.Well, it's been a while, hasn't it?  

Some of you may have noticed an extended quietness in the Land of Imp & Petal over the last several months. Aside from a few little bursts (namely the brand ambassador search we had going a while back,) I've been largely unengaged. While I have spent countless hours beating myself up for it, I won't apologize. I've needed this time, for a lot of reasons.  Y'all know I'm basically the reigning Queen of extreme wordiness, so I'll go ahead and warn you now: I'm not editing this. I'm just rambling, catching you up, letting you know what I've been up to and where this path is headed. It won't be full of shiny graphics or bullet points. Just me. Just words. 

For those of you rolling your eyes and groaning right now, I'll summarize real quick so you can get on with your lives:  I'm ultimately fine, and Imp & Petal is here to stay, in whatever form it may evolve into. :) 
 
"But Kristina," you ask, "Where have you BEEN?!" 
Yes, well. There are a handful of mundane things I could spout off here; Familytime... volunteer work... medical issues, deaths in the family... but at the end of the day the real reason is that I haven't had the energy. The political climates both in general and surrounding the dread communities have simply been bogging me down. I know that a lot of you turn to me for my thoughts when things get messy, and I do feel as though I have let you down to some extent but honestly, I have had so much trouble nailing down both the words and the energy to express them. So much anger. So much sadness. Mind-bending frustration.  It's all such a mess, and it is weighing heavily on me. 

The tension. The tension that this very thing that I have built my business around and through which my artistry has evolved, the tension it has created in the fashion world is disheartening, and complex, and worthy of it's very own blog. I'm not there yet.  I'm still processing my feelings. I'm still trying to listen, and learn. I can say, with absolute conviction, that it is not an issue to be taken lightly or to be brushed aside, for that is the very inherent nature of the problem. I will, however, and perhaps to the chagrin of some of you, say that there are larger issues at the moment that require our attention, our diligence and our voices. Root causes and bigger threats.  We all need to pull our beautiful hair back, roll up our sleeves and focus on protecting the idea of basic rights for ALL OF HUMANKIND.  

I also deeply love, and depend (financially and emotionally) on what I do. Perhaps that makes me a selfish person. I'll own that. I'll never stop reassessing. I will continue to make and sell my art in the form of dreads until I no longer find that it fits for me. I will create for and with all peoples for whom my work appeals, and with the hope that they will go forth respectfully and that they are treated with the same respect they offer out. I aim only to help people feel beautiful. Feel confident. 

I will focus on representation, while knowing that it isn't enough.

I will use my voice, the voice of an olive-skinned, adopted woman of mixed race and lost culture who has most certainly benefitted from the White Privilege machine. I will use it to stand up for the marginalized, the forgotten, the frightened, the beautiful. I welcome the conversation. I recognize that because of my geographical location, despite my many struggles, I was still born with a louder voice and a softer safety net than so very many. I am willing to stand in the street on your behalf, if you want me to. I am willing to call  our congressmen on your behalf, if you want me to. I am willing to amplify your voices so that you don't have to consistently listen to someone else speaking for you, if you want me to.  Just message me. I'll listen. I will do my best to understand. I am here for you. 

I am scared for you. 

I am scared for our earth. 

I love what I do but every time I pick up that plastic fiber and work it gleefully in my hands I feel distinct pangs of guilt. The manufacturing of synthetic hair contributes significantly  to air and water pollution. Each bundle is wrapped in the kinds of plastic-coated cardboard and the specific grades of plastic packaging that cannot be efficiently recycled. I make enormous efforts to reuse as much as I can, but it still weighs on me. 

So those of you who are still with me, I need you. I need you to help me boost attention to my wool dreads so that I can move in the direction of a more sustainable fiber. I need you to help me boost attention to my other artistic explorations, so that I may grow, and learn, and create for more than just a small group of people. I need you to help me keep my eyes open, help me pay attention and take care of these precious gifts of humanity and nature. I need you to truly appreciate art and music. Your support is vital. We artists and musicians need you, for our very survival is also at stake. 


I am not perfect, maybe not even close. But I am trying. I see you.  You matter to me. Please be gentle on me. Gentle on each other. I believe Love Wins. Please keep reminding me of that. Remind yourselves. Remind one another. Remind the world. 


