General Questions

I Emailed You A Question But Did Not Get A Reply. Why?
This is likely because: 1.) our response got filtered into your spam/junk email folder or bounced because your inbox was full, 2.) you have not waited at least 24 hours to give us a chance to reply, or 3.) your question has already been answered somewhere in this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Please note that some SBCglobal.net/ATT.net users are currently experiencing problems receiving email - this is an issue with your ISP and is beyond our control. Try emailing us from a Hotmail, Gmail (etc.) account instead.

How Do I Use The Shopping Cart?
When viewing the list of items inside a category or collection, click the product name or "Buy Now" button beside an item you like, and the item details page will load. Click the "Add To Cart" button and the item will be added to the cart. To remove an item from the cart, simply click the small white box to the left of the thumbnail image and then click the "Recalculate" button.

Do I Have To Create An Account In Order To Shop?
Yes, but that is not a bad thing! Creating an account allows us to provide you with better service. After signing in you can view past and current orders, track order status, edit product notifications and subscribe to our free email newsletter. It also speeds up the Check Out process for you since your account can store up to 5 shipping addresses. You WILL NOT be asked to enter sensitive information (credit card numbers, etc.). Also, we only use your information to process your order and do not spam or share this information with anyone.

Where Are You Located?
Our business is based in Vancouver BC (Canada) but we ship world wide.

How Long Have You Been In Business?
Since March 2004. The online store has existed at this specific URL since November 2005 (prior to that we were simultaneously at araneum.ca and ebay.ca).

Are You Affiliated With the (X) Company/Store/Etc.?
Art of Adornment is entirely independently owned and operated (read more About Us). We have been asked this question a lot lately because of the rising mainstream popularity of Gothic and vintage-influenced fashion, and the flourish of stores that have opened in recent years which feature those styles. Any affiliations we may have with other stores, publications, etc. can be found on our Featured In page.

How Many People Work There?
Technically three (the owner plus two technical support people). But since we sell other designers' work on consignment, often it is more like 4-6. More info About Us.

Do You Have A Retail Store Location?
No, however several of our products are available for sale in-store at Lace Embrace Atelier (Vancouver, BC Canada). Retailers in other parts of the world which sometimes carry Art of Adornment items can be found on the Featured In page.

Can I Use Your Pictures On My Website, or Post Them In My Blog?
Yes! Ask us for copies of the images you want and we will email them to you. You must not alter them to remove or conceal our legal copyright watermark or logo graphic ("Art of Adornment" "Copyright © Elaine Barrick", etc.), and you must save the images to your own web host for display (no hotlinking).

I Am A Model/Designer/Photographer/Filmmaker - Can I Shoot Your Designs?
Yes! We are currently seeking outlets worldwide that would like to include our work in their shoots, in exchange for copies of the resulting images. See the Gallery page for more information.

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About Our Jewelry

I Have Metal Allergies. Am I Going To Have A Reaction?
Nickel allergies are common (in about 12-15% of people), although many with allergies can wear nickel for a few hours without problems. Any metal components which are known to contain nickel, lead, or other substances that commonly raise health concerns have been noted in the product description. We offer upgrades to sterling silver parts on many of our metal jewelry products (see any Earrings or Chokers product for details).

What Does "Plated" Mean?
Plating is a process where one metal is applied over another in a thin layer, usually by using an electrical current to bond the two metals. This is done for three reasons: 1. to protect against corrosion or scratches (rhodium or nickel plating), 2. to resist discolouration or tarnish (rhodium or gold plating), or 3. to reduce cost since a product made with a thin layer of precious metal (such as silver) over a less expensive base metal (such as brass) costs much less than a solid piece of precious metal. Plating is not as durable as solid metal however; it will eventually wear away with continued use (where it rubs against the skin mostly) to reveal the base metal underneath, a process which can take 1-10 years depending on how frequently you wear it and how well you care for it. Hence this is why plated jewelry is much less expensive than solid precious metal; its shorter lifespan is the sacrifice you make.

How Do I Clean And Care For My Plated Metal Jewelry?
If you wear your plated jewely only periodically (a few times a month for only a few hours at a time) and avoid contact with household cleaners, talc, potting soil (gardening activities), and abrasive products (steel wool, sand paper, granite, etc.) it should last 5-10 years. Hang up your necklaces and earrings rather than casually tossing them in a jewelry box or else you risk scratching any beads as well as metal parts. You can further protect your plated jewelry by periodically painting clear liquid lacquer specially designed for protecting metal (or even clear nail varnish if cost is a factor) to surfaces that touch the skin most frequently. We recommend cleaning your plated jewelry with mild soap and water and NOT chemical cleaners, anti-tarnish agents or "impregnated"-type polishing cloths - they will damage the finish on antiqued pieces especially.

