|
|
|
The Commission Process for Customized Window
To inquire about an item presented on this site
or other custom design you would like to commission, contact my
studio noting its name or number and the dimensions in which you
would like the item to be constructed. Please provide your phone
number along with days and hours in which I may contact you to
arrange a free consultation.
All work is custom, made to order, and meticulously created to your
complete specifications. Much of the design work is done through
email and a personalized "client page". Among its numerous
benefits, this unique presentation provides design options from
which you may easily choose the final design. It then acts as a
venue through which you may follow the process and status of the
project through its
completion.
In order to better
familiarize yourself with stained glass terms used in the process of
its creation, you may review them by clicking
here.
The Process
The
Starting Phase
-
Setting up
the first meeting may be done in person, over the telephone,
through the exchange of e-mail or even in a chat session over
the internet.
-
If you are located within 50 miles of Charlotte,
I will personally visit your home or business where you want the
project to be displayed, and will call you to arrange a
convenient appointment time for this free consultation.
-
The on-site consultation begins with a review of the location
for the project to be hung or installed, with measurements
documented for the opening which is to receive the piece.
-
Framing is
discussed
-
Windows made for installation are framed in zinc.
-
Free-hanging windows are also framed in zinc. If you want your
finished window to be framed in wood, this is discussed and
noted.
-
Theme, style, and colors for the project are discussed and
noted.
-
Pattern books are presented, lending a visual to options in
selecting a basic pattern layout.
-
Deadline or finish date for completion is noted.
-
If you
are located outside of the Charlotte area,
I will call you to discuss a convenient time for a free
consultation.
-
The off-site consultation begins with a discussion of the
location for the project to be hung or installed.
-
If the window is free hanging, dimensions are discussed and
noted.
-
If the window is to be installed, specific directions will be
given for measuring the opening which is to receive the piece.
-
Framing is
discussed
-
Windows made for installation are framed in zinc.
-
Free-hanging windows are also
framed in zinc. If you want your finished window to be framed in
wood, this is discussed and noted.
Theme, style, and colors for the project are discussed and
noted.
Very helpful in this process is a photograph
taken of the area where the window is to be displayed.
Deadline or finish date for completion is
noted.
The Design Phase
Designed and created with your needs, interests, and tastes
in mind.
- Determine the basic design
Having an idea of the pattern, desired, and colors, if possible,
will reduce design time fees. If you have an idea of what you
want or you select a pre-existing pattern (versus us creating a
completely custom one for you) the design fees may only be 1-2
hours. When developing the initial design concept, the best
design can be produced by incorporating the ideas from your
input. This can include:
Motifs from fabric samples or wallpaper swatches.
You can verbalize a description, put a description into a text
document, sketch something up, take a photo, fine something
similar, or offer a picture from a magazine or from the
internet.
We can scan pictures and designs and transfer them to your
computer for review.
Foil or lead, or a combination of both is discussed.
The copper foil technique, method involves wrapping the pieces
of glass with copper foil and soldering them together along the
length of the seams.
Copper foil can be used as an alternative to lead in any
instance at the personal preference of the user. It is much
stronger than lead when soldered, needs no putty, is waterproof,
and allows you to do intricately detailed projects where the
bulky look and weight of lead would detract from the aesthetics
of a delicate design.
The process of interlocking and assembling pieces of glass
together using lead came is called "leading".
Reinforcement needs are considered and discussed.
A general rule of thumb is to reinforce panels over three square
feet. The pattern is marked for placement of reinforcing bars or
strip as reminders of their location during cutting and
construction.
Reinforcing should be added horizontally approximately every 12
to 18 inches to keep the window from sagging or buckling from
the pull of gravity.
Options for incorporating bevels, bevel clusters,
specifically textured glass, rondels, nuggets, jewels,
agates, crystals, shells or polished stones into the design
are discussed.
Design Fees:
- I can translate most photographs, pictures
and even customers' sketches into workable stained glass panel
patterns.
Graphic design services for custom patterns: $25 per hour
(minimum 1 hour; average 3-5 hours)
If you are looking at a completely custom window over 3 foot
square, expect a design fee of approx. $100-$150 - depending on
the number of design hours and the number of changes.
Complete preliminary drawings
The design will be generated. This will allow us to put your
selected glass colors into the design and generate and e-mail to
you or print out for you to review.
Glass Selection - Once a design has been arrived at , it is time
to begin the glass selection process.
Glass colors and textures can be chosen from a wide range of
choices, depending on what seems most appropriate for the
design. Glass is carefully selected for maximum brilliance,
transmission of light, and markings (streaks and blends).
Fine tuning of the design
Adjustments are made to customer's specifications, refining
pattern to final design.
Preparation is made to finalize customer design proposal.
Using the types of glass and size of the project I will
calculate the cost and come up with a quote.
Finalize design
Several design options are presented for final approval, along
with sample glass pieces indicative of the colors and textures.
Once it is approved, we request a 50% deposit before production
begins.
Payment Policy
Upon completion the project item is carefully packaged weighed
and measured.
The shipping cost is then calculated and added to the remaining
50% balance.
Due upon completion and prior to shipping
Payment Options:
You may pay the deposit and final payment through PayPal to:
stainedglass@ihiceations.com
You may call at 704-391-8951 to place your order
You may also send your payments in the form of a check or money
order through regular mail to:
IHI Creations
PMB 269
9548-D Mt. Holly - Huntersville Road
Charlotte, NC 28078
|
|
