Newsletter Feature- Springfield, Missouri Moms Group

I would like to announce that Kasha Designs has been feature in the Springfield, Missouri Moms Group (https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldMOMoms) August Newsletter. I was so excited. I was getting onto facebook just to do a last look over before I do some business paperwork.. fun .. and I saw that tag and now I'm all hyper and super excited to see who will come and shop withe me, answer questions and take request   : ) So here's the link to the newsletter and it is a great read, lots of info about kids and dealing with Autism so check that out as well and enjoy the other shops that were featured as well.

http://nannasknits.com/SpringfieldMomsNewsletter.aspx

Kasha Designs
http://www.facebook.com/kashadesigns
http://www.kashadesigns.webs.com

What's your worth? Price your items right the 1st time.

Kasha Designs is my baby, so to speak. I love what I do and coming up with new and fun ideas. I want to give my items to new homes and have the customer love and enjoy them as much as I do. But I want them to love  the quality and love the price. I do not want to make items too high but I also need to think about how much time I took making the item and difficulty if any.
 When it comes to pricing many struggle and it's fully understandable. Some people look at their items and say what would I pay for it? Well that is okay to a certain extent, but not everyone will pay $20 for an okay necklace. Then there are the groups that take how much the product costs and then adds $2-$5 to make as their profit and does not take in anything else.
 
 So here is my method of pricing my items. Everything I buy I keep my reciept and log the price of items into an excel spread sheet and I take into account how many beads, pendents or what have you is on they strand. I price items per bead. So if there are 75 beads on a strand for $2 I take $2 and divide it by 75, and the solution I would round to .02 scents per bead. That sounds crazy but it really works.
  Well after getting a price per bead I have to take into account how long it took me to make the item and how much I am worth. Every artists takes time to make an item and we are all worth something by taking time out of our days to make these wonderful pieces. Are you worth $1 an hour? or $3 hour it's all up to your skill, quality, and devotion. Each person will determine his/her worth.


 So pricing my items I take bead/charm/material per cost, time, and worth and that is how I come up with my prices now. I have done this with items and I have gone down some $2-4 dollars because I was really over pricing it. I'm not saying I am not worth that much but what I put my worth at I am still making a profit, a profit to take Kasha Designs to the extreme that I want it to go. Some people raise prices to really make a killing, but I want to make money but I enjoy having happy customers and being happy myself. It's not about the money that I have started my own business its the joy I get in crafting and meeting other who enjoy and respect my work and networking with so many people in the same field. Hopefully the ones that are reading this now. Many people may shake their head but I've done the calculations yes I'm still making money and I have great customer service, without customers there is no business.


But now since I've had a sentimental moment lol here is an ebook (FREE) on pricing and value called an Artists guide to Pricing by blogger Brandi Girl. This is free so please download it and reference to it until you get comfortable pricing your items.

http://www.brandigirlblog.com/2011/03/artists-guide-to-pricing.html


I hope to service you soon with Kasha Designs products we always have stock and plenty more in the works. Have a great weekend!!


Krista
Kasha Designs
http://www.kashadesigns.webs.com/

Small Business Bible

Yes you heard right. I bought The Small Business Bible by Steve D. Strauss.(2nd Edition) Some people think seriously you got a book about business but please don't knock it until you try it. I'm into the first chapter and so far it has some pointers that I never thought about and have put to use. I also got some websites to look at because yeah I think I am good at my art, but for now I am the one having to be the accountant, marketer, owner etc so I need to get a basis of each category and then some.

($10.98 at Amazon.com I have the direct link in my previous blog post of recommendations)I will read this book, write down pointers and try them. I am very serious about Kasha Designs and I want to meet, greet and experience so many things and people on my journey.

I am very excited about my read and I hope you at least look into this book or another one. Again look at my recommendation post, there are craft books and business books I posted.

Oh I'll be using my beaded cross key chain and bookmark for this book.

($5 key chain/bookmark cross. You get to see it first. It's not on the website.... Yet)








Have a great Earth Day and Good Friday!!

Krista
Kasha Designs
http://www.kashadesigns.webs.com/
http://www.kashadsgns.etsy.com/

Pricing your items guide

I just read this great blog, I mean it's fantastic for those who are looking to make their crafts a real business. You want to make a profit off of it but you also want to get paid what you are worth. If you do just make crafts as a hobby and just make a few extra dollars besided covering for the supplies that is fine. But read this blog, subsrcibe to the blog and download the free ebook that is offered on pricing you itmes. it's a great read and helpful for your business

Art Bead Scene Blog
"Pricing & Value"

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/04/pricing-and-value.html



Kasha Designs
http://www.kashadesigns.webs.com/
http://www.kashadsgns.etsy.com/

Recommendations on books for business and crafts

Here are a few links to some books that I love and recommend for running/starting a small business and keeping up on your craft. If jewelry making and sewing is not your craft. Go to my previous blog post and click on the amazon link and search for your craft. Eitehr way I recommend finding atleast 1-2 good books to read up on.









DONT FORGET CHECK OUT KASHA DESIGNS WEBSITE AT www.kashadesigns.webs.com

Read up on your craft

Anyone can make crafts, if you are self taught or went to school or took classes. Most crafts are really simple to catch up on but I would always reccommend that you read up on your craft. There are many things that you can teach yourself and be taught but there are even more things out there that can be learned and so many books that I have learned new techniques from that I did not know about. Do not think that you know everything there is to know because everyday someone could be coming up with something new.
Check out the amazon link to books and search for your craft and always feed your mind to keep your customers happy and your art unique.




Kasha Designs website
http://www.kashadesigns.webs.com/
http://www.kashadsgns.etsy.com/