FAQ

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If you're unsure of colors for a custom-piece, please refer to this page on the Swarovski website. Most colors are available in all types and sizes, but some are not, so you'll have to keep yourself open to availability but we can discuss that as we begin the custom-talk process. :)

Payment: I accept the following forms of payment, available through PAYPAL. Personal Checks and Money Orders are also accepted, of course, but are held until both forms of payment clear my bank, then the items will be worked, finished and released. In other words, I will NOT begin your project (if it's a custom-piece) nor will I mail it out (if it's from my Shoppe) until the payment clears my bank. Did you know that people can make false money orders? I learned the hard way so this is just a safeguard for me and I hope you understand. If you're needing your item quickly, consider paypal. It's a reliable and fast source of transference of funds that I've been safely using since 2002.

Packaging: All of my items are beautifully wrapped inside small jewelry ziploc bags, then placed in sheer organza drawstring pouches, and all of the items are packaged in gift boxes.  Ribbon is added and my personal LGD ribbon wraps it all up. It comes as a present to yourself or perfect enough to give to someone else in your life. If you're a regular customer and wish to forego the packaging, let me know but it will still come in the ziploc and organza baggies for safe-keeping.

Shipping: Currently ALL items are shipped FREE to the United States via First Class Mail with Confirmation. Items that go out overseas are given a $5.00 credit on their shipping order. However, overseas customers ordering more than one item, there is no fee for shipping. It's my way of saying thank you.
The shipping method varies. If you live in the U.S.A. it is recommended that you use USPS Priority with tracking (this usually costs no more than $6). If you live overseas the best shipping method is Federal Express. In the past it has taken far too long for customers to receive their items and quite frankly, I have a difficult time with the stress. I want you to be extremely happy with your purchase and with me, and to make that happen I will use FedEx as a shipping method to anyone outside the U.S.A. The cost can run between $10 to $28 US Dollars (depending on distance and weight). If you would like insurance, please request it at the time of purchase as I will not be responsible for anything damaged in shipment ($1.30 extra).

Returns & Exchanges on items in my Shoppe: If you purchase something in my Shoppe, and it does not meet your approval, I will EXCHANGE it for something else within ONE week of receiving the item. You will need to ship it to me with CONFIRMATION (first class mail with confirmation is roughly $3.50) and you will need to put $3.00 with your item so that I may ship it back to you.

FAQ on CUSTOM WORK: We discuss the item you want to have created. After a detailed email is sent, and payment has been received, I will begin the work. It is at that time that I order any necessary items that I currently do not have in stock (crystal, particular silver pieces, charms etc). These items are ordered SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR CUSTOM PIECE (ie: a sports charm, certain initials, etc), I do not carry a large inventory on charms because so many like certain things... After photos are sent (prior to your piece being completed...the item will be "unstrung" but you'll get the general idea of how it will look), you make the final approval. I will do ONE revision and after that, there's an additional charge of $15.00 to "rework or redesign" a custom piece. However, I must tell you that before I send photos, I have reworked a piece several times until it's "right" and a revision charge has never been needed up to now. After you approve the completed work (via photos), I mail it off. Simple as that. Each custom piece is made just for you, which is why I do NOT accept returns, refunds or exchanges on custom pieces. I hope you understand. Many, many hours go into custom work. :)

Repairs: If by chance you put your jewelry on top of your car, get in, drive off and then watch it fly off the roof of your car as you back out... then you run over it, crushing it to bits... well, those sorts of things I cannot fix. I'll be happy to design something in its place (um, but you'll need to pay again...LOL). For general repairs I can easily fix those for you within the six months (free of charge), but you'll need to send $3.50 for First Class Shipping so I can send it back to you. After six months, I will still fix it, but there is a service fee of $25.00 for anything that needs to be torn apart, restrung, and/or rebuilt.  Resizing: if you purchased something either from my website or through an auction and have asked me to resize your bracelet, please expect it to take an additional three to five days to receive. Fitting in resizing time is difficult since the bracelet has to be completely taken apart and then rebuilt. It isn't a bother, annoyance, or a problem, it just takes a bit of time. Thanks for understanding!

Care & Cleaning: Almost ALL of my designs are made from solid sterling silver (but from time to time I use 14kt sold or filled gold and copper things). Sterling does NOT like air, and all my things will come in seal-tight ziploc jewelry baggies to keep them away from general hazards. It helps keep them shiny and also clean. To polish your jewelry, please use a soft polishing cloth (if you would like to purchase one from me, please inquire, and they are $3.50 each). NEVER USE ANY SORT OF LIQUID SILVER CLEANER ON ANY OF YOUR JEWELRY AS IT WILL DESTROY THE NATURAL LUSTER OF THE SILVER. If you should have any other questions about your jewelry, please drop me an email and I'll help you in any way that I can. Thanks!

Photography on Laurie Gale Designs & BYLGD*:  ALL of the photos of jewelry on my website have been taken by ME. Unless given permission, you do NOT have the right to take the photos and use them for personal gain. You may, however, use them to keep in your own computer (for instance: if you purchased the bracelet and would like a photo of said bracelet). I do NOT mind that sort of thing, but taking my photos and using them as your own is stealing. I am the soul creator of EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY WORKS and have poured my heart and soul into my work. It has taken me YEARS to acquire a good following of wonderful and kind friends (who are also customers) and it isn't fair that you take my photos and use them as your own. I will turn matters like this over to our lawyer and we will ask that you remove the photos immediately or actions will be taken. My images are protected under copyright so please respect my wishes and keep them here on my site where they belong. Thank you.

Take pride in your OWN work, in your OWN creations and designs. It might be flattery to redesign something that I have already made, but it isn't very kind to put "your stamp of creativity" on it when in fact, it was someone else's.