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I dont know if this is the correct forum....but I was on ebay looking for some used stamps and came across this seller who sells her handmade cards. She starts them at 2.99 and almost ALL of them have sold for OVER 20.00 a card. This one card here: <snip> is already up to 35.04. Im sitting here wondering why they are selling for so much....anyone?
I have to say her cards are really beautiful but so are some of the cards I see here at SCS. I know Im pretty new to stamping so maybe there is something I dont know and someone can tell me why they sell for so much.
Thanks
Last edited by TexasGrammy; 04-29-2008 at 11:10 AM..
Reason: removed eBay link
I agree...I think people get swept away with the gambling thing and our culture says if we pay more it must be better.... Wish I had that kind of money ... how fun would that be? They are beautiful cards andher up close photos show how much detail and well made they are. Maybe we just underestimate our value??? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
It's a beautiful car - but $35??!!
I used to sell sterling silver jewelry on ebay quite a few years ago - there was this one ring of a cat - it was a simple ring, very cute though the tail wrapped around for the ring part, well it was like a $6-8 ring and it went for over $20 - because these two people really wanted it- i was flabbergasted!
Perhaps some of the people who bid on the cards don't look at them as being greeting cards like we do, and think of them as pieces of art... they may be framing the cards, not giving them to people. People pay $25 - $35 for small pieces of art all the time... it's not that weird when you look at it that way.
That's a really nice card, she did a fantastic job on it. However, 35.00? That's an awful lot for a card! I wonder if it's her bidding on the card herself to make it look worth more than it's actually worth... kwim?
It's a great card though!
If you look at the bid history it does look suspicious. The one bidder had NO ONE bidding against it BUT the bidder placed 5 bids raising it another $13.00 within a matter of 2 minutes. I know ebay has the automatic bidding but there were no other bids placed at the time to raise the bidders bid.
I would NEVER even think about paying alot for a card. I would take a pic of it or something but never buy one for that cost even if I was not a stamper. A card for that price should be in a glass case! But there are people out there that can afford it.
it is a really nice card! i think that the auctions that have lots of pictures and good pictures at that do way better. and i agree, i think people do just get swept up in the moment. heck, i could buy a really good gift for 35 dollars *lol*
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
There does appear to be a lot of work in that card, but $35? Cut me a break! There are people out there on eBay with more money than brains. There must be something more constructive they could do with that money (like donate it to a worthy charity).
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
does anyone know what stamp set that dragon card is from? that is really cute!!!
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
I'd be more inclined to think the bidder is the poster also. Since you now don't have the name of the bidders, it would be easier to do that and not be noticed.
Also, even if someone would see it as a piece of art, to pay such a high price for an item by an "unknown" in my book is still nuts.
In any case, how could someone purchase something like that without seeing it in person? There is no way to know the texture of the piece or the quality of the materials, the real craftsmanship of the piece.
Perhaps since I do create my own cards, I couldn't purchase a card or send one made by someone else.
Well hmmm, I tend to believe she is upbidding also. I am telling you, I actually had a seller tell me that she was going to do that, so I reported her to ebay. She actually emailed me that.
Well hmmm, I tend to believe she is upbidding also. I am telling you, I actually had a seller tell me that she was going to do that, so I reported her to ebay. She actually emailed me that.
i can't believe someone told you this? people are crazy!
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
I really don't think we should jump to conclusions that the seller is 'upbidding' her work. If you look at the bid history, the people who have bid have really high feedbacks. Usually it is suspicious if there are people with little or no feedback. I think it is wonderful that someone is getting well paid for her work. Obviously there are some people in the world who do appreciate handmade cards and are willing to pay for them - just wish they lived around me, LOL. And also, we have to think, not everyone knows how to make a card or stamp, for that matter, and so therefore, the value of a handmade card is higher to them. For example, sewing baffles me, completely and utterly. It would not trouble me one bit to pay big bucks for something hand sewn or hand knit, since I don't have the skills to do it myself. Maybe that is what these bidders are thinking as well. At any rate, I like her cards and applaud her for doing well.
