I took a picture for each subject of this post, and its length will depend on the pictures coming along. I wish I understood the last phone upgrade on pictures. Sigh,
I was talking to my daughter one day and bemoaning the fact I could not lift the windows up. I have to lean over the radiator unit to lift, and it takes a lot of core strength I just don't have. If I could get on my knees on the unit and lift, all would be well. "You need a window jack!" Shelly said. We chuckled and she went on, but I was on Amazon, looking up jacks. I found one that lifts my windows.
I selected this picture simply because the window is so stupid. I can't get to it any way to open it. So I hung my stained glass there, and it's Kitty's window. She does use the other window and its unobstructed view, too, but its quite consumed with construction ever since she has lived here. Some day it will be done.
I'm weaving yellow towels now, and am a few bobbins from half done.
This is all the colored thread I have left, but only about enough warp left for seven or eight more colors of towels. Then I am done. Mary Moon had commented on her blog that the red towels she ordered had arrived and pleased her. A reader said yes, she had three. They were nice, but she thought them pricey. That's an adjective indicating expensive or unduly expensive.
Anyone who does work by hand knows the unrecompensed hours involved. And I have the cost of the thread and shipping postage, which I totally underwrite, because it is so expensive. I buy the finest ring spun cotton available in North America. Before the shutdown, I knew how much I netted from towels. About half of the price of each towel was mine to keep, or reinvest in more warp and dyed thread.
Then came Covid and the bottom fell out of the world. Prices rose so insanely I could not see any way to pass them along. I remember writing about how to increase prices and concluding it was all some sort of greed I wouldn't be involved in. In addition to the cost of thread, the cost of shipping went up. Exponentially. The hell with it, I would just keep weaving. And I have.
Do you know, when you lose money three years in a row, the IRS no longer considers you a viable business. This is the second year of losing money on my "pricey" towels. But I was actually looking forward to investing my own money in the next round of thread. But no more.
Joanne, I have FIVE of your towels. Besides the red one I gave to a friend for Christmas. I do not like the word "pricey"! Another example of the lowering of the bar in our English language, from my point of view. When I first started following you, I did think the price was expensive. I mean, I could buy lots of towels at the Dollar Store for that money. BUT!!!! That was my ignorance. Having experienced using your towels, I have changed my mind. Big time. Doesn't matter how many towels are in the drawer, I will always prefer yours. They are so absorbent. Real workers. And, I know from whose hands they come. That makes them more valuable. I've been arguing with myself since I saw that you are making yellow again. I had said I would buy more if you made yellow. I live by myself now, though, and do I need another? I expect there will be a run on them now. I'd better make up my mind quickly! ❤️🙅🏼♀️
ReplyDeleteThat window jack is so clever! And Kitty's window is beautiful with that stained glass. Anyone who understands quality arts and crafts knows perfectly well that your towels are not "pricey" but are, in fact, very reasonably priced!
ReplyDeleteOh it makes me so angry when others condemn handcrafts. I remember pricing a story shawl for a potential client who saw my gifted work (designed and knitted by me). I calculated my time at $5.00 an hour (ridiculous but she was begging) and she was horrified at the price. Women have had their work undervalued for ever it seems.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Handcrafts and most artists fail to be paid for most of their hours. And some others are grossly overpaid (like CEOs). HOW I wish the balance would change. And I will continue to mourn for the artists (and you are one).
ReplyDeleteI fully understand the pricing of your towels, the cost of goods and the time involved as well as the shipping costs. I had ten of your towels and use them often, I gave two away as gifts. I love them.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was such a thing as a window jack. Looks like it could be used on a kid's pedal push car to change a tire too! Good quality craftsmanship is worth it for those old enough to know. Carry on! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteA window jack! That's a new one for me. Thanks for my amazed moment of the day.
ReplyDeleteI totally admire anyone who weaves, the long act of warping the loom is just the beginning and craftwork should be paid for as a recognition of the skill used in the production.
ReplyDeleteThat window jack looks useful. I have some similar tools that do the reverse - they clamp down and hold things in place. I use your towels a lot. Keep weaving.
ReplyDeleteShipping cost are ridiculous these days. We were about to order something recently from a small business, but the cost of shipping for an item which was less than $20.00 was almost twice that price. One needs to shop these days with shipping in mind.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a window jack. Interesting.
Joanne, it will be a big change for you not to be weaving any more! Aging requires a lot of change! It is not for the faint of heart this aging business! Sigh.
Most hobbies are done for pleasure and satisfaction more than wealth. I almost regret that I have sold any photos rather than just giving them away.
ReplyDeleteAnd as I replied on my blog to that comment- Joanne charges what they are worth. Of course, you don't really or they would be more expensive than they are.
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing what you do and for making these towels available to us because they are beautiful and they are so very useful. Art and form. A bargain at any price.
Window jack? Well, I'll be.
All good things come to n end. Now you can enjoy your window jack just opening windows!!!
ReplyDeleteI never heard of a window Jack but it seems like a really practical too. I don’t need need one, but one day I might.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we all have to decide what is worth spending our money on. My sister and I have bought a number of Joanne's towels, and intend to buy more as long as she keeps weaving them. The more they are used, the more absorbent they become. And handling the soft towel and seeing the beauty adds a quiet pleasure to every day. When we consider how long the beauty and usefulness will last, it makes the cost seem much less important.
ReplyDeleteSo, Joanne, thank you for working so hard and creatively, making these beautiful towels for us to enjoy and treasure.
first of all, as a working artist for all my working life here's what I have to say to the lady who thought them 'pricey'. if you can't afford or think the price is too high for a handmade quality product, don't buy it. go to Walmart. you can get all manner of not pricey cheaply made towels but whatever you do, please do not buy an artist's/craft person's hand made product and then complain that you think it cost too much. Joanne's towels will outlast you, Walmart's towels will be rags in three years. you get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteand second, does that mean you will stop making towels when your current supply of thread runs out? I guess I'll be visiting your store.
