About bespoke jewellery and the commissioning process

Most of the jewellery you see on the website here are one-of-a-kind, playfully evolved pieces. If you like my style of jewellery and my approach to making, I would be delighted to create a piece especially made for you.

The bespoke and made to measure commissioning process requires time to develop. Please bear in mind the following…

1. Once you have decided to commission a piece we will need to discuss the project either in person or by email to clarify your initial requirements. This is a free consultation to establish a brief and the timeframe for the piece to be developed, and to get some initial direction for the project.

Things you will need to consider beforehand are

• The type of jewellery you'd like to have made - is it a ring, or a necklace, a bracelet or a brooch etc
• The size of the piece of jewellery - ring size / necklace length/ physical dimensions / weight etc
• Any other constraints or requirements - allergies / large knuckles / unpierced ears etc
• The pieces of jewellery you have seen and the qualities you'd like to echoe in the design
• The materials you would like to incorporate - which metals do you like? would you like to incorporate gemstones /personal fragments/other materials?
• Would you like to recycle your old jewellery or precious metals to have them melted into the new piece of jewellery? This can be a nice way to add sentiment or carry your own history forward in time.
• Your timeframe - it depends on the complexity of the project and items can sometimes be rushed through a tight deadline, but aim for a 12 week window if possible.
• Your budget - this will also help to determine the materials we can use

2. I then produce some sketches, visuals, maquettes or other suitable samples that explore what we have discussed, from which we can move forward. These discussions are usually communicated via email.

• an initial sketching fee of £150 is normally charged at this stage, and this is deducted from the final cost of the commission if you decide to go ahead.
• A moc up in a cheaper metal can also be produced at cost, on request.

3. At this stage we agree the working process; when tthe final design has been agreed and you decide to go ahead with the commission I take a 50% deposit. Once you have paid the deposit it means that you have agreed to my terms and conditions (see below). The balance of payment is due on collection.

4. If any changes to the design are required after this point they must be raised as early as possible. I will try always to accomodate your requirements, but timing is crucial in the procedure of making your bespoke piece

Please note:

TIMINGS: items like the coral ring for example need to be made to size and can be produced with a 3-4 week turn around or sometimes less. More complex bespoke pieces can take much longer to finalise and while most commissions are completed within a 12 week period there are busy periods in the calendar which can extend the turnaround time. I will always advise whether there is sufficient time to continue, and if you can allow more than 12 weeks for the jewellery to be delivered this is always appreciated.

COSTS: I initially give an estimated cost. Each commissioned piece is a one-off; the cost of metal and other raw materials and processes can fluctuate. Therefore the final price will be set only once the deposit is paid or all aspects of the job have been agreed, whichever is the sooner.

Terms and Conditions – Commissioned items

1. Agreement
These conditions govern all contracts of the sale of commissioned items between Vicky Forrester (hereinafter referred to as ‘the artist’) and any customer (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Customer’). These terms can only be varied with the written consent of the Artist.

2. Orders
A confirmed order is made when the Customer has paid the deposit required. All orders for the supply of goods placed by the Customer with the Artist are irrevocable unless otherwise expressly stated in writing. A confirmed order may only be cancelled or varied with the Artist's written consent. Such consent shall not in any way prejudice the Artist's right to recover from the Customer full compensation (including profit) for any loss or expense arising from such cancellation or variation of the original order. The Artist is under no obligation to agree to vary an order.

3. Cancellations
Cancellation must be made in writing. The order is not cancelled until the Artist has consented to the cancellation in writing to the Customer. The Artist reserves the right to refuse acceptance of goods returned to the Artist without permission.

4. Prices
The price provided by the Artist at the time an order is made is an estimate. The customer accepts that the final balance may vary from their original estimate. Any variation, if it applies, reflects variation in the costs of raw materials and manufacturing processes.

5. Payment and Deposits
The Artist requires a 50% deposit before work can commence on an order. TheArtist reserves the right to require a larger deposit. Payment of the balance is due before dispatch or collection by the Customer. The Artist reserves the right to refuse to dispatch goods to a customer whose payment is not made. A charge of £20 will be made for each instance of a returned or represented cheque.

6. Completion date
The completion date provided by the Artist at the time an order is made is an estimate. The Artist will use its best endeavour to deliver the goods on the estimated date for delivery or collection, but does not guarantee to do so. The Artist shall, under no circumstances whatsoever, be liable to the Customer for any loss, damage or expenses, whether caused directly or indirectly, by or from any delay in the completion of an order.

