FAQ's Commissioning a Mosaic for your wedding. Please read all carefully. Thank You. Ethics:
1. How much does it cost? This is the obvious and first thing most need to know. The cost depends on the design, and labor involved, the size, etc. My mosaics start at $650.00 (additional is the cost of a most simple, suitable frame, (black most often.) You will be asked and informed about the costs of frames and other options) Most designs fit into this $450 - $650 for labor. - but large or custom mosaics can cost more. depending on the design and labor involved and the frame needed to compliment the work. Other questions below will help explain the costs. So let's explore the questions of cost right up front. The costs for suitable frames for these works went up and I only charge you what the framer charges me! I do NOT inflate frame costs. Read on. Frames for these pieces of 30" X 30" or 26" X 35" approximately will run about $150.00 - $200.00 to frame in a simple black frame. Cost for labor as off May 2012 is now $650 reg, and $850 Rush, as Origami Designs is almost full for bookings for the calendar year. Please email if you need a mosaic!
Cost to ship is additional, but I keep that as low as possible! Please be aware that shipping ground UPS to Hawaii or Alaska is considerable higher. . Shipping to a US location might be $65 -$75, the same item to HI or AK can be $200 to $260.
2. Can I get it done cheaper somewhere else? People do ask. Yes I think you can, but my price is competitive with most reputable artists (for these works) charge the same or more, and I try to give my clients the best quality, keep the costs low, and keep it affordable. I am located on the mainland USA and shipping is less costly for those in the US proper. The cost of the arwork, includes the backing board or canvas, materials, glues, supplies, *designs work - whenever possible. material your cranes are mounted on, the final finished professional look of the framing and presentation. Many days and hours of labor in design work, crane placement, frame preparation, assembly, counting, even packaging for the finished mosaic, goes into this artwork.
3. Why does it cost so much? You are commissioning a custom art work from an established and experienced artist, in this art form. Just like a painting or sculpture there is labor, talent, time, materials, involved in producing the finished product which is all done by hand. The artist takes great care (at Origami Designs) to present a piece that is well done, and is quality work. It is an investment, a one of a kind, original artwork. The mosaics take hours and hours from start to finish. The process is weeks of communicating with the client, assisting in design choice, approval of sketches, emails, phone calls. There is the skill and time devoted to managing the layout of 1000 cranes in your artwork, not more, not less, but exactly 1001 cranes. I work to keep the size manageable and affordable for the framing and display. I mount on good quality black fabric or velvet, which presents problems at times managing the work. It is a labor of love and as an artist I take care to do quality work.
4. Does the cost include cranes or framing? There is the cost for labor and materials, designs work, etc. listed above. The cost of the frame is added to labor costs. In 2010 the cost to frame has gone up, unfortunately. Shiny black lacquer look frames are more expensive. Frames with gold trim cost more. Silver frames cost more, and these frames in metal cost more. If you select a silver design on blue fabric and want a silver frame, I might quote a little higher for the finished mosaic.
Cranes cost extra if Origami Designs provides the folded cranes. . Many choose to follow the tradition and fold the cranes. Some fold to save money. Origami Designs charges $500 to fold the 1000 cranes (this includes the cost of the papers) and we need three months notice to fold the cranes. Other artists might insist on folding the cranes to insure quality of folding and they in turn charge more for the finished piece, adding in this cost. I give you the option and reveal the cost breakdown.
Origami Designs will frame in tradition suitable black or other, ( for about $200.00) simple but appropriate black frame. If you want a frame with gold in the - it might cost a wee bit more. If you want a simple silver frame (with silver cranes) it might cost a little more and will be detailed to you in the cost. A frame is chosen to compliment the size and shape or your design with an artistic eye and the help of the framer and their artistic eye. It is difficult and challenging to frame these pieces and not damage or injure the designs. Metal frames in any color cost more. Black lacquer look frames now costs more (as black is so popular in interior designs now) We allow enough "air space" around your designs so as not to crowd it, but it is so expensive to frame, that we do not always put so much space around your design as some might like to see. The artwork is guaranteed to last and stay mounted only as long as it is the original frame and not displayed in direct sunlight. There are 1001 cranes with tiny points that can be damaged or bent changing the entire look of the artwork if not framed properly. Origami Designs stays with the framer when possible and works with the framer to be sure your work is framed as best possible.
If a client wished to take their mosaic to a framer for reframing in a different frame, our caution is to please take care. My warranty on the work is then nullified, and no longer in effect. But certainly a competent framer could be cautioned to take care with the artwork itself so as not to damage or change it.
5. What about the cranes? Do I fold them? Is it bad luck if others fold them? Where do I get the papers? What size papers do I use? What color papers do I fold? Can I have other colors? Do I have to use foil papers? It was tradition that a bride and the family of the bride and groom might fold the cranes, but anyone can fold your cranes. It is not bad luck if the bride does not fold them.