It looks like she has a big fan, one bidder has won MANY of her cards. There are a couple of others who have bought multiples too. She's either got a fan club, or several shills.
Art is intended to provoke an emotion from a total stranger. If you�ve succeeded in this, consider yourself an artist. Paper Shanks Blog. Love me or hate me, you are still talking about me
Perhaps some of the people who bid on the cards don't look at them as being greeting cards like we do, and think of them as pieces of art... they may be framing the cards, not giving them to people. People pay $25 - $35 for small pieces of art all the time... it's not that weird when you look at it that way.
I agree.
And I share jailbirdstamper's opinion that congratulations are in order for this talented stamper's success.
__________________ Malinda
Why did she make things? Well, she enjoyed it, of course; it also somehow helped her remember who she was and where she came from.
i really like her cards too. wish i had some of her talent! but i'm also a sucker for glitter
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
I think we should congratulate the seller on making money from her art!
Thank you for saying this....you, too, Connie! Just because you might not consider paying so much for a card doesn't mean others wouldn't, so why make a judgement about either the seller or the buyer here?
I thought I was doing well once when a gal gave me $100 for 30 EASY cards! At no time did I consider something was wrong with THAT, lol! I'd say none of us would judge so harshly if it were one of OUR cards fetching $35 or up! So, it didn't happen to you, but it did to another paper artist just like us. Isn't that something to rejoice? I have to say I am thrilled for her...
I really don't think we should jump to conclusions that the seller is 'upbidding' her work. If you look at the bid history, the people who have bid have really high feedbacks. Usually it is suspicious if there are people with little or no feedback. I think it is wonderful that someone is getting well paid for her work. Obviously there are some people in the world who do appreciate handmade cards and are willing to pay for them - just wish they lived around me, LOL. And also, we have to think, not everyone knows how to make a card or stamp, for that matter, and so therefore, the value of a handmade card is higher to them. For example, sewing baffles me, completely and utterly. It would not trouble me one bit to pay big bucks for something hand sewn or hand knit, since I don't have the skills to do it myself. Maybe that is what these bidders are thinking as well. At any rate, I like her cards and applaud her for doing well.
JMHO,
Connie
Thank you Connie ... well written and I agree.
I'm glad for this woman and thrilled that she has people bidding at those levels.
There is a very old saying that one gets what one pays for and I'll bet this buyer doesn't care if the card is $35. Not because they have no sense, but because the card is hand made, one of a kind and possibly going to someone special.
Personally, I'd bid on that castle and dragon card if I was an eBay member. that one is wonderful and would look lovely in a frame for my niece's bedroom which has a huge castle painted on the wall.
does anyone know what stamp set that dragon card is from? that is really cute!!!
Here is the "gallery index card" for that set. I had it once but gave it away because I never used it. Now I'm kicking myself because I want to CASE that card. LOL
I really don't think we should jump to conclusions that the seller is 'upbidding' her work. If you look at the bid history, the people who have bid have really high feedbacks. Usually it is suspicious if there are people with little or no feedback. I think it is wonderful that someone is getting well paid for her work. Obviously there are some people in the world who do appreciate handmade cards and are willing to pay for them - just wish they lived around me, LOL. And also, we have to think, not everyone knows how to make a card or stamp, for that matter, and so therefore, the value of a handmade card is higher to them. For example, sewing baffles me, completely and utterly. It would not trouble me one bit to pay big bucks for something hand sewn or hand knit, since I don't have the skills to do it myself. Maybe that is what these bidders are thinking as well. At any rate, I like her cards and applaud her for doing well.
JMHO,
Connie
Bravo! Well said, ckidd!
There was a thread about this same topic not long ago and some suggested dishonest bidding must have been happening. That really annoyed me... I can't understand why some people are so quick to think the worst of others.
That time, one of the ladies who sells her cards on eBay posted a message defending herself, and another person who sells cards on eBay, about being accused of dishonest bidding. She explained that they both have loyal "card collector" customers... their feedback on eBay is proof of that.