What Is "Rhodium"?
Rhodium is a silver-coloured precious metal from the platinum family that is highly scratch- and tarnish-resistant. It has a slightly less reflective finish than sterling silver which makes it a great compliment to antiqued silver jewelry, since antiqued finishes are darker in colour and less reflective. We use a lot of rhodium-plated components in our jewelry for both these reasons. Also, rhodium is usually safe for people with sensitive skin since it does not contain nickel (which is known to cause allergic reactions).

What Is The Difference Between "Silver Plate", "Sterling Plate", and "Solid Sterling"?
"Solid sterling" means that the metal content of the entire component is .925 silver with a .075 additive, usually copper (almost pure silver). "Sterling plate" means that this high quality of silver has been layered ("plated") in a coating on top of a base metal, usually steel or brass. Solid sterling will usually be stamped with a hallmark ("925"); sterling plate will not have a hallmark since it is only a layer over another metal. Since sterling silver is rather expensive (and fairly soft, as metals go), plating it over a hard base metal gives the component greater durability at a lower cost. "Silver plate" is a general term and means that a silver alloy (actual silver but often with very cheaply-made components it is blended with nickel or tin) has been layered over a base metal. Our silver-plated components do not contain nickel and are most often actual sterling plate.

What's the Difference Between "Antiqued" and "Antiqued Oxidized" Silver?
Normal polished silver is bright and shiny, and very white in colour. "Antiqued" silver is slightly more steel-grey in colour, with the deep areas in the design darkened (by use of a pigmenting agent) and the raised areas still shiny. "Antiqued oxidized" silver has been treated with a chemical that actually changes the surface of the metal; it has a a rich all-over matte finish ("patina"), is steel-grey in colour, with the deepest areas in the design significantly darkened to imitate considerable age.

How Do I Clean And Store My Fabric Choker?
A wealth of information on how to store, clean, and keep your fabric choker in great shape is given on the Choker Care page.

Does Crystal Contain Lead? Is It Dangerous?
Crystal beads and rhinestones are usually about 30% lead. You cannot absorb lead through your skin - it is only transferable through inhalation and ingestion. Crystal should not be handled by children, since they often put objects in their mouths. Lead is present in many other household objects (pewter, plumbing pipes, dirt/soil, fine glassware, etc.); always wash your hands after handling these objects, and never drink from a chipped or cracked crystal glass.

What Kind Of Quality Can I Expect?
Better than you probably think. Our prices are rather low for artisan designer accessories, but this does not imply poor workmanship. We simply do not believe that designers should inflate their prices just to be pretentious. How do we keep prices low? Products are sold direct from our private studio, so there are no middlemen, no storefront to maintain, and no expensive overhead costs. We do all our own web/graphic design, packaging, shipping, website hosting, and marketing. We buy components wholesale, so the savings are passed on to you. We are also extremely selective and check each piece carefully for flaws - we would not sell anything we would not be proud to wear ourselves!

Why Do You Use Vintage Components?
Three reasons: 1.) because there is some amazing stuff out there that they just don't make anymore! 2.) by reusing antique materials we help reduce waste in the enviroment, and 3.) because nothing says "retro" like the real thing - using real vintage components makes an old-fashioned style piece look all the more authentic.

Where Do You Get The Metal Choker Parts & Other Components? Can I Buy Some From You?
Sorry - a great chef never reveals her secret ingredients! But if you are looking for jewelry-making supplies, check out Eclectic Craft & Jewelry Supply.

Do You Sell Patterns Or Kits So I Can Make Your Designs For Myself Or My Store?
No. One of the main aspects of our business is to offer items people cannot easily find elsewhere, making them that much more "special" and personal to those who collect them. It is considered disrespectful in the arts world (and actually illegal in the eyes of copyright law) to duplicate another artist's designs and sell them as your own. Even craft stores that sell all sorts of kits and patterns do so under the impression that they are for personal use only, not for resale (if you check the packaging there is usually some fine print to this effect). If you are inerested in making jewelry, the best thing you can do is to start by experimenting with materials you can buy at your local fabric store or bead shop and see if you like working with it - you will eventually come up with something really unique that will encourage other people to buy it and keep coming back because you are always making something different and new.

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Payment

Can I Pay By VISA? Or Money Order? Or Cheque? Or...?
See the Payment page for all accepted payment methods.

