Whether you call them "Customs", "Specials" or just "my earrings", jewelry from Stefanie Somers® crafted especially for you and your wardrobe is a unique experience, one that supplies a finishing touch like no other.
How does it happen? What's the process?
It's actually very simple.
Because every piece from SSC is made to order, creating your piece for your wardrobe is just a few extra steps.
Custom requests usually fall into four categories:
The Color Match
The most common thing we get in the studio is a request to color match wardrobe. We don't mind this a bit. We've been at this for decades, and it's a snap for us. We need good photos, and sometimes the bead packet from the gown, but it helps ensure a good match and we're happy to do it. Color match requests can land in any of the next three places... and you may know exactly what you need here too...
The Color Swap
The easiest type is a simple color swap. If you know what you need, for example you see the perfect piece but it features just the right color accented with Crystal AB - and you need clear Crystal accents - the easiest thing to do is contact us and ask for a simple tweak.
A simple color swap is generally easy and doesn't require any extra time or upcharge. Now if it's a more unusual color that you need inserted, that can change things. But if we're changing out one "normal" color for another, that's a pretty simple request, one that usually does not require any upcharges or extra fees.
The Color Add
The next most common, and also generally not too tough is the request to add a color to an existing palette.
For instance, we had a client recently who wanted some purple crystal added to our Lush (green mix) palette. This one requires a little more work, and some color-mapping - so more time in the studio. This equals a bit of an upcharge, usually about 10-15% depending on the complexity of the design and type of stoning.
The Custom ColorWay
The last type of request we see is for a complete custom palette. Here good photos, taken in good lighting are the key to a happy ending - sometimes with a bead packet thrown in for good measure. Once we see photos we can let you know if we need more info. Complete custom palettes will usually require at least a 15% upcharge, occasionally more depending on the complexity of the colorway and design.
What about PEARLS?
Faux pearls can be added to almost (almost...) any of our designs. A few accents generally does not require an upcharge. More than a sprinkle though does change the landscape of how a piece is put together and usually bumps a piece by 10% or so. Converting a design to mostly pearls is also possible, but is a custom request, and is handled on an individual basis.
It all starts with photos. Good, clear, large, high-resolution photos.
Not stock photos, not videos.
YOUR PHOTOS.
Bonus points if we can see the facets on the crystals.
Whether you reach out to us directly or work through one of our retailers, the process is the same. Contact us, let us know your design & wear date and send us your pictures. We'll talk.
Timeframe is a little longer for Custom ColorWays than our off-the-rack palettes, but not too much - unless of course you need something terrible crazy that we need to bring in.
Keep an open mind
One thing to keep in mind, is to keep an open mind. Why do we say that? Because for many colors, availability has become... problematic. If you've chosen a pavé design, no worries. If, however, you've selected a design that uses various "fancy" cut crystals in let's say, "certain colors" that have been cut back in recent years... we may have to dance around a bit.
Make no mistake, no one dances around color like SSC. We have all the moves. But we still have to dance around a few things. Everything is simply not cut in everything. We'll guide you.
GOOD PHOTOS = GREAT RESULTS
our Custom ColorWays start with you:
Full Length
Let us see the overall picture of what your wardrobe piece looks like. If we're only working on color, we don't have to see your face (although we'd sure love to!) If though, you're asking for a design recommendation please DO let us see what you look like!
Sketches
If your gown isn't in your hands yet... we can work from sketches. Sometimes we'll have a sketch, a photo of a gown for color, and a photo of another gown for beading. We can assemble this package to put together exactly what we need to create your perfect accents.
Close-ups
Perhaps the most important of all, the closeups images are what let us zero in on the perfect colors we need to make your look perfectly polished and completely finished,
Don't skimp here! You can never send us too many photos!
This is where we begin. Once we receive your information, we'll be in touch!
Please feel free to tell us as much as you'd like.
If you need more space, email us at concierge@stefaniesomers.com with anything additional you'd like to add.
Remember, your information and images are always safe with us.
Our systems, both digital and in-house are 100% secure and on a need-to-know basis.
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.