12 Tips That You Need To Know When Commissioning A Piece From An Artist. (Illustrated)
As a jewelry designer, I find myself encountering many different situations with clients.
I want to share with you these useful tips to know while ordering a custom order from a jewelry designer, or in fact, any artist, these few tips can be applied and are useful for both artists at the start of their journey or clients that want to have a commissioned piece from an Artist.
This post is from my own experience as a jewelry designer, therefor it is jewelry-oriented, but other artists sometimes have the same steps as I do for commissions, therefore some of the things in the post are suitable when placing a custom order for other professions in Art and Design Sphere.
Hope this helps!
Feel free to place personal commissions with me, link to my Etsy in the post.
Illustations by me (Orion Ivliev)
More info: Etsy.com
#1 Support Your Favorite Artists!
It is important to support the artists that you like, by making an order with them you ensure the prosperity and continuation of their creation. Allowing them to continue and create more designer artwork in a world dominated by mass production we artists thank you for choosing us to make your design!
You can also follow them and support their socials *Cough Cough*
Instagram.com/Orion.Geek.Jewelry
#2 Read The Shop Policies!
Its always important to read the policies of each shop your buying from regardless of what you buying.
It’s important to know your rights and the terms that are set forward when purchasing or any guarantees, refunds, or returns that may occur after the product had been received.
If you didn’t read the shop policies and are not complying with the timeframes mentioned, it is not the designer’s or artist’s fault.
If you are unsure or in need of further clarification of things, feel free to ask the artist to clarify, don’t be shy, its better than not knowing or regretting later!
Instagram.com/Orion.Geek.Jewelry
#3 Come Prepared- Bring a reference photo and know more or less what you want.
If you don’t know what you want or giving the artist a ‘free hand’ – don’t be surprised if the end result won’t look like what you envisioned in your head. this can also add more work for the artist to make any changes and may also have additional costs.
It’s always good to come prepared and do your research on the things that can be a source of inspiration for the artist and give them an idea of your needs or likings.
This is also the point where you can consult with the artist or make any important notes that you want to emphasize.
I Personally sketch a few options for the client to decide on before showing him the model or any renders.
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
#4 Know The style You Want Versus The Style Of The Artist
This can be implemented in many fields of art and not only jewelry.
Knowing the style of what you want made is important and doing the proper research to find the right artists that correspond with the style that you want.
For example, I am a Geek Jewelry Designer, People who would want a classic solitaire wedding ring can either turn to jewelry that specifies fine wedding jewelry but those who want a custom-made card capturer sakura inspired ring can most definitely turn to me.
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
#5 Size Is Everything.
When ordering a ring it is crucial to know your ring size. there are several ways to do that; either taking a piece of string and wrapping it around your finger then giving the artist the circumference, or using apps like ring sizer to measure an existing ring. You can also go to your nearest jeweler to get your finger measured.
In any design, it’s important to know the approximate scale you want it in.
Whether its rings or tattoos, size and placement matters!
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
#6 When in process this is the time to ask for any changes to be made.
This is the most crucial step for both the artist and the client, it determines the accuracy of the designs versus what the client had initially imagined to envision in his/her head.
This is the time to make modifications, edits, changes, etc to the model, any changes after the casting or printing can lead to additional expenses.
It’s important to take your time here and reflect on whether everything is as you want it to be.
As a professional, I always update my clients midway through the design to be sure and confirm with them once more.
This is relevant also to paintings or digital art, less for tattoos- if you are midway with a tattoo and you don’t like it, I have some bad news for you.
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
#7 Plating and oxide don’t last forever.
Bear in my that when ordering a plated or oxidized ring both the plating and oxidizing can eventually weaken or come off. (This applies more to plating than oxide)
Plating is a very fine layer of gold (we are speaking microns), meaning it can be scratched easily and eventually over time is destined to fade and reveal the colors of the metal underneath.
Sometimes it’s important to stress that things in your artwork as an artist are temporary or will be affected or changed in any way throughout the years.
Instagram.com/orion.geek.jewelry
#8 Know Your Skin
None knows your skin better than you!
It is important to know and let know if you have any allergies or sensitivities. this also may impact your decision of materials.
Gold does not affect and is not affected by anything since its a noble metal.
It’s like knowing your tolerance for tattoos, or which fabrics make your skin feel discomfort.
Also in Jewelry and biology, there is a thing called ‘Acidic Sweat’, it’s just an unbalanced state of the body leading to high P.H levels in the sweat causing any jewelry that is not gold to corrode faster than the speed of light. (This actually happened to me with a client who wasn’t aware of this condition.)
Instagram.com/orion.geek.jewelry
#9 Taxes and Customs are the customer’s due diligence!
It’s important to know the taxing laws and customs of your respected country and fulfill this due diligence unless stated otherwise in the shop’s policies.
Usually its the responsibility of the client.
So bare in mind that whenever you order something above a certain price or under a certain tag you will be required to pay a little bit more in order to release your package.
Instagram.com/orion.geek.jewelry
#10 Know The Costs
I cannot stress enough how important it is to do your material research and be aware of the costs.
Gold is not cheap so it’s good to know your limit when making the decision about the materials.
It’s a good idea to look at the shop’s pricing range to have an estimated idea of how much to save up.
You can always ask and consult with the designer to make the design fit the cost.
This template can be copied and pasted to any form of artwork that you want to buy or are saving up for.
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
#11 DO NOT MAKE YOUR ARTIST FEEL UNAPPRECIATED.
What I mean by that is the Achilles of any artist, and I am sure that others like me had experienced this phenomenon and can relate:
1. Do not ask for a discount or questions like: “Can you make it cheaper for me?”
Usually, the clients do not know the number of work hours, costs, effort, and dedication standing behind one design, do not belittle them. They cannot pay you for the gold that you are buying from them, and they shouldn’t. Just like you won’t enter a coffee shop and ask for a discount on your coffee.
2. Do not say things like:” oh I can buy this off Aliexpress’ this is not only disrespectful towards the artist and their works but also belittles them, if you want to buy something from Ali, please be my guest, but do not tell me about how my design can be just bought anywhere freely.
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
#12 Jewelry Care
With Silver Jewelry: Avoid waters and oils as they will cause the shine to disappear or may increase the rate of corrosion.
Gold does not require any maintenance.
You can also put the jewelry pieces in Coke/ soda to clean them.
If you buy artwork and you are unsure of how to care for it or what to watch out for, ask the designer. or Artist, although it’s their responsibility to inform you.
Etsy.com/Shop/OrionGeekJewelry
Thank You For Your Support!
We, artists, can’t thank you enough for choosing our designs as your signature pieces.
Support my little business on Etsy.com/shop/OrionGeekJewelry
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