Frequently Asked Questions
(F.A.Q.)

What is Eirewolf Creations?

Eirewolf Creations is my art business, owned and operated by me, Erin Metcalf. I create and sell various kinds of art, but my specialty is OOAK (one of a kind) whimsical polymer clay sculptures of animals, faeries, and fantasy creatures of various kinds. To learn more about how Eirewolf Creations came into being, see my "Artist" page.

What is "Eirewolf?"

"Eirewolf" is my nickname. "Eire" is another name for Ireland -- incidentally, so is my first name, Erin. I do have a bit o' Irish blood in my veins. (I'd love to go there someday.) And I love wolves! The wolf would be my totem animal if I believed in that sort of thing. Hence, Eirewolf. To learn a bit more about me, see my "Artist" page.

 

Where can I purchase your creations?

My main selling venue is Etsy ("Your place to buy & sell all things handmade™"). You'll need an account there to purchase, but it's super easy to set up. And trust me; once you poke around a bit on Etsy, you'll find lots of cool stuff that you can buy directly from the artists and crafters who created it!

My "Faerie Xing" design is available on t-shirts and gift items at Ellen Million Graphics.

Sometimes I may offer a piece directly from this web site. I accept Paypal, USPS money orders, and personal and cashier's checks. (Please note that I will ship the item when payment has completely cleared.)

If you would like to pay via Paypal, click the "Buy Now" button that shows up above the pictures of the piece in the Gallery (if it is available). If you would like to use another payment option, please , and please make sure to include the name of the piece you want to buy.

All available items will be marked as such; see below for information on commissions. If you would like to be added to my private mailing list to be notified of new and available art, please .

What are your shipping methods?

I package my sculptures very well and ship USPS Priority Mail (within the U.S.), fully insured, with delivery confirmation. For potentially fragile pieces, I always double-box to provide extra protection from postal elephants. I use lots of cushiony packing materials to ensure my creations a comfortable ride to their new homes. :-)

I try to ship as quickly as possible upon receiving cleared payment. Usually that means within 1 or 2 business days, unless I am away. I will email you when I receive payment and when I ship. I would greatly appreciate an when you receive the piece, so that I know it arrived safely (or didn't -- in which case, we will work to rectify that!).

Buyers outside the U.S., please before buying for a shipping estimate, and to determine if I am able to ship to your location.

Do you take commissions?

Do you have an idea for an original piece, and you like my style? I am sometimes available to do commissions, if my schedule and current workload permit. (I do not generally do portraiture or illustration; I specialize in small sculptures.) Please note that I will not exactly duplicate a one-of-a-kind piece. However, I may be able to create something similar to a piece you see in my gallery. If you have an idea for a piece you'd like an estimate on, please .

To best communicate a commission idea, please consider the following when explaining your idea:

What would you like?

How would you describe the physical traits and personality (or animal-ity) of the character?
What size do you have in mind?
Are you thinking of a specific pose?
Will you want it painted in full color?

What level of artistic liberty are you comfortable with?

Are you expecting, for example, a howling wolf... or a howling wolf with midnight-blue fur tipped with silver, a ragged scar across his right eye, and missing the tip of his left ear?

The less exact you are about a piece, the more fun it will be for me to design it, and more of my artistic style with come through -- but the less it may end up looking like what you had in mind.

Do you have a timeline in mind?

Is this piece a gift which requires a specific date of delivery?
If there is a deadline, it needs to be clear as crystal from the beginning.

What do you charge for commissions?

Of course that depends greatly on what is involved, but I can give you a ballpark idea. Commission prices for one-of-a-kind pieces related to my current series are as follows (subject to change):

• Dragon Snails™: $80 and up
• Scions of Legend™ (Unicorns): $325 and up
• Fairy Dragons: $375 and up
• Hlarim™ (Furry Fae): $425 and up

The "and up" factor depends on specifications such as pose, colors, size, time restrictions, etc. Prices for commissioned pieces unrelated to my sculpture series will vary. Please for details.

Before starting a commission piece, I generally require a nonrefundable deposit of half the total. The other half is due upon completion and before delivery. (I will send photos of the finished piece.)

How long did it take you to do that (sculpture, drawing, etc.)?

At last count -- about 32 years. ^__^ Each piece I create comes from the heart and is a part of who I am, so each piece reflects a lifetime.

However, I know that's not the answer you're looking for. It varies. Small, simple pieces can take as little as a few hours, though that is rare. Many pieces take days or even weeks to finish. A few large (think life-size) pieces I've created have taken many moons of labor and love. (I don't do large pieces very often.)

How did you do that?

Of course, that depends on what you're referring to. ^__^ I hope to have a "Tutorials" page up someday, but for now you'll either have to accept vague answers, or . I may not give away all my secrets, but I'm usually quite happy to answer questions or help a fellow artist.

What inspires your art?

The short answer: I find inspiration in books, in people, and in other art. But my main source of inspiration is nature, and its awesome and loving Creator. God is the ultimate artist, and gave me this talent and desire to create.

For the long answer, see my "Artist" page.

Don't see your question here?