| Rule of thumb; never give a quote up front. Tell the | | | | setting the completion date. Take into consideration |
| client that once the custom handmade jewelry design | | | | how long it will take for you supplies to arrive, as well |
| has been approved you will get back to them within a | | | | as the actual shipping time to send the piece. As you |
| week with the actual cost of fabricating the piece and | | | | know the unexpected can always happen. If there is |
| the work contract. This is n important will give you an | | | | an unforeseeable delay, let you client know. Keeping |
| opportunity to price the work correctly. The client may | | | | you costumer informed is not only good practice; it is |
| want a rough estimate, stay firm and tell them you will | | | | also ethical and will help you keep your professional |
| give them the correct quote within a week. Make sure | | | | integrity. |
| to send a written quote along with the contract within | | | | Terms of payment:o I highly recommend getting a |
| the specified time. | | | | 50% non-refundable deposit up-front. Make it clear that |
| Remember to add you time to the final quote. Many | | | | no work will begin on the piece before the deposit |
| times we think that if we charge too much they won't | | | | clears. This will protect you in case there is a |
| hire us to complete the piece. Specify that you design | | | | cancellation. Always wait to purchase any jewelry |
| time is also included in the final cost. Keep track of the | | | | making supplies until you have received the down |
| cost of any gemstone and materials that you will be | | | | payment.o I recommend including a statement that |
| using to complete the order. Don't forget to include the | | | | once the final sketch is approved you do not re-design |
| cost of shipping, particularly when you may be ordering | | | | or modify the piece. Include any measurements in the |
| specific part to complete the order. Always calculate | | | | contract to add clarity to the final specifications. |
| the extra time that may take to complete a piece that | | | | Altering a piece after you complete it is complicated |
| requires some extra work because of the complexity | | | | and can be costly. |
| of the design. Don't be shy to charge for you work, | | | | Delivery arrangements:o When a piece has to be |
| people know that a custom handmade jewelry piece | | | | shipped out of town, suggest that the client pay for |
| tends to be more expensive and they are prepared to | | | | insurance covering the value of the jewelry.o Always |
| pay for it. | | | | send the item requesting a signature stating that the |
| Preparing a Custom Jewelry Work Agreement | | | | client received the jewelry. This will protect you in case |
| Never work without a contract - A well written | | | | the client claims that the work never got to them.o |
| contract agreement will save you many headaches | | | | Take a photo of the work before shipping and include |
| and problems when selling your jewelry. This contract | | | | the photo along with the packing slip.o Call your client |
| has to be well defined and drafted clearly. The | | | | know that their jewelry is on their way. Follow up with |
| contract needs to be detailed enough to save you | | | | an e-mail giving them the shipping track number. This is |
| going into court and dispute and issue. | | | | always good policy and gives you the paper trail. At |
| The contract needs to include the following information: | | | | the bottom of the contract, include an area for both |
| You name, company name and information | | | | you and the costumer sign and When this custom |
| Client's name and date when the order was | | | | jewelry work agreement is ready, present it to your |
| placed | | | | customer. Have two copies ready to be signed and |
| Detail information of the jewelry piece you will be | | | | give one to the client. Let your customers know that |
| completing | | | | this agreement protects them as well as you, |
| I also attach a copy of the final sketch and a | | | | especially since they will pay you for at least part of |
| photograph of the stone that will be used | | | | the job up front. |
| The contract should also include the amount of | | | | Getting more clients to order custom work happens |
| materials and their cost | | | | mostly from word of mouth, it is crucial that you build |
| Include your hourly rate and an estimated amount | | | | your reputation and make the client happy. Package |
| of time it will take you complete the work. Include your | | | | you jewelry attractively, this enhances your work and |
| design time and the time spent with the client. | | | | the client will remember you. I always follow up with a |
| Always include a return policy in the contract; | | | | personal note thanking them for ordering one of my |
| Custom work that is created as a special order is not | | | | custom handmade jewelry pieces. |
| returnable. My guarantee is that the piece will match | | | | In the note I ask if they would mind sending me a |
| the final design you approved including the dimensions, | | | | picture of them wearing the custom handmade |
| type of stone(s) and metals (gold or silver). Note that | | | | jewelry piece. If they agree to give you a picture, ask if |
| all handmade jewelry will differ slightly due to the | | | | they mind you publishing the photo in your website. This |
| nature of the craft and may include minor variations in | | | | is always helpful to promote and market your custom |
| the overall size of the piece(s) and/or minor | | | | handmade jewelry and other design work. |
| The specific delivery date:o Be realistic when | | | | |