This post is all about what you need to know about Something Different Upcycled custom orders and how to start one.
TL; DR: Send me a message with the details of what you’re looking for. I’ll reply with a quote and a timeline for completion. Once you agree to that, I’ll set up a custom listing for you and send you the link to complete the purchase. Then I’ll get to work! (If you’re seriously interested in custom work, though, you really need to read the long version below.)
First things first, thanks! I know that you have a lot of choices and I’m so glad that you’re here. I really do appreciate your interest in a custom Something Different Upcycled item. Please know that making an inquiry about a custom order is the beginning of a conversation. It does not in any way obligate you to place an order.
Great! You found me! Now what?
The best way to start an inquiry about a custom order is to send me a message here or a DM on Instagram or Etsy, whichever is easiest for you. Tell me what type of item(s) you’re looking for (including size and colour, if you know) and any other information that you think I need at this stage. I’ll ask questions if I need more. You should expect that once I have all the information I need, I will include a quote for the work and a timeline for its completion in a reply message. You should feel free to ask questions at any point along the way.
I’d also love to know how you found me! Did you find out about custom orders on an existing product listing page? Or maybe through one of the blog posts that mentions custom work (like this one about gifts for your wedding party or this one about end-of-year gifts for teachers). Maybe you found me on Instagram or at Homemade Community Shoppe in Chilliwack, BC. Or from a friend who’s got a Something Different Upcycled item. Regardless of how you got here, welcome!
But what if you just want to know if you can order something that’s sold out?
Send me a message! Some items are OOAK (one-of-a-kind), which means that they’re one of one, but I may be able to put together another option for you. Please note that because I only use thrifted, deadstock, and/or upcycled fabrics, I may not have any more of your first choice of fabric and cannot get any more. I’ll let you know if this is the case for the item that you’re looking for and suggest some alternatives.
If you’re just looking for a slightly modified version of an existing item (longer or shorter straps, smaller or larger napkins, multipurpose cloths, or key leashes, for example), that’s fairly straightforward and should be no problem. Again, send me a message to see if it is possible!
Hooray! You’ve decided to go ahead with the custom order! What happens next?
Once we’ve agreed on specifics for the work, including a timeline for completion and a quote for the price, I’ll set up a custom listing for you on Etsy, if you’re ordering online. Otherwise, we’ll make other arrangements for payment if you’re more local to me and if you’re comfortable with that option. (I am always happy to set up a custom listing through Etsy if you prefer that.)
I’ll message you with a link to the listing for your custom order. Once you’ve reviewed the listing and completed the purchase, I’ll get to work!
Please remember that I am located in the Pacific time zone in Canada. I do my best to reply to messages and inquiries as quickly as possible but please keep any time difference in mind when looking for my replies.
Will I send you updates along the way?
For straightforward custom orders, such as for a single item or even a few items, probably not. I will, of course, keep you posted about any changes or delays (very unlikely but things do happen occasionally).
For larger orders, such as custom wedding favours or other event commemoration items, we can keep in touch as the work progresses. If this is important to you, please note that you want this in your initial inquiry so that I can build check-in points into the timeline for completion.
Important Note: Custom orders are final sale. For orders of 6 or more of the same item, I’ll send you photos of a sample piece made with your requested fabrics. Work will stop until you approve the sample. Once you’ve approved the sample, the order becomes final sale and will proceed according to the process described above
Why is your custom order a different price than a similar item in my shop?
If I have all of the materials for your order already in my inventory, and you are ordering up to 5 items that are basically the same as another item in my shop, the price per item will be the same as that similar item (size, shape, material) in the shop. A custom order fee (15% of the price of each item) will be added . The shipping time will also be a bit delayed – I do need some time to actually MAKE your item(s), after all. So instead of 1-2 business days, it will likely be closer to 3-5 days. Again, I will provide a timeline for completion and shipping in my reply message to your inquiry.
Orders of more than 5 of the same item will be quoted on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand…
If I need to source materials for specifically for your order, the price will be different and the timeline for completion of the work will be longer. A key part of Something Different Upcycled’s business is using only thrifted and deadstock fabrics, which means that the process of finding the perfect fabric for your order could be very time consuming. The price I quote will take this into account. This is why I strongly suggest getting in touch with your inquiry as soon as you can for time-sensitive orders, such as those for weddings. Remember that just asking about custom work does not oblige you to purchase, so feel free to get in touch as soon as you have a date that you need your items.
Special note for custom orders of over $150 in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley: free delivery by me (not a courier or delivery service) is always included in my quoted price. I will personally hand over your order to you or your designated receiver.
You have fabric that you’d like me to work with to make your custom order. How can we make that happen?
Ooooh! Fun! Send me a DM or a message and describe a bit about what you’d like me to make, what the fabric is like, etc. I’ll ask for photos or video of the fabric and we can go from there! If you’re fairly local to me, we can set up a time to get together to discuss your order. I’ll collect the fabric from you at that point too. Otherwise, I’ll provide you with a shipping address once payment has been received.
Custom work with customer-provided fabrics is limited to items that are in the Something Different Upcycled product line. At this time, I do not have the resources to design a custom pattern for your item. That said, if you’re looking for a longer or shorter strap for a bag, a specific size of zippered pouch or key leash or something else, that should be possible.
Clean please!
Regardless of what you want me to make or the type of fabric that you want me to use, any customer-provided fabrics MUST be clean before I will accept them. Failure to do so will result in an additional $50 service fee, regardless of the size of the order or piece of fabric. This fee must be paid before I start work on your order. I reserve the right to refuse to work with any fabric that comes to me without being cleaned.
If you’re not sure what kind of fabric you have or how it should be cleaned, I suggest taking it to a professional cleaner, fabric shop, or clothing maker (seamstress/alterations specialist/tailor) and ask them to help you identify it.
In general, though, if it has been washed in a standard washing machine in the past, just run it through again before sending it to me.
By default, I will return any leftover fabric to you with your completed item(s). Please let me know if you do not wish to receive the leftover fabrics. I’ll turn them into other Something Different Upcycled items or otherwise repurpose them.
Did I miss anything? Leave a comment below or send me a message if you have any additional questions.