A CustomMade Custom Connection

Here at CustomMade we make connections for people all the time. For this article I wanted to feature one of our own, Michele Pearl, Chief Product Officer, and share her Custom Connection story.

Not being able to control herself any longer (as the urge to buy new custom things is very powerful around here) Michele decided she wanted a custom bracelet and went ahead and posted her project on our jobs board.  She thought she wanted a silver cuff, about 3” wide, in hammered silver. She also had to stay in her budget of $200.

Shortly after her initial post, she heard from five interested makers. Based on her own ideas, her budget, and the work shown on the artists’ CustomMade portfolios, she decided to work with Laura Friedman of LSF Designs in Metal. Michele contacted Laura and sent her a picture of what she had in mind.

When I spoke to Laura she said she was thrilled Michele chose her. After seeing the image Michele sent her, she immediately made six drawings of various shapes and designs and scanned them to her. They went back and forth about the exact shape and size and together decided, based on the metal and the design, that a 2″ cuff would be a better size. Michele felt completely confident that Laura understood her style, would be able to capture her vision, and would make her a fantastic statement piece.

Laura then created a prototype out of brass and sent the picture to Michele, who was thrilled with what she saw:

Prototype in brass by LSF Designs in Metal on CustomMade.com

After Michele approved the prototype, she cut the silver and began working. Laura communicated her progress via many emails which kept Michele involved in the entire process.  Michele’s gorgeous bracelet was completed 30 days after the initial job post.

Michele's Sterling Anticlastic Cuff Bracelet by LSF Designs in Metal on CustomMade.com

Michele's Sterling Anticlastic Cuff Bracelet by LSF Designs in Metal on CustomMade.com

Laura said she was hesitant to become a member of Custommade but is thrilled she decided to join. She says she loves doing custom work: “Its very different than making a piece you like and trying to sell it. I enjoy the back and forth, trying to pull out what the customers are thinking, to have it come together through drawings and pictures, and finding that meeting point where you co-create something personal and unique.”

Being the co-creator in your custom piece is exactly what the custom experience is all about, and communicating on-line is easy and as personal as you want it to be.

To see more of Laurie’s beautiful metal work click here: http://www.custommade.com/by/lsfdesignsinmetal/projects/