I have been commissioned! Well, not exactly - but that's how I would like to see it.
I was contacted a few weeks ago by a "bride to be" who had seen some of the clothespin dolls I made on my blog. She sent me an e-mail asking if I would be willing to make a Bride and Groom Cake Topper for her Wedding. Did you hear me - for her Wedding!
Shock - Oh, the pressure. I'm perfectly fine making them as gifts - but for an actual paying customer - and for an event as momentous as a Wedding. I was honored, but I had to think about that for a bit.
The conversation has actually come up several times before. I figured this must have been a sign that I was meant to make a Bride and Groom. I decided to take the plunge. I responded to her that I would be willing...but with several points of understanding:
- I have never made a Bride or Groom before - she had full right of refusal if she wasn't happy with the results - there had to be enough lead time to find a different topper if needed -
And so - I got started. I asked for all kinds of details about the wedding, her dress, what they looked like, flowers, colors, clothing details and more.
She sent me a link to see the dress (style 1409) she will be wearing.
And even a photo of the two of them so I could match skin tone, hair and eye color.
The colors of their wedding are Plum and Lavender.
She will be wearing her hair down, but I had to take some creative license with that one, and made a side swept pony. It would have been so much easier if she had short hair and would be wearing a veil.
I was so excited to send her pictures of the completed topper. I think they couldn't be cuter, and I had a blast making them. The Groom was actually not as hard as I thought.
Here is where things start to get a little strange. After weeks of pleasant and timely communication - as soon as I sent her the pictures of the couple - I never heard from her again.
I waited a week - sent another follow up e-mail - still nothing. Zilch - Nada - Zip - Not a Word.
My first fear was that something terrible had happened - maybe an accident? A Family Emergency? I certainly hope not.
There could be any number of reasons she didn't respond:
- It was a Scam - Some kind of a set up - Didn't like what I made - Reached the "Bridezilla" stage of wedding planning - Shocked at the price - Got cold feed and called off the wedding - Decided to make one herself - Parents refused to pay for it -
The truth is, I will probably never know. While my ego may have been bruised a bit if she told me she wasn't happy with the results, I would have understood - that was our agreement, and my first concern is that the bride be happy. I am disappointed, however, that she never contacted me at all to advise she didn't want to go through with our agreement.
The good news is - I'm thrilled with the results. I think they are so cute, I had a wonderful time making them, and I'm happy to have had the opportunity to push myself. Now I know - I can!
Plus - Little K has two cute new peg dolls she can play with - added bonus!
I was contacted a few weeks ago by a "bride to be" who had seen some of the clothespin dolls I made on my blog. She sent me an e-mail asking if I would be willing to make a Bride and Groom Cake Topper for her Wedding. Did you hear me - for her Wedding!
Shock - Oh, the pressure. I'm perfectly fine making them as gifts - but for an actual paying customer - and for an event as momentous as a Wedding. I was honored, but I had to think about that for a bit.
The conversation has actually come up several times before. I figured this must have been a sign that I was meant to make a Bride and Groom. I decided to take the plunge. I responded to her that I would be willing...but with several points of understanding:
- I have never made a Bride or Groom before - she had full right of refusal if she wasn't happy with the results - there had to be enough lead time to find a different topper if needed -
And so - I got started. I asked for all kinds of details about the wedding, her dress, what they looked like, flowers, colors, clothing details and more.
She sent me a link to see the dress (style 1409) she will be wearing.
And even a photo of the two of them so I could match skin tone, hair and eye color.
The colors of their wedding are Plum and Lavender.
She will be wearing her hair down, but I had to take some creative license with that one, and made a side swept pony. It would have been so much easier if she had short hair and would be wearing a veil.
I was so excited to send her pictures of the completed topper. I think they couldn't be cuter, and I had a blast making them. The Groom was actually not as hard as I thought.
Here is where things start to get a little strange. After weeks of pleasant and timely communication - as soon as I sent her the pictures of the couple - I never heard from her again.
I waited a week - sent another follow up e-mail - still nothing. Zilch - Nada - Zip - Not a Word.
My first fear was that something terrible had happened - maybe an accident? A Family Emergency? I certainly hope not.
There could be any number of reasons she didn't respond:
- It was a Scam - Some kind of a set up - Didn't like what I made - Reached the "Bridezilla" stage of wedding planning - Shocked at the price - Got cold feed and called off the wedding - Decided to make one herself - Parents refused to pay for it -
The truth is, I will probably never know. While my ego may have been bruised a bit if she told me she wasn't happy with the results, I would have understood - that was our agreement, and my first concern is that the bride be happy. I am disappointed, however, that she never contacted me at all to advise she didn't want to go through with our agreement.
The good news is - I'm thrilled with the results. I think they are so cute, I had a wonderful time making them, and I'm happy to have had the opportunity to push myself. Now I know - I can!
Plus - Little K has two cute new peg dolls she can play with - added bonus!
They are adorable! I would have loved to have something like this for a wedding topper. How unique! Her loss.
ReplyDeleteI am bummed she stiffed you- but some people are flakes! Adorable little bride and groom!
ReplyDeleteUGH! that makes ME mad!
ReplyDeleteI bet it was because of money or something and she was too embarrased to tell you. That's really crappy though.
These are awesome Karina, you are so talented, seriously!
Like you said now you have the confidence to do it and I am guessing this might just be the start of something big! : )
i loved this topper the minute i saw it on flickr, and i love it more the more i look at it -- i really think you could do a big business on custom orders for these, if you wanted to.
ReplyDeleteand i think what the bride did was really sh!tty, pardon my french. being a bride ABSOLUTELY gives you license to be demanding, exacting, reject anything that's not part of your vision, etc. but it does NOT give you the license to renege on a business deal with total impunity and in total silence, or generally to treat others like crap.
oh well, i'm sure you will have other opportunities for more deserving clients in the future :-)
I'm sorry she didn't call you back! I love this! I wish I was getting hitched again so I had a good reason to buy them! I even called my sister and told her to find a blonde boy to marry! Too cute!
ReplyDeleteOkay, that is weird. BUT you did an amazing job, they are so cute. It would definitely make a really unique cake topper. You should open up a store on etsy and start selling them!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry she never got back to you, that's really strange. I think they are amazing!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog and Im blown away by your creativity. Love the basket weave fondant cupcake. Love the wedding cake topper. If you are interested in commisioning more for brides that wont flake out, I would love to refer you!
ReplyDelete