You can buy the papers from an online origami paper store, or in local stores that might sell a selection of origami papers. Check Ebay and Amazon or Asian markets and shops in your area. If you need we can purchase the papers for you, and bill you and ship them to you for folding. Please use 3 X 3" or 3 1/2 X 3 1/2" (or smalles) paper squares for folding your cranes. These must be precisely cut and carefully folded.
The tradition is a 1001 cranes used in a wedding design, often gold. But you can use gold or silver or red, or a combination of colored foil papers of the same size. Discuss the design and color of papers with the artist if you are not sure what you want or will look best. Foil papers make the most beautiful and stunning mosaics and are traditional. If you are going to fold your own cranes and supply them please confirm the kind, and paper with the artist!
If you provide me with the folded cranes, please click here to see how the cranes need to be folded and send them to me in this way. If the cranes are not folded neatly the work does not look professional or beautiful. I, as an artist will do the best I can to place your cranes in a pleaseing design. REMEMBER, I will not reproduce, minic, or mirror copy another artists' design.
6 When do I need to order my mosaic? I like request 90 --120 days notice of intent, and need to have the finished folded cranes 2mos prior to your delivery due date. There are always expeptions. Wedding in 6 weeks, please call to see if I can do your work! This is the date you wish to have your finished mosaic. Ideally, I need that two months to dedicate to the design work, and placement, and framing. Frames must be ordered and paid for two weeks in advance of framing. If I can make an exception and you were not able to call 120 in advance I will consider your piece, it depends on the schedule of the artist and other orders that preceed yours.
I will not take an order or promise to do a mosaic unless I feel I can devote the time needed to do your work properly. I will not take a commission to do a mosaic if I feel the design chosen cannot be suitably translated into the designs using the cranes themselves. I can suggest other method I use to mount the cranes in a simple or artistic design and then put the chosen design over that layer of cranes. But I will not take an order if I fell I cannot execute it to the satisfaction of the client and my own design standards.
7. What about rush orders? A rush order is anything ordered and agreed to, less than 3 months in advance of your deliver date needed. Yes, I do some rush orders on mosaics. But this is only after special arrangements with the artist.
I will never do a rush order if I think it would jeopardize my ability to
do our best quality work on the mosaic. If I cannot do your work properly
and deliver on time, I will not do the work. Rush orders are subject to the artist being able to commit to the time to complete your mosaic on time. Rush orders require the same payment of LABOR COST due up front, with an additional balance before I frame to ship. Note: Rush Charge is added as the artist might have to postpone or lose other paying pieces to finish your mosaic.
8. If I don't have a design in mind, where or how do I pick a design for my mosaic?
Send an email with your initial inquiry. Let me know you are searching for a suitable, personal and unique design for you as a couple. By phone or email, after a few questions, I can help you find your design. I can recommend sites to visit, ideas to think about, etc. If you want me to sketch something, we'll discuss it and work on it this way. If you have a family crest, special likes, favorite items. I can help you get the right design for you! See even more designs below. Please keep in mind that most mosaic designs - all which include 1001 cranes - are a finished framed size of about 30X30, 33X33, 35 X 40, or larger. They are large works of art to display on your wall. Please be aware they cannot be made smaller by the nature of placing 1001 cranes.
Origami Designs lists a number of standard and popular designs and idea on the front page of our Mosaic website, accessible from the front page of our website here. See weddings. Fish, Kanji, Cranes, Bird, Zodiac, fans, crests, Animals, Birds and more.
I have been given design ideas from greetings card, even cookie cutters. The artist will work with you. A design sketched (es) for you is sent by email after payment of $15 - $45.00.(depends on the complexity of the design requested) I take great care to sketch your designs and alternatives. Once I send the design to you, you can use it or not. Artists need to protect their work. Some clients will take a long worked designed to another artist for work. So I charge for any designs, specifically made for you by Origami Designs. Most clients find pictures and ideas from the many sites we recommend, or choices I send to them that are free. Only about 30% of our clients have really specific and unique custom designs made up for them.
9 We have the cranes folded and we know the design we want, - how do we proceed?
Most of the time if you are ready to go and feel comfortable with me and my process then you put ½ the amount due down on the mosaic,
You can send a check on the half due, but I do not start work until the check has cleared and we set a date for that. Or I can send you a request for payment from PayPal and you can pay with credit or debit card. You will get an invoice receipt from PayPal, an acknowledgement from me by email and I will start work on your mosaic. I can even put a PayPal button on the website for convenient payment of the half due, and again the balance before shipment or upon pickup.,
You send me your cranes, you send an approval of the design by email, make payment and I start work and am committed to your mosaic and delivery on time.
