Why do the sculptures cost so much?
This is a very fair question - and one I’m always happy to answer. Many of the true costs behind handmade work are not immediately visible, so I’d like to offer some insight into what goes into running Taraminart, both as an artist and as a small business owner.
The time and materials used to physically make a sculpture are only part of what you’re paying for. Like most independent artists, a significant amount of my work happens behind the scenes. There is a great deal of invisible labor involved in creating, maintaining, and sustaining an art business.
At the end of the day, just like anyone else, I aim to be fairly compensated for the time, skill, and effort I put into my work.
I understand that my sculptures are not within everyone’s budget, which is why I also share my work freely on platforms like Instagram - so it can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of whether they’re able to purchase a piece.
Many of the roles I fill overlap, but below I’ve done my best to clearly explain why my work is priced the way it is.
Administration
Inventory management
I regularly track and manage stock levels for all my supplies, including polymer clay, paints, varnishes, packaging materials, shipping labels, and branded elements. This involves monitoring usage, researching suppliers, comparing prices, and placing orders to ensure I can continue working without interruptions.
Accounting & financial management
I handle all of my own bookkeeping and taxes. Fun, eh? This includes tracking income and expenses, setting prices that reflect real costs, and staying compliant with tax regulations. At the beginning of each year, I also create a business plan with financial goals, then regularly review my progress to make sure the business remains sustainable.
Customer service
Responding to emails and Instagram messages is a significant part of my daily work. While I genuinely enjoy connecting with customers, this can become time-intensive, especially during shop updates. I also handle issues such as delayed or lost packages, which often require lengthy communication with postal services.
Production
Sculpting & painting
Each sculpture is an original, hand-sculpted artwork created through a multi-step process. I begin by sculpting the base form (head, body, and legs), which is then baked to set the structure. After that, I sculpt additional details such as ears and tails, followed by a second baking stage.
Once the sculpting is complete, I paint the base layer and then gradually build up color in multiple layers, adding markings, spots, and fine details by hand. The final step is varnishing, which protects the piece and gives it its finished appearance.
This process takes between 3-5 hours per sculpture, depending on the complexity of the piece. My work is intentionally not mass-produced - each sculpture is made individually and reflects my personal style, technical skill, and attention to detail.
Photography
For each sculpture, I take 2-3 photographs, and a typical shop update includes around 30 pieces. This means many hours spent photographing and editing images so they accurately represent the work. This also requires professional equipment, technical knowledge, and paid editing software to ensure consistent, high-quality presentation.
Social Media
Social media management
When I first started Taraminart, I spent several months learning about algorithms, hashtags, audience growth, and platform strategy. During my first year, I dedicated 2-3 hours a day to Instagram alone. While my account now grows more organically, I still spend at least an hour daily responding to messages, engaging with other artists (which is an important part of professional networking), and creating posts and stories to keep my audience informed and connected. I also do this on pinterest.
Website & Shop
Content creation, design & shop management
Everything you see on my website is created and maintained by me. This includes writing product descriptions, designing graphics, building and updating the site, managing listings, setting prices, and ensuring the payment system and automated emails function correctly. This ongoing work ensures a smooth and professional shopping experience.
Apart from the e-commerce side, I also dedicate time to writing the occasional blog post and adding fun elements to my site to make it an enjoyable experience even if you don't buy anything.
Graphic design & branding
All visual branding for Taraminart is created by me. This includes the logo, stickers, business cards, website graphics, and all other branded materials. Developing and maintaining a cohesive visual identity requires design skills, professional software, and ongoing time investment to ensure everything feels consistent and polished.
Packaging & shipping
Great care goes into packaging each order so your sculpture arrives safely. From preparing shipping labels to assembling boxes and applying branding, packaging takes several hours each month.
I hope I didn’t bore you to death and this provided some useful insight into what goes into creating my sculptures beyond the visible, hands-on labor. Every job has aspects that happen behind the scenes, and this is simply my way of sharing mine for those who wonder how a small, handmade piece can cost what it does.
Thank you for supporting independent art and the work that makes it possible.