7. Delivery
Delivery to the Customers own premises or to those of a nominated agent will be charged extra to the Customer. Where delivery is to be made by an independent carrier, delivery to or pickup by the carrier will be deemed delivery to the Customer. Claims for shortages or non-delivery must be supported by the carrier’s consignment or delivery note on which the goods have been signed and checked at the time of delivery. All claims for shortages or non-delivery must be made by telephone within 3 working days and in writing within 5 working days. Any loss or damage to the goods after delivery, whatever the cause, is the sole responsibility of the Customer.

8. Specification
Absolute consistency of sizes, materials, proportions, colours and shades are not guaranteed by the Artist and are given as guidance only. On those occasions where repeat orders find that there is some variation from the previous order, Vicky Forrester cannot be held responsible for those changes.

9. Care of Jewellery
All items of jewellery must be cleaned in accordance with instructions given by Vicky Forrester, or the item should be taken to an established jeweller for cleaning. Please refer to Vicky Forrester's cleaning instructions. The Artist is not liable for any damage caused due to the Customer not following these recommendations. Jewellery should be treated with reasonable care. Jewellery should not be worn in bed or in the shower or bath. Jewellery and rings should be removed before playing sports, swimming, clapping or washing up. The Artist is not liable for any damage caused due to the Customer not following these recommendations. The Artist is not liable for any costs associated with normal wear and tear during the lifespan of the commissioned jewellery.

10. Alterations and Repairs
We recommend that items made by Vicky Forrester should be returned to the Artist for repair and/or alteration. Any damage or costs caused by repairs or alterations made by a third party are the sole responsibility of the Customer. The Artistwill only carry out free-of-charge repairs on a commissioned piece of jewellery if it is faulty and returned to the Artist within three months of the delivery date. Alterations, e.g. resizing of rings, are always chargeable.

11. Gold Plate
We use a high quality 22 carat gold plate. Generally a layer 3 microns thick is used except for items which are likely to receive more wear – these are given three or more microns coverage. Gold plate has a limited life-span. We can only guarantee the life of gold plate up to three months from the date of purchase. After this period has expired the Customer is responsible for the cost of re-plating the item.

12. Claims against the Artist
All claims in respect of goods alleged to be defective must be made in writing within 14 days from the date of delivery.

13. Set-off and Lien
No payments may be withheld nor may any counterclaims by the Customer be set-off against any payment due under this or any other contract. The Artist shall have a general and particular lien on all money and property, which theArtist owns or is entitled to posses, which is in the possession of the Artist or its agents, which it may sell as the Customers agent to reduce the Customers debt to the Artist.

14. Force Majeure
The Artist shall not be under any liability of any kind for non-performance in whole or in part of its obligations under the contract due to causes beyond the reasonable control of the Artist or of the Artist suppliers or due to labour disputes.

15. Ownership of Goods
Property of any goods supplied to the Customer will not pass to the Customer until the Customer pays for the goods in full. Further, title to such goods shall not pass until payment to the Artist of all amounts owing to it by the Customer on any account whatsoever. The Artist has the right to recover from the Customer the cost of installation, removal, return transport and diminution in value of any such goods not paid for in full. If prior to making payment to the Artist, the Customer contracts to sell the goods to a third party in substantially the same form in which they were delivered to the Customer, then the title to such goods and payment liability shall pass from the Company to such third party upon full payment to the Artist.

16. Intellectual Property Rights
All industrial or intellectual material or property rights associated with the design or manufacturing processes of commissioned jewellery are the property of the Artist and remain so after ownership of the commissioned jewellery passes to the Customer. The Artist reserves the right to reproduce the designs and use images of designs.The Customer agrees to indemnify the Artist from and against all costs, claims, liabilities and damages which we may suffer or incur as a result of you using, reproducing or exploiting any industrial or intellectual material or property rights without the consent of the proprietor.

17. Rectification of these Terms
If any of these terms, or any part of these terms, is unenforceable or void by law, it shall not affect the remainder of such terms or any other such term or otherwise affect the contract and shall be replaced by such valid term as is near as may be in effect to the original term.

18. Email marketing
Vicky Forrester will automatically add you to her mailing list as someone who has expressed an interest in ther work. If you would like to unsubscribe from the list please click the ‘unsubscribe’ link or contact us by email or phone.

19. Jurisdiction
The laws of England shall govern all contracts between the Artist and the Customers and any disputes arising there from shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts