Do you charge for time?

For complicated jewelry things, I usually charge $10 per hour of work, but usually charge 3-5 for simpler things. When I do custom soap batches for people, I charge materials x3 to get a fair price for my materals and time. For batches I make for my usual stock it's a bit more per bar because label paper is pricy. Like I said though, materials are a major factor in pricing.

Libby-feel free to send me a message if you'd like to do a personal swap

Whenever people have asked me to make things I just tell them to pay for the cost of the material. It's a win-win situation, they get a great handmade item and I get to do a project cost free. The only time I would ask for a little more if it is extremely labor intensive but everybody works at a different pace so I don't think its fair to charge for time as well as the item itself.

I think charging for time is fair if you've perfected or quickened the method you're making something by--like my first double wrap Chan Luu bracelet with stone beads took me 2 and a half hours to make, but now if I use those same beads, my time is down a full hour after making a lot more. Then again, though, it takes a lot more time and specialized skill to make a woven thing than it does to just string a bunch of beads on a cord and crimp the ends, so the time charged for is reasonable there.

I guess that makes sense... I think I'd feel guilty for charging for things I knew took not much effort but you're right, if it takes a real set of skill to make a quality piece then including time to the price would be fair.

nope

I usually charge lump sum of what is done

I've enjoyed reading this topic, and I've been in the same discusion before too..I think it really depends what you want to get out of it.. I haven't charged for my projects (yet). For me I don't think I'd care too much for time, I mainly do crochet and I've gotten to the point where I can do my craft while watching a movie and know exactlly whats going on, or even socialize with craftnights with friends. So the way I see it is that if i charged for the time I'd be getting paid to watch shows and hang out and for something that I'd probally be doing for fun and practice anyways. How awesome is that.. But say if you were to make a career of it and developed years of exprienced and built up a good network, I could see how one may decide to charge for the amount of time they spent... I also think that buyers will determine how much youll charge anyways though. If you can't sell then perhaps you're asking for too much but if you're doing very well it could be time to charge a bit more too

It's a really complicated issue in my opinion, as there are so many factors you can/need to take into account. I think it does make a difference if you are doing it as a career or mainly a money-making venture rather than just for enjoyment. And where you are selling your items; people will perhaps pay more (or be willing to pay more), for items are being sold in a gallery or shop than on a market stall or at a craft fair.