Do You Accept Prepaid Visa (Etc.) Gift Cards?
Visa (or American Express, etc.) gift cards are a very new payment option and not all gift cards are accepted. Before attempting to use your gift card online it must be registered (see Online or Phone purchases). Then when you go through our Check Out, select PayPal/Credit Card as your payment option and follow instructions for paying without a PayPal account. If you encounter problems while submitting payment you must contact the card issuer directly (see info provided with card) for assistance. Prepaid cards which do not require the use of a PIN or other security data are not accepted.

Can I Place My Order Over The Phone?
Sorry, we cannot take credit card orders over the phone. If you would rather not pay online, see the Payment page for alternatives.

Can I Combine Purchases Here With The Items I Won In Your Ebay Store (Or Previous Transactions Made Here)?
No. Sorry, separate transactions must be shipped separately.

Why Are All Your Prices In US Dollars By Default?
Although we are located in Canada, we use the currency which the majority of our clients use. You can switch to other currencies at any time by using the drop-down list in the left menu.

Do I Have To Convert My Currency to $USD Before I Pay?
No. You may select your currency of choice by using the left-hand menu - both PayPal and HyperWallet convert your country's currency for you automatically during Check Out using the current exchange rate. If paying by money order or any other accepted method we will give you a converted total.

I Tried To Pay But It's Not Working. Help?
See the Techincal Problems questions.

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Shipping

Do You Ship To...?
YES! We ship worldwide.

How Much Do You Charge To Ship?
Rates vary depending on parcel size, parcel weight, and country (starting between $5-$12 USD depending on destination). To preview your exact rate, add an item to the cart and begin Check Out (you will not be obligated to buy).

Why Is Shipping To Canada So Expensive?
Because Canada Post does not offer more economical options for domestic shipping. See for yourself - go here and enter the following data to compare what we charge for shipping one jewelry item (note that we add about $1 to cover packaging costs): originator's postal code V6E 3J5, package weight .050kg, dimensions 25x18x3cm.

When Will My Order Arrive?
We estimate up to about 10 business days (weekdays, not including holidays) to most destinations worldwide. If you need it faster consider express shipping.

Will My Parcel Have A Tracking Number?
Tracking is available on all services worldwide EXCEPT Small Packet Air (an economy service for addresses outside Canada). Once your parcel has shipped we will email you the tracking number. If you do not receive our email you can check your Order History for shipping updates.

Do You Offer Rush/Express Shipping?
Yes! We offer rush delivery worldwide (1-7 weekdays depending on destination). See full details and policies on express shipping.

Do You Offer Overnight Shipping?
We can only offer overnight/2-day service to Canadian destinations at this time.

Can You Ship My Purchase As A Gift?
Yes! See the Gift Options page for instructions on how to ship your purchase as a gift.

Will You Ship To A Different Address (Work, School, Gift Recipient, etc.)?
Yes! See the Shipping page for detailed information. Note that the address must be selected from My Address Book during Check Out since rate calculations rely on the postal/zip code. Addresses entered merely as a note in the "Order Notes" box will be ignored.

Why Won't The PayPal Checkout Let Me Ship To A Country Different Than My Own?
See the Techincal Problems questions.

Can The Parcel Be Left At My Side Door (Etc.) If No One Is Home?
No. Parcels dropped off and left unattended risk being stolen or damaged, and insurance does not cover unattended parcels. Instead, have us ship it to an alternate address (work, shool, neighbor, superintendent, etc.) if picking it up from the post office is inconvenient.

What Return Address Information Will Be Displayed On The Parcel?
Parcel ship from "E Barrick / Art of Adornment".

My Order Has Not Arrived Yet. What Should I Do?
If it has not arrived within the estimated delivery time, contact your local post office since it may be waiting for pick-up (they may have been unable to notify you - this DOES happen!). Click here for more info on overdue shipments.

The Online Tracking Has Not Been Updated In Several Days. Is My Parcel Lost?
Tracking service is only as good as the mail carrier scanning the bar code on the parcel - just because it has not been scanned in a few days does not mean it has been forgotten. Frequently to addresses outside Canada, once the parcel has entered the destination country very few scans are made until the parcel appears at your door. This is completely normal. There is no need to worry unless more than two weeks has passed since the online tracking was last updated.

My Order Did Not Arrive In Time For My Special Event. Can I Return It?
If it is not a Final Sale item and has not yet been worn, yes - but shipping charges are not refundable. We recommend that if you need something for an event less than 3 weeks away that you select XpressPost or Priority during Check Out, just to be on the safe side.

Can I Combine Purchases Here With The Items I Won In Your Ebay Store (Or Previous Transactions Made Here)?
No. Sorry, separate transactions must be shipped separately.

