[Ansteorra] Haggling is not period?

[Ulf Gunnarsson]

Cairenn wrote:
> There is a common belief, that anyone who sells their work will never be
> seriously hampered in getting a Laurel, because, you should GIVE your
> work away, not sell it for filthy lucre.  This is a very modern concept,
> and a version of it is common in the mundane art world (nothing that is
> commercial, is REAL art).

>From the context here, I am assuming the word "never" was unintended, as
I have heard this concern raised time and time again.  I cannot speak
for all the Laurels (no one can, of course), but from my point of view
alone, if someone is able to get others to pay money for their art or
science, they must be doing *something* right.  If they continue to have
customers for years, it isn't a fluke or fad.

That does not necessarily mean they are a good artist or scientist.
People buy inferior products all the time, else a couple of large chain
retailers would be out of business.  And people will overpay for
something they can get elsewhere cheaper, else several restaurants would
be out of business.

When it comes to a person's art, the only assumption you can make from
its purchase by others is when the people doing the purchasing are quite
talented in that art themselves, and they repeat and recommend.  It
doesn't mean the purchaser believes the item is better than they could
make, but it does show a recognition of the crafter's skills as above
average.

In short, merchanting has little to with the level of one's artistic
skill.

It is generous, though, for an artist to "GIVE" their work away,
especially those things that take so much time or money to create.  Some
do give them away, or they simply charge cost of materials.  But I
cannot fault a person for trying to make a living, either, especially if
it is with the art they love.

My hope is more that they can be generous with their time and teach
others their craft.  That is the better quality, and again has nothing
to do with merchanting.

Master Ulf Gunnarsson
Baron of Namron
(at least, for another month)