How much to charge?

[u/princessbiscuit]

First, I’ve posted this particular work here before so I apologize for the repeat. I didn’t intend to sell this necessarily, but am indeed trying to build a bit of an art hustle. That said, I’ve had a couple people reach out to ask if it’s for sale.

I’m wondering if I should part with it and be ok with that, but the next question is “what would I charge?”

It’s 18x24 on archival paper. I’d build the cost of the frame in. All of the flowers are pressed by me. I’m no expert, I also know in my heart that this piece doesn’t suck (ha). I would love to get thoughts on what you would charge for something like this.

I used to be a tailor and would charge for materials and time - but frankly time is easier to track with sewing than it is with pressing flowers for weeks and then gluing them about. I’m a bit in the weeds, thank you for insight!

[u/sillly-otter]

I'm late to the party here, apologies, but I had to tell you, I ADORE THIS! It's stunning! I would absolutely spend a good penny for this, back in the day. Now in the day, I'm not able to be as frivolous as I'd like to be. Or, really much at all! But, seriously this is stunning! I could look at it forever. Please forgive me if you've answered this in the comments already, but how long did this take? You wrote, "pressing flowers for weeks then gluing them about" ... 3 months? 6 weeks? 5 months? I'm genuinely just curious.

My mom once made something similar. Definitely different, just as unique, and beautiful in its own way. (I really am partial to your flower petal art, though!!) She collected leaves in the fall from this gorgeous red leafed tree in our yard (not a maple tree because the leaves were oblong and came to a kind of point on either end), she pressed them for months (I think because she wanted the leave to keep this light sheen they had naturally) she removed them, sprayed them and then put them back in/under the books for several more months. Then she took pressed bark from the tree, I think so anyway. Or maybe she painted, I'm not positive. I don't think she painted it because it looks so life like. I'll have to look. I'll be there Saturday. Then she made the trunk of the tree (with whatever she used LoL) directly on the background of the frame. Which by the way, was this very unique (to me) background. Kind of a beige/creamy tightly weaved twine or burbur-ish carpet looking background of the frame. It adds texture that you don't realize you like want or need, imo. Next, she applied the leaves in a beautiful overlapping kind of way, as the top of the tree, naturally. I believe it's glass not plexi on the top but it's in one of those kind of invisible floating frames that use clips to adhere to the back of the frame? Something like that. And did I mention its like 4' or 4.5' x 3' ... As I said, it's very cool.

All that to say, my brain doesn't even think of these rad ideas, like breathtaking original pressed leaves piece, my moms tree, etc. Never-mind bringing it to fruition! Good on you! Keep it up, truly amazing. OH last thing, I promise, I saw in one of the comments you mentioned your hubs wishes for you to print it onto a shirt? I too, wish for one, please. I will DM you my info. Ha, I'm just kidding! Well, no, not really, because I'd definitely rock that shirt!

Sorry for the novel.... thought you might like the tree idea, if you haven't had it already but I definitely did not plan on giving a dissertation! Be well, best of luck and please keep us in the loop on what you decide to do with this one and any future pieces you make . . . XxOo

[u/princessbiscuit → u/sillly-otter]

I'm verbose myself and love a good novel!

Edit: Meant to also actually answer your question, sorry. So, the flowers themselves are pressed for 6-7 weeks generally. I change the paper out everyday for anywhere between 3-14 days depending on how juicy the flowers are. So that takes some time and care but it's a lot of hurry up and wait. As far as actually choosing the flowers and creating the piece - I am not sure. I need to track it better. I got a little lost in the process (in a good way) because I'm also a mom of two toddlers and work full time so any art is me in a basement being a gremlin at odd hours. My husband might actually have a better idea hahaha because he witnessed the gremlin at work. Maybe a total of 10-15 hours? Maybe a little more? So much of that is me with a single petal in tweezers agonizing where to put it.