Creating a Design
High Quality and Individualized
My work is custom made to order. These are all signed originals, no two are alike. I keep my standards very high in this regard: no stock designs to choose from; yours will become a one-of-a-kind family heirloom and collector’s piece.
Get Inspired at the Gallery
Be sure to visit the ZILLIONS OF PICS page. You’ll find lots and lots of ideas there. If you see something you like, we can come up with something with the same “flavor”, but no direct copies. I can help with ideas also…
Timing: The Queue
I always have an absurdly long backlog of orders; this is normal for me. My work is all carved and painted by hand, no computerized carving involved. This is very labor intensive work and requires Zen patience.
I do my orders in the same sequence in which the orders are placed. First this one, then the next, then next. I cannot promise (or even estimate) how long it will take to complete your project – these are one a kind, signed originals and if I tried to guess at a completion date, it would be wrong.
I take my time and do them right. This process can take up to 2 years, perhaps longer – it depends on the number of orders in the queue at the time that you place your order.
I’ve carved thousands of pieces over the last 45 years. I’m completely at peace with the queue process, however, waiting without a completion date can be very unsettling for some people. Be sure that you are up for this…
Pricing
This is custom work, made to order. I don’t have a price list because each is unique; pricing is all over the map and the final cost is based on complexity and size of the piece.
This is very labor intensive work (all by hand) and they can be spendy…
I typically design the level of complexity to fit budget. The more wiggle room you give me with budget, the nerdier I can be with composition and carving technique. From simple to fancy to super fancy.
We will need to discuss specifics and then we can come up with a design which fits your budget.
There is a $5,000 minimum (for something simple) and upward from there.
The museum quality carvings (doors, fireplace mantels and outrageously complex signs and such) are typically $20,000 minimum. Sometimes significantly more than that.
This will become a family heirloom… think about it in the same way you would think of a wedding ring or other cherished family artifact.
Placing Your Order
There is a specific process we need to go thru before you can place your order:
Describe What You Want
1. If you haven’t already done so, please fill out the CONTACT FORM at this website and describe what you have in mind. Please be as specific and detailed as you can in your description.
Check You Spam For Replies
2. After you contact me, I will respond in an email. I respond to all inquiries every day, HOWEVER, SOMETIMES MY REPLIES WIND UP IN YOUR SPAM FOLDER. Always be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t get a timely response.
Discussing The Details
3. There are varying methods and design techniques which we can utilize to approach your carving. We’ll need to brainstorm some ideas together and discuss the differing levels of complexity to fit your budget.
Once we decide on details and budget, you may place your order and lock your queue reservation. This process will all be done in email.
When it’s time to place your order, you will be sent a PayPal invoice. Placing your order and locking your queue reservation requires a 50% down payment/balance due upon completion. Packing and shipping will be done by UPS and shipping costs will be added to the balance due upon completion.
Sketch Approval
4. When your order is getting close in the queue, I will contact you and provide you with a sketch for approval/changes. Please keep in mind that this sketch is just a roadmap for me…the real thing happens in the wood itself. This sketch will be a simple layout, not a realistic illustration.