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Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you have a question, please feel free to email me. I cannot promise that I can or will answer everything but I always aim to respond as quickly as I can. Still, some days get busy and maybe what you want to know has already been answered below? Let's see ...
Questions about my work
Q. I'm a jewellery designer. Can I credit you as the beadmaker when describing my work? Yes, if you have used my art beads in your work, you are welcome to mention my name on your promotional material and website. But it is entirely up to you. Many designers do credit the beadmaker and it is always appreciated but if you prefer not to, again that's cool.
Q. I have used your beads in my jewellery. Will you put a photo of it in your customer gallery pages? Maybe! Email me a photo and we can discuss it. I love seeing how you all bring my beads to life in your designs. So don't keep me in suspense - show me what you are making!
Q. Do you teach beadmaking? I don't have time for teaching at the moment. If you are looking for tuition, please check out my links page and contact the relevant guild or association for a list of teachers in your area.
Q. Have you published any of your beadmaking techniques? Yes, the vast majority are in print, either in my two polymer clay books or various magazine articles. Please see my Bio page for more details on my published work. The only techniques not yet published are those used to make my Illuminare and Clarice beads. For now I am still working those ideas within the Art bead side of my business. Maybe one day though! You can also find some other jewellery related projects and articles on my Tutorials page.
Q. So will you tell me how to make any of the art beads you sell? Nope sorry! I won't answer how-to questions about the beads I sell. A girl has to have some trade secrets right?
Q. Can I ask other questions about beadmaking? Of course! I am always happy to answer general questions on using polymer clay or jewellery-making where possible. Those are areas I have been involved in for many years and feel somewhat qualified to yabber on about. When it comes to lampwork, ceramics or metal clays I consider myself merely an enthusiastic amateur, but will point you in the right direction if I cannot answer your questions myself. Please remember though, many answers are already out there just waiting for you to Google them! My links page also has some excellent sites for polymer clay and lampwork info.
Questions about making a purchase
Q. Are your Art beads for sale? Yes they sure are! I sell all my art beads through my online store.
Q. All the beads in your shop are marked sold - when will new beads be listed? Soon I promise. I list new beads weekly at least and usually send out notifications to my mailing list when they go up. Often new beads sell quite quickly though, so don't hang around if you see something you like. I never make the exact same beads twice! If you are still having problems finding a set available, why not join my Lampwork Lotto? Alternatively check out my occasional auctions on ebay. Search for me under my seller name ejralph
Q. How do I join your mailing list? The mailing list operates from my online store. To join, set up a customer account by clicking the "Log On" link. Remember to tick the box for the newsletter. Your customer account enables you to place orders and subscribe/unsubscribe to the mailing list at will. Your details will not be shared. If you have a customer account already, you can check your subscription by logging onto your account and clicking the "My Account" link. There you will find the link to your email notification preferences.
Q. I have seen some beads I like here on your website, are they available? All the beads shown on my website gallery pages have been sold.
Q. Will you make me some beads just like the ones I have seen? No, sorry. The owner of the original beads bought them from me as unique art beads. For this reason, I never recreate the same set of beads exactly. Currently, my silver charms are the only items made in limited editions.
Q. So don't you do any custom commissions? No - I am rubbish at it! My beads turn out much better when I just make what I feel and don't work to a specific brief.
Q. I have seen some beads I like in your store - will you make them into jewellery for me? See above, the same applies to jewellery. What can I say? I am either a flake or a free-spirit, depending on your outlook! If you want to commission some jewellery, please visit my customer gallery pages. There you will find many talented designers who may be willing to take on your custom order.
Q. What do your beads cost in US dollars? That would depend on the exchange rate that day. All my beads are priced and sold in GBP (Great British Pounds). It is the buyer's responsibility to determine what those prices are in their own currency. Please see my online store's Ordering Information page for fuller details on ordering and payments.
Q. What are the shipping costs to the US? Shipping is based on weight and destination of the order. To determine shipping prices please refer to the Ordering Information page.
Q. Do I have to use the Online Store to order? Can't I phone, email or visit you? The online store handles all the paperwork and stock control for your orders - freeing me up to get in the studio and make beads. For this reason, EJR Beads is run strictly online only. Orders may only be placed through the online store. UK customers can make their payment by cheque or postal order if they prefer - but all orders must be made using the online shopping cart.
Q. Do you offer wholesale? Effectively my beads are already priced at wholesale - they are as competitively-priced as I can afford to make them. If I were to sell through other outlets, the retail price for my beads would be much higher. That is why I took the decision to sell my beads to you directly and not work through other agents or retailers.
Q. Do you sell your beads on eBay? Yup sometimes. My seller ID is ejralph
Other questions
Q. Will you exchange website links with me? No, sorry. I get asked this so often and soon realised my links page would look like the yellow pages if I said yes to every request. So, when I do add a link it is because I genuinely like the site, the person or think there is some other good reason you should abandon me and go visit them. If you like my website and wish to link to my homepage, I would be honoured but it doesn't guarantee you a link back! Likewise if I link to you I don't expect reciprocal linking unless you genuinely want to do that.
Q. Are you as horrible as this FAQ makes you sound? Of course not! I like kittens and everything. Ok, maybe a little bit horrible. Mostly on Tuesdays though.
Q. Do you ever sleep? No. sleep is for girls.
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