Reblogged from tolmema:

Pricing your handmade products is really, really hard. Not only do you have to include factors like your overhead and material costs, you also have to set a price point that your customers will buy at. Sometimes the true cost of your products and a popular price point don’t match at all.

So how much should you price your products for? Well, lots of crafters use the pricing formula below (transformed into a pretty picture by me) to determine the price of their products:

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Always a very tough subjec to approach when you consider your handmade marketplace. This great thought helps demystify much of what someone should consider when pricing their efforts.

Ham Potato Soup

Searches reviews and test runs led me to Keurig. I loved the idea of the recycle K-cup and the ability to use my own grounds in the refillable cup. So Lemon Squeezy entered the kitchen. Then the office I used to work at decided to test a new machine in planning for better coffee in the new space.

The staff spent several dollars daily running downstairs to Starbucks. Our director wanted a machine that could produce the same types of drinks we tech nerds consumed. Espresso Lattes Double Redeyes and all the super caffeinated luscious concoctions like Mochachinos. Enter Tassimo. For about one dollar we now had a Venti Vanilla Latte. I immediately was impressed with the flavor compared to the Keurig and started trying T-discs that were just regular coffee varieties. The regular cup of coffee was a better temperature, had more flavor and really stood out.

Keurig has many fantastic qualities, but for the same price there is a new leader on the boards. Tassimo is now my everything. Santa brought me a little T20 model that is just perfect in my kitchen. It does not take up any counter space at all. The water reservoir in back gives me bout 5 cups before I need to refill. Or 2 lattes (since the cream pack uses the same ratio as a latte pack) which for me constitutes putting the T-disc back through another run.

What does that mean? After brewing the first, I open pop down the lid again and brew through the same pack a second time. This gets a second brew of lighter but still flavorful coffee into my cup. Doing one was too rich for me. Then I brew the cream .

I like that with Tassimo I can get all of the coffee-house drinks (Yes Mann even Pumpkin Spice) for about $1 per cup. Looking online, Tassimo has constant specials and when you do the math it is cheaper than a pot of coffee or stopping at the coffee shop. How? With coupon mailer and online bulk savings your cup of coffee equals one dollar when brewed. Put that in a car cup for on your way to work, you just knocked off the 4.97$  you would spend at SB for a Latte.

Other thoughts, the machine makes a little vibrating noise. I don’t know if this is consitent with all the models. The steam does spatter a bit if you don’t put the right coffee cup height to the spout. Because there are only two sizes for the platform to move up and down on this particular model you do have to be aware of what cup you are using. I have funky cups so I use a brew tumbler than pour into my cup. No mess.

If you have questions please ask. I was not paid, gifted or reimbursed in any way for this review. It was simply a Holiday gift I wanted to share my experiences about.

Photo Courtesy Southern Living of Course - Buttered Rum Meltaways, Smores Bars, Ginger Thumbprints with Apricot Filling, Yule Logs.

My Bestee the other day asked for the Ultimate Christmas Cookie Recipe, I think suspecting I had a top-secret morsel up my sleeve. I have a legal file box (you know the ones that hold medical records) full of cookie recipes, really Chuck you want me to just pick one? There are two I know in my sleep and without even looking. One is easy for kids to decorate for a cookie party and easy to wrap freeze or transport to exchanges.The other is much more of an adult bragging cookie made with love and for friends who enjoy coffee on those cold mornings with a kick of fabulous.

Beth Biechler’s Melt Aways

She was my moms bestee when I was a little girl growing up in Virginia. They baked every holiday together and did tons of recipe swaps and activities with the other ladies in their “Women’s Club”. The magazine of choice of course was Southern Living and I am sure this recipe has been worked over a million times. This is Beth’s recipe never given to ANYONE except my mother the day we left Va for Az.

2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 c. corn starch
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. flour

Frosting
3 oz. cream cheese, soft
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. powdered sugar
tint with food coloring

Mix well & roll into small balls. Press flat with the bottom of a glass. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Frost when cooled. The frosting gets a shell on it. Let them sit out and get hard. Makes it easier to cram them in your face or a box to take somewhere to share.

For the Coffee Man Specifically -

Double Bourbon Biscotti

Ingredients Biscotti:

Highschool. It was a time when big hair tight jeans and squenched socks were pretty prep hip and hot. It was a time when fashion enthusiasts did not have computers blogs or even top magazines to steal inspiration from. We had duct tape, thrift stores and ingenuity.

I can’t say that I wanted to fit in with the off rack fashionistas of the time. Personally I couldn’t stand jeans that hugged the tuna that tight. (new phrase I love it). I started finding amazing vintage treasures in Value Village down on 4th Avenue. I loved the old 50s dresses at Buffalo Exchange.

Jr. Prom, my visions were of the dress above just the Gaultier version. Lace Bustle = Steampunk’s Older much more daring sister. What I got, due to a poorly organized mother, a brain-dead seamstress and no sewing skills of my own yet was…. bad.

Enter the scissors, and my own personal brand of making something better. A few years later those scissors would hit the gown again and a “Goth Night Club” rendition would come out of the prom dress redone … yet again. Refashion had fully bit. This is the only picture in existence, but the dress was actually really pretty. It was also really comfy. I had a sunburn. In hindsight… I am also really thrilled I knew about waxing back then. I will have you take note my bloggy pals.. those brows are finely sculpted Betty Paige arched portals on my head. They were even better when I raised one and pulled a “Rock” face. My date Eric and were laughing our asses off over the couples pose. Eric and I found humor in most things that evening. I am grateful to have had (and still do!) such a fantastic friend. We went through a lot together.

