This will be a short but needed progress update for those in the custom brush order queue. I’d like to give folks a better idea of what the time frame is currently for completion of brushes with order requests submitted as well as make some announcements and mention some coming options. As anticipated, these first 2-3 weeks have been largely an adjustment period during which I’ve spent a lot of time talking to the community and hopefully setting accurate expectations about how the process will go henceforth. I’ve received many messages ranging from the extremely supportive and excited to the upset and frustrated. I’ve made an effort to respond to most messages I received despite the nature of them, whether positive or negative, they are just as important either way and have deserved my time.
However, I have absolutely been working on brushes and I am very, very happy with what I’ll be delivering soon. The first “batch” is going into the final stages now and though it is not finished quite yet it looks extremely good. I think owners will be happy.
With regards to the order process, it will be nearly unchanged from what I have in place now. As it stands, the first batch was paid for at the start of production and as mentioned is close to being completed. The first batch will sit and “cure” this week and so production for the second batch will start perhaps today or tomorrow. Those brushes have been mostly paid for over the last couple of days and have an estimated 2-3 weeks to completion.
The process has been quite seamless so far, with one exception. It seems those who have submitted their requests but have not received a notice of when their brush will start production are wondering when that will be.
This week, I will start contacting everyone with order requests submitted to give estimated time frames and touch base with regards to the options they have chosen. As I state in the order form, I will not ask for payment until a brush is ready to start production, but I will get in touch with folks. In the next couple of weeks, I hope to have some kind of method for letting those placing an order request know what the estimated time to completion is. I have yet to determine what that method will be, but for now I will be contacting everyone via email as I just mentioned. Please bear with me if I don’t reach you this week, the list is getting a bit lengthy and I can’t anticipate what questions those with order requests will have for me.
There have been some lingering questions already from some with regards to handle finishing as well as the Copper Center, and I’m working on getting everyone the answers (and photos) that they need soon. As I make more and more of these custom brushes the Gallery page will get better and better, but it will take a little time.
Coming Options
I’ve also been working on expanding the Options page, mostly with new color options for handles. I hope to roll out one to two new colors per week for the near future to fill out the color palette. I’ve taken the time to experiment a little in the casting department. As with brush designs, my aim is to introduce handle colors which are original and stay true to The Varlet’s design aesthetic. I will be adding soon two color options called BLK / WHT Facet and Royal Blue Hash.
That is all the news I have for now, and as I mentioned I will be reaching out to those with order requests submitted starting this week. Thanks to all for reading…
-Aldo
