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Do you answer Email?
Yes, I answer all of my
email personally. And within three days of your post so if you
don’t hear from me most likely there has been a glitch
somewhere in the system. Do try again.
What is the best way
to inquire about a custom design puppet?
Email is the best way to
inquire about a custom designed puppet. In order for me to
prepare a bid for you I need to know as much information about
your request as you can give me. After I receive your request I
need to formulate each specific request into a written form.
These requests can vary from the color and type of wardrobe to
the type of animation you want your marionette, puppet or doll
to have.
How much is needed
for a deposit?
A 50% deposit is
required on all custom order requests. With the remaining 50%
paid in two installments. The second of these payments usually
occurs at the mid-way point in production or when a new
caricature sculpt is requested. This is usually when the sculpt is
completed and before mold work begins. The final payment is due
on or before shipping. Your shipping charge is calculated at that
time and adjusted to your final bill.
How long will the
puppet take to build?
Approximately 6 – 8
weeks is needed to complete your custom design puppet or doll
commission depending on the complexity of the design. For
example: if you require a beaded gown or specialized animation
these requests could affect your production schedule adding an
additional week.
Can I call you about
the project?
Yes,
via SKYPE if you have
commissioned a large work that is not a standard catalog item
you can call if there is no other way of alerting me with your
information. I generally prefer to keep you informed via email
of my progress and have found email to be the most efficient way
to expedite this communication process between us. There are
exceptions to this rule and sometimes talking on the phone is
necessary to clarify thoughts. Since all of my pieces are
hand-signed originals, I complete every step of the process from the
necessary design work to sculpting, casting, and costuming. And
although I would like to talk to everyone personally, doing so
can greatly affect my output and productivity. A call at the wrong
time while I am in the middle of painting, or beading, or
sculpting a character can break my
concentration and focus. Thank
you, for your patience and understanding on this matter. Most of my clients respect my wishes
here.
How long are custom design quotes and
bids good
for?
All bids are held for 30 days and then
expire.
Do you
give discounts to customers?
Yes,
discounts are given on volume sales and to customers as a
gratuity to those who prefer
to pay in advance.
What do
you need from me in order to prepare a bid?
I will need
to know these things in order to proceed with your bid request.
- Your
Name and or Company contact info.
- A
description of the Puppet.
Please include, the type of puppet: Marionette, Hand or Rod Puppet.
And the type of costume, finish and accessories your
character will need.
- Projected
Time Frame or Production Schedule you are working with.
- The
Specific Purpose or Intended Use of your purchase.
What do
you mean by Specific Purpose or Intended Use?
All custom
order requests are prepared and based on the specific needs of
the client. For example, if you are a community Church working
on a charity benefit your rates will reflect the nature of your
request and be quite different than those provided to a Puppet
Collector, Art Dealer or Television Studio who will be using the
puppet for video, resale or commercial production.
Can I
add Animated Puppet Effects to my custom order?
Yes, there
are a number of animated puppet effects you can choose from when
you order a custom puppet design however; I generally caution
clients that less is more. And on the type of animation best
suited for a particular design. A puppet feature must have a
purpose or it can get in the way and hinder a performance. Most
of these effects like Pinocchio’s growing nose are
demonstrated on my website. If you would like to take another
look, click of the Puppet Effects button below.
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