Commissioning a piece of jewellery sounds more complicated than it is. At Spruce Crest Path, the process is straightforward: you describe what you want, Mika Tanigawa draws three options, you choose one, and the piece is made. The whole thing takes six to eight weeks from the drawing stage. Here is what each step actually involves.
Writing the brief ¶
The brief can be as specific or as open as you like. Some people arrive with a clear idea: a ring, 10 mm wide, sterling, with a bevel on the outer edge. Others have a feeling rather than a specification: something that looks structural, or something that works with a piece they already own. Both are fine starting points. The brief is taken by email after the deposit is paid. If you are not sure how to describe what you want, a photograph of something you like, even if it is not jewellery, is useful.
The drawing stage ¶
After the brief is received, three options are drawn on paper. The drawings are done on isometric grid paper and show the piece at actual size, with dimensions noted. They are photographed and sent by email. You choose one direction, or ask for a variation on one of the three. If none of the three are right, the drawing stage is repeated at no extra charge. This stage takes about a week. No metal is touched until the drawing is approved.
Making the piece ¶
Once the drawing is approved, the piece goes into the making queue. The making stage takes four to six weeks depending on complexity and the current queue length. For a ring, the process is: scribe the template onto sheet metal, saw to shape, file to dimension, form on a mandrel, rivet or solder as required, oxidise selectively, finish through four grits of paper. A pendant with cold-connected layers takes longer because each layer is made and finished separately before assembly.
Fitting and sizing ¶
For rings, sizing is confirmed before the drawing stage begins. A ring sizer can be posted to you on request, or you can measure the internal diameter of a ring that fits and the size will be matched. Commissions can be made to any size, not just the standard Japanese 10-20 range. For bracelets, wrist circumference is taken by measuring with a tape or a strip of paper. Pendants and earrings do not require sizing.
Delivery and what comes with the piece ¶
Finished commission pieces are shipped by Japan Post with tracking. The piece comes in the same folded kraft box as all studio work, with a card noting the piece number, the date it was finished, and the metal used. For commissions, the card also notes the brief reference. Domestic delivery takes two to four days. International delivery by EMS takes seven to fourteen days. The deposit of 5,000 yen is deducted from the final invoice.
If you are thinking about a commission and want to ask a question before paying the deposit, email hello@sprucecrestpath.com. Mika Tanigawa replies within two business days.