Until I officially get my ass back into an upswing, thank you for reading. Thank you for your continued support after all these years.  All my best. 

Kristina

Let's face it, requesting custom orders can be a little scary. There are so many unknowns it's almost dizzying. What if the artist is not what I was expecting? What if they think my ideas are stupid? What if my questions are annoying? What if I just can't get my idea to translate? The overwhelm can be enough to derail a solid line of communication, or even stop it from happening in the first place. 

Fear not, my friends!  All you really need are some trusty, all-purpose communicating skills and a dash of insight, and you should find yourself on a one way train to Creative Comfort City.

 In this long awaited follow up to our first three Buyer's Guide segments (The Basics, Finding the Right Artist, & Red Flags) we will touch on that insight and relate some basic skills specifically to the industry for you in FIVE EASY STEPS, hopefully helping you craft a successful system for getting exactly what you want from the artists you love.  

Just interested in a quick read? 
Scroll down to our Do's & Don'ts section at the end of the article! <3

​Enjoy! 

​

Research your choices and figure out each artist's preferred avenues of communication. There are a lot of options nowadays, between facebook messaging, instagram, the more traditional email, and even text and phone conversations! Not sure? Just ask. Even a politely phrased inquiry as to what our prefered methods of communication are tells us that you respect our time. Putting in this level of effort will not only get you a faster response, but will also be deeply appreciated. An artist that feels respected is an artist more likely to give you their full attention.  ​

Keep it short and sweet at first.

Hi, my name is Kristina. I was wondering if you ever do custom orders, and if you are currently taking any?

It's perfectly acceptable to stop right there, if you don't want to get ahead of yourself. You can also briefly touch on what you might want.

I was interested in ordering a full set, 20” long, in different purple shades. Or even,

I would ultimately love a long set of dreads, but I have an undercut and would really appreciate some help determining the exact amount, among other details.


Notice full sentences and appreciative language. This will take you far, my friends.
This is a great place to pause, since you don't even know if this person is “the one”. It wastes precious little of your time. Depending on whether or not custom orders are currently being accepted, you can either move on down your list, or continue on to describe your needs in more detail.

If you know exactly what you want, use specific, concrete language. Don't ever leave yourself open to surprises if you really don't like surprises. Sometimes, it can be even more helpful to mention things you DON'T want.  

​Important things to ask your artist about:

• Turnaround Time
• Price estimate
• Shipping costs // Policies
• Reviews
• Fibers, if you're fussy (It's totally okay to be fussy!)
  
  
  

Important information to give your artist:

• Preferred Length
• Style/Fiber (if there's an option)
• Ends (if there's an option)
• Count
• SE/DE
• Color scheme (usually optional at this stage, but if you have ideas, voice them!) 
• Any absolute "no-nos" for you
• Any DEADLINES you may need to work within (this is SO important you guys!) 
• Contact info (the fastest way to get in touch prefered!)
• Mailing Address

​

This is always a tough one. It makes everyone uncomfortable, believe me. This market is so completely inconsistent that it can be a real smack in the face if you're not expecting what you end up with. It really pays to be prepared.

Ready for a little dash of that insight we were talking about earlier?
It is important to understand that this art form technically shouldn't be coming cheap. Materials are getting more and more expensive every year, and simply sourcing them has proven an even greater (and unfortunately more expensive) challenge. Depending on where you are and which country you're ordering from, economies can vary greatly (and I really mean greatly. A consistent fiber supply costs almost double in some countries than others). It also takes an astoundingly lengthy amount of time of actual hands-on time to create average sized orders. So, if you are getting a fantastic deal that's... fantastic! But appreciate that it is such, and try not to accept it as the norm.

I personally think it wise to ask for a rough estimate as soon as you have the skeletal workings of your design set in stone. [Now, when you ask for a rough estimate, understand that it will probably indeed be rough and may fluctuate more as you work in the details.  Add-ons can get up there quickly, so watch yourself! A wonderful way to get an understanding of that “jump off” point in a less direct way, is to check the artist's website, blog, or facebook page. Many have basic prices listed publicly. If none is available, you can always ask if there is one hiding somewhere in your initial message. If you don't believe a basic list will get you close enough to a working estimate, you can phrase your first or second message something like this:

Hi, my name is Kristina. I was wondering if you ever do custom orders, and if you are currently taking any?

