On one hand, custom jewelry orders are gratifying - a compliment to your skill and artistry.
Someone admires your work and trusts you enough to commission a special piece, made just for them (or for a loved one).
On the other hand, the responsibility of creating this special piece of jewelry can be a bit of a burden.
Luann Udell wrote an excellent post recently about The Quagmire of Custom Orders - her struggle to finish a custom piece of jewelry, and why custom orders often feel so difficult.
I know a few jewelry artists who always turn down custom work because they don’t enjoy it, which is certainly one way of solving this issue!
But custom jewelry orders often lead to other good opportunities for your jewelry business, so it’s a good idea to consider carefully before closing the door on them completely.
If you struggle with custom orders, what makes them difficult for you?
For me, it’s because what I love about making jewelry is letting go and being a channel for the flow of creativity with no constraints nor attachment to any outcome - just letting everything flow where it will.
I love being part of that process, and seeing the result in the finished piece of jewelry.
In contrast, a custom order that requires me to work toward fulfilling a customer’s vision of the outcome removes the part I love about jewelry making.
It’s more of a job than a creative experience.
It’s hard to get motivated to start on the project, and I usually feel that my custom work is not my best work.
However, I’ve rarely had a customer who was anything but happy with the outcome of a piece of jewelry they commissioned, and that’s the good part of custom work - the privilege of spreading joy with my art.
Related article: Making Custom Jewelry Orders Profitable.