The art of Sue Griffiths at MessieJessie

Assemblage art dress work for the little Etsy shop is on the back burner this week as I set myself to work on a commission. I’ve mentioned it before but not given any detail in case I spoil the surprise. Whilst the situation remains the same I can give you a sneak peek.

Beginning the embroidery work.

I’ve had a few commissions now and each has come with its own challenges. But, I’ve learned a few simple rules which make the process easier:

Communicate – make absolutely clear in your mind that you understand the customer’s needs.  Likewise make sure your customer understands this is your work, your style, your interpretation. Agree the level of influence the customer can expect to have.

Price it – the customer needs to know. Not giving a price until the work is finished will not stop a customer declining to make the final purchase. In fact, naming your price at the outset or after the brief is agreed and before you start work could very well save you working for nothing. If the customer wants to know the price before you have time to cost the work properly, rather than give a rough estimate, ask the customer what their maximum spend is likely to be.

Your only getting a peek remember.

Ask for a deposit – don’t worry about asking! The customer is more than likely expecting you to ask. Depending on the work involved, the outlay you have to make, you should ask for a deposit of between 25% – 50%. If the customer declines to pay a deposit, you might want to think of declining the commission, even if it’s from a friend (don’t fall out with friends over money).

Track your hours - if you decided to charge the customer by the hour. No matter how you record it be honest, there is no real way to prove how many hours you put into the work but the customer will be reassured if your record reflects the quality of your work. Just remember,  “what goes around comes around” and “you reap what you sew”.

That’s all your getting for now.

Shipping – use a shipping method you know to be safe and reliable, pack it well. Go that extra mile and ensure you and the customer are both covered by insurance should the worst happen. Disappointed customers will look to blame you if it gets wrecked but, if they are assured of getting their money back they may ask you to give it another go. Tracking usually included with insurance is a con, if you can get insurance cheaper without it do so; knowing where it is will not stop your package getting crushed, thrown around, abused in any other way or lost, you’ll just know where the carrier lost it. You can include these costs in the price of the commission, your customer will thank you for it.

Settlement - so the work is finished and you need final payment. Send photos of the completed work to the customer and request the final payment. Final payment should be made before you ship the work. On Etsy and any other online sale payment always comes first.

When it comes to payment I use PayPal, it gives customers the reassurance that they can get some redress if they feel things are not as they should be. The same is applicable to you and PayPal do offer some assistance in dispute resolution.

If your not happy using PayPal there are other sites you can use, like Artists & Clients. I’ve not had chance to check them out fully but at 10% commission and acting as a go between, it may be a suitable alternative to trying to handle commissions yourself.

That’s it for today, Wordless in a couple of days then I’m handing you over to Tom until next week, I’m off to St Annes with my mum; goodness knows what Tom will put up for your delight but, he’s under instructions to behave.

I know its late but I’ve been busy supervising Sue This month we’re featuring another version of “The Moth”. To make it your desktop wallpaper, left click the image to see a larger version, then right click that image and choose “SET AS DESKTOP BACKGROUND”.

Free May calendar desktop wallpaper. To make it your desktop wallpaper, left click the image to see a larger version, then right click that image and choose “SET AS DESKTOP BACKGROUND”.

If you would like to purchase any of Sue’s work, please visit our Our Etsy Shop. Our Etsy shop also has several other art dress assemblages for sale, we hope you enjoy viewing them. If you have any queries about this piece or any of the other pieces in our Etsy shop or, would like further information about Messie Jessie, please feel free to contact us via a “convo” through our Etsy shop or via e-mail at info@messiejessie.co.uk .

Oh, and my potatoes are now in- thanks Sue.

I’ve been looking forward to using this material.  the Navy blue is gorgeous especially against the silver costume jewelry.  The little crystals are like tiny stars shining in the dark night sky.  The idea of the dress comes from the little book assemblages I did “And the Clock Struck Twelve.”

Midnight Blue.

A classic ball gown made from a stunning navy blue coloured satin and book pages.The 3 dimensional bodice is sculpted from old book papers. The top dress is ruched to form shaped flowers.. At the waist of the dress is a beautiful vintage piece of costome jewelry with crystals.

Crystal diamonds.

The underskirt of the dress is made from white organza. Many pleated and sewn book pages under the dress give the dress it’s shape. The stunning piece of costume jewelry at the waist of the dress is vintage.

Click here to visit my Etsy Shop . My Etsy shop has several other assemblage art pieces for sale; I hope you enjoy viewing them. If you have any queries about this piece or any of the other pieces in my Etsy shop or, would like further information about Messie Jessie, please feel free to contact me via a “convo” through my Etsy shop or via e-mail at info@messiejessie.co.uk .

‘summers on it’s way!’

Enjoy!

tanyazelda $20	antiquissimo $38	1000beautifult… $40
1000beautifult… $25	EyePoetryPhoto… $30	Emmalynne $20
SeeLifeShine $25	MYCOCOSCLOSET $65	TheShutterbugE… $40
sisters520 $110	krokoart $35	EyePoetryPhoto… $30
JudyStalus $17	graphicals $1	hodgepodgearts $4

I missed both Friday and Monday’s posts, but I did manage to get a new assemblage art dress made -whilst at the sametime keeping Tom calm about the delivery of the stove, taking Tom to the local hardware store to find some garden stuff, doing the gardening with Tom, making sure Tom arranged the afternoon out for his mum…  Yes, its a wonder I get any time to do the stuff I need to do. Anyway the stove has arrived and the garden is looking ready for the season

Stove arrives.

Meanwhile back to Peony. Peony is a classic ball gown made from a stunning Pink Champaign coloured satin and book pages.

Peony, named after the flower.

The 3 dimensional bodice is sculpted from old book papers. The top dress is ruched to form peony shaped flowers which have 3 vintage pearls sewn in each. At the waist of the dress is a beautiful vintage piece of costome jewelry .

Costume jewelry.

The underskirt of the dress is made from white organza. Many pleated and sewn book pages under the dress give the dress it’s shape.

Pleated and sewn book pages under the dress.

And what happened in the garden? Well, we had our first traste of warm weather since last year and, everybody who could, took advantage.

The boys came out to help with the gardening.

Hans even got to show off his superhero trunks (check out the white patch of fur).

Hans the superhero.

Whilst Fred helped with the grass cutting.

Fred comes out to get his vitamin D.

KitKat decides to supervise, pointing out the areas we missed.

The supervisor.

The day out Tom arranged took us to Plas Newydd, the country seat of the Marquess of Anglesey, where we had a good old stroll around the gardens and a cup of tea and cake at the end. Only one problem, we forgot our camera. So, the only shots we have are courtesy of our niece Sarah (remeber Sarah’s mountain?)

So that was the weekend. Wordless tomnorow and Tom says the May calendar will be up Friday.