Artist- Rachel Readman

[Merlin1958]

Hearty birthday wishes to you, M'am!!!

[Scoogs]

Happy birthday, Rachel!

[Shannon]

Happy Birthday!

[Rachel Readman]

Aww, thanks everyone.

[Ari_Racing]

Happy Birthday!!

[Rachel Readman]

Thank you Ari!

Still prefer the original Evil Dead films, the new one wasn't bad but I don't think it was the same without Bruce Campbell and the humour.

[carlosdetweiller]

A few weeks ago I was surprised when the UPS guy showed up with my "Silflay" painted sculpture he made me pay an additional $27.46 in customs and brokerage fees. That was a first for me. I don't recall ever having to do that. Of course most of my stuff coming from the UK is delivered by regular mail. I recall that some of our Australian members were getting hit with additional customs charges recently.

Did anyone else getting a sculpture from Rachel get hit with additional customs charges?

[Rachel Readman]

Sorry to hear that Bob, unfortunately it's beyond my control. As I have my own 3rd party business insurance now, I have to put the actual value down for insurance reasons. I can't undervalue or mark as a gift. If I could prevent this happening I would.

I did get an email from one other member here that had to pay $27 odd but, that is the only one I know of.

It's luck of the draw, if customs happen to select your package for inspection then you get hit, if not, then you're in luck.

I also think all the customs people have been told to get in as much revenue as they can since the economic crisis, to contribute to the deficits and government coffers.

That aside, how do you like your new sculpture?

[carlosdetweiller]

That aside, how do you like your new sculpture?

I like it very much. I keep looking at it (very closely at times) trying to find some flaw in the structure or the painting and have yet to find any. It seems perfect in every way. I am really enjoying it. (Nice custom box too!)

[WeDealInLead]

That's standard practice for international UPS orders. They charge their own customs (more like a "handling" fee, whatever that means) fee, even if the recipient's country doesn't. That's why I stopped ordering things from Café Press. They use only UPS and after their "customs fee", a simple t-shirt is 2x expensive.

[carlosdetweiller]

That's standard practice for international UPS orders. They charge their own customs (more like a "handling" fee, whatever that means) fee, even if the recipient's country doesn't. That's why I stopped ordering things from Café Press. They use only UPS and after their "customs fee", a simple t-shirt is 2x expensive.

I did (finally) get a written breakdown of the charges.

"Tariff rate" of 5.30% on the value of the sculpture of $385.58 came to $20.46. Then there was a "Disbursement fee" (WTF?) of $7.00. Brought the total to $27.46.

It really wasn't that big of a deal. It was just unexpected and I was wondering if others got hit with it or if I was singled out for some reason.

[Rachel Readman]

That's standard practice for international UPS orders. They charge their own customs (more like a "handling" fee, whatever that means) fee, even if the recipient's country doesn't. That's why I stopped ordering things from Café Press. They use only UPS and after their "customs fee", a simple t-shirt is 2x expensive.

That doesn't make sense though... The vast majority of my customers are not charged anything at all and yet all my shipments are through UPS, same items, same destination country.

Also worth noting that the cost of shipping is way less than any other carrier for me to ship anywhere in the world. This saving is passed on to my customers. Other carriers would charge 2-3 times the price and provide a much slower service, we're talking 3 working days through UPS versus 10 or more and some even up to 30 days with other carriers!

I was of the understanding that if customs pick up on a package then UPS will clear it and pay the fees then charge the receiver the fees plus a clearance fee. If customs don't pick up on it, then it clears without the charges.

[Rachel Readman]

Thanks Bob, that's what I like to hear! Happy friends!!

[Lookwhoitis]

wow! I'm blown away by the crimson king statue. Excellent work!

[stroppygoblin]

How did I miss this thread! Rachel, your work is just stunning!
You have a PM!

[SirFolio16]

Rachel is the best!!!

Her art is amazing and she is a wonderful person!!!

[Rachel Readman]

Thank you for your lovely comments guys.

Since I've had lots of emails asking for updates on the Crimson King, I thought it would be a good idead to post on here...

Unfortunately I have been completely out of action for weeks due to a faulty piece of equipment. The pump for the vacuum chamber decided to pack up on us right as I was making the sculpture for Michael Whelan. This chamber sucks all the air out of the liquid resin to prevent air bubbles in the sculptures. The pump went off to be repaired and it has taken about 6 weeks to get the parts and get it back from the repair shop. This has resulted in me not being able to produce anything and has knocked out any chance of releasing the Crimson King in time for Christmas. The pump only came back from the repair shop yesterday.

Some good news I can report is that Michael has signed and returned 300 (a few extra just in case we need spares) certificates to me so at least those are done and safely back in my posession. A big thank you to Michael and Audrey!!

I'm going to be making a new mould and hopefully have Michael's sculpture out and ready to paint by the end of the week, get Christmas out of the way with family visiting etc and me being rather inebriated, I doubt I'll be getting much work done. I should get started again between Christmas and New Year and I hope I can get Michael's done and shipped so it arrives with him very early January 2014. Should be a good start to the year!

As soon as Michael gets back to me and gives me his final approval, I'll post pictures of the painted edition, iron out the pricing etc and post on the thread/email/PM to let everyone know.

Thanks for keeping in touch and I hope you all have a magical Christmas!!

All the very best,
Rachel

[Merlin1958]

Cool Beans, Rachel!! You realize that I am under contract to say this, but the Haven Fund is just around the corner!!! LOL

[east-tennessee]

Thanks for the update Rachel Merry Christmas......

[Rachel Readman]

Cool Beans, Rachel!! You realize that I am under contract to say this, but the Haven Fund is just around the corner!!! LOL

Yes, I didn't hear back from you but I assume you got my response RE your questions about Haven 2014. Something will come to me soon enough, do not worry Mr. B, I is finking abaard it squire see

[Merlin1958]

Cool Beans, Rachel!! You realize that I am under contract to say this, but the Haven Fund is just around the corner!!! LOL

Yes, I didn't hear back from you but I assume you got my response RE your questions about Haven 2014. Something will come to me soon enough, do not worry Mr. B, I is finking abaard it squire see

Well, I figured you had some thinking to do and did not want to be obnoxious. You're a very generous soul and I thought you would get back to me when the time was right. BTW, I'm thinking about one of those "Crimson King" sculptures. Found a few extra bucks. PM me when you have time?

[Randall Flagg]

and did not want to be obnoxious.

....yeah right....

[Merlin1958]

and did not want to be obnoxious.

....yeah right....

Oh, c'mon give me some credit!!!

[Rachel Readman]

Don't worry I'll be in touch...

[SirFolio16]

Just out of curiosity who is Def going to be ordering a Crimson King? For me this is a true must have... Rachel is so amazingly talented.