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UGotGlass Support Forum
Welcome to the UGotGlass Message Board. We get calls and emails every day asking us for advice on fusing, PMC, equipment etc.... so we decided to add this board as a way of consolidating this support. Hope you find it helpful. Please feel free to ask questions, make comments etc....NOTE: We do reserve the right to remove any post for any reason without notice to the poster. |
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| Author | Comment This topic is sticky |
Nancy Tang
 Jul 5, 05 - 11:55 AM |
Business Questions
Use this area to discuss topics about starting or running a business, marketing,pricing etc..... We'll do our best to answer your questions.... Nan |
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Krista
Jul 12th, 2005 - 8:13 PM |
Re: Business Questions
I have had a request from someone to teach general fusing. We agreed on four private sessions featuring three projects to include a platter, a bowl and either a jewelry project or tiles, at a price of $75US. Glass and glass cutter are not included in the price but kiln time is. Since this is the first time that I've done this, does this sound fair, and should I have a written agreement? I don't have an official buisiness. I'm just a sincere hobbiest working in my garage. The potential student is aware of this. She has also asked about renting kiln time after the class and I am considering asking for $1US per hour of firing time. Any thoughts? |
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Nancy Tang
Jul 18th, 2005 - 5:57 PM |
Re: Business Questions
Hi Krista: Is that $75 per lesson or for all three? If for all three then you are not being paid enough. Also $1 an hour for kiln time is not sufficient. I charge at least $7 to fire the kiln once (and that's a small Paragon SC2 that full fuses in 2 hours) but don't do it often as it isn't worth it. Electricity is expensive AND you'll really be spending time with her as she will ask you questions and you'll wind up monitoring the kiln. Don't sell yourself short or you'll wind up being bitter and the relationship will fizzle. And YES, get the agreement in writing. The price you charge for firing the kiln should be based on your cost kilowatt/hour+wear and tear on your kiln+kilnwash+wear and tear on kiln shelves+your time to manage things+you can't use the kiln at the same time...... it's hard to quantify but even at $10 she's getting a deal. Once you set a precedent you'll be hard pressed to change things so do it right from the beginning. If both YOU and the Customer are not happy then you shouldn't move forward. I charge $50+supplies for a 2-3 hour make and take class per student and that's for making small jewelry items (1-3 pieces). I am a professional and an experienced teacher so that makes a differenced but you still shouldn't short change yourself..... Nan |
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Valerie Adams
Sep 8th, 2005 - 11:07 PM |
Re: Business Questions
Krista, The class I took at the local junior college was 5 2-hour classes. Cost was $125 plus all materials. The instructor charged $25 per firing (a 20"x20" shelf) for additional firings after the class was over. For $1 a firing, can I send you all my pieces to fire? Then I can rent my kilns out at $25 an hour! Valerie |
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Nancy Tang
Sep 12th, 2005 - 1:12 PM |
Cost of classes
You're going to find a whole range of prices for various lengths of time. The class I teach is $430 for one day 10am - 4pm (but we usually stay till 5ish to finish up. In my class one learns everything they need to go home and begin fusing with dichroic glass. Students make quite a few finished pieces and some go home, sell the pieces, and make enough to pay for the class. I mentor students on starting and running a business and on fusing for as long as they need me. What you charge depends on what you teach but also who you are, your experience, your success and name recognition..... demand for your time etc..... It isn't easy to figure out what to charge in the beginning. I figure what my time in the studio making goods to sell is worth per day and I have to make at least that much at teaching for a day to make it worth while.....there is also a lot of time to prepare for each class that many forget to account for.. preparing (or tweaking) lesson plans, printing them, setting up the room for the class or packing up goods and driving to a class...... I tweak my class and teach mini-classes at other locations if the audience can't bear the cost of a full day. You might consider mini-classes for adult ed at the local high school where folks can't or won't pay a lot... they may pay $65 to learn to make a pendant and matching earrings. I do a walk-in mini-class at my studio that starts at $50+supplies (which varies based on what the student wants to make). When you're new at teaching you will charge less but as you are more successful, at both selling your finished work and at teaching, you will be able to demand a higher fee. Hope that helps, Nan |
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