If so, I would love to know what a starting price for a set of 40 Double-ended, 20” crochets naturals might look like!
Thank you in advance! ​

​

Finalizing Your Order

Everything feeling good? Confidence meter through the roof? All systems go? Awesome! 
It's really easy to just roll with it and start a frenzy of all the little details when you find the artist you know you're happy with, but a lot of us can get caught up in a good creative conversation and actually forget to finalize. This is an important step, because it's a really handy place for an artist to refer back to when making sure we've got all the details checked out.  Once you two settle on a design and price, write out all the design details in one place, and just double check that everyone is on the same page.  If your artist doesn't do this for you, it's totally cool to go ahead and do it yourself. If there are a few details that you've already noted between yourselves may change throughout the creative process, that's fine! Just note it again, set the rest in stone and make sure you note a flexible price range or max budget amount to avoid any potential surprises.  At this point, your deposit is usually already down (or will be shortly), and you've hit that magical, exhilarating point of no return.  Congratulations! 
​

Declining 
It's possible that you just didn't vibe while talking, but usually it's an issue of budget. It's a sucky feeling, on both ends, and it's completely unavoidable. The best way to deal with it is quickly, politely, and early on. If you have a million styling and maintenance questions, save those for the artist you ultimately decide to go with. After you've landed on someone, the two of you can float off in to fairy lala land together in passionate design conversations and it will be both wonderful and productive, because you'll be developing a working relationship. You will thank yourself for holding all of that little back and forth stuff for the right person.

In short: Stick to business first, with the mindset that these people are most likely giving you their unpaid time. Be polite and get the vital info you need to make your call, and then make it.

​

HELPFUL HINTS!
If you are not planning on placing an order until a future date, are just price shopping, or figuring out how much you'll need to be saving for, that is something you should mention early in the conversation, because it can really help a very busy business person manage their time better. 

Contrariwise, if you are in need of a rush order (which in most cases is anything less than one month in advance), that is also something you should mention right off the bat. Some artists may not have time to squeeze you in and it will save you both precious time getting possibilities out in the open!  ​

Okay so... needless to say, 2015 just got completely away from me here at I & P headquarters. 
I mean like... 
I blew it. 

No apologies though. It was a really crazy year on a personal level. I had to just give it room to breath and move and change, and unfortunately it meant letting this here cauldron mellow down to a gentle simmer.  I've decided to keep things chugging along at this slower pace until the Little starts school this Autumn. Priorities, and stuff. 

Hopefully I'll get the blog rolling again before then, but no promises. 
Hopefully Briena and I can get back together and work on some side projects, but no promises. 
Hopefully I'll get some tutorials done up this year, but no promises.
Hopefully, I'll be taking 1-2 commissions per month and spending the rest of my time on pre-made designs. Again... no promises.

The "Always" set. Inspired by the late Alan Rickman and his role as Head of Slytherin House. There is a little Potions Class, a little Forbidden Forest, a little Whomping Willow, a little Godric's Hollow and a whole, whole lot of love, which is the Snape-iest thing of all. 

​Colors are loosely based on the Slytherin House colors, branching out into some varied shades of green. There is no true black, no complete darkness. Shades of silver and the inkiest of purples give it contrast instead, for a truly magical effect which transforms itself depending on the lighting. These belong with a true witch or wizard, I dare say. 

Count: x50 DE
Thickness: Varied
Length: 23-28" 
Ends: Witchy, wispy waves

$250 (a $75 discount) if purchased directly via paypal, in full, immediately. 
Please comment here with your email address to claim dibs or ask questions!
They'll go up on Etsy at full price ($325) February 6th. <3

 Love to you all!! 

​Kristina

It's finally happening! I have been wanting to try this one out for a long time.  Some of you may have read about our adventures in medical bills previously... with that going on and having recently spoiled myself with a shipment of fibers from Peacock Dreams (my wonderful friend Robin's business) everything just kind of fell into place, and now seemed like the right time. 

So what's the deal with  this whole "pay what you can" idea, you ask?  It's a pretty cool concept. Those with little are still able to make a miracle happen without breaking the bank, and those with plenty have the opportunity to kick in a little extra to help gift the difference to those with less to go around. I *WISH* I could always make everything affordable for everyone's needs. If I did, though, I would be out of business and probably a home before you could say "hell yes cheap dreads". So, I am trying out this little experiment in the hopes of sharing art more broadly, creating a special little haven for the human experience, and if all goes well, not falling further into debt. EVERYONE WINS! 

The PWYC sale will go live on FRIDAY. I am not sure what time yet, but I will be announcing on FACEBOOK, so check there for updates! I have a bunch of new natural fiber accents kits available, many of which would easily mix and match, a full set of synthetics and a few other odds and ends. 

Take some donuts. Give some donuts. And if you don't get that reference I highly suggest this book right here, which in part inspired this project. I love you. Thank you for being here! HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE SALE! 

Kristina

So, let's all try to get past my positively dismal attempts at photoshoppery and move on to being REALLY REALLY EXCITED about my first custom order opening since MAY. YES, MAY. I feel like I have been in a cave of solitude for far too long and I am really super duper thrilled at the prospect of doing some brainstorming with one of you! 

I have ONE opening before Halloween. Only one. No premade costume kits this year. Just one lovely little happy shiny slot waiting for the perfect costume idea to snag it and infuse it with transformational magic. I want to go BIG. I want WILD. I want embellishments. I want accessories. I want to go kind of Creatively Crazy. I want to really put my own spin on your ideas. More fantastical and less practical. 

Still with me? 

You're gonna love this. Because for you, my most favorite of all people, I have options designed to fit your needs OR wants. Or both. 
For the minimalist:  a simple (but not plain) BASIC package, in which I stick mostly to the normal scope of things, plus a dash of pixie dust here and there.  
For the enthusiast: a PREMIUM package, in which I bring out a few more tricks, a lot more goodies, and start throwing that pixie dust around a bit. OOH SPARKLES. 
And finally, for the true believers: a DELUXE package, in which I basically lose my mind shopping for you, ask "WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DID THIS?!" a million times, and end up singing "You can fly, you can fly, you can fly!" by the end of it all.

BASIC Medium Length Package $215 
PREMIUM Med. Length Package $249
DELUXE Med. Length Package $299

BASIC Long Length Package $315
PREMIUM Long Length Package $349
DELUXE Long Length Package $399

There are a couple of catches. The first being the WAY I am going to book this slot. Usually, I operate on a first come/first served system. For this offer, since my heart really needs to be in it for such a big project, I am going to ask those interested to pitch me their ideas. Shoot me a message on Facebook, or email me here with the package you are considering, an outline of your costume, and what you would like to see happen with your hair. Feel free to include photos of you, your costume, you in your costume, your pinterest theme board of what your costume looks like in your mind which may come together rather questionably later... whatever!  Do your very best to get your ideas across. Remember, the idea pitched will be THE idea. No changing it up later!  I shall choose The One on Sunday, September 18th. Make sure you get your pitches in by then. 

Also a bit out of the norm: HALF the final cost will be required up front for this one, folks. Non-refundable as usual, and the remainder will need to clear PRIOR to shipping out. No exceptions. Big projects require many materials from many places and we're on a timeline! Please have this precalculated and ready to go by the 18th, in case you happen to be The One. 

Next: While you don't have to use this specifically (or at all) for All Hallow's Eve, I do ask that the theme be very heavily COSTUME themed. It can be for a photo shoot, a con, or just for wearing around the house, but I definitely favor "Bloody Zombie Nurse Dreads" over "black and red stripes". 

On that note: I am really looking for someone with a lot of trust that is willing to let me run free with their ideas like a wild beast in the forest of making shit. If you have your heart set on very detailed requirements rather than open-ended ideas, it may put you at a disadvantage. 

Lastly: While this offer is absolutely open internationally, I can only guarantee prompt delivery to those within the United States.  Not only is there the unknown of customs potentially holding/taxing your shipment for who knows how long, but the additional shipping times severely cut into my working time, and I can't promise (let's be real, it's pretty likely) you won't be up against astronomical expedited shipping costs when it gets down to it. If you're pitching for a costume without the restrictions of a deadline, the only thing you need to worry about is customs fees. 

I think that covers it... GO FORTH AND IMAGINE! I can't wait to hear what you guys have going on. 

