If you’ve been following us you’ve probably heard us say “It’s about the people we meet along the way”. We say that because BZ FurFur, first and foremost, is a business of people. As much as we love bringing our own ideas to life, the ideas we create for our customers are truly unique and one-of-a-kind. Every customer we have done a custom order for is part of the BZ FurFur family and we love each of you. That is why, when you are ready to create something custom with us, we have some suggestions for creating the best piece possible.
- Communication is paramount. Our job is to create something that you will love and cherish for the rest of your life. To realize your vision I am going to have questions. This could be timely feedback on a mockup, questions about the dimensions of the piece, or information about where it is going to be hung. Timely responses to emails and text messages help me tremendously in the creative process and help to get your custom piece in your hands as quickly as possible.
- Be realistic about your budget. Hand-burned pieces can take hours, or even days, to create. You must be realistic about the price you are willing to pay. Chances are, if you are expecting prices comparable to factory-made pieces you are going to be disappointed. Be honest about your budget and, if the price is too high, maybe hand-made isn’t the best option for you right now.
- Start with an idea. It’s ok not to have your idea fully fleshed out but you should have a general idea of what you want. Think about where it is going to go and how much space you are looking to fill so you know the right shape and dimensions. Think about the concept and what you would like to see brought to life. It is ok to not know the specifics of the final layout, color palettes, fonts, etc. That will be brought to life in the design process, but a good foundation for your artists to start with is key.
- Trust your artist. Remember, you chose this artist because you love their work, they evoked some emotion or feeling, and you are looking for the same in the piece they are creating for you. Let them bring your idea to life. It is important that you are happy with the final product but, remember, a happy artist is going to enjoy working on your piece which means they are going to put that extra bit of love into it and it will show through in the final product.
Creating a piece with your artist is a collaborative effort and, although the artist is the one putting the heat to the wood, your input plays as significant a role in creating the best final product possible. Trust your artist but also trust yourself and you’ll create something beautiful together. Do you have your own thoughts on what goes into making a great custom piece? Tag us @bz_furfur and let us know and, as always, stay unique.
