FAQ

Yes. You pay through PayPal, the world’s premier electronic payment solution, not through this site. We never even see your credit card number; PayPal just tells us that you’ve paid and we ship you your stuff. We get your money through PayPal later.

No, you can pay with your credit card without a PayPal account.

US ORDERS will ship via USPS Priority Mail. I do this to utilize the on-line tracking and included insurance (up to $100). I will ship within three days of payment and send an email to notify you. Custom orders will require additional 3-5 days. If you would like to insure your purchase for more, please contact me before payment.

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS will ship USPS Priority Mail in a small flat rate box. USPS Priority Mail includes tracking and delivery confirmation to some countries.

SHIPPING TIME: Delivery time with Priority Mail International should be 6-10 days depending on location, custom office, and holiday season.

CUSTOMS FEES: ♥PLEASE♥ be aware that international customers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, brokerage fees, or tariffs levied after the initial US postage (including VAT for Europe, particularly UK),. These fees could be applied to your package at the discretion of your local customs officers/post office and are collected when you pick up the item. These fees are NOT including in stated shipping cost. If you would like to estimate your duty fees check out this tool: http://www.dutycalculator.com/

I want you to love your beads and jewelry!

If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase, please contact me ASAP. I have never had a customer return a piece, but if you should need to return an item, please do so within 48 hours of receiving the order. (Custom orders and personalized jewelry are NOT returnable.) Items must be returned in the original packaging and the same condition as when they were sold.  The buyer is responsible for return shipping, including insurance.

It depends on the request, my current availability and my materials inventory.  I do require payment in full before I start a custom order. I will do my best to accommodate requests, but I will not copy other lampwork artists’ beads, and I will let you know if something is beyond my ability. (like sculptural work—not really my thing!)

Please know that while I can duplicate my designs, they are handmade, and will have subtle differences in details and size. Please allow for +/- 1mm on custom beads.

Since I take custom orders, I do not place reserves on beads that are currently listed. I am happy to remake beads that have been sold if it is possible to do so.

Also, although my beads are kiln annealed, please keep in mind that they are glass and can break. They are also not appropriate for children under 5.

All designs, images, and descriptions Copyright 2008-2019 Amy Sims Designs. All rights reserved.

I am committed to protecting the privacy of my site visitors and customers.  Your name, address and email/contact information will never be sold, shared or publicly disclosed without your consent except as required by law.

All purchases are conducted through PayPal’s secure website.  I do not receive or collect any of your credit card billing information.

I may monitor/record website analytics and statistics about visitors to and purchases on this website for the ultimate purpose of improving and enhancing customer experience and service, and the products available on my site.

If you have made a purchase from my store (thank-you!) I may occasionally update you on my latest products, news, special offers and events via email if you opt-in to receive email marketing communications.  You may opt-out at any time.

This site may contain links to and from other websites.  If you follow a link to another site, please note that they may have their own privacy policies and I do not accept liability for any of their policies or lack thereof.

Most of my silver was purchased between 2005-2010 when silver prices were much, much lower. I am no longer buying silver beads or Biagi items to resell. So if you see something you want, get it now because I won’t be getting more!

Also, I have not raised the prices of my silver to reflect current market rates. Therefore my silver beads and chains are priced very well! This in NO way indicates a lower quality product. My silver is genuine sterling, NOT plated brass.

(This applies to resale items only such as beads, clasps, chains, locks, and spacers. , NOT to raw silver that I purchase currently to make jump rings, wire jewelry, enameled jewelry, custom stamped bead caps, etc.)

Don’t confuse artisan-made lampwork beads with imported mass-produced lampwork from places like India, China, and Turkey. Artisan made lampwork is more expensive, much higher quality and appropriately kiln-annealed.

Annealing is the process of holding the hot glass beads at a temperature where it is fluid enough for internal stresses to relax, and then cooling the glass beads so slowly that both the inside and the outside have a chance to shrink evenly. This is achieved in a temperature controlled kiln. The annealing process reduces stress in the glass so that it becomes more stable and less breakable.

Many sellers of mass-produces lampwork claim their beads are annealed. This claim is a misnomer: mass-produced lampwork beads are cooled in fiber blankets, sand, vermiculite or even nothing at all. Improper cooling methods mean the beads cool too quickly, and therefore they are far more fragile and susceptible to breaking.

When buying lampwork glass beads, make sure you understand where they are coming from and what went into making them. Artisan made lampwork is usually of the highest quality, much less breakable, and often very unique and made with precision and care.