I worked as a lighting designer for theatre for a while (I now teach lighting with some design on the side). We (Lighting Designers) are almost always hired last, show up the least and charge an arm and a leg per hour. I had one regular client who asked what she could do to get my price down -- and I was very honest (and she now pays the least of my regular clients): Hire me early, keep me involved. If I'm not coming in to save the day all the time, I'm less stressed and don't have to charge as much. Its back to the Quality/Price/Time triangle, pick any two.

And I do think people notice quality. I have two sporrans I wear regularly: A Thorrfinn, and a cheap one from Frugal corner. Both get the job done. Both look nice. Only one ever gets compliments, and that is the one what was hand made for me by an artisan -- no Artist -- who took the time to look at our wedding pictures and make sporrans for my husband and I that were perfect for us because they had been made for us.

My USA Kilt, and my tank are the best fitting kilts I have -- why? because they were made for me, not off the shelf. I expect my new Alt Kilt to be in the same boat. Does that mean I won't wear my UK, SWK, or my Frugal Corner kilts anymore? No, they have their uses too -- I'm not going to mow the yard in my tank. And I can throw my UK in the washing machine. Great. But I don't mix up the quality.

When we attended the theatre with a friend who is used to seeing me in kilts, I wore the tank. She just stared at me (well, especially my back side). She finally apologized to my husband commenting that: "I can't believe it, those are actually pleats. They line up so well, and are so tight it looks like one continuous piece of fabric, I can't begin to figure out how someone does that."

Quality can't be faked. When something is hand done for a specific client, and made with pride you can always tell. Its magic.

And worth the money!

(I'll put my soap box away now)

Chris