how to charge for gems

I am new at using gems, I have been having lots of fun buying lovely clusters, different shapes and then the simple round shapes. I would like to ask how you decide what to charge for these gems. Some are dirt cheap, I can see just putting them on a quickie design, but the other ones.....they can get a little pricey. I don't want to make less and less. Please shed some light on how you may decide.

I charge the price of the full pack per jewel.

if I buy a pack of 70 gems for $1.99, I add on $2 to put a gem on their face.

if I buy a pack with cluster for $4, I charge $4 to apply a piece of gem cluster.

I was going to make gems all inclusive,but I got the great advice NOT to on facebook.so I have no qualms charging separately.

Sometimes the parents say "no no, she don't need AAaaalll that", lol....but lots of times, they DO want the whole shebang.

I don't up-sell as I am hired hourly (NEVER do PPF). I do not charge extra for additional embellishments.

However, I've only used small jewels occasionally as I find them time consuming and they don't stay put long enough to be useful.

I do not like the large clunky clusters that are so popular and have my doubts about skin contact with the backing as nickle is a common component on the back of the gems.

Shannon, that's interesting about the nickel. i'll keep that in mind.
I usually get the self stick with the foam backing, and I use body glue to apply it to the skin. makes a nice barrier.

I charge an " up charge" fee. Works really well.
So a basic design would be $5
A medium design with glitter $7
And an big design with gems, glitter gel and glitter would be $10. I just put however many gems I see fit

Same as Shannon, never don't a PPF, just paid hourly rate. It is all included in my fee. I also like the little gems.

I used to charge $1. for adding gems, but then I started buying these huge containers of different size and color gems at Hobby Lobby. They were $17. but with a website coupon they were 1/2 price (and they sometimes put them on sale 1/2 price). Now when I have birthdays, I tell the people "I usually charge extra for gems, but I'll throw them in for free"...the people LOVE getting something free and I usually get a great tip for being such a "nice facepainter" and it's way more than the gem charge would be!!! ps - I STILL keep it on my pricing page that gems are "extra"

Tina, that is so cover, who doesn't like getting something for free