Not sure how artistry is slated to work as of yet as far as customizing items that already have complex taps so throwing this out there:

The ability for you to "strip" complex item descriptions down to their material and base noun, to then be able to perform other artistry customization's to it.

Example:
a massive Dwarven greataxe with a bearded silversteel blade

Stripped it becomes:
a silversteel greataxe

Altered with artistry:
a shimmering silversteel greataxe with a carved skull pommel

Just a thought. Might be mechanically difficult if non-crafted items don't carry flags for that material they are made of but figured its worth suggesting.