Female Barrel racer

[SCHIDTHEAD]

I had one come in for a stable sign for a guys wife who is a barrel racer. I found a clip on the net and tweeked it adding my own background and lettering; her nickname is Big Red and her horse is Strawberry. Let me know what you guys think. My first design didn't hit it with me and was pretty plain; I added the stars and opened up the sky, and it looks better...but I'm still not feeling it. Any suggestions? This will cut at 43H x 48"W.

[Chopper John]

Looks like you may have trouble with some fencing....falling out, otherwise I like it.

[SCHIDTHEAD]

ooops...thats what I get for getting in a hurry; ez fix though thanx

[jmsrbrt]

I think it looks great...lot of detail in the rider and horse. Maybe a different font?

[ironhorse]

This looks fantastic, font and all. You so some mean work sir

[SCHIDTHEAD]

Here she is cut and un-finished 48 x 43" will set on 2" pillows, sand blasted tomorrow and hung on the guys stable to rust.

[elkriverfab]

Nice sign....

If you don't mind me asking, what did you charge them for the piece?
I was just wondering and was just interested in what you are getting for signs that size in your area.

Here they want to pay $35.00 and $40.00 for something like that (painted) because they can go to the local swap meet and by crap for around that price.

So I was just wondering what you are getting for something like that where you are at.
Here the art stuff is falling in price again and getting hard to make for what they are wanting to pay.

I have been leaning toward parts and specialty items the last year or so but I really like doing the art stuff.
Unfortunately I end up making it for myself and family rather than customers

Very nice sign and I am sure your customer will enjoy that for years to come.

Thanks....

[AnotherDano]

That's about $40-50 bucks in raw steel alone.

You're right, ElkRiver. People have no idea what the relative values are between mass-produced stuff and custom work.

[metalart]

I don't usually get into these conversations - due mostly to time constraints but I thought it's about time! It's my belief that if you price your pieces too low , people don't get the value of what you're doing. If you price the piece for what they should cost , many people won't buy! We've done both! And we work at doing the art work side of the business for the most part. Most of us are stuck between a rock and a hard place , who do this as art work but we're not garage sales, flee markets or Walmarts and as far as we're concerned if that's what some people want, that's where they need to shop. We're getting to what we think are decent prices for our pieces but we're always juggling with the price points. I think a piece this size should cost about $300-$400, it's not only the material cost, it's the design time (or even just our time if you're working from an already designed file), machine time, consumable costs, not to mention heat, light, rent or mortgage costs, etc, that we have to consider if you're doing this as a full time business. It would be interesting to find out what was paid for it (am I close or not? - lower or higher?) As for the people who want to pay $35 or $40 for our art work this size, we suggest they maybe try Walmart or some such place. We've decided you can't please everyone and we're trying to actually make money - not lose it, with our art work. Keep the faith, that people will pay for what they like and those that won't, will be happy only with the mass-produced stuff that isn't handmade . There are places for everyone to shop and Thank God there are people out there that do know quality and want to purchase hand-made products.

Wow, for someone who doesn't usually participate in these conversations, I think I've spent enough time bending your ears, but that's my 2 cents worth or maybe it should be worth more considering time cost, etc.

[Eagle Mtn Metal Works]

Thank you Metal Art
Hear Hear I agree with you quality is time consuming and not cheep. I am glad to see some one that has Quality and handmade and not just production stuff. If we value our time and talent and expect to be paid for it the customer will appreciate the price that we are asking for it. Don't sell your work or your self short. That is just my $5.00 bucks worth

[steelfx]

I would do this sign in 12awg, bare steel, no sand-blasting for: $395.00
Same sign with powder-coat: $450.00
Same sign with patina finish & clear-coat: $495.00