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Post by akansan on Jun 12, 2007 22:27:08 GMT -5
I just had my first request for a piece from someone I don't really know - a friend of a friend of my sister's boyfriend's step-mother. Yup, that convoluted. This lady saw a necklace I did for my sister and wants one "just like it". I asked what colors she likes - that translucent teal just like Sarah's. I ask what shape - a nice tear drop just like Sarah's. I ask if she has a preferred size (Sarah's pendant is about 30mm from top of bail to bottom) - a larger piece, just like Sarah's. (  ) Anyway, I thought I would consult with those more knowledgable about selling on request rather than from stock. I have more rough that I made Sarah's from, but I don't really want to duplicate the entire pendant. Do I give her a choice of others? Sarah's is the only one she's seen of mine, so she really doesn't know what else she could have. Do I do a range of teals & greens? I know the pieces will find homes elsewhere if she doesn't want them. Or do I just do one stone, similar to Sarah's and just let her live with the final product? I never realized how many questions I'd have when it came to this moment! And at the same time I'm just thrilled, as the pendant she wants copied was from a cab I polished myself! |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2007 23:33:26 GMT -5
If I saw something that I liked and wanted one that was the same............I would want exactly what I asked for....not something a little different just because thats what the artist wanted. Thats the hard part about selling things that you create. As the artist, you have a certain picture in your mind but in the end, its about what the person wants that is paying you for the work.
You could do one exactly the same and then make some others as well. She may only want the one she asked for, or will pick a different one, or take them all!
Shannon
Shannon
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nancyf
has rocks in the head
Wired Cowgirl
Member since April 2007
Posts: 629
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Post by nancyf on Jun 13, 2007 9:03:16 GMT -5
If you have some different settings you think she may like to see...it doesn't hurt to send her pics...just tell her you want her to be VERY happy with her end product and therefore, felt the need to show her other options. If she still wants the pendant she first chose, then do it. Rule of thumb in doing custom orders...ALWAYS get paid first! Atleast 1/2 of the cost as a deposit and the rest BEFORE shipping. My customers have always paid the full cost upfront. whew!  Your time is worth something...not just the materials.  Oh...I ALWAYS send a pic of the piece for approval before shipping. I have done this for a few years...no complaints and...repeat customers. yea! lol |
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jun 13, 2007 10:28:06 GMT -5
I find that mostly you stick with what you first fell in love with, no matter how many others you see after, but you could show her some of your other work too - she may change her mind and like something even more after
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Post by larrywyland3 on Jun 13, 2007 14:47:03 GMT -5
Most of the questions you will have to reach inside and decide what you want to do. I have been asked to make somethings to specifications and sold some of what I made. When doing something to specifications it was not as fun and much less room for going with the creative process. It took longer; I suppose if it was the second time making the same thing it would be easier and faster. After my last made to order I decided I would charge more for that kind of work as I don't enjoy it as much. I also tell people I won't replicate any one of kind pieces. I tell them I have more of the same kind of rough and I will make something and give them a first look at it. It started out as a hobby for me and now is a part time craft (don't think of it as a job); so how much I sell is not important; it all goes back to buy more rock and equipment  This is what I mean about the answers lying in you. Do you want to make multiples, do you want to create something from anothers idea. Maybe do what I did try it and see how you feel. Ask your sister how she feels about someone having a necklace like hers. I would definately charge for time and materials. And be thrilled, nothing like someone loving your creation; congratulations! |
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rockinmom
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2007
Posts: 481
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Post by rockinmom on Jun 13, 2007 15:25:04 GMT -5
I think Spirit makes a good point here as well. Maybe your sister wants her own one of a kind piece.. you could make something very similar but maybe not exact. Thinking of the person who you are making a piece for and then creating it.. I'm sure they will love it! And, Congrats!!!!! T. |
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jun 13, 2007 16:33:23 GMT -5
I hate to say it but you kind of started off on the wrong foot by asking her too much about what she wanted.
You should have started out with; "well that's a one-of-a-kind handmade piece, I can do another one similar, but it too will be unique and personal..." then you can open up the floor for questions/wish lists.
