Engraving Commissions
GLASS ENGRAVING COMMISSIONS (please visit the main website for more insight into my work: http://www.lesleypyke.com )
A first time customer of engraved glass is often unsure of "how it all works" so here are a few ideas, surmised after 24 years of taking engraving commissions.
- IDEAS: Every order is different and there are many possibilities, so the customer should have a look at the engravers portfolio or website, this will help build confidence if they have not seen the engraver's work before. Often a customer will change their minds once they see some past commissions on a similar subject, using different vessels and layouts that have been used before.
- THE GLASS CANVAS: Some engravers keep their own stock of blanks, some don't. If you ask you may be able to bring your own glass even if the engraver has stock, especially if it happens to be a very specific piece, for example a family heirloom, in which case it will be left at your own risk. You may want a unique crystal overlay which requires being hand blown, or you may only require a small tumbler, in this case there may be a minimum charge to be applied. A professional engraver who works with hand blown crystal will generally have their preferred blower to order from should it be required.
- ARTWORK: This comes in many forms, sketches and drawings by the customer, photographs, weblinks and of course not forgetting the engraver's imagination. As I said, every job is different! Whatever the case, the professional engraver will ensure that the finished artwork works in sympathy with the shape of the glass so even a relatively simple amount of engraving is most pleasing to the eye.
- ENGRAVING: There are customers that happily leave it entirely up to the engraver once the glass has been selected and the subject discussed. Then there are those who are far more specific and wish to view the artwork at every stage before and during engraving. Either way, the customer is perfectly in his/her right, the most important thing for the engraver is that the customer is satisfied.
- COST: It is vital that the engraver is aware at least of the customers budget. Again there are those who will pay whatever the end price is as long as the engraver produces the best possible engraving, however most customers will wish to agree either a rough estimate or a specific quotation. There are many different ways in which to execute the work so the engraver needs to know which it is to be and their limitations.
- PAYMENT: This should be discussed, whether a deposit is required and when the full amount is due. Needless to say, an internet order will generally require full payment in advance. It needs to be clear as to how the payment will be paid, otherwise if the customer is not sure, bring cash or a cheque as not every engraver has a credit card payment facility. However it is becoming easier and easier, Paypal is a very convenient international form of payment soon payable even by mobile phone.
- TIME LIMIT / DELIVERY: Last but not least, the matter of the completion date, whether it is to be collected or posted and whether the customer wishes to be contacted when it is ready, sometimes this can have disastrous consequences if the piece is a surprise for a spouse who may answer the phone!!