Looooove, 
Kristina

I am still upset. I would still really love to have the opportunity to actually talk to Miley Cyrus about her choices and the reasons behind them. I definitely stand by my statements. The carelessness involved here is a problem, on a lot of levels. 

The reason I'm capping this off now, is simply because I don't have time to have all the conversations that need conversing at this time. It got to be too much, too fast and I just can't devote an entire week to having seventy two different conversations with individuals who are either missing the point, starting entirely new arguments or just wanting to talk it out. I really wish I could, it's so important to actually do that, but at a certain point last night while I was trying to explain the really bizarre position I'm in through frantic clicking on the keyboard, my four year old was tugging on my leg and needing my attention, and I owe him that. Way more than I owe the internet an explanation for my opinions.  I considered just leaving it all here and stepping out of it myself, but words between commenters started to get hostile, and I couldn't in good conscience let that go on in the direction it was heading. Arguing like that doesn't get anyone anywhere at all. 

If you're a customer or a fan or Miley herself or just someone who stumbled upon all of this and wants to hash a few things out, I warmly invite you to send me an email or leave a comment here with the expectation that the conversation might be more drawn out. The talks still need to be had. I definitely encourage you all talking amongst yourselves. I will contribute whatever I can, whenever I can. I am still learning, too. 

I really would love to ask Miley what "rasta" culture means to her, a well a asking what alternative culture means to her. I want to know genuinely where she stands and I definitely owe her the opportunity to defend herself against my morning irritability. So, if any of you caught or screenshot the original blog and happen to have connections, please feel free to send her my way.  I really do admire many things about the path she is trying to carve out for herself. We clash on a lot of things. But, that's what it is to be human. 

Thanks for understanding. 

Kristina

Things have been... less than ideal for the last six weeks.  I'm going through a lot of stuff. Much of it is personal, a lot of is is also industry-related. A lot of things in my life are really, really up in the air right now. I'm writing this because most of you that come by to read this blog on a regular basis are long-time supporters and I owe you an explanation. Things are getting a little sticky, and I don't know how long it's going to take for it all to smooth back out again. 

I AM still working on orders, absolutely. I am just hitting road block after road block and struggling to keep up. In addition to things outside my control (and probably in part due to those things), my energy level and mental health are in a significant low period, for sure.  I will probably be focusing the majority of my efforts on actually making dreads for the next while, just to try and keep up, and all the networking and such will go (very, but not completely) quiet for a while. 

Related to that topic, I WILL be taking on some new custom orders in May, but I either might not fill all six slots, or I may space them out significantly longer in between deadlines. If you are planning on making an order, please feel welcome to mention any needs as far as completion dates, and I will do my very best to work that out for you. If timing just doesn't add up, full refunds of deposits will be given, for sure. 

The Buyer's Guide blogs are taking a back seat atm as well, just because I can't quite wrangle the extra time right now. They're definitely going to continue on, most all of them are outlined and everything. :) Your patience is appreciated, and if you have anything you would like me to touch on please feel free to start some discussions up in the comments here!

It would really mean a lot to me if those of you who really appreciate and draw inspiration from what I'm doing could help me do some promotion during this quiet period (ie: just share our various sites and work with your potentially interested friends)!  When I'm not able to keep the pace and regularity up, we definitely lose momentum in the land of algorithms and free advertizing, which are things I definitely count on.  For those of you who do this already or intend to start, I thank you ETERNALLY. <3 <3

Thank you all for understanding. I love allllll our clients and supporters down in the very deepest parts of my heart. Hang in there with me! 

Much love, 

Kristina

By now, you should have a really solid idea of what's available to you, as well as what kinds of things to consider when choosing the right artist(s) for you! If not, feel free to backtrack a little and check out our previous installments of this guide: "Basics" and "Finding the Right Artist"! 

You might be 100% ready to jump into your first purchasing experience, but hold up just sec.  It's definitely a hardcore buzzkill, but unfortunately not all sellers are as honest or as focused on your satisfaction as we might wish. It's really important to know what to look out for so you can avoid having a terrible experience (or worse, get totally scammed) especially if you're a first-timer. 

This seems obvious, but you would be surprised how challenging it can actually be to leave and find reviews for online sellers these days. They're not always right in your face, but it's definitely important to put the effort in and do a little searching. Esty has a built-in reviews section, Youtube and hair forums are good resources, a few facebook groups such as HES have polls set up for a wide range of sellers, FB timelines for businesses OFTEN have reviews tabs of reviews left directly on the timeline... and if all else fails, just google it. This could save you a major headache, or in a best case scenario, give you a better idea what to expect from the artist(s) you may be considering. 

Similarly, check all NPS (Non-Performing Seller)  lists you can find. Most alt hair/fashion communities will have these set up to warn others of a seller who is not upholding their end of transactions.  

Now, it should be stated in fairness that sometimes life smacks a person the face and they get into a situation that causes problems with their accountability. I have watched several artists fall into the NPS pit and work diligently to climb back out again to become 100% worthy of business praise. Just read up, be cautious, and use your own judgement. 

This one is 9/10 times a total deal breaker. First of all, anyone that is using others' images in such a way is undoubtedly doing so without the permission of the artist, and that is just plain uncool. Judging from that alone, I wouldn't want to do business with such a person.  Typically speaking, these are scammers that are after taking your money and vanishing without a trace. 

The other explanation is that a seller has no portfolio to speak of because they're very new to making dreads. That's all fine and good, but realistically, they should be doing practice sets for friends and themselves ad taking photos of those for show BEFORE asking for your money. 

Do you feel like you're being casually brushed off, or you've irritated the seller whom you've asked questions? Is the pace of communication inconsistent, with 7+ consecutive days of radio silence here and there without warning?  Is the seller you're consulting with giving you inconsistent information about their prices or practices? Did it take you three tries to try and find the right avenue through which to contact said seller?  And (I hate to say it but...) are full explanations, punctuation and grammar an issue to the point you're having trouble understanding said seller?
 (It should go without saying that the last one there doesn't apply so much if you're working through a language barrier).

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it's probably wise to count your blessings and move on. As we've stated before, if you can't communicate fluently with your chosen artist, it might cause a lot of problems down the road when you're expecting one thing, and you end up with something else. If they're just plain rude, inappropriate, or not able to get back to you in a professional manner/time frame, that says something about their professionalism and how seriously they take this job. 

This one hovers on the borderline a little. Not many dread sellers actually have dot com websites, and some operate solely from their personal pages or through groups.  Just because they don't have a full on website doesn't necessarily mean they can't provide you with something fantastic, but it is an example of how much energy and effort they are willing (and able) to put into the business of crafting and selling. Someone paying for internet real estate and spending time on creating a beautiful website is (generally speaking), more likely to be passionate about the industry. Etsy/Store envy/ FB/Instagram pages are awesome too and definitely a respectable stand-in. Having NOTHING to show either means a seller just doesn't care that much, is a scammer, or they simply don't have the time or focus at this point in their lives to be more than a hobbyist.  Nothing against hobbyists, either! It's all just something to consider when trying to design the type of experience you would like to have. Ask questions. ;)

DO. NOT. EVER. DO. THIS. 
Sending payments through paypal as a gift completely waives your right to request a refund if your seller does not follow through. Anyone asking you to do this is acting illegally, and to their own benefit. Many sellers will claim it's because they need to avoid the fees, but any self-respecting seller should be simply adding those fees into the total of your order, and you should respectfully pay the extra, because it's what protects you as a buyer. Now, among friends, a buyer might offer to send as a gift, and that is between you all. Just understand that anyone proactively requesting this practice is acting unprofessionally and should be considered suspicious;  you don't always know someone as well as you think you might. 

This, again, is completely up to your own discretion. Some things might really bother one person, while others are unconcerned. I'm talking about things like:

•  Inappropriate language or subject matters (this only applies on a website, business page or in a group as a representative of said business; if you are poking around someone's personal blog or social media pages, it's safe to say you've crossed that line of your own accord and what you find, you were asking for!) 
  
• Photos of pets laying in or around a seller's workspace. We all love oohing and ahhing over fur babies, but it is extremely unsanitary and in fact, even potentially dangerous to their health to expose them to certain types of fiber. And of course, if you have any dander allergies, this is a dead giveaway. 
• Poor photography, or mess and clutter in the background. Artists that truly value their work will go to great lengths to photograph it as professionally as their device can manage, and pay extra attention to presentation.. 
• The dreaded "toe-photos".  I don't know about you guys, but I rrrrreally do NOT want to wear extensions near my face that were made anchored on some stranger's feet. Ewww. 

