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A few weeks ago, I delivered a cast to a woman whose payment was to be due on delivery. She told me she has just been in the hospital for surgery and said she'd mail me a check the following week, so I left without payment. I had to send her a second notice the following month and still there is nothing.
Her parents had paid for the initial casting session as a gift. Would it be wrong for me to call them and let them know that their daughter has not paid me for the artwork?
I feel like my artwork and I are both being disrespected by this woman who is not paying the bill that is past due.

The next time, be sure to ask for “progress payments” to finance the production with the balance due upon delivery. Do not turn over a piece without full payment. Part of being a successful artist is getting paid for your work. Your client agreed to pay you for your talent, art and services. You put time, effort, and money into creating this piece of art for her. You need to call the woman and remind her of your “payment on delivery” policy and that she is taking advantage of it. If you don't receive payment in 3-4 days, call her parents to get the payment you are owed.

Most artists have a very hard time with the business aspect of the job. I read this post elsewhere and it answers a lot of questions that we as artists are not aware of –

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What you probably didn't realize is that by letting the piece go before final payment was an authorization for credit. You're now a credit company in addition to lifecasting. There's an entire set of legal rules surrounding that business. Companies are paid quite well for this. If you want your money you're going to have to act like them. Call, mail statements, do whatever it takes. It's best to understand this rule and never violate it. You own the piece until it's paid in full. If not paid in a reasonable time, you should be able to sell it as art. This is a good provision to have in your contract.
Another solution is to become a Visa/MC merchant. It’s pretty easy these days with PayPal. It costs you something, but many people live off their card, and it may be better to accommodate them, than to lose their business. It's easier to pay the credit card companies their commission, than to be a credit company yourself.
Visa/MC are definitely an asset for our type of business, you pay the percentages and reap the benefits.

All great replies, just wanted to tell you i am sorry this is happening to you and see it as your learning process. A mistake is only a mistake if you didnt learn from it. I learn about my casting business through making mistakes all the time. Not fun when you are in the middle of one but yes you learned a lesson you had to learn some day and you will never do that again. Good luck hope you get the payment you deserve.
lidia