Jewelry prices are going to vary, depending on cost of materials, degree of difficulty, etc. Most of what we produce are one-offs, never to be duplicated again, unless specifically requested. Dang-near anything you get from us is going to be "custom", in that no one else is going to have it. Also, prices will not be as they would be at, say, Walmart. For one thing, our quality is a whole lot better than mass-merchandiser-type costume jewelry; for another, we're not a large factory, somewhere in China. Most of the time, we have to get our supplies at the retail level, rather than wholesale, due to the small size of our operation. This is not some kind of affected exclusivity, and it doesn't drive the prices up; this is just how we operate. Sometimes, components that were used for a piece vanish from the market, and we just can't find any more- and so a duplicate item can't be made. These things happen. (Besides, cookie cutters are for making cookies!) We intend to charge fairly for our work- basically, cost plus labor and design. Some of our work is available, online, through the Etsy marketplace- our shop is located at http://www.LeopardstripesDesign.etsy.com .
This also holds true for our henna work: size and difficulty will be the dominant factors in how the work is priced. For the time being, though, we're not going to charge for in-house mehndi work- we plan to work on a "tips only" basis, when working here at the house. (When this period ends, we'll be removing this paragraph from the website- that'll tell you that we're finally getting a pricing structure set up, when it happens!) We understand that the standard out there is currently about $5 for small designs, around 2"-3" in diameter, so that's probably where pricing will start for us, when the time comes. We also ask for the right to photograph any mehndi work done during this startup period, for use on the website and in our Designs Book- if you are not willing to have any photos taken, please let us know. If you allow it, and you give us your email address, we'll send you copies of the pictures as attachments. (We don't, and probably never will, have a mailing list- we promise, no spamming!) Right now would be a great time for you to have us do some mehndi for you- the price is right, because it's really up to you what you'll pay for it!
Also, during this "beginner's time", we are available for parties. If you'd like us to come and decorate you and your guests, we are currently asking $15 as a booking fee, and all designs will be done for tips only, either from you, or from each individual decorated. The booking fee is being charged in order for us to cover our expenses: supplies, childcare, bindis, etc. Again, we would like to be permitted to photograph any mehndi work that we do, for the website and the Design Book. It would be a big help to us!
Travel: if we're going to be working off-site (that is, not at our usual place of business), there may be charges associated with that, depending on distance. We will not charge travel if you live in Boise, and there will be only very minimal charges for travel to Meridian or other nearby cities, around $5, depending on distance. Beyond that, the charge will be $5 per 20 miles of travel. This is subject to change, should gasoline prices rise precipitously. This charge will be applied, also, for pickup and delivery of jewelry items, should you need us to. Thank you for your understanding.
For repair work on jewelry, we will have some set prices, particularly for small things, such as the replacement of jumprings, small standard clasps (spring ring, lobster claw, etc.), and other basic (but vital!) components- unless we tell you otherwise, you can safely assume that these sorts of things are always going to be under $1, parts and labor. (And we can do them while you wait!) Restringing, restyling, or custom work (such as a new, handmade clasp added to an older piece, for example) will require a look at the piece and what condition it's in, and what-all will be required, before we can quote you a price. There are so many variations and possibilities with jewelry that we can't just put a flat-rate price on most things- something that could be said to have a box clasp, for example, could be any of dozens of kinds of box clasp- is it Swarovski? Is it Hill Tribe silver? Or is it a cheaper, stamp-filigree-type? You can see why we can't just set a standardized price list for most of it- very few things in jewelry-making are truly "standardized".
If you have any questions, about any of this, or anything at all- contact us!
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