{ price, practice and packaging }

In our modern world packaging as all.

You could say it begins with xmas presents..? the incredible excitement of concealment and revealing which comes from opening boxes not just any old box however, one that compliments it’s contents.  In a similar way the frame for a picture elevates and enhances the object of focus. Therefore how important is the frame compared to the object I wonder.

When pricing work I think about several things; the time it’s taken to make, not only per hour but how many years of practice it took to get to a certain skill, the collecting of materials (all foraged), the grain pattern and how intricate of a design it is. Although packaging is often thought about I seem to rarely follow through with those ideas. Perhaps Its because I’m a strong believer in ‘reduce,reuse,recycle’ motto of the environmental movement. unfortunately this to my mind seems to be what sets me apart and maybe even back from other designer makers. I feel compelled to reuse old postage bags to send items out. I wonder if this creates some kind of illusion that perhaps i don’t value what i’ve made enough spend more time, money or effort creating packaging which reflects the price, practice and …skill of the object itself.? This also seem true of the website (the electronic packaging). Having friends tell me that ”Your website isn’t as beautiful as your spoons and bowls” would suggest there is a high value places upon packaging. Being dyslexic means spending time on a computer is incredibly difficult and draining which is almost certainly a major reason for the imbalance of product and packaging when it comes to the website.

So then is what’s really being said that for customers to feel confident when buying online they need all the signifiers of a slick looking website etc… And without some kind of slick website for the work to sit in, I’m giving off the impression that I don’t value what I do or believe in it enough to invest more time and money into a more professional online presents. However there is one thing I do believe in and value  and that is the ability to make wooden ware to a high standard.  Like many other creative people in the world, the business aspect does not match the standard of the handmade objects.

This being said the business is slowly growing and people are being able to look beyond the slightly less than perfect exterior of the website etc.. to discover someone who values the objects made with skill and a eager sense of discovery. But first impressions can be make or break in every aspect of our lives… so expect a new website and *gasp, business name at some point this year. fingers crossed.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment