frequently asked Commission Questions:
COMMISSIONS
Are you accepting commissions currently?
At this time a few commissions are being accepted for 2023, however, please contact me directly to ask about the calendar availability or time schedule.
As more commissions continue to be received through the year, the further out availability will be and can vary by several months and will soon extend into 2024. If your request is for a gift, please let me know the exact deadline.
Please also consider adding extra time in advance for holiday delivery. Ex. Christmas holiday delivery should be commissioned no later than October 1st.
How long will a custom illumination take?
Average commissions start to finish take approximately 6-12 weeks once goldwork begins plus shipping time. Oversized pieces or extensive gilding may require longer.
Will you come to my location to gild?
Yes, if expenses are paid and the item is safely stabilized in advance and a safe environment is provided. However, due to physical limitations because of back injury, gilding will only be on objects on a case-by-case basis. I cannot gild ceilings, outdoors, walls, or climb scaffolding.
Do you do restorations of frames?
I am a specialized illuminator and will gild some objects on occasion but not frames due to orders, storage, and time constraints. Please contact the Society of Gilders for a list of available full-time gilders who will be glad to assist you.
Can I send you an object to be gilded?
If approved, yes items such as iconography panels or small objects or antique refurbishment etc can be considered, but I am not responsible for damage during the process or shipping, or loss due to shipping or transporting to or from your location. Please send a message and detailed photos for consultation.
Can I see the progress of my Commissioned work?
Yes absolutely! Progress photos will gladly be shared with the patron, privacy will be respected if the commission is a gift until after delivery.
Do you make cards or certificates for anniversaries or weddings?
Yes, absolutely! Please contact for availability and price list.
Do you guarantee your work?
With reasonable care, your illumination should be kept under museum glass and kept away from moisture, temperature change, drafts, crushing and direct sunlight. With normal careful care as you do with any fine art, your illumination should last for generations to come; the 24k gold is pure and will not tarnish.
But, in the rare event your illumination needs conservation, a consultation appointment must first be made before a repair will be provided at a minimal cost.
In the event of a complete loss due to theft or fire, proof of loss must be provided and a consultation must be first be had before full replacement will be considered at a negotiated cost.
Is your gold ethically sourced?
Yes, I only work with trusted suppliers for all of my materials for purity and reliability and ethical sourcing. Currently, I only order my 24k gold and palladium from Wehrung and Billmeier founded in 1905, the last domestic goldbeater in the United States, and Giusto Manetti Battiloro of Florence, Italy founded in 1820.
Will you work with mixed or imitation metals?
No. I will only work with pure, precious, noble metals. Please do not ask me to use inferior imitation or schlagmetals.
Can you use gemstones in your work?
Yes, I can use crushed or whole gemstones.
Do you share your collector’s list?
No, the privacy of all of my Collectors and Patrons is very important.
PRICING
Pricing is dependent on each piece individually and will require a quote - please contact for a general price list.
24k Illuminated originals:
Each rare illuminated original is a culmination of years of research and refining of ancient pastiglia and gilding techniques. These highly exclusive works of fine art are meticulously sketched, sculpted, and hand-gilded with a triple layer of pure noble 24k gold and unable to be duplicated.
Collectors can bask in the luxurious sparkling warmth pure gold brings and feel pride knowing they have an exquisite heirloom to enjoy for generations to come, and are supporting the preservation of centuries-old master techniques.
Each illumination is one of a kind; some works have been available originally only to private patrons but select pieces will now be available to public collectors on a first come first serve basis and priced accordingly.
Gilding Rate:
$125. per hour
(4-hour minimum)
Custom Work:
First Consult: Free
First Preporatory Sketch: $150 hand sketched with two free revisions
Rate: All work done on an 'estimated' quote dependant on size, materials used, current gold/platinum pricing and estimated shipping and is subject to change at any time, work will not continue until written agreement from patron is finalized.
Deposit: half of the estimated time and materials cost required before work will further beyond initial concept sketch. Deposit is applied to total and is non-refundable.
Final Payment: Upon completion payment in full of deposit, hourly creation rate, materials used, and matting/framing if requested. Shipping charges will all be satisfied in the final payment by PayPal, cash or personal check before artwork is delivered.
Shipping: Upon receipt of final full satisfied payment, artwork will be shipped directly through UPS with a tracking number provided.
Cancellation: Any artwork commission canceled will still be charged the initial sketch fee, hours worked, and the non-refundable deposit. *Materials, planning, and time spent on your project means time was not given to the next client waiting on their creation.
The Artist reserves the right to cancel at any time. If she initiates the cancellation, any prepaid monies will be 100% refunded and the artist will retain the sketches, all original art and goldwork.
Duplication - Artist reserves all rights.
Events:
Are you available for gallery submissions or events?
Gallery Submissions - Yes, depending upon my schedule, a special themed piece may be able to be produced for your gallery, please check for availability.
Guest Artist - Full accommodations and rate must be paid in advance, contact for availability.
Outdoor Art Festivals - No, due to the nature of my work and the fine art gilding it is very difficult to bring my art out into humidity/rain/temperature changes. A temperature-controlled building may be considered.
Teaching - Yes, I am available for a variety of teaching and speaking engagements, please consult for dates and availability
Are you vaccinated?
Yes, I have had both of my injections and it is CDC documented; all illuminations are created in a safe environment.
Are you available for Domestic or International travel?
Yes, I am available for domestic US or international travel for teaching, speaking or custom work but only with advanced fully paid expenses, guarantee of comfort, proper provision of daily safe and refined accommodations, and secure transport to and from destinations.