Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t see the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact me
General terms and conditions including my returns policy can be found here
Privacy and Cookies Policy can be found here

Packaging:

I endeavour to use recyclable packaging where possible, this includes cardboard boxes, tissue paper, card based enveloped and bubble mailers which can be separated into component parts, I use paper tape and labels. Some items will come with gift packaging such as a box or organza bag. I do reuse clean bubble wrap and those giant air bubbles you often get in packages.

If you’d like to make your order more environmentally friendly (and save a few pennies too!) I have made a coupon for £1 off.
Enter ‘REUSEPACKAGINGPLEASE’ at checkout, this coupon code also works in my etsy shop.
Use this coupon to take £1 off your postage cost, and I’ll pack your order with re-used outer packaging, eg bubble mailer or box that has been through the post already. Your item will still be packaged securely and the inner packaging will be new tissue paper. I may put re-used but clean bubble wrap round this, or a box if it needs one. Use this coupon to tell me that you would rather have some guilt free packaging around your new treasure!

Postage:

How much do you charge for postage and packing? (P&P)
Below are my standard postal rates, I use Royal Mail for shipping.
First class or Special Delivery within the UK.

Free Shipping on orders over £75
items totalling over £75 will be shown the free shipping option at checkout. I will choose the most appropriate option for the order, Usually Tracked 48hr. if you need it sooner, you may still upgrade to special delivery next day (next day applies to shipping time and not dispatch time)

Approximate shipping costs:
Jewellery & Beads (over £45) £7 Special Delivery
Smaller Jewellery Items & Beads (large letter size) £2.50
Clocks £4.50 First Class
Mugs and other Small Packet sized Parcels £4 First Class
Flat artwork and Cards £2.50 First Class

Shipping costs are per order, rather than per item.

Specific shipping prices will be displayed during checkout.

Orders may also be collected for Free from the Vivian Gallery, Dawlish, Devon by prior arrangement. Please contact me to arrange this.

Delivery times are out of my control once I have posted an item. if you have a specific date you need your order for, please let me know as much in advance as possible, I will aim to post in plenty of time for it to arrive. If your order is urgent, please let me know ASAP so I can try my best to get it to you quickly, please note, I am not always able to get to the post office the same day as your order, but generally it will be the next working day.

if you have any other queries or requests about shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Will you ship outside the UK?

I am based in the UK. I no longer sell internationally from this website, if there is something you would like but you live overseas, please contact me and I’ll let you know if I can ship to your country. All international orders will be processed through my etsy shop

I’m happy to add certain items you see here to my etsy shop so you can make your purchase. Just contact me to let me know which items you’d like, don’t forget to tell me which country you would like them to be shipped to!
You will be liable for any customs fees/duties/import taxes that may apply in your country.

Can I combine an order from your Etsy shop and here in your webshop?

Yes, I can combine the orders and only charge you once for postage & packing, but only by prior arrangement. Please contact me first.

Made to order items:

How long does it take?

The following applies to my standard made to order items, that is, items I’ve made before, but don’t happen to have in stock right now, such as clocks, mugs, simple bangles, chains etc. This includes adding personalisation to items such as notebooks or mugs.

Jewellery
Generally I aim to get made to order items made and posted within two weeks, unless it requires hallmarking in which case it will likely be longer. (things that require hallmarking tend to be bigger items such as necklets and heavier bangles. Most of my rings, earrings and slim single bangles do not require hallmarking)

Pendant upgrades on beads may add one working day to my usual processing time.

Laser Products
I try to get laser products like clocks, coasters and notebooks made and shipped within 7 working days. Some of these have a drying time so cannot be any quicker.

Mugs, Prints & cards
These are generally printed and shipped within 3 working days

What’s the Difference between Made to Order and Custom Order?

Made to order items are usually items I’ve made before, to a design I’m able to repeat, for example my magpie earrings, or one of my Poppy clocks. These are often things I will often offer for sale, but are not technically in stock right now.

Custom Orders are those in designs I haven’t made before, and range from slight variations like ‘Can you make me a tulip clock with a different coloured background?’ or ‘I’d like a notebook featuring a simple geometric triangle design’ to ‘Can you make me a necklace with a polar bear bead pendant and gemstone beads, in shades of green?’ or ‘Would you be able to make me a bangle with my children’s birthstones and initials on in some way, have you got any ideas for a design?’

Completely custom orders will have their own timescales, you’ll just have to reach out and ask me, I’m a real person!

Can you fast track my order?

Possibly, but it may cost you extra, depending on what it is. For example I can send things for hallmarking with a faster turnaround, there is an extra charge for this.
Always choose Special Delivery for shipping urgent orders.
Please get in touch ASAP if your order is urgent. I’ll always do my best to make things in time, but I’m only human after all, with just one pair of hands!

How do I know the correct size to order?

You purchase my ring or bangle sizer! I will send it to you, you then contact me with the size you require, you’ll get a code to take the price of the sizer off your ring or bangle when you order.
Neither of us wants to get this wrong and cause delays and extra costs while sending things back to be changed or remade. I can only make the size that you tell me, so I’ve made it easy for you to measure it correctly.
Please be aware that the width of a bangle or ring has a significant effect on the size needed, so its best to use the sizer.

Can you make it in Gold?
Possibly, it depends what it is! Get in touch and we can discuss it! Gold items will require hallmarking.

General Info:

What is hallmarking?

Hallmarking is a legal requirement on all items of sterling silver weighing 7.78g or more, or gold items weighing 1g or more. I must send the items to be tested and marked by the assay office before I sell them. I use the London assay office. They apply the following marks: one for the fineness, my sponsors mark (my initials MB) the london assay office mark, and the date letter.
Items under 7.78g may be sold without a full hallmark, but I often apply my makers mark (MB) and a 925 stamp for sterling silver. This is not a full hallmark.
For even more information, please see the Assay office website

What is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is a popular choice for jewellery, it is 92.5% silver, and the remainder is usually copper, this makes it much more hardwearing for use in jewellery.  It may be stamped with ‘sterling’ or ‘925’, or it might have a full hallmark (see above)

What is Fine Silver?

Fine silver is 99.9% silver, it is purer than sterling, but this can make it a bit softer and more likely to dent or mark during wearing.
Precious metal clay (PMC) is usually fine silver (though it comes in other metals and qualities).

What is Lampwork?

That one is best answered on my about page