As a general rule I don't send Invoices, most eBaYers don't need them, but will be happy to if asked.
If it has been some time since the auction's end or at a particularly busy time of year I may send them to help keep things straight;
I do ask that if you wish to combine shipping you try to combine the items on one invoice.
Items will usually ship with 24 hours of reciept of payment. Delivery times range from 1-2 days for express shipping wherever it is offered,
2-5 days for Priority Mail, and 2 or more days for First Class Mail proportional to your distance from Virginia.
I will combine shipping on items at a cost of $1 per each additional item, please combine your payments or contact me so I know.
The eBay shipping options I have set are easy enough to go by, however they do not offer me the chance to make insurance required on some shipping services and not offered on others so I must clarify: I require insurance on all services with the exception of "standard international shipping" (SIS). Because there is no insurance available with SIS, but to require insurance I must require it for all services, I have "dialed down" the shipping cost of SIS so that the total of shipping+insurance represents the actual shipping cost, there is not any insurance coverage offered with the SIS service.
I will refund the purchase price in full for returned items, I ask that you contact me within seven days of reciept if you plan to return a piece, the item be in its original condition and the sender cover postage and insurance for the return.
I leave feedback for every transaction & hope you do too. I generally take my time to do this, because many members never file feedback I like to note that a member has in the comment I leave for them. So you will get feedback sooner if you file feedback first, but everyone will get feedback for thier transaction.
First off, thanks for choosing one of my pieces and supporting what I do. I want each piece I make to be in a happy home forever, however it is the way of nature that everything wears out and changes form eventually: flowers, people, rocks, mountains, planets, stars. My work and the materials it is created from are not exceptions, but if cared for properly any of my pieces should last longer than you or I do (in this form) anyway. I will forego the obvious stuff about hammers and rugby, because I’m sure you’ve got that covered, but here are a couple of things you might not think of right away:
Don’t sleep with your jewelry on, at least not often, particularly the pendants. It is possible while you’re asleep to lay, roll, and put pressure on a pendant or mineral in ways that
you never would if you were awake. Also, if you are often carrying heavy things against your body with the piece between you this can cause excessive wear. If you want to have the energy of a piece with you when you sleep, I suggest hanging it from a headboard or a tack in the ceiling above your sleeping area. If you decide to do this, please be sure it is securely hung: some pieces can be very sharp.
If your jewelry becomes snagged on a thread of clothing, resist the urge to yank them apart, either gently work the thread out, or cut it.
If your piece has a particularly delicate mineral or stone, or has a decent amount of weight to it, be aware of the length of cord or necklace from which it is hung. Shorter cords don’t swing as far as long ones, and the previously mentioned pieces are the most likely to get damaged by swinging into
something.
Try to avoid wearing your piece in chlorinated water. Chlorine can have an adverse effect on gold and silver alloys, and on some minerals too. Generally avoid any harsh chemicals if you can help it, and approach jewelry cleaning chemicals with caution because of the stones. Most stones are fine; like quartz or tourmaline, but some like azurite or malachite might be damaged. You can check a rock book or mineral database for the physical properties (acid solubility) and the ingredients of your particular jewelry cleaner if you are in doubt, or you can try this recipe for cleaning silver without harsh chemicals but it has to be done just right:
In an aluminum, glass, or other non-metallic pan place a sheet of aluminum foil., use about one square foot, you can fold it but make sure it is open enough for water to circulate. Add to the pan
enough room temperature water (distilled or reverse osmosis is best) to cover the jewelry you wish to clean, and set the jewelry in the water on the foil. Set aside 2 - 3 tablespoons of a mix of 50% baking soda and 50% table salt, and bring the water slowly to a boil. I cannot emphasize slowly enough, it cannot take too long. If your water with the jewelry in it is boiling in less than 15 minutes you are doing it too fast. This is because of the stones: any sudden, extreme change of temperature can cause them to crack or shatter. Once your water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add your salt mix. Gently swirl it around so it dissolves, you should get some fizzing. After you have done this, let it sit until it returns to room temperature on it’s own. Once it has, you can rinse it with warm water or a brush and soap to remove the salt, then rub it with a cloth. Please be careful: I’m not sure giving out the recipe is a good idea,
though this is how I clean jewelry, because if you change the temperature too fast, or place in a piece after the water is hot, or take one out right away, it will almost certainly break.
Because of the number of pieces I have created and my experience with them, I know there are some I "flub". That is, I miss the geometry I'm aiming for to trap a stone, or estimate a fracture or cluster will hold together that doesn't. I know this happens because [every now and then] I observe it in my hands as I am making one; and I'd like to think I see or feel every time, but as the body of my work grows I'm not sure I can count on this alone. So, I am introducing a six month warranty on materials and workmanship included along with each piece. This does not cover abuse or adulteration of my works, it is exactly:
A guarantee given
to the purchaser by a company stating that a product is reliable and free from known defects and that the seller will, without charge, repair or replace defective parts within a given time limit and under certain conditions.
as defined by "answers.com". So, if you follow the suggestions of this care sheet, I will repair or replace any defect that is my fault (i.e. a bad "grab" on a stone, or a crystal cluster that doesn't hold together) if you return it to me or it's place of purchase within 180 days. If you need to return your piece directly to me, I ask that it is posted with insurance and delivery confirmation (or another tracking service), and that you cover the postage to me, I will cover the return.
By the way, this has not been a problem, I've only had a couple adulterated pieces return in years, and of course I wash and scrutinize
each piece individually [often more than once], but still I like the idea, just in case.
Some pieces may be well loved and acquire tarnish or a crooked wire while outside the terms of the warranty, for these ask about a "tune-up" service. I will be composing the particular terms of this service shortly: cost, shipping protocol, etc., but I have been asked to by [and have done this service for] clients from time to time. This will include a thorough cleaning, removing as much tarnish as possible, and a straightening and tightening of any pulled or pushed wires and crimps.
So thanks again, I hope you enjoy, and have a lovely day~