ArtMetal

Today I received a phone call from someone who had placed an order for a ring from me a couple of weeks ago. Monday night they finally picked it up from me. This ring was made for someone as a gift, and on the inside they wanted me to engrave the name of the person and the husband with the number of years they had been married.

I did as asked, and then below the names as always I signed my name, the year, and 925 for sterling silver. I NEVER let anything leave my studio without my signature. Anyway, when they called me this afternoon they said they didn't want my name in the ring. They wanted to bring it back to me so that I could take it out...I have never been asked to take out my name before on anything I've ever made.

I thought that was a bit strange...after all when an artist is done with their work one of the most important parts is the signature, or so I thought.

Since, I don't let anything leave my studio without a Signature I called them back and said I sign everything I make, and that I could relocate my signature to the bottom of the ring, but I would not let it go without.

After I got off the phone with them, I kind of felt uncomfortable with the whole thing...why would you ask an artist to make something that is completely handmade, and then say to them to not sign their work???

I recently drew up an Ordering Policy to go with my Order forms, and thought that maybe this is something I should disclose in the case of Authenticity.

What would you do if you were in this position??? I'm willing to give them their money back on the piece, and take back the ring, buff out the other names and just sell it to someone who can appreciate the fact that this is made by hand and not stamped out and mass-produced. Where do you draw the line as an Artist to protect your work?

I guess I'm seeing from the prospective of if there's no sig. then it could have been made by anyone...maybe I'm overreacting, but I don't think so.

Any of your input would be great...help!

Cheers,

Jamie

Thanks to all of you and your advice. So to start, I received a commission piece last weekend from a client I met at the Pagan Pride Day Festival in September. Anyway, he wants me to create a piece for him that he will be using in ritual. I e-mailed him about my signature on his piece, and he hadn't really gave it much thought until now.

Because of ritual he is working with energies, and feels my signature is very personal to me and is afraid my energies would be a part of that piece.

So, he said he would let me know if this could be a problem for him...he feels that my sig. is a very important part of the piece, but for his belief system may not be good. He did mention my initials being a better way to go. Anyhow, I guess the crazy-ness is in all shapes and sizes.

Cheers!