From there my fashion has hit highs and lows, depending on my desire to be cheap or frilly. Being I am so terribly frugal I can be very jeans and t-shirt one week and then excited because I find a vintage label “something” the next and suddenly have to have things to sew. I embrace the fact I can at times be a label hoar if even only in my head. My closet won’t lie to you if you peek inside. There are patterns to my madness. Relationships, years, even color periods. I only wish they could exist more cohesive to have something of a dedicated style.

I cant wait to use more of the refashion blogs for inspiration. There is a whole new world out there now.

It has come to my attention that Sir Therman has many personalities. While he truly is the Honey Badger, he subs in Zappa, BeetleJuice and John Wayne for special sparkle and effect. Go ahead, say I am crazy because my beloved pooch has a personality for every mood I am in. He thought them up don’t blame me.

Since entering our home  Pixie has tried to pick out a Martha Stewart satin lined princess something or other bed for him. I truly feel it emasculates his inner Hulk Hogan. She pictures him like this:

Today while reading pet blogs I found a new friend. Molly Mutt. Ingenious! Possibly the best pet bed idea ever. We all have those old sheets, towels and blankets that are far too shabby to end up in a donation box, and in no way shape or form the right thing to end up in landfill. Solution = the stuff sack. Pick a pretty cover, get the sack ( I just bought the DIY Kit) and fill. While I don’t have old clothes because I repurpose those, I do have old dog blankets and thrift store blankets (for dog blankets) that will now have a tidy place to call home. Thank you Molly Mutt !

photo courtesy of molly mutt

These are some oldies but goodies and one reason I adore thrifting. These beautiful little treasures were found some time ago on one of my binges for vintage 50′s chotckies. Believe me there are far too many in my home.I posted some pictures here and there but thought I would bring them out of the vault to share with you until new pictures hit the blog about recent discoveries.

The Retablo beads (Mexican Catholic Devotions) were turned into these lovely pendants:

The funky plastic purses I have yet to find the right design to paint on them. I was shocked though how pristine they were. Not bad for a couple of pennies rubbed together right?

The candy dishes are vintage Hobnail or pressed glass pieces. While not really rare just yet, certain pieces are worth more. These two are not both alike. One is a Fenton, while the other is a more recent piece from the late 60s. They found homes in my bathroom and after cleaned catch my lights brilliantly. I feel like am touching diamonds each morning when I reach for some goodie off their plate.

Flank Steak is not something I have ever seen ANYONE I know prepare. I wouldn’t even know how to suggest dishing it up if I had not bought this in my bargain budget shopping. After some digging was done, in my jammies on the couch under my blanket, I found oven suggestions. I had no idea a Flank cooked properly after marinade becomes a London Broil. I have paid insane amounts for a decent broil in restaurants and here I was going to be making my own! I went with my recipe, which involved adding Tequila. Please make sure to read modifications and my tips because I learned some serious awesome lessons and in the process got an amazing meal last night.

Pixie doesnt traditionally eat medium prepared meat, and I do only if I need some higher irons. Neither of us eat a great deal of red meat at all. For us this was a challenge, an adventure and the chance to spread our evolving menu options. (Tip) I picked this flank up on sale for $0.49 Lb. Once every other week my Publix has the great meat sale. I only found out about it by asking the meat department manager. They mark down everything that has a day or two left in shelf life. Rather than keep and sell past that point which is not really horrible, but against this particular store managers vision, they sell it. His theory – get it in the hands of people who need it can freeze it use it and get it out of the store rather than throwing it away five days later. Sunday morning the meat goes out, and people are waiting. It’s like the 50$ laptops at Walmart on Black Friday.

Ingredients

• 6 cloves garlic
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 medium jalapeno chile pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
• 3/4 cup corn oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 pounds beef flank steak
• kosher salt to taste

Photo Courtesy of Roman Sock

I find the oldest, simplest games often can be the most fun for children. I loved Pass the Piggies when I was younger. The game is very simple – roll your piggies and the way they land determines your points. Half the fun is debating with your friends or family what position they are truly in. This lovely knitting pattern is available for free from Roman Sock and even has a printable for points. ! What a great gift to knit as a stocking stuffer.

Very frustrated with Banks. Yes I want my money where I can see it, that’s why I pulled it out. Watched my bank actually take fees they shouldn’t have and I have the proof. Ok its great that I will get it back, but should I have to be chasing this paper trail at all? Looking back over several months I caught more activity that speaks of theft. If you are a Wells Fargo customer have you checked your statements carefully?

It goes something like this:
Checks you write will be held 7-10 days after they post by the merchants or people you send them to. If you are like me and that falls in between a pay-day (or you really have a tight budget and can’t afford a misstep in finances like the rest of America) watch out. Once your account is down they will reprocess those checks and lo behold you are now up in fines, down in money and it makes no sense.

I watched a check that one person cashed on Friday (yes they cashed it – family member I even have their receipt) Go through a week later, once the funds had already been marked as cleared and gone. The bank processed it four times and each charging me a fee. They then reversed the check charged me NSF and a reversal fee. Said and done 400$.

I had statements I went back to look at as I watch my account weekly for budget reasons. My statements show one banking activity. The current shows another with fees.

My point – and I may be off here but it seems money is being reprocessed and then you are charged fees for that = Wells Fargo making a lot of money from you, you don’t know about.

In hindsight – I now realize yes I did think I was short in June but due to life being busy thought I miscalculated. Same with August. No. I was getting ripped off.

Watch your money Honey’s!

What are your tips for effective and meticulous banking? Do you have to chase your bank around in circles so they don’t take from you?