Question 1

What is the shipping policy?

Accepted Answer

For any one of a kind item and all items currently in stock, once payment is received, those items are available for immediate shipping and I do my best to package and ship them out the next business day, but at most within three days guaranteed. Shipping is free within the United States for any purchase over $75 and a flat $5.00 for anything below that. All shipping is USPS and includes insurance. I ship to Canada for an additional cost of $8 and all other countries $10 (for out of the country I ship uninsured due to the high cost of international insurance, please contact me at shalondesigns@gmail.com if you wish to add insurance and I will send a paypal request for the calculated difference). *I am obligated to add California state sales tax to anyone in my home state.
 
All items are shipped with in a natural tan gift box with decorative ribbon. A description of the item and its care will be included. I am happy to add any gift message you wish, just email me at shalondesigns@gmail.com when you purchase.

Question 2

What is the return policy?

Accepted Answer

My ultimate goal is a satisfied happy customer. I accept returns for any reason received within 15 days of purchase if received in the same condition as purchased, and will happily refund the item amount minus shipping charges*. I am also extremely reasonable about repairs, please email me and I will deal with them on a case by case basis. Happy to repair any item for the first year for the cost of shipping in most cases, but I will not be able to replace unique stones in one of a kind pieces. 
*Custom orders cannot be returned in most cases.
 
Please remember that handmade jewelry is often delicate and please follow the care instructions I provide about cleaning or wearing in the shower as the care will differ depending on the materials used.

Question 3

Can I buy an item on layaway?

Accepted Answer

Shalon Designs offers layaway on any item over $100*. Any item or items that total $100.00 or more may be purchased through a layaway plan**. To place an item(s) in lay-away, please contact me at shalondesigns@gmail.com or through the contact form at the bottom of the homepage of this website. We will then come to a mutually agreed upon payment schedule.

A non-refundable down payment of 25% is made when the item(s) is placed in layaway.

I will send you a personal link to the item which allows you to make partial payments.  Once your first payment is received your item will be considered purchased and no longer available to others on the website. An email with the payment link will be sent to you the day before each payment is due. You may keep the item(s) in lay-away up to 90 days, with payments being made every week or up to every two weeks.

Once the item(s) are paid in full the item(s) will be shipped. If more than one item is involved in the layaway, no items may be deleted from the Lay-Away. All payments for layaway are nonrefundable.

Stay in touch, please. Problems arise in life and I'm willing to consider amending the layaway terms, if needed. We've all had unexpected expenses occur. After two weeks of no customer contact and a missed payment, the layaway will be cancelled.

** Because new items often sell out too quickly for a layaway to be set up, expect that most items will be available for layaway only if they do not sell in the first 48 hours. If you choose to checkout with Paypal, you can purchase immediately and opt for their Pay Later option.

Question 4

Can I buy something from the gallery?

Accepted Answer

If you love a piece you see in the gallery tab or on Instagram that has sold and would like a similar piece made, or see a ring that you would love in a different size than offered, please contact me using the contact form at the bottom of the homepage on this website or email me at shalondesigns@gmail.com. We can discuss creating a similar custom piece to your liking. If a piece you saw on social media has not yet been listed you can contact me in the same way or by DM on instagram (@shalondesigns) and let me know you're interested. See also the next question on custom work for more detailed information.

Question 5

Do you take custom requests?

Accepted Answer

Custom requests are evaluated on a case by case basis. If you would like something made in the Shalon Designs style, similar to or same as a previous piece made in my studio, chances are better that I will be able to create something for you.

Be aware that costs can range higher for custom work because of the extra communication time involved. I will quote an estimated cost prior to beginning work and will require 1/2 that amount prior to starting on your piece. The second payment will be required when it is completed and before I ship you the item. If the cost turns out greater than the estimate the second payment will reflect that added expense. If it turns out less, then the second payment will be less than half (the main reason for cost adjustment has to do with the cost of the actual materials chosen, for instance the actual weight of the metal when the project is completed).

Communication is key. Feel free to start the process by filling out my contact form at the bottom of my homepage.

Question 6

Who is the artist?

Accepted Answer

I am a wife and mother of a daughter, twin sons, and a Samoyed named LunaBear. Formerly a psychologist, I retired to stay at home when the twins were born and as they grew my boys became rock collectors with the side effect that I fell in love with stones. They have since moved on to other things, but I became a jewelry designer, maker and metalsmith. I love fabricating pieces completely from scratch with metal, fire and the incredible stones that inspire me. I wear all the hats in my one-woman business.