The first step in starting a custom project is to contact our design consultants via email, phone, or setting up an appointment in our Andover, NY showroom. During this conversation we'll discuss the piece you're hoping to create, your budget, and your time frame. Things to think about:
Once your Walkers design consultant has a good understanding of the custom piece you're wanting created we will provide you with a written price quote. Sometimes this quote is very specific and sometimes it will be a range of pricing that is dependent on some pending detail. Occasionally the price will be a certain amount "plus stone" meaning that we know the cost of the item, but we're still deciding on the stone.
Custom quotes are valid for 30 days.
*Custom Quotes are priced before tax. Sales Tax is collected in New York State per current sales tax guidelines.
Before we can start any custom design there are a few details Walkers designers will need to confirm beyond the overall vision.
Once you've decided to have Walker's create a custom piece for you and you're satisfied with the custom price quote we do require a $250-$500 non-refundable design deposit based on the scope of the project. This design deposit pays for the artists time to consult with you and create a sketch or digital rendering of the design as well as any revisions. While we do provide as many revisions as is reasonable to be sure you're happy with your new piece do keep in mind that each revision can take 1-2 weeks to achieve depending on complexity. If you have a deadline in mind revisions can push out the timeline of your project.
If at some point you'd like to start over with an entirely different concept after a design has been created and revised then an additional design deposit may be required. This is different than a revision in that the design is not being modified, but changed entirely. Your design fees are always subtracted from your overall custom quote at time of purchase.
If at any point you decide that you'd prefer not to move forward with creating the custom project after the design has been created the design fee is not refundable, but no further charges for the total custom quote are owed. We will keep your design on file if you'd like to proceed with it at a later date.
* All custom designs and copyrights are owned by Walker Metalsmiths, Inc. and are subject to all applicable copyright laws unless explicitly stated in writing otherwise.
Now that you've seen a model, sketch, or digital image of your custom design you're ready to have it made! Once the design has been agreed on our sales staff will reach out to you to pay a 50% deposit minus your design deposit towards your project. Once paid we begin work on your custom piece. The crafting and finishing process usually take 2-3 weeks.
Once your item is completed we'll send an invoice for the remaining balance and confirm shipping information. Custom projects are always shipped with signature confirmation for added security.
Walker Metalsmiths does reserve the right to hold orders for payment to clear or to confirm billing or shipping information.
As with all of our rings we do offer a free resizing on custom rings within 90 days of receiving your ring. We're always happy to adjust chain lengths and other sizing needs.
* Custom work is not returnable or exchangeable. We work to ensure your complete satisfaction with our work throughout the design process. If at any point you feel a change needs to be made please let us know.
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We are glad to quote inventory status of any item. Please call 800 488 6347. In the past we have been very good about having items in stock even up to Christmas. It is still wise to order early for your best chances of excellent service and selection.
]]>We accept MasterCard, Visa or Discover. If you would rather not provide your Credit Card information on line you may pay by phone. If ordering by mail you may pay by credit card, check or money order. Orders by check are held till clear. Credit cards are charged at the time of shipment except for custom orders and all orders over $950. On Custom order or orders over $950 we will charge total cost before the work begins.
Foreign Orders
We cannot accept checks or money orders in currencies other than US dollars. (In this respect the US banking system is very much behind the rest of the world) Credit cards are the best method of payment. It is easy for us and the customer gets the best possible exchange rate. If credit card payment is not an option we can take bank drafts or money orders payable in US Dollars. Taxes and tariffs may be due upon receipt. Each country has it's own rules. Taxes and tariffs are the responsibility of you, the recipient.
]]>Foreign orders are most economically shipped through the post office. Please call for shipping costs of foreign orders. Taxes and tariffs may need to be paid as well and are the responsibility of the customer.
]]>After the first exchange or for express shipping your only charge within the 90 days would be for shipping, unless the size exchange causes an increase in price (for gold rings only). If the size is in a different price range you will either be refunded or charged the difference.
