One-Off designs; Unique Pieces?
What does it mean when I talk about my jewellery being one-offs
or
unique pieces?
If you buy one of my one-off pieces, it will be exclusive to you.
No-one else will have another one exactly like it. I may make
variations with other stones or make other similar pieces as I
develop a theme, but none will be the same as yours. Unless I
say explicitly that I am willing to remake a piece in different
sizes, you can be assured that it is a one-off design.
The other way to tell is when you see this symbol on a page.
What about unique? I hope you will agree that most of my
designs are unlike any other makers'. Of course, there are
myriad jewellers around the world, and I can't guarantee that none
of us will have had similar ideas (especially for the simpler
designs) but I do my utmost to avoid copying other designers' work
(though I will admit freely to admiring and being
inspired by many).
Exclusivity does come at a price, though. The cost of a one-off piece reflects not just the cost of the materials used but also the time taken to develop the design and to fabricate it. Almost inevitably one-off pieces have to be hand-crafted. That is time-consuming work, but brings qualities that would be lost in mass-production.
For my limited-edition pieces, I can reduce the cost by having moulds made from an original and getting copies cast. Think of them as the equivalent of an artist selling high-quality prints of their work.
A one-off piece is the original oil painting?
So much for cost. Value is a different matter, of course, and what's important there is whether you actually like my work. I hope you do.