Face-up's... overseas or same country

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?

It's a point in their favor if they live in my country, partly because shipping outside the country is far more expensive and it's just straight-up easier to ship within the country. But if there's an artist whose work I like who's outside of the country I'll happily send it to them. It's one of the things I consider when deciding who to commission but it's not the most important thing by far.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?

Twice, once to Singapore and once to the UK.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?

Not super-long, maybe a week. It's longer than shipping within the US, of course, but not really long. In both cases it was a much shorter wait than the wait for the faceup to get finished.

Customs fees

Didn't have any -- I marked the prices down low enough so it wouldn't be enough to get hit by customs. Unfortunately that means I couldn't insure them, but fortunately nothing untoward happened to them.

Shipping fees

...were pretty steep. Shipping to wasn't so bad but getting the heads BACK was very expensive -- when you have stuff shipped to you from overseas you very rapidly realize that even with the price hikes the US postal service is cheap. However, sometimes people overseas charge less than artists at the same skill level in the US. Most people state how much it will cost to ship the head back to you, and I factor that cost in when I'm deciding whether I can afford to/am willing to commission someone.

Lost in the mail/Wrong address

Nope.

Did you have separation anxiety?

No, but I never really do. Sometimes I have "I want to do something with this darned doll" separation irritation, but I don't worry about them when they're gone or anything.

Was there a language barrier?
No. The people I dealt with were either native English speakers or close enough that it made no difference.

Really my experiences sending dolls overseas for faceups have been just like my experiences mailing them around within the US except that the mail took a bit longer and the shipping cost a bit more.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
Yes, but that's only because of the shipping costs are so much cheaper. But I also love to collect faceups from various artists who's work I admire so in the end I probably would send my dolls to all corners of the earth anyway just to get them painted by an artist that I really like.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
Yes, many times. Both overseas to the US and also overseas in the other direction to Asia and Australia.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
Basically two weeks is the usual shipping time everywhere for packages that are insured and tracked.

Customs fees
Only once, and that time the customs charged me on a dollhead they shouldn't have put fees on. The head was only worth about $40 and the limit is $50 in Sweden. I think I had to pay around $25 in fees for a head that I already had gotten fees on the first time around.

Shipping fees
Usually around $25 in both directions.

Lost in the mail
Never happened *knock on wood*

Wrong address
Never happened.

Did you have separation anxiety?
Yeah, but it's worth the wait

Was there a language barrier?
Not on my part, but I don't know if native englishspeakers have trouble understanding me. In most cases english is neither my or the artist's first language but so far I don't feel that language has been an issue. Everything has worked out wonderfully in my faceup commissions.

Not being able to express what you want
I hardly ever know what I want So that's why I choose artists who's work I admire, because no matter how vague I'm about directions, the faceups still turns out just as I want them (without knowing what I wanted in the first place).

I'm just not picky at all. I usually go for a style and pick some colours that I'd like and let the artist do as s/he likes. It always turns out great!

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
Yes. Unfortunetly there is only one face-up artist in my country whose work I love.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
No. I would love to, some Asian artists are so amazing... *but* their charges + shipping + possible customs fees... adding to it the possibility that the face-up, even though very beautiful, won't really be my taste, won't fit my doll... Just too much for me-- I would rather spend the money on another doll

Maybe someday I will send a head to another country but still within EU-- no customs fees and shipping would be cheaper...

 

I would consider sending a doll overseas for a faceup if I knew for sure I'd get the perfect faceup for it's character, but if I could find someone within my own country I'd prefer that. That said, I'm learning to do faceups myself, and have no plans to send one out at all, anymore.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?

No, I choise after I've seen all artists' works.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?

No. I committed one face up only, my Dana's face-up, to an italian artist.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?

Not a long time in my case. She has telepatic gift, because she understood every request immediatly!

Did you have separation anxiety?

Absolutly yes!

Was there a language barrier?

No. I'm italian too. So we speake the same language.

Not being able to express what you want

I didn't know what I'd want exactly. But I've seen her works and I thought she would be perfect for me. In fact, she was very able to understand how to create the correct expression on her face, after I talk about my Dana's personality.

