“I love your hat!”
“Thank you, I made it”
“You’ve made it ???!!!”
“Yes, I’m a milliner. “
“You are a millionaire?!”
“I wish! No, I’m a milliner – hat maker for women.”
So many of my introductory conversations follow this pattern. “Milliner” is a word known to a few passionate, while for many – hat is a crumbled thing you can get for a few bucks in a major retail store. Most likely anonymous and made in a country where a person has to work very hard for very little money.
If the conversation continues, I may flash a few photos of my recent creations. The responses vary: from a true appreciation of the artistic expression (” oh my gosh, this is like a sculpture!”), to a materialistic “how much for that one?” followed with “oh, that’s waaay too expensive I can get that for $10 at the major retail store “.
Sometimes, I explain why my prices are high- starting with the supply chain. The 5-7 days that it takes for an experienced weaver to create parasisal capeline. The millinery suppliers who travel around the world to find quality product created in a environmentally responsible and humanly manner. And finally me, the artist, putting my ideas into one and only hat that nobody else will have but you, Dear Customer.
And sometimes, I just shrug. Because just like for Leonardo Da Vinci, the process of creation is more important to me, than the compensation. I’d rather wait for the right person to appreciate the art.
And this is why, my friends, I’m might be rich in creativity, but poor in money from hats 🙂 How are you justify your prices, if at all?