The Word Bird Design by Susan Brambell
Prices and information 2023
€80 Square Original word art design on white background framed in an 11” x 11” locally made black or white wooden frame. Print size is 20 x 20 cm. This frame will post within Ireland for €10
€90 Square Original word art design on white background framed in an 13” x 13” locally made black or white wooden frame. Print size is 25 x 25 cm. This frame will post within Ireland for €10
€100 Square Original word art design on white background framed in an 15” x 15” locally made black or white wooden frame. Print size is 30 x 30 cm. This frame doesn’t post.
€100 Rectangular Original word art design on white background framed in an 13” x 16” wooden frame. Print size is 21 x 30 cm. This size posts within Ireland for €10
€130 Rectangular Original word art design on white background framed in an 16” x 21” wooden frame. Print size is 40 x 30 cm.
(This frame doesn’t post within Ireland. You’re welcome to collect from Greystones, Co Wicklow if this is the size you would like.)
Design only €45 - If you want you can just have the design emailed to you and you can print it yourself or send it off to a printing service.
Design and rolled print €55 - €60 This is a great option if you have a particular frame in mind, or if you want a bigger one than posts safely. Postage for the print in the tube within Ireland is €5.
Questions….
What do I put in my picture?
You put in everything you think of when you think of the person you’re giving it to - adjectives to describe them, places they’ve lived, pets they’ve had, cars they’ve owned, their favourite bands, sayings they use, family members, etc.
Is there a minimum or maximum amount of words?
There’s no minimum really as the words can be repeated to fill the shape. If you don’t want any repeats you’d need around 120 items on your list. The list needs to have a lot of single words to be able to make the curves of any shape - probably in the region of 60% of your list should be single words or two word compounds. The rest can be short phrases. The max for most shapes in the large frame is about 250, but some shapes hold less. The stiletto for example is a fab looking shape and has lots of drama, but it holds 200 at a push.
How do I layout and send the list?
What you need to do is set out your list of words in a text doc or typed straight into the email, like a shopping list in a long line going down the page. I'll copy and paste what you send me so only put in the list what you want in the picture. Put the most important things at the top of the list. The first thing on your list will go into the centre, the next 8 things or so will be the next biggest and spread throughout the picture. After that it's a random falling into place where the words have to go to make the best shape. Once you’re done you can email it me thewordbirddesign@gmail.com If you need to resend the list for any reason, send me the whole list again with any changes made to it.
I have lots and lots of phrases. Is that ok?
All the shapes will hold some phrases but if you really have loads of them then maybe go for the tree - it is one of the best shapes for holding a good mix of phrases and single words. Its edges are slightly raggedy which is very forgiving and makes the tree the ideal shape for family pictures where sayings and phrases need to go in along with all the names. Alternatively the square is another option for phrase heavy lists.
Can family names all be the same size?
The first 8 things or so on the list can usually be the same size, but after that it is random sizing and random placing. Getting the shape right takes priority over the size and location of the words.
How do I choose a shape?
There are lots of examples dotted round my site to give you some ideas. The shapes that work best are:-
SQUARE FRAME SHAPES - heart, tree, numbers, rugby ball, soccer ball, initial, martini glass, sailing boat, horse, crouching golfer, house, handbag, stiletto, square, teapot, cup and saucer, musical note, surfer, elephant.
RECTANGULAR FRAME SHAPES - Ireland, champagne bottle, bike, guitar, pint, standing golfer.
How do I pick colours, font and orientation?
I am happy to do all this for you so you only need to think about this if you want to. A mix of colours works well for the text as it helps to separate out the words from each other and creates interest. Pale colours and yellows aren’t great against the white paper, all other colours are super. The orientation is sometimes dictated by the list or the shape but other times it’s possible to choose whether you’d like the text all horizontal or a mix of vertical and horizontal. The tree is always horizontal, most other shapes work best with a mix of horizontal and vertical. Looking at the examples on the website will help give you ideas.
https://www.thewordbird.eu/custom-work.html
How long does it take?
This can depend a bit on how many orders I have in when yours comes in. I'm teaching too so it's safest to reckon on three weeks from when you send me your list to when it's ready to be collected or put in the post.
Can I make changes once I see the proof?
