jerise

All my ketubahs are hand made artworks, and all are custom pieces. For me, this means that I create your design fresh—although if you desire it, I can also use one of my templates to replicate for you any of the already existing designs displayed in my Etsy shop. In this case, small additions or changes are also fine.

For papercut designs, I will ask you what sorts of elements you might like to see in your ketubah, and ask you also about colors and symbols/images that are personal to you (some folks like to include pets, monograms, or other symbols, as you may have seen); then I present you with a sketch that incorporates those ideas (pencil on paper). After that's approved, I cut out the design, hand paint your background and letter.

Yes! I'm happy to send you sample texts and help you search. But because I hand letter your text (that is, I do not print it out from a computer), I am also happy to work with any text you supply me with. I do not offer translation services into Hebrew or Aramaic, but I do read ketubah Hebrew, and can help you search for a text and make small changes if need be. For standard texts such as Conservative with Lieberman Clause or Orthodox texts, I have standard versions that I work from. I am happy to consult with your officiant or Rabbi, and I will send a text or text fill-ins for approval to the Rabbi before lettering.

Yes! If you live in the NYC area, or can visit, we can meet up in person, and I will show you some of my work—most likely not complete ketubahs, as those are hanging in people’s homes, but my portfolio contains template papercut designs (already cut), sample backgrounds, calligraphy samples, and more. Just holler!

A “sketch” is a black and white pencil drawing of your design. It is rough (hence the term “sketch”!), but it serves as my guideline as I cut your piece. A sketch may include any or all of the following: elements from photographs that you have supplied to me, lettering, indication of the placement of the text, and indication of the artistic treatment of symbols, trees, animal and human figures, etc. For most papercut ketubahs, you can expect to receive a sketch two to three weeks before your wedding date; at that time, you will be able to indicate changes or additions you’d like to see.

I also send regular updates and pictures as I work on your ketubah.

Yes. As we discuss your ketubah design, if appropriate to your ketubah, I will ask you to describe the background colors you have in mind, your choice of black or white (or other color) papercut overlay. If you can refer to an already existing color scheme in a complete design that you can see in my shop, that is usually very helpful, and I can attempt to recreate such color schemes. Of course, since I use natural processes to create your artwork, no two color schemes will be exactly the same; I cannot make exact replicas, but I will do my best to recreate the effect and coloring that you indicate. I am also happy to work from pantones, or other color indicators.

I try to get your ketubah to you as quickly as possible; this usually means I need about a month's lead time, but I can often work more quickly if you let me know when you need it.

You can expect to receive your completed artwork during the week before your wedding. I guarantee that you will have it in time for your wedding.

Many folks about to be married are understandably nervous about and overwhelmed by all the details, and this can lead to discomfort at needing to wait for the ketubah to arrive. If you are really uncomfortable receiving your ketubah close to your wedding date, or think that you might panic or be unpleasantly on edge about it, you should seek out another artist, as I do need to respect my own schedule.

On my website, www.jerise.com (look in the upper right hand corner for the link), you can see and fill out the form that I use to collect the information that I will need to complete the ketubah text, check the spellings and/or complete draft with the Rabbi or Officiant before lettering, and send or drop off your ketubah. Of course, I am happy to discuss design elements with you at any time, even before you have completed the form; and you can consider yourself on my roster once we have agreed to move forward together. The completion of the information on the form constitutes our official agreement to work together on this art project.

Your artwork will arrive rolled up, in a mailing tube. If your piece is a papercut design, you will receive two or more layers of paper, with protective paper around and between the layers. You will need to unroll and flatten the entire piece. Fortunately, this does not take long, usually just a few hours. You will be sent further details on handling, display, and framing later in the process.

For destinations within the New York City Metropolitan area (including NY and NJ suburbs), I offer free drop-off at your home or office, as long as it is reachable by public transportation.

For destinations outside the New York City area, I will send your ketubah to you using UPS overnight service.