Quote from: Shiromisa on June 08, 2013, 12:21:47 AM

I definitely would not pay that. Honestly, the $100 or so most plushies go for is way more than I'd pay, which is the reason I haven't gotten one yet. But, that's what the market will support, so that's the price they are.

As a plushie marker, I feel the need to explain a few things about how plushie making works, and just exactly why plushies are so "high in price".

A pony can take 2-7 colors of fabric, which costs on average, $15 a yard. Embroidery for cutie marks and eyes can take 2-6 spools at $5 each.  Bobbin thread is $12 a roll. Sewing thread is $5 a roll. Stuffing is about $5 a bag. That's also including shipping costs to order your supplies in. 

So for a NM, materials I would say would be 5 yards of minky ($75) 3 spools of thread ($15), Stuffing ($5) so that's $95 for supplies.

Next you need to consider the time it takes to make a plushie. BASIC plushies like Pinkie Pie are about 10 hours of simply labor to sew the plush. Nightmare Moon would easily be double.  Most artists would like to make fair/minimum wage, which is about $8 and hour. So, $8 X 20 hours = $160 in labor. Many artists (like me) undercut ourselves and make much less then that. I only charge $5 an hour. 

Oh, and let's talk about the time it takes to MAKE the pattern! There's no magical pace you can buy patterns for all ponies mans and tails in all sizes, especially cutoms! We an artists has to plan, draft, draw and create customized patterns just for your plush, which could take hours upon hours. Some like a pattern for pinkie is reusable, but what about if the pony is an OC? The chances of using that pattern again as slim. So that can be added labor! (some add it in to the cost, some don't)

So if we did materials ($95) plus labor ($160) that would be $255 for a Nightmare Moon, if we're working with "minimum" wage. However, many artists want to actually make a living, so they go higher. I start myself out so cheap at $5/hour because I'm a novice. I'm not like Whitedove who has dozens of plush under her belt. As time goes by and I improve, my prices will rise.

"But?" you cry "It doesn't take a full yard or spool to do a pony!"

True, it doesn't. However, an artists still needs to have that in STOCK in order to make your pony. So sure, they could only charge you the physical amount of material used, but what if that color is never requested again? Then the artist has dead stock, and has lost money on what sits there in storage.  No company does this. It's just not smart. Also, there's waste involved in pattern cutting. You'll lose a good 25% of your material just form cutting out the pattern pieces, so that has to be included in the costs to the buyer. 

Finally, we have to pay for our machines. A good sewing machine is about $500, and a good embroidery machine is $700-$1200.  Also, there's electricity to run those machines. And what about space for an art room? Other supplies like scissors, stabilizer, buttons, bobbins, the list goes on and on. And then there's paypal fees, etsy feels, bank fees, TAXES... (since this must be claimed as income!) It's not a matter of "here's a yard of fabric make me a pony!"  Plushie making is a BUSINESS, like all businesses there are serious expenses which the owner pays for, and must be reflected in their sales.

To give you an example, I started my business last August. Since thing, I have accumulated over $4000 in equipment, supplies, fabric, etc. To this point, I have just breached $2000 in sales (keep in mind I do more then plushies, I also do keychains, magnets, etc). So I am running in the red, and will, most likely, continue TO run in the negative for the next year while I continue to get my setup costs in order.  Any small business is actually expected to run in the red for at least the first three years before we start to "make profit". However,  we can't do that is we sell you plushies for less then they cost us to make. That's simply bad business. And as much as people may want to think otherwise, making plushies is a business in which we are out to eventually, someday, make a little profit.

And for those who might cry "I could buy a Pinkie for $20 from walmart!" Then go do it. Go buy a plushie that's mass produced and they pump out thousands a day in china where they pay $2/hour, rather then a one of a kind, handmade to your specifications plushie. That's your choice.

to a degree yes.. RJ could be made into a pudgy plushie. it wouldn't have cream stockings all the way around the stubby legs, but the inner side (which is connected to the belly) can be cream. =3

Quote from: Rainbowjuice on May 19, 2013, 01:13:07 PM

I despise glitter!!
-flips table and stalks off-

HA no.
I'm not the biggest glitter fan but if it's done so it cannot possibly come off onto my hands then I'm fine with it.

ha ha I am in the same boat. I think a bit of the ponies I chose have glittery versions but I think I specified that the one I was trying to list was the non glittery version. That being said, I think getting the same pony done glittery brushable and non glittery brushable would be pretty neat, but maybe a different swap? (Like a both blind bag version swap? oooo)

Ah I ramble, back to the topic
I usually am not really into glitter though and Mr. Toaster HATES it.  (he almost banished the blind bag wave 4s in our house!) He hates glitter, and somehow always gets some on him somewhere so ehhh glitter for me not really a fan. I don't mind it but in the case of brushables from blindbags nonglittery ones please!