| Availability:
Q.Where can I order your beads and jewelry?
A. My work is available for purchase here on the website and in my shop at Etsy.com. Many of my regular designs are always available for purchase. When I add new work and one-of-a-kind pieces I announce it through my news letter.
Q. Can you notify me when you add new work? / Do you have a mailing list I can join?
A. Yes! I have a newsletter specifically for that purpose. Sign up is at the bottom of the navigation column on any page. You'll get an email when I update the web pages.
Q. Do you have a printed catalog of beads?
A. Unfortunately, no - my beads sell very quickly. Many times pieces are one-of-a-kind and just don't work for catalog sales.
Q. Do you sell wholesale?
A. I do sell wholesale to qualified bead stores, jewelry designers and fine galleries. Feel free to contact me about my wholesale policies.
Q. Do you sell at bead shows?
A. Yes! Check my schedule pages for a listing of up-coming shows.
Q. Do you sell at Trunk Shows or do Home Parties?
A. Yes! I will travel to bead stores and galleries for Trunk Shows. I also offer a program to bead stores and galleries where I send my work on a short term consignment basis, an extended Trunk Show if you will. I also do Home Parties for beads and jewelry in a limited local radius. Check out my Home Show page for more detailed information on having your own Party.
Q. Is your work available in bead stores/galleries?
A. Yes! I do many shows that cater to my wholesale customers. I am in the process of adding listings of stores and galleries that carry my work. If you are a bead store or gallery currently carrying my works please contact me to be added to my listings.
Payments:
Q. What payments will you accept?
A. I have a secure shopping cart set up that will accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express as well as Paypal payments.
Shipping:
Q. How soon will I get my beads? What's your shipping policy?
In the US and Canada - $3.00 for any order sent by USPS first class mail including delivery confirmation.
International - $6.00 for USPS Global Priority Flat Rate.
Most orders are shipped within 3 business days of receiving payment. The exception is the rare occasion when a bead shown in the catalog is actually out of stock and needs to be made, this may take up to 7 days. I will always notify you if this is the case. Shipments usually take 3-4 days in the US, 1-2 weeks internationally. For international shipping, please allow 4-6 weeks. Please make sure the address you provide is correct and complete. Also note that anyone making an international purchase is responsible for their own duty fees or any other fees imposed by their home country when receiving packages.
Returns/Refunds:
Q. What is your return policy?
A. I want my customers to be happy with every purchase they make!
If for any reason you are not satisfied with any item purchased from Artglass Adornments, you may return it for a refund. Please obtain a refund authorization by emailing me within 10 days of receipt of the item explaining your reason for the return. Refunds are for the original purchase price but do not include return shipping costs.
For replacement of broken beads within 6 months of purchase: If a lampwork bead should break during the first 6 months, you may return it for a replacement. Breakage is not at all common with properly annealed works. Please remember that my beads are designed to be used in jewelry but they can break if abused or improperly used.
Educational/Lampwork Information:
Q. What are lampwork beads?
A. Lampwork is an ancient term used to describe glass beads made by melting glass in a flame and wrapping it around a metal rod or wire. Glass was melted over an oil lamp with the help of a small blow tube or pipe used to add oxygen to the flame making it hot enough to melt the glass.
Many people who are new to beadmaking are often confused about the differences between quality artist made beads and those being mass imported from China, India and even South America. Quality Artisan made lampwork is almost always more expensive, but also higher in quality, and it's properly kiln-annealed fpr lasting durability.
Annealing is the process of slowly cooling glass to relieve internal stresses. The process, carried out in a temperature-controlled kiln, often taking several hours makes the glass much more durable. Glass which has not been properly annealed is liable to crack or shatter when subjected to a relatively small temperature change or other shock.
Many sellers of mass-produced and imported lampwork claim their beads are annealed. This however is not correct - mass-produced lampwork, is often cooled in fiber blankets, vermiculite or sometimes nothing at all. This cools the glass much too quickly and can actually causes more stress in the beads making them susceptible to breakage. Proper annealing can only be accomplished in a kiln. When purchasing lampwork, make sure you know where it is coming from and what went into making it. Get to know the artist you are buying from and never be afraid to ask about the work you are purchasing.
Q. What kind of glass/materials do you use to make your beads? Where do you get your supplies?
A. I use Italian, German and American soda lime glass. The brand names I currently use are Effetre (formerly Moretti), Vetrofond, Kugler, Reichenbach, Lauscha and the Newer American made Artisan Glasses. I do not use borosilicate glass. I also use fine silver, 24k gold and powdered enamel glass in many of my designs. I work on an oxygen/propane mix torch and use an oxygen concentrator in place of tanked oxygen. My glass goes from the hot flame, directly into a kiln to be annealed for lasting durability and long wear. I get my glass and supplies through several different US suppliers. The Links List has a comprehensive list of suppliers.
Q. Do you teach lampworking?
A. Yes! I teach private classes at my studio. In my private class, I will spend the first 30 to 45 minutes evaluating each students skill levels and discussing what they wish to learn.
Website Information:
Q. How is my personal information used?
A. Any information collected is only used for processing your orders and answering questions and feedback. Your information will not be given, sold, or rented to any third party for any purpose. The Shopping Cart at Artglass Adornments is hosted by www.mals-e.com and uses a secure server to process credit card information. Your email address is never added to any lists unless you specifically sign up to be on our mailing list.
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