I Just Placed An Order But Forgot Something. Can I "Add On"?
No. Orders paid separately must be shipped separately. Sorry, no exceptions.

I Gave You The Wrong Shipping Address. Can You Re-Send It If It Comes Back?
Yes, but we must to bill you for double the shipping rate before we can re-send it. Canada Post charges us the full rate for having the parcel sent back to us, and again for sending it back out, so these costs must be covered. Double-check your shipping address for mistakes before you confirm your order!

Can I Pick Up My Order?
Yes, see the Shipping page for full details.

Can You Ship By FedEx, UPS, DHL (etc.)?
No. They charge high brokerage fees to international clients, require extensive paperwork, and have restrictions on items containing precious metals, crystal, and semi-precious stones.

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Sizes

How Are Your Items Sized, and What Size Should I Order?
The measurement you see beside "Fits (X) Size:" is the natural body measurement the item will best fit, NOT the measurement of the actual item. If you do not have a dressmakers' measuring tape, take a piece of string or ribbon and mark where the end meets, then measure it while flat.

Do You Do Custom Sizing?
Yes. Almost all jewelry items can be shortened at no extra charge (include a note in the "Order Notes" box during check-out). Silver-plated and gunmetal-plated choker chains can be lengthened up to 3 inches at no extra charge, but sterling choker chains, beaded necklaces, choker ribbons, and pocket watch chains will require a small fee for lengthening. Many of our fancy lace chokers look much better on larger sizes if custom made from scratch rather than just lengthening the chain - ask us for a quote before puchase (usually there is no extra charge, they just take a few days before ready to ship).

How Tight Should My Choker Be Worn?
Very snug, but you should still be able to slip your finger under the band without too much difficulty.

Why Don't You Make "One Size Fits All" Chokers And Necklaces?
Because clothing and accessories are supposed to fit you properly and look flattering. In our opinion, "one size" chokers always look like an awkward compromise, especially on larger sizes. We want you to look your best!

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Prices & Ordering

How Do I Use The Shopping Cart?
Click the product name or "Buy Now" button beside an item you like, and the item details page will load. Click the "Add To Cart" button and the item will be added to the cart. To remove an item from the cart, simply click the small white box to the left of the thumbnail image and then click the "Recalculate" button.

Do I Have To Create An Account In Order To Shop?
Yes, but that is not a bad thing! Creating an account allows us to provide you with better service. After signing in you can view past and current orders, track order status, edit product notifications and subscribe to our free email newsletter. It also speeds up the Check Out process for you since your account can store up to 5 shipping addresses. You WILL NOT be asked to enter sensitive financial information (credit card numbers, etc.). Also, we only use your information to process your order and do not spam or share this information with anyone.

Do You Have A Printed Catalogue?
No, because our selection is constantly changing.

Can I Place My Order Over The Phone?
Sorry, we cannot take credit card orders over the phone. If you would rather not pay online, see the Payment page for alternatives.

Do You Send A Confirmation Email When I Order?
Yes. Make sure the email address you provide during account sign-up is valid. If you do not receive a confirmation, check your spam/junk mail folder or log in and view recent orders.

I Just Placed An Order But Forgot Something. Can I "Add On"?
No. Orders paid separately will be shipped separately.

Do You Do "Backorders"?
Sorry, no.

Can You Tell Me When An Item Will Be Back In Stock?
If we know when an item will be back in stock, a date will be displayed on the item details page in red text beneath the item description. Please note this date is approximate.

Can You Put An Item On "Reserve" For Me?
No - everything is sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

Do You Sell Wholesale?
No. 90% of our product line is handmade by skilled artisans, not by machines, so it cannot be mass-produced quickly and sold at a super-low price. If you are interested in reselling our products, we offer a 20% discount on orders valued over $200 USD (click here for details).

Do You Take Custom Design Orders?
Basic custom options (change the colour of a bead, add length, make smaller, etc.) are possible on most items. You must include these options in your current order - requests cannot be made after purchase. If the option you seek is not available there (eg. change rhinestone colour), contact us for a quote before purchase. Please note that we no longer take custom requests for hats or wood boxes.

Do You Have More Of (X) Item?
If an item is marked "discontinued", "one of a kind" or "limited edition" it means we cannot make (or get) any more. Otherwise handcrafted items can usually be made in higher quantities upon request (contact us with item #'s and how many of each you need). Items that are no longer listed for sale in our store have either sold out or cannot be made anymore due to scarce materials.