Before I print I email it back to you to check over for any mistakes. At this stage you can request 2-3 small changes. This might be moving two words of a similar size or switching one large one with a smaller one. Changes that will involve a lot of moving about and rearranging are charged on a time basis. Nearly all the changes take more time than you’d think because of upstrokes and downstrokes on the letters. It can involve a whole lot of moving sometimes to move one word. I make these pictures from the centre out so changes to the middle involve a lot more work that changes to the edges.
How do we communicate?
Emailing me at thewordbirddesign@gmail.com is best as I can refer back to it for all the details. It’s great to keep the same email thread going throughout. Once you email me your order with the list, the shape, the colours and the frame choice, I will work from the details in that email. If you need to make changes to your list it’s best if you re-send me the whole lot again with the updated list. Of course call me if you need to talk through something, but I’d love if you could follow up the call with any changes decided in an email. My head is getting more sieve like by the year.. And if you think I’ve been a bit quiet for too long, do drop me a line!
What about postage?
Postage for the 13” x13“ square frame within Ireland and Northern Ireland is €10 for the tracked service with An Post. I’m afraid the large rectangles don’t post safely. Neither An Post nor the couriers will insure the glass and while I pack it all up extremely well, I don’t take liability for its safe arrival. Collection from me in Greystones is the safest option if you’re close enough to drop by.
Can I collect?
Yes of course. Collection is by arrangement from the house in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
How do I pay?
Payment is by cash, credit card, Revolut, bank transfer or cheque on collection, or Paypal/bank transfer or cheque if it’s being posted. I can’t take credit cards over the phone, only in person.
BIC BOFIIE2DXXX
IBAN IE38BOFI90113284821833
Revolut name is - @susanbrambell
When do I pay?
You pay after the proofing stage is complete. This allows for price adjustments for multiple changes.
Do you keep my information on file?
I keep copies of the completed pictures on file of all the prints so that they can be added to or altered and reprinted at a later date if needed. I delete all the lists and emails once the picture has been collected. I don’t keep any payment info of any sort. I never put a readable picture up online without permission but I love getting permission to put them up.
So, I did read all that, honestly, but what do I need to do?
Email me at thewordbirddesign@gmail.com with your:-
list
choice of shape
text colour
frame size and frame colour
the date you need to collect/it put in the post
Make sure you hear back from me
Pay
Sit back and wait for a proof.
Prices and information 2023
€80 Square Original word art design on white background framed in an 11” x 11” locally made black or white wooden frame. Print size is 20 x 20 cm. This frame will post within Ireland for €10
€90 Square Original word art design on white background framed in an 13” x 13” locally made black or white wooden frame. Print size is 25 x 25 cm. This frame will post within Ireland for €10
€100 Square Original word art design on white background framed in an 15” x 15” locally made black or white wooden frame. Print size is 30 x 30 cm. This frame doesn’t post.
€100 Rectangular Original word art design on white background framed in an 13” x 16” wooden frame. Print size is 21 x 30 cm. This size posts within Ireland for €10
€130 Rectangular Original word art design on white background framed in an 16” x 21” wooden frame. Print size is 40 x 30 cm.
(This frame doesn’t post within Ireland. You’re welcome to collect from Greystones, Co Wicklow if this is the size you would like.)
Design only €45 - If you want you can just have the design emailed to you and you can print it yourself or send it off to a printing service.
Design and rolled print €55 - €60 This is a great option if you have a particular frame in mind, or if you want a bigger one than posts safely. Postage for the print in the tube within Ireland is €5.
Questions….
What do I put in my picture?
You put in everything you think of when you think of the person you’re giving it to - adjectives to describe them, places they’ve lived, pets they’ve had, cars they’ve owned, their favourite bands, sayings they use, family members, etc.
Is there a minimum or maximum amount of words?
There’s no minimum really as the words can be repeated to fill the shape. If you don’t want any repeats you’d need around 120 items on your list. The list needs to have a lot of single words to be able to make the curves of any shape - probably in the region of 60% of your list should be single words or two word compounds. The rest can be short phrases. The max for most shapes in the large frame is about 250, but some shapes hold less. The stiletto for example is a fab looking shape and has lots of drama, but it holds 200 at a push.
How do I layout and send the list?
What you need to do is set out your list of words in a text doc or typed straight into the email, like a shopping list in a long line going down the page. I'll copy and paste what you send me so only put in the list what you want in the picture. Put the most important things at the top of the list. The first thing on your list will go into the centre, the next 8 things or so will be the next biggest and spread throughout the picture. After that it's a random falling into place where the words have to go to make the best shape. Once you’re done you can email it me thewordbirddesign@gmail.com If you need to resend the list for any reason, send me the whole list again with any changes made to it.
