Jan 4, 2012

Expired! Winner Announced -Free Jewelry Giveaway - Celebrating Jewelry Makers and Custom Orders

Genuine Pearl Ring with White Zircon Hearts
Starting now until January 15th, I am holding a Giveaway for the beautiful ring shown above!  A genuine white freshwater Pearl ring with 2 natural White Zircon heart gemstones set in lovely 14K white gold plated ring, size 8.  The Pearl is 7mm round button style and the Zircon hearts are 6mm each, giving this ring a bold sparkly "get noticed"  style.  To enter, keep reading!

Pearl Love Heart Ring 14K White Gold Plated
The purpose of this blog post is to applaud all of the jewelry makers that I have met or yet to meet that work so hard to develop skills and techniques, produce unique designs and pour their hearts and souls into making beautiful jewelry.  Many of us truly enjoy the pleasure of creating designs, bringing ideas and inspirations to life and sharing our work with each other and anyone who enjoys quality handmade jewelry.

Our abilities and skills attract the attention of buyers who are interested in having a custom piece created just for them or an item customized to their taste.  As long as their is agreement on the custom work and details including price, most jewelry makers are very happy to create customized jewelry for clients. 



My shop has a section for policies, most shops do.  Details on shipping, returns, exchanges, etc. are laid out for anyone to see.  It is good business to provide these details as a service to customers to answer questions even before they arise.  Specifically, my policy states that there are no returns for custom orders.  Why?  Simply put, I use the customer's money to purchase the materials for their custom item.  The money is no longer available for refund as it was spent to make their jewelry.  Example, customer wants my earrings, but made with 14K gold.  I use the money to make the earrings with gold.  If the customer wanted a refund, it would be from my wallet because her money was already spent. 

There are other arrangements for custom orders including deposits, paying the balance once the work is complete, etc.  I would love to hear how other jewelry makers handle their custom orders and what policies protect the seller and buyer.

On the flip side of custom orders, is the Feedback!  Happy customers who leave feedback that is warm and wonderful just makes my day!  Unhappy customers who simply want a refund and leave negative feedback in retaliation are just behaving shameful.  Trying to sway me to make an exception to a policy they agreed to and posting nasty public comments that are false will not work.  I will always stand by my work and my policies and applaud those jewelry makers that stand strong and will not be held hostage.  I will do whatever possible to please a customer, because I truly want them to love their jewelry.  Most buyers understand and are great to work with and I appreciate them!


Genuine Pearl Heart Love Ring

Here's to custom orders and lovely buyers!  Here's to jewelry makers that take so much care with each step, no shortcuts, producing beautiful art that is wearable!  Here's to the buyers who appreciate and understand and leave wonderful feedback!

Giveaway Entry Details:

No limit on the number of times you may enter.  Limited to persons 18 and older with a US shipping address.  The winner will be announced on January 16, 2012 and the winner will be contacted for mailing details.  I will ship the ring as is, size 8 to the winner.  Drawing will be random using a random number generator.

Ways to Enter:
1.  Leave a comment below this post with your thoughts on custom orders and/or feedback.
2.  Follow my blog and leave a comment.  Current followers will not be automatically included this time unless you leave a comment below this post.
3.  Post about the Giveaway on your site or blog and let me know a link to find you
4.  Tell a friend to mention you in their comments, both will get an entry
5.  Visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment about something that caught your eye

Feel free to email me directly in case you would rather not post below.

I hope you enjoy this Giveaway and good luck on winning the Pearl Ring!
Kathy

55 comments:

  1. I love custom orders - I know what I am buying!

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  2. Kathy - your style, craft and beauty of design is extraordinary. There are nutters in the world - and being online means we are always going to come face to face with them at some point. Keep doing what you do because you truly are gifted.
    xxx

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  3. Kathy- holding a small business owner hostage to nasty public comments just shows that person has no ethics. You do beautiful work- don't let the few bad apples get you down! Great ring

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Beautiful ring, I cannot imagine you doing anything but being supra-professorial. So many people are so positive with their feedback, that`s what keeps me going. Other`s who use feedback in an unethical,hurtful way are, thankfully few and far between.

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  6. Kathy, your work is incredible! I know, I have one of your beautiful rings. Some people are just really unhappy people, and want others to be the same. You are awesome, and very talented! Lovely ring!

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  7. Wow! I love doing custom orders. Some of my favorite designs have come out of ideas from customers. It sounds like this customer had a chip on her shoulder before she placed the order. Don't let it get you down!

