Thursday, June 21, 2007

I'm Baaaaaccckkkk!!!!

Well now that I have probably lost all 7 of my usual readers...I am now back. I needed some time away from the computer to complete all kinds of things. Like report cards. I always hate writing the report cards- I am always nervous about getting something wrong. I mark all kinds of last minute assignments, with the great hope that I will have a revelation of sorts- but, no. Afraid not. So they are all done. And I took a group of 25 kids to camp overnight- they were awesome. No major issues- we survived it all-including a bonfire with s'mores! The ESL students from Korea thought I had lost my mind when I set up a fire- they had never seen such craziness before! And I have been painting. Since I know how to paint, it is quite common for the gift committee at work to come to me and request some custom work-for free. I don't really know why they don't offer me any money for it- if they had someone else commissioned, they know they would have to pay them. But I guess, since I work on staff, they figure I somehow owe them something. Anyhow, I have only accepted one project- to paint a boat propeller with the scenes from the local outdoor ed. facility. Still quite a lot of work. Initially, they wanted about 7 different scenes, including a picture of the guy's dog, and of the guy himself. I told them that I don't do tacky, and that since they weren't paying me, I would do whatever the hell I wanted. So I did. But I imagine they won't ask me anymore once they realize I won't do "like they say". It's a funny thing- people seem to think if you can knit, you are dying to knit something for them, out of your own pocket, and for no money for the work. Hunh? It's like the painting thing- I can paint, so it is what I want to do for them to look good for gifts? Mind you, since I agreed to do this one project, since the guy is retiring, I guess they feel I will do more. Not without being paid. What I am owed- since commissioned artwork is what they want, I will charge them a price up front, and let them turn me down. Works for me.
Recently, I was asked to reproduce a Noro Silk Garden sweater, done in entrelac. The "customer" was hoping I would do it for under $200, including the yarn. Hmmm-judging by the size of said lady, that would mean I would be paying her to knit it, since 20 skeins, at $12.95, plus tax, will take it over the $200 mark. So I explained this to her-she then asked if I could make her a deal (??) Uh- the price of the yarn is set at around $300, and what kind of a deal did she want? It seems she felt I could get a discount on the yarn, so she thought I could do it for around $350. Well, no discount, and no deal. She said that I couldn't expect to get more than one would pay at a store. Okay-but lady, you came to me-I guess abuse is part of this? Hmmmm. Rant over.
But I have been knitting-baby booties for a coworker. Pictures later-batteries charging) And a couple of things I will be keeping rather close for awhile longer.
But speaking of knitting- my KIP draw! I read all of the entries- great fun! And I put everyone's name into a hat- and drew out.............RUBY! Since I know her, I won't have to ask for her address. Ruby knit with her group- and won a prize-as the member who does the most to promote her guild!!!!! So Ruby- expect something in a week or so. Thank you to all those who entered- they were fun to read!!!!!!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks deb, will expect a package. ruby

Robyn - Red Bird Knits said...

Yeah Ruby and yeah Deb. Still reading your blog.

Miss Scarlett said...

Welcome back!

Congrats Ruby. :-)

KiP day was so fun. I was on the Island visiting my brother. I Kip'ed all over the place. Most notably in the entryway of Don Mee for about 25 min waiting for my family to get there. Just got comfy on the stairs and made progress on my Jaywalkers. Lots of gawkers but no commenters.

Carrie Penny said...

Poor Deb... I know what you mean on your rant...

Congrats Ruby, Deb is a great gifter!

Carol said...

That rant is sooo true! My hubby is artistic and people expect all kinds of free stuff. Do they realize how much time and energy goes into these things? Clearly not. I've actually stepped in and said,"okay, that would be around $200. Do you still want it and for when?" They always back pedal. The worst is his family. They know he is struggling financially and STILL expect freebies. Argh.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! You absolutely CAN expect to get more than one would pay for a mass produced sweatshop product - if she can find a handknit entrelac Noro sweater at Walmart, more power to her!

Anonymous said...

I loved your rant about the 350$ sweater! Too funny, and so true.

Have you painted any more chairs? That was such a neat work you did.

Baby booties are adorable.

Are you going to take a summer vacation? Isn't school out now?

Mandy said...

Blech. People are amazing. When someone asks how much I'd charge to knit them a sweater, I say $1000 plus the cost of yarn. If they think that's high (invariably), I say it takes me 50-100 hours to knit a sweater, and as I'm not actually looking to knit for hire, why wouldn't I charge enough to make it worth my time? I dread the day someone actually takes me up on it. ;)

Diane said...

People are the same way on this side of the lake, too. Maybe even more so. We find the same attitude with hand made goods and for the furniture that my DH renovates.

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with that rant. Why do people think that if you knit, you want to knit for THEM? Or draw or paint, or anything else. It's just weird.

I'm stealing that blog quiz for my post tomorrow (the dog/cat one) that's too cute!