I know someone who is a watercolor artist and she earns her living by selling her paintings in galleries. In addition to regular size paintings, she has also done paintings on blank cards, which allows the person the option of using her artwork as a greeting card or as a painting to frame. People have paid over $20 for her cards/artwork. The cards being sold on eBay may very well be made and sold with the intention of them being used as greeting cards, but it's still art, first and foremost.
I don't think it matters what kind of artwork it is, what kind of materials was used, how much time went into creating it... there is no set value to artwork. It's worth whatever amount a person is willing to pay for it, and they shouldn't be criticized for appreciating a piece of artwork more than someone else and being willing to pay more for it.
Lighten up people, don't be so quick to think the worst of others, and be happy for fellow stampers who are able to make some money from their artwork.
Here is the "gallery index card" for that set. I had it once but gave it away because I never used it. Now I'm kicking myself because I want to CASE that card. LOL
awww, thanks, i would love this set!!
__________________ mommy to 3 handsome boys and a beautiful little princess!! michael 11/8/96, samuel 10/25/01, brandon 6/16/05, and olivia 7/12/07 (-16)
I'm with you, Betsy. The seller is obviously connected with her buyers and they see the value in her work. I sell cards at work sometimes - $20 is not uncommon for a card - I think it is mostly convenience, and partially because they want to give something handmade that looks nice or pretty. Guys especially love to buy the handmade cards for their wives or girlfriends - this saves them a trip to the card store, saves TIME, and gas, and they have no inclination whatsoever to make it on their own. One guy introduced a friend to me as his card broker and the friend asked if I could bring some birthday cards in - he buys regularly now. So $20 for a card, though not the usual, isn't unheard of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ
Thank you for saying this....you, too, Connie! Just because you might not consider paying so much for a card doesn't mean others wouldn't, so why make a judgement about either the seller or the buyer here?
I thought I was doing well once when a gal gave me $100 for 30 EASY cards! At no time did I consider something was wrong with THAT, lol! I'd say none of us would judge so harshly if it were one of OUR cards fetching $35 or up! So, it didn't happen to you, but it did to another paper artist just like us. Isn't that something to rejoice? I have to say I am thrilled for her...
__________________ Elaine ~ A_Place_For_Ink / Stamp Connoissuer A Place for Ink!
I sell cards at work sometimes - $20 is not uncommon for a card - I think it is mostly convenience, and partially because they want to give something handmade that looks nice or pretty. Guys especially love to buy the handmade cards for their wives or girlfriends - this saves them a trip to the card store, saves TIME, and gas, and they have no inclination whatsoever to make it on their own.
Oh my gosh ... I do the same thing. Men step up a huge notch in the eyes of their wives/SO's when they give a handmade or custom card with a gift. These guys don't bat an eyeball at the $25 or up price because the reward from the SO's is apparently wonderful.
And honestly, even if my SO didn't make a card, but went to someone and had it custom made to fit our quirks, I would be blown away because that just shows he knows me and knows that regardless of who made it, he took the effort to make it special.
Men know how to work us .... LOL
The same thing may apply with these cards: Someone on the receiving end will be thrilled by the givers efforts to do something special!
Wow, I just looked at her cards and she really does some nice work. There is a lot of cutting, layering and so much detail. Even the inside of the cards are beautiful. She presents her cards with great pictures and descriptions. I think people realize by looking at her listing how much time and care she puts into each card.
I say "Good for her!" That's incentive for me to start getting some items onto e-bay. I do think her work is gorgeous, very detailed and color-coordinated. I only hope mine could do half as well!
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Looking at her work up close - it is flawless. There are many hours put into those cards, wow, all the stitching it perfect, all the glitter is precise. I could never make them look that good.
I say good for her at least someone is making enough money with this hobby to afford it.
The buyer - well if they want to spend it - go ahead.
Kathy
I read her "About Me" and she is a SAHM with an art background. It really shows up in her work...beautiful. I love the paper piecing...i'm gonna try it today!
Am I missing something here?