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteStruth some folks will never get it will they? I adore your towels and treasure them. The shipping costs put a kaibosh on my Red bubble too. I really ought to just shut it off. Oh wait, I think I did 😵💫. That jack looks like it would be useful for many heavy tasks!!! Hooroo the noo. YAM xx
Windows you have to lift are much less convenient (and age-considerate) than windows that open out. But how lucky to discover window-jacks, which I'd never heard of.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of frequent washings your towels still look (and act) new. I love them! What an ignorant comment! That window jack is clever; I never would have thought one would exist.
ReplyDeleteI have the towels you so kindly sent me...they are in regular use and wash up like new. People have no idea of base costs, let alone the quite ruinous postage.
ReplyDeleteYour towels are quality and keep looking new despite me using and caring for them. I appreciate them and think of you every time I use or see them. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe jacks were sold in pairs and advertised as useful to get under furniture for cleaning.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with everyone who says your prices are in fact low for handcrafted work. And having owned small enterprises myself, yes, you have to show a profit at least two years in five or lose the tax designation of small business. It's not easy. People often fail to understand pricing in arts and crafts. Better they not buy than buy and complain!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you and Mary missed the "I love them" part of my comment on Marry's blog! For me, and no one else, the cost per towel was high for me, but not for the opportunity to gift two of them to a dear friend for Christmas. She absolutely loves them, as well I do recognize and appreciate all that goes into making them and I am sorry I didn't elaborate on that part of my comment!
ReplyDeleteI certainly was not trying to being mean, because I think the towels are fabulous and, I agree, the more my one towel is used, the softer it becomes! I realize they are a good source of income for you, Joanne, and I am sure my $75 was put to good use by you! I hope you have profitable sales at craft sales plus your online sales!
I hope I am forgiven!
I appreciate the apology, Marcia, and best to stop before you dig in deeper. They are not a good source of income for me; they are a loss of income. The first couple of years I went back to weaving I gave them away. I was up to two hundred shipped around the world, and loving it, until someone said "Free. I don't know what you are giving away, but if it's free, I want it. What is it and how do I get it?"
DeleteWhen I decided to charge money, I picked one dollar per towel less than a comparable handwoven towel, and still covered my cost. I've never raised prices in four years, and now they cost me about 25% more to weave.
If you find them pricey, don't buy them. Don't go on someone's blog, however, and call them pricey. And on mine and say they are a good source of income.
If your towels were called "art wall hanging" they would fetch a thousand dollars each you know, anything called a dish towel ,no matter the excellence, is likely to be considered mediocre . I have thirteen of your towels , have purchased seventeen of them, given a few as gifts, reluctantly, mind you. I love your towels so much and , yes , I have hung a couple up on the wall because I like to look at them all of the time, the texture, the weave- just gorgeous! As for function they can not be beat, but I am careful who uses them...in this house anything and everything seems to end up in the garage. I must protect my investment! I must protect the art works of Joanne. I do use them but I use them more gently than others. Your prices are too low if you want to know- for the longevity and functionality and beauty of your craft you should jack the price up a it-at least to 30 a pop.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered two more YAHOO!
DeleteAnyone who has bought and used your towels knows they are a bargain. The quality is amazing and they will live well beyond me. I was planning to get a couple of more red ones but didn't act fast enough. You are already sold out.
ReplyDeleteSome people don't live in the real world and don't expect to pay what things are really worth..or cost to make
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a bargain. I ordered three towels to be sent to my daughter and son in law. The last time that I sent a little clay sculpture, it cost me $19 to send. So for me, the shipping really made these towels quite affordable. They got three towels that will last long after I have shuffled off this mortal coil. I do have to say that I think it was quite brave of Marcia to 'out' herself and to apologize publicly. I respect that.
ReplyDeletewindow jack - great idea. I see you replied above that it can be used to lift furniture. Many things need lifting.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I have 6 of your towels, pumpkin, blue, and aqua (it think that's right). They are the ones I put out on the Aga when company comes (but I do use them too). They are wonderful and worth the price... as someone said, buy them if you value them (like any hand-crafted item) or don't. But I can imagine like everything else lately, the cost of shipping and materials have gone up (way up!).
ReplyDeleteA window jack is a new term to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, you are going to stop weaving towels when your thread is gone??? Is that because you’re losing money on the towels?
ReplyDeleteI do think you could charge postage so you at least break even—as shoppers know, on eBay and Amazon postage is not included —easily adds another $5 to $10.
THANK YOU for your beautiful work, Joanne —I agree with Linda Sue, these are artisan wall hangings.
I have two—must buy some more before they sell out.
Your beautiful work brings joy and grace into the world.
I think I told you, I bought a yellow one for my old auntie—her favorite color. I was so touched when I went to help clear her house after her death at 96 years old to see she used the towel as a dust cover for her beloved Kitchen Aid mixer—she made baked goods up until her last weeks.
I love my towels and friendship we share.
ReplyDeleteI love the towels and the friendship we share.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading all the comments I have made some conclusions. You get what you pay for and I love the towels you gifted me! HeWho is not allowed to use them, as they are special to me and I think of you everytime I use them. Things made "by hand" are very special to me. My granddaughter once told me that she treasured the things I made for her because she could feel my love in them. My other conclusion is that I need a window jack! All of my windows have furniture blocking them and trying to push the window up while leaning across is next to impossible!
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