I started a new line of faux food today! Mini tarts! They’re formed in actual silicone tart pans, then removed and detailed by hand.

Each new prototype takes a lot of time. This particular one, a single pumpkin tart, took about three hours to make.

I have a spreadsheet that details the cost of every item used for each product I make: polymer clay, weights, and pastels, for example, as well as a packaged price that includes the bakery box, tissue, and decorative paper. So everything I create has a base price that isn’t flexible because it’s just whatever it costs to make the product. Since my profit comes from my per hour charge, three hours for one item would increase the cost of the tarts to a level I wouldn’t expect anyone to pay.

Of course, as with most things, practice will help, reducing some of the time required to make the tarts, but some items are just more labor-intensive than others. A doughnut, especially a plain glazed doughnut, takes far less time and effort to create than a cinnamon roll, which takes a lot less time than a pumpkin tart, and my prices reflect the amount of work required to complete a piece.

There are usually “flaws” in my prototypes — the wrong coloring, improperly mixed icing, etc. I alter the aspects I dislike to improve future versions. So, while they take a good bit of time to make, because they’re not up to my usual standards, I sell them at a discounted price. If you’re interested in snagging one of my weights at a deal, keep an eye out for listings in the prototype section!

Visit the prototype section here!