Custom Jewelry By Waylon Rhoads in Ten Easy Steps!
After a few years of working with people across the US and around the world, I am pursuing a method of processing custom orders that will help ensure I am providing each and every client with the best customer service experience available. Since 2012, I have had hundreds of orders requesting me to create one of a kind, personal, heirloom quality jewelry. With that experience and its variety of successes and learning experiences, I’ve learned that communication is the top priority to get correct. Laying out the expectations and the order of progression in the custom jewelry making experience is what my objective is here in this section. Please read this before you fill out a custom order form. I strive for us to maintain congruency with our communication and our expectations, so this will answer a lot of the questions you may have in regards to how this works. Below are my ten easy steps to creating custom jewelry.
1.) Filling out the Online custom order form.
When you fill out this form, it provides me with your contact information, along with the answers to my initial questions regarding your order. Please be sure to tell me when you are wanting your custom piece delivered, if there are any occasions that will require the jewelry, such as your wedding.
2.) After filling out the form and submitting it, I will email you back to confirm I have received your order.
I would like to set up a time to have a 10-15 minute phone call so we get to know each other and answer any questions we may have for each other. I love to hear from all of my clients! So please, don’t be shy to talk with me.
3.) Following our phone call, I will send another email that confirms the details of what we discussed in order to establish congruency of ideas and communications.
4.) Send Reference photography or other visual inspirations for your custom designed jewelry.
Many of my custom requests are for mountain landscape wedding bands. I’ll have you send me any photos of the places you want me to capture on your wedding bands. For other designs, any styles, motifs, or illustrations you believe will strengthen your communication with me, I encourage you to send them to me.
5.) Sketch Approval.
After you have submitted reference photos, I will sketch a design for you, at scale. I hand draw all my designs, so the purpose of the sketch is to visually communicate design layout more than it is a representation of the rendered product. I keep things analog and low tech, as opposed to doing CAD. It’s just my style of doing things and keeping my work hand made. Once I have your approval, we move forward to the next step.
6.) Deposits.
Since 2012, I have worked on a “half down-half when finished” basis with payments. For most of that time, it has worked fine for both my clients and my business. I would ask for the first deposit after the wax model is finished, which meant I would work for 20-40 hours before I would require payments. Unfortunately for most of us 2020 was very disruptive year, to say the least. Besides all the events that have played out because of the pandemic, I found myself doing a ton of work only to have the project be abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances, ending with me losing time, energy, and income. Therefore, I am instituting a “Three Easy Payments” program with the custom jewelry creation process. Once the design sketch is approved, I’ll also provide price quotes based on metal type, gemstones, and the degree of complexity involved with the design. Based on that price quote, I’ll divide that into three payments, with the first one due upon approval of the sketch, the second payment due upon approval of the wax model, and the final payment due upon completion. With custom jewelry, I cannot offer refunds, but I can most certainly offer you a great experience with excellent quality jewelry made with world class craftsmanship. Your satisfaction is my number objective. That’s why communication is so crucial in this process.
7.) Wax Model Presentation
The design has been approved, the price has been established, and the first deposit has been made. Now it’s time for me to put my talents and skills to work to create the wax model for your jewelry. The wax model is hand carved using simple edged tools, files, rotary tools, and a wax pen. This is where my artistry comes alive! The model represents what the jewelry will look like once it is cast in metal, but not necessarily what your jewelry will look liked when it is finished. It is at this stage where any changes or modifications that might need to be made, must be made. It is way easier to make changes in wax than it is in metal. I will provide you with as many photos of the wax as I can in order for you to see everything you need to see to be confident in moving forward with casting. Upon approval of the wax model, the second payment will be due.
8.) Casting and Finishing
The wax model has been approved, the casting metal grain is in hand, the wax has been molded in investment plaster, and it has undergone the burnout cycle in the kiln. Your custom jewelry is ready to be cast! I do all my own silver and gold casting in house. Platinum casting is one of two processes I do not currently do, but I have the good fortune of access to the top platinum casters in the nation. Once your piece is cast, I will send you photos of the raw casting. After filing, sanding, polishing, engraving, and stone setting, the final finishing touches are applied and the piece will be complete. I will send you a variety of photos of the finished piece, as many as needed for you to be confident in receiving the ring.
9.) Final Payment
Upon completion of your unique custom jewelry, the final payment will be due.
10.) Shipping and Sharing
I will send your custom jewelry to the address you provide in the order form unless I’m told otherwise. I send via UPS Overnight delivery with insurance and USPS Priority Express with insurance. Because of the average declared value of my pieces, a signature will be required when delivered.
Because my business is internet based, the need for me to create content on my website and social media platforms is crucial. Even more important than that, is your feedback and reviews. I encourage you to share my work on whatever platforms you use, tell your friends and family about your experience working with me, and refer them to me for their custom jewelry desires! Your recommendations and testimonies are greatly appreciated!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read through my Ten Step Custom Jewelry Process. I look forward to working with you!
Waylon J. Rhoads
All Rhoads Lead To Love.
We provide individuals with a unique and personal jewelry service that focuses on customer satisfaction, high quality craftsmanship, and original designs.