I have lots and lots of phrases. Is that ok?
All the shapes will hold some phrases but if you really have loads of them then maybe go for the tree - it is one of the best shapes for holding a good mix of phrases and single words. Its edges are slightly raggedy which is very forgiving and makes the tree the ideal shape for family pictures where sayings and phrases need to go in along with all the names. Alternatively the square is another option for phrase heavy lists.
Can family names all be the same size?
The first 8 things or so on the list can usually be the same size, but after that it is random sizing and random placing. Getting the shape right takes priority over the size and location of the words.
How do I choose a shape?
There are lots of examples dotted round my site to give you some ideas. The shapes that work best are:-
SQUARE FRAME SHAPES - heart, tree, numbers, rugby ball, soccer ball, initial, martini glass, sailing boat, horse, crouching golfer, house, handbag, stiletto, square, teapot, cup and saucer, musical note, surfer, elephant.
RECTANGULAR FRAME SHAPES - Ireland, champagne bottle, bike, guitar, pint, standing golfer.
How do I pick colours, font and orientation?
I am happy to do all this for you so you only need to think about this if you want to. A mix of colours works well for the text as it helps to separate out the words from each other and creates interest. Pale colours and yellows aren’t great against the white paper, all other colours are super. The orientation is sometimes dictated by the list or the shape but other times it’s possible to choose whether you’d like the text all horizontal or a mix of vertical and horizontal. The tree is always horizontal, most other shapes work best with a mix of horizontal and vertical. Looking at the examples on the website will help give you ideas.
https://www.thewordbird.eu/custom-work.html
How long does it take?
This can depend a bit on how many orders I have in when yours comes in. I'm teaching too so it's safest to reckon on three weeks from when you send me your list to when it's ready to be collected or put in the post.
Can I make changes once I see the proof?
Before I print I email it back to you to check over for any mistakes. At this stage you can request 2-3 small changes. This might be moving two words of a similar size or switching one large one with a smaller one. Changes that will involve a lot of moving about and rearranging are charged on a time basis. Nearly all the changes take more time than you’d think because of upstrokes and downstrokes on the letters. It can involve a whole lot of moving sometimes to move one word. I make these pictures from the centre out so changes to the middle involve a lot more work that changes to the edges.
How do we communicate?
Emailing me at thewordbirddesign@gmail.com is best as I can refer back to it for all the details. It’s great to keep the same email thread going throughout. Once you email me your order with the list, the shape, the colours and the frame choice, I will work from the details in that email. If you need to make changes to your list it’s best if you re-send me the whole lot again with the updated list. Of course call me if you need to talk through something, but I’d love if you could follow up the call with any changes decided in an email. My head is getting more sieve like by the year.. And if you think I’ve been a bit quiet for too long, do drop me a line!
What about postage?
Postage for the 13” x13“ square frame within Ireland and Northern Ireland is €10 for the tracked service with An Post. I’m afraid the large rectangles don’t post safely. Neither An Post nor the couriers will insure the glass and while I pack it all up extremely well, I don’t take liability for its safe arrival. Collection from me in Greystones is the safest option if you’re close enough to drop by.
Can I collect?
Yes of course. Collection is by arrangement from the house in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
How do I pay?
Payment is by cash, credit card, Revolut, bank transfer or cheque on collection, or Paypal/bank transfer or cheque if it’s being posted. I can’t take credit cards over the phone, only in person.
BIC BOFIIE2DXXX
IBAN IE38BOFI90113284821833
Revolut name is - @susanbrambell
When do I pay?
You pay after the proofing stage is complete. This allows for price adjustments for multiple changes.
Do you keep my information on file?
I keep copies of the completed pictures on file of all the prints so that they can be added to or altered and reprinted at a later date if needed. I delete all the lists and emails once the picture has been collected. I don’t keep any payment info of any sort. I never put a readable picture up online without permission but I love getting permission to put them up.
So, I did read all that, honestly, but what do I need to do?
Email me at thewordbirddesign@gmail.com with your:-
list
choice of shape
text colour
frame size and frame colour
the date you need to collect/it put in the post
Make sure you hear back from me
Pay
Sit back and wait for a proof.