I will keep in touch by email as to progress on your mosaic. I will ask about delivery due date, shipping address, how you wish to take possession - through direct pickup, or delivery by USPS, UPS or Fed Exp, etc.
10. What are the shipping costs and or arrangements for my pickup? Shipping cost can be quoted to you with your zipcode, and this cost is added to the final payment of the balance due, made at pickup or prior to shipment. I insure it always. In the USA for a 30X30 inch Artwork, framed and insured (within the US) you can budget for $150 or less shipping. Shipping costs at UPS and FED EXP have gone up. Packing costs to prevent damage has gone up. I pay for the sturdy boxes and bubble wraps and packing materials, tape, etc. It costs to ship these big artworks. . If it is less I will notify you prior to shipment. I pack it very well for shipment and use plexiglass to keep down the weight and damage potential when shipping. Many clients are choosing plexiglass. International shipments are quoted early in the process before an order commitment is made.
11 Do I own copyright to my mosaic when it is done?. This seems like a strange question but I have been asked it. No Origami Designs submits our design for proper copyright in the US and the client does not own the design copyright. Even if another client likes your design, each one is individual and I try to make them all custom, individual and special for the wedding couple!
12. What if I am not happy with the design after it is finished.? * I make every effort to communicate to my clients before and during the process or decision making process. The work is custom and well made, IIF you change your mind or circumstances change and you cancel or default on your order after your initial payment (is made to book & start your order) this money is not refundable. Once cranes placment is started the mosaic is yours. Payment in full is necessary before the designs ships to the client. It its not a refundable expense. If you do not want mosaic and do not pay the balance due, it will not be shipped. IF you have paid your balance due, the finished mosaic will ship to you, as it is yours to do with as you wish. The mosaic is client specific.. An artist spends many hours and much time on the mosaics. A specific family crest or mon, a very personal design, might not appeal to another client. You are purchasing a well made mosaic, and individualistic work that is yours.
Cranes shaped like cranes cannot be formed into every design that a client might choose. The cranes are used mostly folded with heads and tails not showing. Two sizes of cranes might be used in your design. Some cranes might be hidden under other cranes and not even seen by the viewer. Terrible folded cranes, that would not look good anywhere in the design, might be hidden or replaced with better folded cranes. The designs is made and assembled and executed as best we can to make a pleasing design but it is yours and cannot be sold to another. Design changes after the artist starts placing the cranes cannot be executed or guaranteed, or agreed to in many circumstances.
If your wedding is cancelled or postponed, your finished artwork mosaic will be shipped to you and no payment refunded, unless there is an agreement prior and specifically agreed to by the artist in writing. Exceptions to this are very rare.
13. Have you ever had someone refuse to take or pay for a finished mosaic, or try to return one? No. With good communication and time to discuss designs, and the process, and the expectations of the finished artwork, this has not been an issue. In 20 years, one client with reservations, was totally pleased when they received and saw the finished product and mosaic. If a client defaulted or expressed a dislike of the finished work and did not make final payment, they forfeit their initial payment and the work becomes the property of Origami Designs to be kept or sold at will. Once the work is finished, paid for, and shipped it is final. It is then the property of the client to do with as they wish. A framer might also attest to the care and quality of frames and framing work. Shipping information is kept on all clients with insurance on all shippments. This is insurance is for the artists to use to replace and redo a mosaic is truly damaged in shippment. It is very difficult to get these claims honored by the shippers these days. Designs that are claimed "damaged" and then different design requested by a client will not changed. Insurance only tried to guarantee the artist who ships, the value and monitory compensation to replace the mosaic for the buy. It can take months for a claim to be honored and many more months for the artist to redo the same mosaic (which is never exactly the same as the first) and reship. The client may be required to reship the damaged product at theri expense, to the artist or to prove to the shippment was with damage and that is was was done by them. I caution my client to photograph the package on arrival IF IT APPEARS THERE IS ANY DAMABE AT ALL. If the shipped does not acknowledge it you may have no claim.
Origami Designs makes every effort to produce a piece that is beautiful and well made. Each artwork is different, No two are exactly alike even if they are the same design. As an artist I take pride in the work on these pieces. They are individual artworks made totally by hand. The full cranes with head and tail does not show always, and often is not actually seen in the design. If you are unsure about what it will look like, please email me for close-ups on how cranes are actually placed. Your first payment on the work is NOT refundable. The artwork is not shipped or delivered until full payment is made. I guarantee my work when ordered with frame and framed prior to shipment. Pieces shipped unframed can be damaged in shipment, in opening, or by your framer and I do not accept responsibility for that event. It is a commissioned artwork and I do everything possible to discuss, get approval of the designs and complete the work as per your design choice.
I hope these questions answer most of what you might want to know when making the decisions about your mosaic and artist. You are encouraged and welcome to communicate by email with other questions or for clarification!
Barbara
Origami Mosaic Artist
