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Made By Hand in Ottawa, Canada Since 1986 mjg@gilbertpewter.com

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Commissioned Work I seldom undertake custom orders these days. Some time ago I decided to specialize in making only my own designs. This keeps me pretty busy and allows me to concentrate on the creative aspects of the business. However, if you have an interesting project - something that is sculptural, detailed, and technically challenging - you might be able to tempt me! Here are the criteria I use when deciding whether to accept a commission: Is the project interesting to me personally? Will it be an artistic and technical challenge? Is the project appropriate for production in pewter? In particular, is the project suitable for the hand-made techniques I employ? How many pieces are to be produced from the original artwork? If the answer is more than 50 pieces, then you should probably approach a large manufacturer. In hiring me to make the project, you'll be hiring me to make the original artwork, and the moulds, as well as casting and finishing the final pewter version of the design. I do not copy other people's work, nor do I make moulds from other people's originals so that they can be reproduced elsewhere. Do you have a deadline to meet? It normally takes between 8 and 16 weeks to complete a project - and it may take longer, over the Christmas season, for example. Prices for custom work are determined by the complexity of the project and the number of pieces to be made. The process is time consuming and labour-intensive, and the prices reflect that. Typically, the price for hiring me to make a specially-commissioned figurine in 1/24th scale (the size of one of my Park Bench figures) would begin between $500 and $1000, plus additional charges for the mould, for each piece made, and for incidentals like shipping, etc. If you have a custom project that you think might interest me, then feel free to contact me at: Michael J. Gilbert 714 Highland Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2A 2K7 E-mail: mjg@gilbertpewter.com Please supply as much information about your project as possible, including a description of the design, the size, the number of pieces you want to have made, and any deadline you have to meet. If you feel, based on the above, that your project wouldn't be suitable to approach me with, then you might try looking for another pewterer in your area (a local jewellery store might know of one, or you might find one through your provincial Crafts Council). Or if you're looking for a mass-production facility, try looking for a "manufacturing jeweller". Back to the top of this page Copyright © Michael J. Gilbert. All rights reserved.