make a good life. I don't buy at sprawlmarts, but I don't get to buy much art. I'm glad people make art, make prints, make cards and make the world more beautiful and engaging. Great post! Great discussion. To everyone accusing Somer of over-valuing her work or marking-up her products to give them worth -- go take a look at her actual etsy shop. Her free-form hats are niche items for sure, but she also offers a wide variety of completely reasonable priced scarves and hats that are as cheap as what you'd get at Target, yet hand-made, and dare I say it, still artistic. I totally get it!! I feel the same... made a gorgeous ring and sold for $150 -- after 12 hours of silversmithing classes at $40/hr and the cost of the materials.......... it's the love of creating wearable art that keeps us going!! bless you -- and I do buy from fellow Etsy artisans... That is a great post! As a fellow happy hooker I'd love to suggest a really excellent book... How to survive and prosper as an artist : selling yourself without selling your soul by Caroll Michels. Really fabulous book for us artists!! Keep on hooking! Some buyers appreciate workmanship and quality materials and others do not (personally, I usually do). But perhaps there are no buyers who value what's on offer. No creator (be it artist or manufacturer) can force buyers to pay a price that covers costs. A lot of restaurants