Rings that have been engraved or otherwise altered may not be covered under our free sizing guarantee and are not returnable. Before you have your rings engraved you should make sure that the design and fit are to your liking.
]]>As a living art form, Celtic Art can only be sustained by pursuing the goal of mastery of the creative process that ultimately results in new and imaginative work. The work shown here is not an imitation of historical Celtic Art but rather an affirmation that new and original creations are authentic continuations of that artistic heritage.
The work illustrated on these pages represents the creative effort of Stephen Walker and various other craftsmen and designers. With the exceptions of several of the simplest knots, none of these designs should be considered public domain. It is commonly and wrongly supposed that all Celtic designs are ancient and therefore free from copyright restrictions. The truth is that new, traditionally correct designs often look as if they could be very old, but they are none-the-less intellectual property of the artist.
Use of copyright designs by anyone other than the artist requires permission in the case of personal use or a licensing agreement in the case of commercial use. All rights reserved.
]]>Do feel free to copy any of the JPEGs on this site if you wish to e-mail them to friends, lovers or family in the process of shopping and comparing. Please obtain permission before publishing any of our JPEGs to a web page.
When the design is original, as with the Ceol mo Chridhe ring (R2), both the design and the carving are protected by copyright. The original knot work pattern of this ring may not be copied without permission in any media.
]]>50% of the cost of the platinum ring is charged when the order is placed and the balance when the order is complete.
]]>This is not like permanent enamel and often it will get lighter or will disappear entirely. We have learned to create a matt finish on the background that makes an excellent contrast with the raised pattern without a antique finish.
You can get the silver rings without the antique finish if you would like.
]]>Silver will sometimes cause skin staining, usually black or green. In most cases this causes no physical harm and is an aesthetic rather than a health problem. Silver will naturally turn black when it oxidizes. The amino acids in your skin can accelerate this. When it is hot, two factors occur. The metal is more reactive to oxidation when it is warmer and perspiration can cause a chemically reactive climate. If the jewelry turns color you can polish it, if the skin turns color you have to decide how much this bothers you. In cooler weather the problem might go away but it could be that your chemistry is not compatible with the material.
Since we have gone to using the deoxidizing alloys we have had very few complaints about green fingers but we do still have a few. When silver or the skin it contacts turns green it is a reaction with the copper in the alloy. Some customers have had good luck polishing the inside of their rings daily for the first week or so. As the copper reacts and is polished away there is a gradual depletion of the copper near the surface available to react with the chemistry of the skin. As that copper is depleted the problem lessens.
If you have an actual rash, blistering, irritation or infection by all means take the jewelry off until it clears up. If you have an allergy to the metal you can return it for a refund within 30 days. Other factors besides the metal may be causing the problem. Most frequently soap trapped behind the ring irritates the skin or persistent dampness behind the ring causes a rash. Be sure to rinse well and dry under the ring, especially if the ring is a wide one.
]]>We can also create a new design just for you. We will have you work with one of our talented designers to come up with that special piece you've been dreaming of. There is a $250 non refundable design fee for any sketches or renderings of new designs. This fee will be credited towards your total cost of the item once you've approved the design.
If you have an idea for a custom design you can email us at service@walkermetalsmiths.com to get started or call us at 800-488-6347
Please do not send me photos of another craftsman's work and ask me to copy it. I respect other designers' copyrights and expect them to respect mine.
"If I show you a picture of something can you make it?" often is asking me to steal someone else’s design. I have two problems with this. If the designer is living it is probably a copyright design that would be unethical and illegal for me to copy, but also I am a designer in my own right and what precious time I spend carving new models I intend to spend on my own designs
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Custom orders and standard items that have been modified/customized are not returnable or exchangeable. Items that have been engraved are considered custom and therefor not returnable. If an item has been customized by another party or is otherwise not in "like new" condition it is not returnable or exchangeable.
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