Did you know that between locating the proper colors, fibers, and potentially shipping to have them arrive can cost upwards of $75 USD, and much more than that for UK sellers, since materials are more expensive there? If you encounter someone with a deal too good to be true, it probably is. 
Contrariwise, it's not exactly uncommon to come by a seller that is charging a very high ticket price, but the product or service just doesn't quite seem to match up.  Do your research. If they've been around a while, have a large portfolio and a professional presentation and demeanor, they're probably legit and worth every penny. If anything feels "off", proceed with caution. 

Again, this is a subject that straddles the line of normal/worrisome. It's really hard to pinpoint, as the range of pricing among sellers is SO broad nowadays. Take this info with a grain of salt, and compare it against the rest of the seller's qualities. If you are noticing other red flags in addition to this one, it might be a good idea to steer clear. 

NOTE: This is something that will be particularly circumstantial. Many very high end artists and designers may have such a policy in place, and when one's time is THAT valuable to reserve I absolutely support the practice.  As with a few other things mentioned on this list, take a look at the bigger picture before writing someone off for this. 
Are they super duper professional? Streamlined website? Fantastic and plentiful reviews? In this case, you probably have absolutely nothing to worry about. 

In other situations, it's not quite as common a request, and could potentially be the warning sign of troubles ahead. 

Remember: Filing a claim with paypal is limited to a period of 45 days from the date of the transaction. 

Often times, a waiting period for a custom piece of art far exceeds 45 days. The common practice among synthetic dread artists is to take a non-refundable deposit which will cover the cost of materials at the time of placing your order, and then to request the remainder upon completion (and proof of) your custom design. 

This of course requires a bit of wiggle room depending on how well you know your artist and whether you were placing a casual or urgently needed order.  If someone takes your money, you are entitled to check in with them about when they'll be finishing their end of the deal. Things happen, but if you think you've recieved one too many excuses over an extended period of time, it's time to politely request a refund.  

Hopefully, you're now prepared enough to avoid major mishap. If you do have any other red flags you think might be an important add-on to this list, please leave us a note in the comments. :) 

As usual, keep your eyes on this blog! Our next segment will cover: "Communicating with your artist: How to make sure you're getting exactly what you want."  Don't forget to Stay connected with Imp And Petal for future segments, either. ;)

Additional questions and comments are welcome below. Thanks for stopping by! 

Hello, little dreadlings! This week we're going to cover how to find the BEST synthetic dread artist for YOU.  Important stuff, right? If you haven't checked it out already, I encourage you to visit last week's segment for a better understanding of what kinds of styles and options are available out there. Once you figure out what style suits you best, come back here.  All caught up? Read on! 

By now, your pretty little heads should be filled to the brim with hair-styling fantasies. What's the next step? Finding a shop to purchase your dreads from! Now, some of you may decide to buy factory-made or give making them yourselves a go, and that's fine too, but in this blog, we'll be focusing on the ins and outs of purchasing from an online maker and seller. :) 

Hopefully, you've found treasure troves of work that inspires you, but now you have to choose. There are a few things to consider, when you start trying to nail down what or who to go with. 

1. Budget. This is obviously a number one defining factor in nearly everyone's shopping experience. You're going to want to find someone that fits any restrictions your wallet might have, for sure. Comparing prices should be a breeze, as most reputable sellers will have that information readily available. We REALLY appreciate it when you do a little sleuthing on your own, but if you really need help determining a quote (it can be complicated, we totally understand!), go ahead and shoot the artist a note including all your specifications on length, style, and dread count, and ask politely if they can give you a rough estimate.  

5. Communication Skills. Are you evenly matched? Do you feel like you "get" each other? This isn't especially important if you're sticking to premade extensions for now, but if you're looking at dropping some cash on a custom design, making sure you feel comfortable exchanging ideas with your artist is a really big deal (on both ends!). Some people just don't vibe, and that's okay! Take a moment to feel each other out, ask a few questions, and see how that goes. Everyone will be happier when it's easy to grasp concepts and run with them without a lot of second guessing.

CREDITS: Illustrations by Briena Segundo 
Links courtesy of all the amazing oldschool dreadheads
who have been around, sharing knowledge and passion for over
a decade. You guys are the fuel to my fire!