tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post6394322366952360426..comments2024-03-14T19:12:35.076-04:00Comments on Love My Art Jewelry: The Highs and Lows of Working Custom - By Karen McGovernArtisan Beads Plushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17162473523455499816noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-60435682505413062812014-10-10T03:00:44.272-04:002014-10-10T03:00:44.272-04:00I really like beading! And I really like the conce...I really like beading! And I really like the concept of creating interchangeable Jewelry items, especially necklaces and bracelets. What a cool idea!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://stylish-jewelry-fashion.blogspot.com/2012/02/way-of-ruby-jewellry-shopping.html" rel="nofollow">ruby jewellry</a> sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16879331677690832237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-19463954605199457922014-09-17T18:25:28.656-04:002014-09-17T18:25:28.656-04:00Great post, Karen!
Before I became a jewelry arti...Great post, Karen!<br /><br />Before I became a jewelry artist, I worked for nearly 30 years in Graphic Design and related areas. Naturally, I worked with MANY artist/creative types.<br /><br />My story is about my custom order with one of these who was also a potter. This was in about 1980. Since I loved (still do) to see what an artist creates with near-complete freedom, I placed an order for a cookie jar.<br /><br />My specs were simple:<br /><br />1. "Primitive" style (she did a lot of stoneware, earthenware & "texture-y" stuff that I loved.<br /><br />2. Since I always bake cookies for my own taste (with nuts) and my husband (no nuts), I needed separate compartments within the cookie jar.<br /><br />She told me later she was somewhat befuddled by my word "primitive" AND by having so much freedom to interpret my piece in her own way.<br /><br />I was astonished to see her take on it - but delighted with the result. What I got was a miniature Stonehenge - 2 massive columns (hollow), with a massive "lid" of stone connecting them.<br /><br />It was a miniature Stonehenge, but large enough (and STRONG enough) for a child's bench. It takes both hands to heft the lid off to get a cookie (is that good or bad?) - and I still have it to this day….Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12299833742255215708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-57435291984786067362014-09-17T04:20:28.947-04:002014-09-17T04:20:28.947-04:00To echo Carol - WOW - that cuff is a beaut. I have...To echo Carol - WOW - that cuff is a beaut. I have had too many disasters with custom orders, including clients vanishing on me - but it is still a thrill when someone likes your stuff so much to request a specific design - I fell for it each time in the past - but won't ever again - will take your advice :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12689619024600848383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-72650682815203639902014-09-16T18:43:46.318-04:002014-09-16T18:43:46.318-04:00I think one of the most important things about doi...I think one of the most important things about doing custom orders is communication. I like to keep in touch with my customer along the way. I think this helps it not seem so long and they get to share in the process. That could mean a quick email to say "I got the special whatchamadoodle I ordered in today" or a picture to show them my progress. I definitely feel honored to be "chosen" to make a custom order, especially when a bride to be asks me to make something for her wedding day...honored and a bit terrified!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611728426878440391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-64588935695057971972014-09-16T14:33:52.561-04:002014-09-16T14:33:52.561-04:00First of all WOW! That cuff caught my eye immediat...First of all WOW! That cuff caught my eye immediately. What a great statement piece!!!!!<br /><br />I look at custom orders as a way to grow as an artist, as well as an opportunity to make money. Custom orders cost more because of your time and effort and if the client agrees upon the cost, which you negotiate up front, then they can be fun, profitable and rewarding at the same time.<br /><br />With that being said, they require TONS of creative energy and effort. There have been times where I have backed away from custom orders due to personal stress reasons or if I feel like I won't meet the clients expectations. So yes, you reserve the right to say NO, at any time during the order, even if that means returning the 50% deposit.<br /><br />It is definitely a personal decision, that each have to make. The nature of the sandblasting has opened me up to tons of requests for custom orders, and at first I said no, but then later began to take the challenge and have grown and an artist in doing so.<br /><br />Thanks Karen! I hope your client was thrilled with that cuff! know I would have been!Carol Deklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13342285917792504286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-87926206958638279612014-09-16T14:03:29.901-04:002014-09-16T14:03:29.901-04:00Wow Karen you sure have hit on some key notes here...Wow Karen you sure have hit on some key notes here. I have not been in the business long enough to have a mass of experience with clients. The custom orders I have been privy to, have been very rewarding. On the other hand, I have had several people gasp when I quoted them a price (which is usually lower than deserved, but I'm. a newbie and have yet to master the art of pricing my worth).I do so love custom work and the gratitude for creating a piece. that sings to the clients heart.. Thank you for sharing Karen, you always have great words of wisdom. ....Fran.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04149313182564999077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-37753536636836827352014-09-16T13:39:28.705-04:002014-09-16T13:39:28.705-04:00The only custom order I have done was for a friend...The only custom order I have done was for a friend for another friend. Other then being told that she wanted hair sticks, I was turned free to create. Both friends were really happy with the results.Shai Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16625514249141386180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-78076431024446242392014-09-16T12:50:53.223-04:002014-09-16T12:50:53.223-04:00I think this sums it up. A woman painter.who I adm...I think this sums it up. A woman painter.who I admire asked me if I could take some of her old jewelry and repurpose it into new designs. I loved the challenge of this and agreed but mentioned that there was no way I could estimateate the.cost until I looked at.the jewelry and decided how many pieces I could design. She told me that she loved my work and she knew she would love whatever I came up with and handed me a bag of jewelry. She said that these would mostly be for gifts. I designed and made 5 necklaces. She loved them all and when I told her the price for this work, she was a little horrified and said "but I gave you all the beads". I said,"honey, if I commissioned you to make a custom painting for me and I supplied the paint, would you charge me much less?" She understood immediately.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09229294137858677780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010443633955755126.post-75744376936015813672014-09-16T09:54:45.072-04:002014-09-16T09:54:45.072-04:00I think a contract and deposit is essential for cu...I think a contract and deposit is essential for custom orders. I no longer do them, mostly due to time constraints, but also due to the fact I dont' feel I can charge enough to cover all the extra time that goes into the custom order. I have had too many bad experiences......so, i don't do them. (there is some exception....for people who buy from me often, and know my style, and I know theirs....other then that...nope). I do love the collaborative aspect though, when you have that right connection. and I admire those that take them on, because there is something magical that happens when you help someone else's dream become a reality!stacilouisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14337978880639296378noreply@blogger.com