Jewelry Questions

What is your design process? 

My work involves a fair bit of experimentation. I do all of my beading by hand, and often there are multiple components. It's a lot of detailed work, and often times involves some meticulous knotting and threading. Sometimes, a design works on the first try, and other times, it's back to the drawing board a few times to get a piece to sit just right. I won't release a piece on my site unless I've said, "Yes! That's it!" 

How do I care for my new jewelry? 

Big thing- keep it out of the sun/heat. The sun can cause discoloration, and the heat can weaken the polymer stretch cord. If you must leave your jewelry in a hot car, keep it well-covered and well-insulated. If it gets dusty, a little compressed air should do the trick to clean it up. If you are traveling, keep it in a hard case or container. I personally swear by carrying jewelry in cases for portable hard drives- they are small and lightweight, but the hard back protects the jewelry from being crushed in transit. 

Do you do custom orders? 

Absolutely! If you really like a design, but prefer a different color scheme, let's get in touch and come up with something that makes you say, "Yes!" I can be reached via email at tsugabeads@gmail.com. We will chat about what you have in mind, and I will send an invoice once I get the green light from you. 

Can you make a particular product in a specific color/palette? 

 Absolutely! We love working with different color palettes, and many  of our pieces are inspired by the myriad color palettes on Pinterest! Send us an email with an idea of the color palette you would like and we can create a unique piece for you! Note: Custom orders may take a week before shipping. 

Where do you get your beads? 

Potomac Beads, Fire Mountain, several Etsy shops, and local bead shops. When I travel, I love to visit local bead shops- I'm kind of a connoisseur, since no two bead shops are alike. 

Blargh! I love that necklace, but it is too big/small? 

Fear not! I can resize most necklaces (excluding the lattice chokers) in minutes, at no charge. 

I love your jewelry, but metal and I don't get along. Do you have any metal-free pieces? 

All of our bracelets and hand chains are metal-free! Most of our necklaces do not contain any metal except for the clasp. However, if you are particularly sensitive to metal, you may want to avoid necklaces. 

What inspires your designs? 

I love looking at art and jewelry from around the world and throughout history. I use those as inspiration, and after a bit of tinkering, the pieces take on a life of their own. That's the beauty of new designs- I have an idea in my head, and rarely does it look exactly like my chicken scratch designs! 

How do I measure a necklace length? 

A couple of ways: If you have a necklace that is your ideal fit, use a tape measurer and measure from clasp to clasp. You can also use a flexible tape measurer around your neck at the desired length. 

Shipping and Purchase Questions

How do I make a purchase?

You can place an order by shopping our collection. If you are not comfortable with that, drop me an email and I can create an invoice for you. If you are requesting a custom piece, send me an email and we will work together to create a piece you love. I will send you an invoice once I get the green light from you. 

What shipping carrier do you use? 

We use USPS to ship our products. 

How much is shipping? 

Shipping within the US and Canada is free! Outside of North America may vary, but will usually be $10-$20. 

Where do you ship? 

We currently ship to the US, UK, Canada and Australia. 

How long do you take to ship? 

For pieces purchased from our website, we ship within 3 business days. Custom work is usually about a week. 

I'm in your neck of the woods- can we arrange a local pickup? 

You betcha! Get in touch and we can set up a meeting time and place! 

How do I track my order? 

You will receive an email immediately after your purchase. I will follow up with you via email and provide tracking information once your package is shipped. 

Returns and Repairs

Oh no! My necklace broke! 

I know- life happens! Fear not- within 6 months, get in touch and I will send you a prepaid shipping label and ship it back to you. After the 6 month period, repairs will usually run about $20, if most of the beads are recovered. 

Broken pieces can be shipped in their original packaging to

2260 East Lohman Ave # 1088

Las Cruces, NM 88001

What is your refund policy? 

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, contact us for a shipping label to return it to us within 30 days. 

Contact

How do I reach you? 

I can be reached at tsugabeads@gmail.com. You can also DM me on Instagram at TsugaBeadwork, or on Facebook at Tsuga Beadwork. I will usually respond within 12 hours.