Alchemy custom orders- what's up with that?

I may be new to the Etsy website, but I have been making custom jewelry for a very long time, and I am appalled at what people are asking for: Swarovski jewelry for pennies?? Is nothing really valued anymore? Are people expecting you to bend over backward to make something at cost or less? I don't understand where this is coming from. I am an honest person who uses the best materials that I buy in quantity at wholesale cost but people cannot expect me to even put in a bid if they want me to lose money on it!!

You really do get what you pay for and if you expect to pay $10 for a crystal necklace or bracelet, you will get Chinese or Indian made crystal, not Swarovski- which is fine, but don't think you are getting a silver and Austrian crystal item for the price of a Chinese one! I just hope the buyers of these items are aware of this and what Swarovski costs! I can't get a strand of 100 6mm round Swarovski crystals for under $24, how then will I be able to make a necklace of it with a silver clasp for $15??? See what I mean? It's silly- I can buy a strand of 100 Chinese crystal for $6, and I could put a clasp on it for under a buck that's base metal, but that is all you'd get for $15. The $5 profit is not enough to compensate me for the amount of time spent buying the crystals and laying it out and stringing it!

How then are we supposed to make any money on this type of custom order? I am a designer, not a bead stringer. It is insulting to be asked to be paid less than a babysitter for my time. Does anyone agree with that? If you are looking at this and wondering what the deal is, I am trying to inform any buyers of custom made jewelry that if you are looking for a quality item to give as a gift or for the most important day of your life (your wedding) don't think that the cheapest price is the best. It will be someone trying to take advantage of your inexperience and sell you an inferior product as the real thing. There is only one Swarovski, but there are nice synthetic Chinese imitations available. BUYER BEWARE- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!