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  8. I have never done a custom order but that pearl ring is very beautiful
    kathypersons@yahoo.com

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  9. Genuine Purple Charoite Sterling Silver Leaf Ring I love this ring

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  10. I alsolike the genuine opal earrings

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  11. Custom orders are the best way to find exactly what I am looking for. I love the custom order feature on etsy. I have been able to find just the right thing that way!

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  12. I would love to have something custom designed for me - that way its just what i want

    sweepymummy [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  13. I follow on GFC

    sweepymummy [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  14. GFC follower (Lisa Blogs)
    lisa.blogs2 at gmail dot com

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  15. I also spotted this one Genuine Ruby Ring Sterling

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  16. I think the ring is beautiful, however I am not sure that everyone has the ability to design a peice that looks good together. I know i lack that ability.

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  17. I love custom orders. That ring is beautiful.

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  18. Beautiful and I LOVE being able to custom order !!

    Karen Gonyea
    ktgonyea@gmail.com

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  19. Thank you for the lovely ring, I would love to give it to my wonderful wife of 30 years. Jack Palmer jcpalmer25@yahoo.com

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  20. I don't care for mass produced items, and custom work means I get exactly what I want. I am queenesperfect at yahoo.com

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  21. Custom orders are great. I know just what I'll be receiving.

    swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com

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  22. follow your blog. Thx.

    swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com

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  23. I really like the idea of custom orders, since I really don't like seeing the same things I have on everyone else.

    cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

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  24. Follow via GFC

    cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

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  25. So incredible :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  26. I like the custom orders because you get what you want. donbob@hazleton.net

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  27. Count me in again please :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  28. Your work is beautiful! I think allowing custom orders is fantastic! I know I love to have something made just for me and to my specifications. I completely get the no refund policy too.

    thisisme79 @ gmail dot com

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  29. I am a GFC follower - Angela H

    thisisme79 @ gmail dot com

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  30. I visited your shop and absolutely LOVE the 14K White Gold Opal Ring!! I have a serious love of opals.

    thisisme79 @ gmail dot com

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  31. I like custom orders because it means no one else will have one like it. trinitygsd at yahoo dot ocm

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  32. Another entry for me please :)

    ktgonyea@gmail.com

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  33. I love custom ordering because it allows you to be very specific with your order.
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

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  34. love the ring pearl is my birthstone.. I love Etsy...

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  35. I love custom ordering.. It's nice to be able to have something made just for a family member.

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  36. Blue Topaz Heart Ring Sterling Birthstone Solitaire.

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  37. My thoughts on custom orders is simple, if there is a policy that states that there are no returns on custom orders as yours does, than that's pretty simple to understand, and there should be no ifs, buts and whatnots about it. On the other hand when there's no policy that's there to protect the seller or the buyer from the getgo, i think that particular store/ business is in for quite some trouble. I don't understand why anyone thinks it would be ok, to ask for a refund on something that would end up costing you.

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  38. I highly support custom orders and admire the artisans who truly care for their customers. As an artist myself, I would love to be able to tailor a piece exactly so that someone will fall in love with it and enjoy it.

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  39. I follow your blog via GFC - StrangeDaze and I find your work breathtaking. Thank you.

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  40. I love your shop. A lot of pieces caught my eye, especially the Purple Charoite Sterling Silver Leaf Ring. The elegance and the color are gorgeous.

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  41. Custom orders are the best for bringing a personal aspect to what ever you buy.
    parisrobyn18@gmail.com

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  42. I am a follower
    parisrobyn18@gmail.com
    follower name robyn paris

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  43. Love your work and your creative designs are awesome. Would love to win this beautiful pearl ring, thank you.

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  44. I like custom orders because I know that the maker is doing their best to produce quality items!
    britibee@gmail.com

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  45. I love Ruby Love Wrap Ring Custom Name Word Sterling.
    britibee@gmail.com

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  46. I love custom orders because I can get exactly what I want.

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  47. Custom orders are a way to take your own visions and let some make them a reality. It is so personal.

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  48. gfc follower spirit_kim/kim thompson

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  49. I am a person that loves unique items,so I think custom orders are great.I really don't like anyone wearing the same exact piece of jewelry that I wear.

    CharlieGurl57@aol.com

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  50. I also like your White Pearl Silver Ring.

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  51. I am following your blog
    (Charlene/Swtlilchick)

    CharlieGurl57(at)aol(dot)com

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  52. The Silver Cat Charm Pendant Tiny Kitty on Brick Wall is so pretty.

    CharlieGurl57(at)aol(dot)com

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  53. Time is up! I will announce the winner shortly!

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