 

I hire an artist in my own country. Though I would love to send my doll to SDink, Generation Why or some other artist I admire, the custum fees in the Netherlands are quite steep and paying $200 + the money for a face-up is a little too much I think.
Of course I could mark the prices down, but since all of my dolls are limited, I'd loose a lot of money if it the package gets lost.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
yes if i can,but to be honest most of the artists i adore mostly live in korea,hing kong,china or singapore,they have an amazing talent for painting over there
Have you sent a doll overseas before?
i just did last week sent my first head overseas,for the first time,my nana has gone for a face up,
Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
im hoping it will only take about one week approx,i sent it signed for with trackiing number,not just normal airmal,usually around 7 days give or take,but china is far away

Did you have separation anxiety?
yes i absolutely have, cause she aint insured of course
Customs fees
i had to mark the head low to avoid customs,and on her return i have requested a low value to avoid the uk customs,uk is very bad for fees and i dont want to pay any extra,so of course i canrt insure her for full value either,
Wrong address
nope i always double check the address is correct,and written clearly,wrapped up well,and taped on securely,plus i make sure my address is clear and secure and correct

Was there a language barrier?
a little but not too much,i try to keep my english simple,she seems not great at english but ok,
Not being able to express what you want

i always make sure that the artists style is what i like anyway,i prefer natural style so its easy to communicate that across,im sure il be pleased

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
Very much so! It's definate points for them.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
One I have sold, but it took so long to get to the girl I'd worry about sending one out for customization.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
When I sent a girl to Spain, it took a month for her to get there! It was scary! And that was *AFTER* a month long mess up with my local post office (I'd filled out the wrong customs form, and they didn't catch it when I handed her over to be sent, so she sat there in the post office for a freakin month until I went down there to find out wtf had happened to the doll.

Did you have separation anxiety?
When I have sent out dolls, locally or to other states, yes! Very much so! One doll took nearly a month to get done (I was well aware of this when I sent her) and it drove me crazy! My other girl took two weeks, and again, I was aware of this when I gave her up to be done, and it was so nerve wracking for me.

Was there a language barrier?
Not being able to express what you want

 

Well... I've commissioned someone within the US, somebody in a different country (Canada) but who speaks English, and somebody abroad (Korea) whose English was limited.

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
No, I'm inclined to hire whoever I think can best accommodate the sculpts (i.e. some face-up artists are really into painting volks, some into luts, etc etc), or who has previously painted the same headmold as the one I have in an attractive way. Both price/country have less sway than availability (long waitlist?)/talent.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
Yep, a couple of times
Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
It can take a week or two -- EMS is fast, Canada post is slow XD
Customs fees
I think an item has to be uber expensive to incur customs fees in the US... never happened to me.
Shipping fees
EMS is $20 each way out of your pocket... which makes even a $60 face-up into a $100 investment ^^;; Canada post isn't as bad to get to the US.
Lost in the mail or Wrong address
Never -- I don't think most serious face-up artists have this problem, and if they do, it's once in a blue moon.

Did you have separation anxiety?
I don't experience separation anxiety from dolls ^^;; If we mean "am I nervous sending it to a stranger who might steal it/eat it/name it susan?" then also no, because I would never send my doll to someone who would make me worry about that stuff @.@

Was there a language barrier?
I never experienced this, because I'm not a picky face-up requester. I'm not giving detailed instructions like "and then tweak the left eyebrow a little, I want purple eyeshadow in the eyewell and green in the eye crease" etc etc. I just pick an artist for whom I like the style, and give two example pictures from their portfolio ("I like the general mood from these dolls") and give general adjectives ("I'd like her to look sweet and feminine" / "muted colors and more realistic"). I've never had a problem with this strategy, even when dealing with someone who doesn't speak English well. In my experience, the less you say, the better they make an effort to understand what you DO say, and the less confused the "image" of your doll is.

 

So far of my three boys only two have face-ups done by professionals, but three have gone out for mod work so I will include those situations in my answers as well.

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?

Absolutely, and to be honest, more often than not if I decide to cave in and give one of my dolls a face-up by someone else and not try anymore myself, I search for someone in my same state as well. So far I have been lucky and have always been able to personally hand off all my dolls for their work to be done, but I am open to other artists within the US. There are quite a few artists in other country's who's work I absolutely love and admire, but as I'm picky about sending out my boys' for face-ups in the first place (I like to practice and hopefully improve) I seek out ALL possible choices in my own country first.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?

Nope.

Did you have separation anxiety?

I absolutely do, and this is one of the biggest reasons I seek out artists who are closer to me. I have a strong mistrust of the postal system and hated it the one time my boys were sent back to me by mail (nothing against the customizer since she sent them back nicely packaged). I have been very fortunate to work with professionals who have excellent communication and decent turn-around times so I cannot complain about past experiences, but I am always wary about slipping into the wrong spot and getting stuck with an artist who suddenly falls off the face of the planet.

Was there a language barrier?
Nope, but then I've been able to face-to-face speak with all the artists I've worked with before. It definately helps to release that stress and builds even more trust between me and them.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
Nope~ All the faceup artists I like live in Korea.

