

[@Александррезчик]

It was helpful to hear thanks.

[@odinsprophet8849]

Very helpful

[@cooldad8269]

Great video. Thank you sir!

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Thanks so much

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

Speed is how you profit the most. Power through carving, carve what's familiar to you

[@rougaroubeecompany6948]

Dude love the vids. I'm just getting started

[@KaliStixSolo]

I just have a bunch of tiki totems I need to start selling them

[@Gin_11162]

Material cost and what the final product looks like matter. Time, is relative to one's experience level. Carve some stuff during the week or mths, stockpile and try to go sit in a lot somewhere and sell some of it on the weekend. See what reactions you get and see what you can get for some of em.

[@RyanCookCarvin]

sounds like a part 2 maybe needed lol good points an agree

[@marktandy101]

Great information cheers mate

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Glad to help

[@trevorwalters7978]

Well explained Ryan. Been carving since march 21 after a stroke at xmas 20. Everyone keeps saying you should sell those. But its hard to let them go and for what amount. Now i have a starting idea. Cheers buddy👍🇬🇧🙋🏼‍♂️

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Right on!

[@nickblassmann1263]

Ryan -This is an excellent word of advise. Love your Video .Thank you. If not depending on this income it's great fun. Just like any other hobby .

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Well said!

[@andrewbeare6961]

well said

[@brennenharman1070]

I made some dope groot carvings and welcome bears and mushrooms 👍 own my own tree service so my wood is free :p

[@haroldarmstrong6288]

Great video Ryan I'm getting my ass kicked by big palm tree had a customer call me wanted something tropical of course I said sure. Text me week to do a palm tree hell I'm giving the damn things away went way up in fries still sold a couple sure gets difficult sometimes

[@elijahmccully2066]

Good talk ry

[@RyanCookCarvin]

Thanks bud

[@mgervais10]

For me perfect price is when the Clinet said it's higher then I through but I'll take it.

[@cornflakeusa]

I've had several hobbies over the past 40 years and have never sold anything. I've always given things away to family and friends. As long as it's a hobby, its fun. When I started thinking about selling muzzle loaders or stained glass sun catchers or carvings, it started feeling like a job to me and I lost motivation to continue. Plus, I seem to be too picky and want it to be perfect. Why sell a carving for 75 dollars if it took me 15 hours to make it? I'm not fast enough to make a living at it. It's much more fun to have one of my kids or grandkids in my mind while I'm making something for them. Then I get to see the surprise on their face when I give it to them. Maybe someday I'll speed up but that hasn't happened yet.

[@RyanCookCarvin]

ITS ALL ABOUT THE LOVE BUD IF THATS WHAT YOU DO IT FOR. IF YOU CARVE OR STARVE THEN YOU CARVE FAST AND SELL BUT I LOVE WHAT YOUR DOING .. SOUNDS LIKE AN AWESOME GIFT TO GET

[@garybarton3411]

I don't create master pieces. I create. The masterpieces just show up on the way by.