About Us

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Algedonic means pain when associated with pleasure. Art is the often painful process of converting raw materials into something pleasurable, thus the company name reflects delicate balance between pain and pleasure in art.

What are the possibilities of Algedonic Arts? How many demons can dance on the head of a pin?

Our motto is a variation on the old phrase "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?" but has been modified to reflect a darker reality in art. The possibilities of Algedonic Arts are endless; from traditional jewelry and chess sets, to haunted attractions. Have an idea for an item? We can customize many of our products to fit your specific needs.

Scott is a senior instructor for Art Clay Silver, sculpting silver clay into beautiful jewelry, and teaches others to do the same. Scott also sculpts chess sets, gargoyles, and other creations from clay, wood, glass, plastic, and metal. A native of the Midwest, Scott felt the irresistable urgings of his own dark muse at an early age. In first grade, he stole clay from his grade school art room to make his mother a dinosaur for her garden. While he does buy his materials now, that same delightful abandon of listening to the things that live in the closet, and under the bed, remains.

He continues to sculpt and draw, though he has problems making anything look cute, so he has embraced where his talents want to go, and his muse continues to gift him with delightful horrors. A long time interest in gaming, from board games to Dungeons and Dragons, has also led him to create his own chess sets, something that has become something of a fevered passion for him. In addition to art, Scott also continues his fiction writing, waiting for the day that the story is finally completed. All of these interests have come together in Algedonic Arts, which specializes in fantasy, gothic, and horror-influenced sculpture and jewelry.

Hand-Made Merchandise

Art Clay Silver

Our handmade jewelry is sculpted with Art Clay Silver and is Fine silver (99.9% silver). This is one of the many ways our jewelry is different (and more special) than mass-produced sterling silver jewelry. Fine silver is softer than sterling silver and does not have other alloys in it the way sterling silver does. Fine silver is less likely to cause a reaction on your skin and needs polishing less often than sterling silver. Your fine silver piece also has more value than sterling silver.

Because each of our Art Clay silver jewelry pieces is hand-made, each is unique. Keep in mind that any “imperfections” you might notice are simply signs that this is a handcrafted, unique piece of art.

Gemstones

Most of our gemstones are lab-created. They are the same as natural gemstones, only they are created in a laboratory. This means that you get higher quaility gemstones for a lower price!

Sculpture

Scott sculpts each piece from scratch using a variety of clays, and then adding in additional materials as the piece calls for. Many of his pieces are individually hand-made. Others are hand-sculpted, then molded and cast, and finally hand-painted.

Chess Sets

Scott works with a variety of materials, from glass and wood, to some ideas in leather and even light and shadow to make his unique chess sets.

Ordering

Many of our pieces are hand made and some take longer to make than others, please contact us for info on a particular item, otherwise we will give you a shipping date when you order. We accept payment via PayPal, check, or money order. To pay via PayPal, use our convenient shopping cart function. For check or money order, or for custom items, please inquire. To check on the status of an order you have already placed, please contact us.

Custom Order Policy
Once we’ve decided on the materials, design, timetable for completion, and price for your piece, a deposit of half the agreed upon price is required. Once we have received your deposit, we will begin work on a prototype of your project. When this is complete you will need to approve the prototype and make any suggestions before work can continue. If you want to cancel a project before a prototype has been made, that is fine. Once the time and materials have been put into the project though, only half your deposit is refundable. The other half goes to the time and materials to make the prototype. Once a prototype is approved by you, I will finish the project, and your deposit is not refundable. Full payment is due when the final project is completed, and before you take possession.

While I strive to ensure that the item is completed to your satisfaction, any changes should be brought up during the creation phase, and once the item is completed and you have paid in full, custom items cannot be returned. While I sympathize with "buyer's remorse", you need to understand the amount of time and materials that have been put into the creation of your item.

Tax

Residents of Virginia are subject to a 7% sales tax.

Shipping

Our standard shipping price is only $5, no matter how many items of jewelry you buy. Shipping costs for any custom pieces, and especially props or other potentially heavy items will be based on our actual costs.

Return/Refund Policy

Shipping prices include insurance on your item. If for some reason it arrives in less than perfect shape, we will refund your money or replace the item without additional shipping. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, return it in saleable condition and we will refund your money, minus shipping, or exchange the item for something you like better. Custom Orders are non-returnable.