But starting out with them saying "just like" and not pointing out the unique nature of "stone and wire" creations (at least those not done by robots or drone slaves) somewhat sets you up for missed expectations.
Still, I'm sure you'll work something out, and congratulations, its a great feeling when someone likes your artistry enough to offer payment for it under just about any circumstance.
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nancyf
has rocks in the head
Wired Cowgirl
Member since April 2007
Posts: 629
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Post by nancyf on Jun 13, 2007 18:51:24 GMT -5
I was under the impression that the customer wanted a larger pendant than Sarahs? If this is true...it will not be "just like Sarah's". Not that it really could be...no one can make something exactly alike...(another can of worms..) Anywho, if Sarah's piece was MEANT to be a one-of-a-kind...and Sarah would be offended if another similar piece was made...Then I personally would not do it. If I sell something as one-of-a-kind...it will NOT be made again. I agree with Rallyrocks...always put the uniqueness of your jewelry upfront...stress that each piece is made with the customer in mind...or with a certain "thought process" that led to it's creation. One-of-a-kinds sell for quite a lot sometimes...I've had great results with mine. Bless your heart...I know how confusing this all can be. Hang in there! It really does get better with experience. Still...you did the right thing in asking others who may have already been there. {thumbsup} |
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 13, 2007 19:11:27 GMT -5
i never "duplicate" a piece......i can come close to the idea of the original without doing an exact copy. that IS the whole point about doing custom work. but YAY for you that you got an order!
KD
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Post by ladyt on Jun 13, 2007 19:12:50 GMT -5
Someone asked me to duplicate one of my wraps for them and it was so hard. Because I tried to make it the same, it put extra undo pressure on myself and I ended up messing the wrap up. Finally, I just told her I couldn't duplicate it and she looked at my other wraps and found one she liked better. I should have had her look to begin with. Would've saved me so much aggrivation. Tonja |
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Post by Jurrasic Jonje on Jun 13, 2007 19:49:25 GMT -5
custom work is tricky. I too just as mentioned above tell people that no 2 pieces can be identical. This is a handcrafted art we are not machines. I also tell people that the stone tells me how to wrap it I know sounds corny but its true. Make her order but also let your creativity come out.
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Post by stoner on Jun 13, 2007 20:04:28 GMT -5
Yep, just do something close to sarah's, the stone will be different because no 2 slabs are ever exactly the same, and just create the rest of the necklace as if you're doing it for the first time. It will be the same, yet uniquely different. Congrats on the sale.
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Post by akansan on Jun 13, 2007 20:59:40 GMT -5
I warned her it wouldn't be exactly the same, and she understood that. What I was the most curious about was whether to give her a selection of multiple or just one in answer to her request. I've made three stones (slight differences between the three) and will go from there. One is the same material as Sarah's, but a darker shade, one's a nice jasper, and the other is a softer mystery stone. I had one more, but it sacrificed itself to the leather gods. We just hope its sacrifice was enough to appease them.
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Post by creativeminded on Jun 15, 2007 9:17:23 GMT -5
I look at it this way you can have the exact same size, shape, color and material in a cab but the difference comes when you wrap it. No two wraps are exactly alike, I don't care how hard you try.
Tami
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kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
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Post by kjohn0102 on Jun 15, 2007 9:42:41 GMT -5
I agree with rallyrocks- everyone who "gets to" own a piece of your art should have something that is unique. If they wanted something that anyone could get, they should go to their local WalMart. I get an idea of what colors someone is looking for, how big, how they are going to wear it (daily wear, special occasions) then go from there. It won't be, and shouldn't be exactly the same as something I've already done. Gotta love getting noticed by a friend of a friend of a grandmother's step uncle though-congratulations!
KJ
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This is what I mean about the answers lying in you. Do you want to make multiples, do you want to create something from anothers idea. Maybe do what I did try it and see how you feel. Ask your sister how she feels about someone having a necklace like hers. I would definately charge for time and materials. And be thrilled, nothing like someone loving your creation; congratulations!