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
Yep! I sent my SwD Kira to Korea. I plan on sending more of my dolls out for faceups.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
Ha! I had a pretty evil situation where Federal Express held my girl's head for 2 months because the packaging place I sent her from owed Federal Express $14,000. It took such a long time to get her and reship her out >< The whole story is here

Customs fees
There weren't any. When I resent her, the package was marked $50 gift.

Shipping fees
$8 to Korea, I was surprised how cheap it was.

Lost in the mail
She was never lost, (except when FedEx wouldn't release her from their evil clutches)

Wrong address
Nope

Did you have separation anxiety?
No, because I never had her home for more than half a day.

Was there a language barrier?
Nope! The only problem was that my e-mail wasn't able to receive her e-mails ><

Not being able to express what you want
No, Runa did a fantastic job with the faceup and was able to convey my description perfectly!!

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
I just recently commissioned someone to paint my doll, and they live in the same country as me, same reigion do, just another state.

I'm a worry wort and I would be scared of someone taking my doll and keeping it or it getting lost. At least if the artist is in the same country I can drive to their house and get my belonging if something were to happen.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
Most artists I like happen to live overseas. I would MUCH rather get the faceup I want and pay the extra shipping and wait the extra time rather than settle for something I'll constantly look at and think, "If only I had done this instead..."

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
Yep. USA to Australia.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
No. It was super fast because we both did priority mail.

Customs fees None.
Shipping fees Pretty expensive but worth it. Tracking and quick shipping really helps ease the tension.
Lost in the mail Nope.
Wrong address Nope. I didn't fully understand Australian addresses so I asked the lady at the post office which line was the city/state. She had no idea and told me to just write it in wherever. That made me nervous but it was fine.

Did you have separation anxiety?
Nah. Just really excited!

Was there a language barrier?
Nope.

Extras:
I did really good research on my faceup artist before deciding and I chose my favorite one. This way I was sure it wouldn't get stolen, etc.

Also, the thing that bothered me the most was the treatment the box got at the post office. When I picked up the package after the work was all done, I kid you not...the side of the box had been punched open and the bubble wrap was starting to fall out. Seriously, they must have thrown the box so hard that the head almost fell out!!! Now I make sure to grossly over-wrap the dolls in bubble wrap, packing peanuts, etc. and I also cover the outside of the box in tape.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
not at all. I am more inclined to commission an artist i like, no matter what the prices will be (also because, since most of my dolls are my character's incarnations, i have very picky requests... And not all artists feel like following very strict requests. *VERY*, very strict.)
but if an artist is good, the costs of shipping and all make little difference to me. If i have no money to pay for it, i'll simply save until i've got enough money, and then commission an artist i really like, instead of one who's closer.

So far, i haven't sent any doll out for a faceup, yet. But i will as soon as i get my twin supia girls

 

I sent one of my dolls to an artist in my own country. I wouldn't send any of my dolls abroad, the risk and the prices aren't worth it. the artist who did my sd boy did a wonderfull job so there wasn't a reason to look somewhere else, I've loved her style ever since I first saw it. even when I like the artists here on doa, I'm not inclined to send any of my dolls overseas or even within europe, like I said, I don't like taking a risk like that.

 

I'm much more inclined to use an artist in my own country even though some of the most beautiful face-ups I've seen are from over-seas artist. I simply don't want to pay shipping 3 times over, once to get the doll, once to send it to the artist & another to get the head back. That's way too much time & money to spend on a doll.

 

Are you more inclined to hire an artist that lives in your country?
There is a bit of inclination to hire someone closer by just for reasons of shipping costs and convenience. But really, it all comes down to the artist's ability

Have you sent a doll overseas before?
Yes - To Thailand to have a gorgeous faceup by an artist there.

Did it take a long time for the mailing process?
Not particularly long. I think all told it was about a month. She was very fast with the painting and did a fabulous job!

Customs fees
I did not see any customs fees.

Shipping fees
They certainly added something to the cost, paying both ways, but it was worth it.

Lost in the mail
Wrong address
I didn't have these problems

Did you have separation anxiety?
No, and it felt like getting a whole new doll when she showed up with her gorgeous new faceup.

Was there a language barrier?
None at all, the artist spoke excellent English. There was no problem whatsoever.

On balance I would certainly consider sending internationally to have a faceup done in the future.

 

OMG I am such a virgo too!!

But I lucked out and there is a great face-up artist who lives a state away from me so I have less to worry about and the doll head should be returned fairly quickly when I can finally part with Carters head thats where he will go