I'd like to share with anyone that has had a huge custom order and has felt the pain of finishing the order combined with the joy of knowing you are going to put so many of your items out there.
Mine started because I had listed a shepherd hook bookmark in my Etsy shop. It had green luster beads that were wire wrapped. A wonderful buyer by the name of Amanda passed through my shop and saw it. She contacted me to ask if I could make 130 of these for her wedding next year! 130! OMG, I have never made so many of one item before! Of course, I overlooked my misgivings and said yes.
I am totally one of those OOAK (one of a kind) artists. Making more than one of any item just spells tedium and boredom to me. It seems to block my creativity but this girl was so sweet and I really wanted to make her wedding special so I gave in to it. I proceeded to reserve the listing for her...
We spent at least 3 weeks going back and forth finding just the right beads. We decided to try to mimic the luster beads with similar beads without the luster. She settled on dark purple, green, and blue. (Oh! I forgot to mention that these were gifts for her guests). Below are the beads we chose:
Once we settled into the choice of beads, I purchased what I needed to complete the order. Here we go! I was so overwhelmed but forged ahead anyway! I spent every spare moment wrapping beads or assembling the finished piece. I was making these in my sleep!
Anyway, I survived it and finished the order this week-end. My customer is thrilled I finished and cannot wait to get the finished product. She came across a really cute saying, "Thank you for helping us to mark our special day!" I love that and hope she will hang those tags to the bags the bookmarks are in. This is the finished product:
I am so relieved to have these done so I can move on to something new but I am also a bit sad and bittersweet that my convos and camaraderie with this wonderful buyer will come to an end!
Wishing you a beautiful life filled with love and joy with your new husband, Amanda!!
You did a beautiful job on the bookmarks! I think for us OOAK beaders, the huge custom orders try our patience and expand us into learning quicker routines.
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