For awhile, I was thinking about doing custom cross-stitch commissions. I've come to the conclusion that the market just can't take what I'd be forced to charge for my work. The materials for doing the patterns are relatively inexpensive, but the sheer amount of time required to do a pattern makes it prohibitively expensive.

For example, I'm currently working on a small(ish) pattern. So far, it has taken me around 30 hours, and I anticipate another four or five before I can finish. Even if I charge HALF of minimum wage, this makes a simple embroidery pattern worth over $200. People will pay that for a tail they can wear around, or an incredibly intricate and beautiful picture, but I doubt they'd pay it for a string rendition of a picture they already have.

Am I way off-base here? What are everyone's thoughts on this issue?