Purchasing Pdf instructions

Simplyshannon wrote

on Apr 21, 2009 1:13 PM

 Have you ever purchased instructions for a project in pdf form?  Was it worth it?  I see lots of neat projects online available for sale but I just cannot bring myself to purchase them.  I have a hard time justifying the purchase of a $4 download especially when I consider that I can buy a B&B magazine with 12 to 20 projects for a few dollars more.

Just curious what you all thought about this

Shannon

Zerenity by Inca wrote

on Apr 21, 2009 2:22 PM

 I bought pdf patterens from B&B and the store here at beading daily. And they costed $4-10 and I been very happy with all of them, and found that its well worth the money to get a good pattern if there is something you really want to make ...

Sunrise Jewelry wrote

on Apr 21, 2009 4:33 PM

 I agree with Inca.  If the project is one that you would make and get your money's worth, then you won't regret the expense.  If you still have reservations, look into whether the particular pattern is offered in a past issue of B&B, find out if that issue is still available and purchase the magazine for all the other projects to maximize your dollar.

Nemeton wrote

on Apr 25, 2009 5:40 AM

 Also, spare a thought for those of us who write projects and instructions as part of our attempts to make a living out of doing the beady things we love - even for a very simple design, many hours go into making samples, photographing or illustrating every step, writing the instructions, getting them tested, revising them, marketing them, and so on and so on... and at $4 we need to sell a LOT before we even begin to recoup what we've invested! A pattern is a product, just as a finished piece of jewelry is a product, and is priced accordingly - except we also need to guess how many of them are going to sell, since you can't load the entire cost of development time onto just one copy of the pattern, it would then cost more like $400 than $4! You are also paying for the designer's originality and expertise - a bit like going to a restaurant and paying for a meal cooked by a top chef (at least I hope so!) - so the money you pay isn't 'just' for the computer file, it includes a whole heap of 'added value' too.

Having said all that, I know that buying individual patterns can add up - magazines are good value, and there are a lot of really good free tutorials on the net too, so have some fun searching and see what you find!

CrystalCubeBead. wrote

on Apr 25, 2009 3:07 PM

After seeing some of the instructions in some of the beading magazines, I don't know how they got past the proof reader.  Since I cannot read the instructions first for online patterns, I'm not sure I want to get them there.  I have also found that even though the instructions were clear (what there was of them), Something was missing, the result was too far off from the picture, with others, I used the picture for my guide.

However, there are a couple of patterns I'm going to have to buy, to make sure I am following the illustrations properly (in one of the, the instructions disagree with the posted illustrations -- I hope that's cleared up with the complete pattern).

Stan B.

LisaKwaj wrote

on Apr 26, 2009 5:33 AM

 Shannon,

I've bought quite a few patterns online.  I second Dawn's advice -- if the pattern is available in a back issue, then order that, as it will likely have other projects you're interested in or can learn from.  If it's not, then I'd go ahead and spend the $4 or whatever the price is.  For B&B patterns, I keep a list of those that I don't need right away, but would be interested in doing "someday."  And then I order them in December, when they drop the price for downloaded patterns to $1.95.  Great bargain!!!

Would love to know what project you're thinking of doing...

lisa

wrote

on Apr 28, 2009 8:48 AM

I don't mind purchasing an individual pattern if I either love the design or think I can learn a new technique from it.  If I designed patterns, I'd love for people to buy them from me, so the least I can do is help out a fellow beader who did all that work.

I do agree with the others though-if it's been published, why not get the back issue, or if there are pattern sales, get a bit more bang for your buck!  Everybody loves a bargain, right?