Commissions
There's nothing I love more than working with a client to produce something unique, meaningful, and beautiful. I thrive on commissions.
My rates for standard-size custom-created boxes start at $295.
This price varies on the complexity of the design and the size of the box.
A standard box is roughly 6.5" x 4.25" x 4.25" and will be decorated on all sides. Other stock sizes are available, from very large to very small, and I have a large selection of non-standard boxes that you can choose from as well.
Each box is sanded and gessoed several times, painted with acrylic paints, then sealed with three to five layers of polyurethane sealer. Felt bumpers on the bottom protect both the box and furniture.
I occasionally do flat work, like painted panels or tattoo flash. If you're interested, contact me with your idea and I'll see if it sounds like something I'd like to do.
Payment is made for the full amount in advance.
For a price quote with shipping, contact me. We will discuss details of your commission and I will give you a price quote with shipping based on the complexity of the design, the size of the box, and your location.
I accept credit card payment through PayPal, and can accommodate checks or money orders without any trouble.
Each box is gessoed, sanded, painted with acrylic paint, and then triple-sealed for protection. Felt bumpers on the bottom protect furniture and finished surfaces, as well as the box's underside.
Note: I reserve the right to decline commissions at my discretion; I love working with clients, but if the subject matter doesn't appeal to me, or I feel I can't do it justice, I will decline.
Commission FAQ
How long does it take you to complete a box? What is your turnaround time?
Generally, about 20 to 25 hours. This translates to about three weeks' worth of work sandwiched in between other responsibilities. Commissions can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to complete. It all depends on the size of the piece and the number of other commissions I am currently working with. Once I have begun painting, it seldom takes me more than a couple of weeks to finish an average-sized box.
I like the box you painted for one of your previous clients. Can I get one just like it?
Sorry, but no, I do not duplicate my commissioned work. This is out of respect to the deeply personal nature of most every commission I do. The downside is that you can't get an exact duplicate of anything I've previously done. The upside is that you will get a unique piece which will never be duplicated. If you like a particular theme or subject, and a previous piece of mine inspires you, let me know! That'd be a great starting-point to come up with something totally original and uniquely you!
I would like to commission a piece for a special event. How soon do I need to contact you?
As soon as possible. Two months is good. Three is better. More than that, and it's not going to be a problem.
I really do need this in a hurry. Can you accommodate time-sensitive requests?
Depending on my workload, I may be able to. I generally will not accept rush orders without at least a month of lead time. If my schedule is open or nearly clear, I can, at my discretion, take on time-sensitive projects. Depending on the nature of the work, there may be an additional fee for rush completion.
What are your shipping options?
I ship via USPS priority mail.
All items are securely wrapped and packed, then insured and shipped with delivery confirmation. They typically arrive two to four days after shipping, and I track the package from the moment it leaves my hands.
Other shipping options are available by prior arrangement. Contact me for more details.
Why is your custom work so expensive?
Because nobody else offers what I offer - every piece I create is unique. There will never be another one like it.
The trinket boxes are time-consuming and difficult to produce, but the end result is one-of-a-kind and deeply personal.
I truly wish I could afford to charge less, since I love what I do, but I do have to make a living.
I'm broke. Can I pay you part of the money now, and part later?
Sure. Contact me. We can work something out. I do payment plans.
However, I still will not begin work until payment is completed, so payment plans can increase work time. I do ask that all payment be received within three months of the initial transfer.
The best idea is for you to save the money up and pay it all at once, which secures you a spot in the loop, and saves me a lot of bookkeeping.
You insist on the full amount up front. Why?
I only begin work after payment has been completed because each piece is tailored to the client. This means that if a client suddenly cannot complete payments - and this happens - I am not stuck refunding their money for a piece that I can't sell. The work I do is intimate enough that it would make me deeply uncomfortable to sell something I had created for someone else, and I would no more sell a client's box out from under them than I would sell one I made for my father or sister.
Payment in advance also secures your place in the chain of commissions. When planning my work schedule, I give precedence to fully-paid orders.
How do I know I can trust you not to take my money and run?
I have never failed to finish a commission, and where I have accepted commissions with time constraints, I have never failed to meet them.
I have an extensive list of previous clients, and if you would like me to put you in touch with a few of them I am sure they would be happy to discuss their experience with me in detail.
I stay in contact with my clients throughout the commission process, updating them when they are moved up the chain of commissions and while I am working on their piece. If you have any questions about the status of your order, please, contact me anytime. I don't mind at all.
What if I don't like what I get?
It's never happened. Not once. Ask me when I get there.