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Returns

What Is Your Return/Refund Policy?
Many items can be accepted for return, exchange or refund, however we must receive your return within 60 days from date of purchase. See our Returns page for product exclusions, refund terms, and details on repairs/alterations.

My Item Doesn't Fit. Can I Return It?
See our Returns page for information on what items can be returned, exchanged or altered.

The (Part) On My (Item) Broke, Can You Fix It?
If it is one of our hand-crafted items, definitely! Notify us immediately and post it for return within 30 days of purchase for free repair/replacement (sent back to you at no charge). After 30 days we reserve the right to charge for any materials, labour, and return shipping costs.

My (Item) Has A Flaw In It. Can I Return It?
Yes, if unworn and received by us within 60 days of purchase - contact us immediately. However please note: all of the oval glass stones we use are vintage stock. The very nature of vintage components is that they are old (25 years or more) and were often made by hand, rather than by precision machines. Many vintage components have tiny imperfections due to the manufacturing process or age (bubbles or warps in the glass, tiny hairline marks, slightly asymmetrical, etc.). Although we use only the best quality vintage components, be aware that a replacement vintage part may not be available, and that even when one is, it may not be 100% perfect either.

My Order Did Not Arrive In Time For My Special Event. Can I Return It?
If it is not a FINAL SALE item and has not yet been worn, yes - but shipping charges are non-refundable. If your event is less than 3 weeks away we recommend you choose XpressPost or Priority shipping just to be on the safe side (delivery times for each service are quoted during Check Out).

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Technical Problems

* IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, FIRST ENSURE YOUR BROWSER IS SET TO ACCEPT "COOKIES" *

I Emailed You A Question But Did Not Get A Reply. Why?
This is likely because: 1.) our reply got filtered as spam or bounced because your inbox was full, 2.) you have not waited at least 24 hours, or 3.) your question has already been answered in this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Some SBCglobal.net/ATT.net users are not receiving our emails - this is an issue with your ISP and is beyond our control. Try using a Hotmail or Gmail (etc.) address instead.

I Can't Sign In (or Sign Up)! Help?
Login is case-sensitive: ensure the info you enter is spelled correctly and that your Caps Lock key is off. Remember, your email address is your login ID - if you change it in your profile it will become your new login ID. Nine times out of ten it is a typo, not our store software, that causes problems. But if you still have trouble check your browser's "cookie" settings (usually under Tools > Internet Options > Privacy but varies depending on browser) - privacy should be set to "medium". Cookies are small pieces of information sent by a web server to temporarily store on a browser, so it can keep you logged in and remember your cart contents while you shop. Few mobile devices use cookies however - you may have to shop from home.

Why Am I Having Trouble Viewing Some Of Your Pages?
Your browser's security settings are either set far too high or your browser is unable to accept "cookies" (see question above).

I Tried To Pay But It's Not Working. Help?
First, ensure that your billing and shipping addresses are entered correctly - check postal code and state/country closely. Second, ensure your browser is set to enable "cookies" (see second question in this section). If you still encounter problems, check that your info contains no typos (if you already have a PayPal or HyperWallet account, it may help if you use the same email address here as you do there), and that there are no restrictions currently on your credit card or bank account. If you are paying with a prepaid Visa or American Express Gift Card, see second question under Payment. Lastly, "pop-up blocker" programs and security settings which are set too high may prevent the click-through to PayPal. Try temporarily disabling your pop-up blocker, then adjusting your security settings to allow access to paypal.com (or hyperwallet.com).

Why Won't The PayPal Checkout Let Me Ship To A Country Different Than My Own?
Unfortunately PayPal does not allow certain types of accounts to do this without being alerted beforehand. Before purchase, login to your PayPal account and try adding the address as a "gift address", or call PayPal directly to authorize it (1-888-221-1161 or 1-402-935-2050). If you do not have a PayPal account, contact your credit card company to authorize a new shipping address.

Why Did I Not Receive A Confirmation Email After Placing An Order?
It either got filtered into your spam folder, bounced because your inbox was full, or you had supplied an incorrect email address. To check if your order was indeed received, login to view recent orders. Some SBCglobal.net/ATT.net users are not receiving our emails - this is an issue with your ISP and is beyond our control. Try using a Hotmail or Gmail (etc.) address instead.

Why Am I Not Receiving Newsletters Or Product Notifications?
See question above.

I Bookmarked One of Your Pages But Now It's Gone. Why?
When a customer buys the last product in stock, the page becomes temporarily unavailable (check back after 24 hours - it will reappear if we can estimate when more stock will become available). When a product has completely sold out it is permanently removed from our server.

Personalized Help
If you have tried the suggestions above and are still having problems, feel free to contact us.

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