I’m often asked if I do custom work and the answer is always “it depends.” I don’t do custom work if it involves a technique I’ve never done before (like pave setting stones or other similar fine jewelry techniques). But I'm usually happy to take on a custom piece under the right conditions. So, as a client, how do you set yourself up for success when requesting a commissioned piece of jewelry?
Here are 5 tips to help you out.
1) Know the work of the artist.
- Make sure you have looked at the website or Instagram page of the artist you’d like to work with and that what you’re looking for is directionally similar to work they’ve done before and aligned with their aesthetic.
- I once had someone tell me “they loved my work” but when we got into the design stage everything I designed was “too big” and they really wanted something small and dainty. Well, news flash folks, I don’t do dainty. With rare exceptions, my work is big and bold. And if that means it’s not for you, I won’t be at all offended.
- Have a budget in mind and share that with the artist up front so that there are no surprises.
- If what you're looking for isn't consistent with your budget, the artist should tell you that and make some suggestions for alternatives
- I completely understand that people don’t know what things cost, but please don’t ask for diamonds, rubies, and gold if your budget is $200.
- If your goal is to get something “red” be open to considering garnets rather than rubies. If your goal is to get something gold colored, be willing to consider something with gold keum-boo or something with gold accents rather than solid gold.
- That said be aware that the biggest driver of price is the artist’s time so be prepared to pay a little bit extra for a custom designed piece where you are making decisions through multiple rounds of design and feedback.
- I never want to disappoint a client so if you have seen things similar to what you are wanting please share some sample photos with me so that we can be aligned from the beginning.
- You can say things like, I like the pendant of this piece, but would like a chain more like this other piece and would like the colors more like this piece, or would like this but in silver.
- This may seem like it contradicts #3, but asking me to make you a certain style of necklace (and sharing examples of that style from multiple artists) is not the same thing as asking me to make a necklace “just like this one.”
- For ethical as well as legal reasons, I will not copy the work of another artist. If you love something they have done, please purchase from them. If you can't afford their work, please admire it from afar (I do this with several jewelry artists myself).
- I usually like to work up about 3 different design options to share with the client before I begin working on the piece, sometimes with different price points around the client’s price range, and sometimes with different styles or stone options.
- I’ll be honest, I’m not great at drawing so my sketches may not always do the best job of conveying what the final piece will look like and drawings which are 2-dimensional are sometimes hard to envision in 3-dimensions. I do try to include photos which show the stones I would use and examples of the metal components if I have them.
- If you aren’t sure you can visualize the piece, please feel free to ask questions (e.g. will this be solid element or an open frame) and make sure you are comfortable that you understand the design before the artist begins work on making it. Do not assume you know what the artist has in mind.
- I will often charge a design fee for working on a commissioned piece since design work takes time and, as previously stated, the artist’s time is the largest driver of cost.
If you follow these tips, you'll have the best shot at getting an incredible and unique piece of jewelry that you'll love and love to show off.