Frequently Asked Questions
What is metal clay?
Metal Clay is made from powdered metal combined with an organic binder and water. It can be modeled, molded, or sculpted then when heated to a high temperature in a kiln, the binder burns away, and the metal particles sinter (or fuse) into solid metal. I work with numerous forms of metal clay and they contain the following properties:
What is the difference between fine silver and sterling silver?
How long will my order take?
Everlasting Prints (fingerprints, hand prints, footprints, lip prints, etc):
Precious Pets: Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your photos, paw prints, etc.
Cremation Ashes: Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your ashes.
You will find the Current Turnaround Time here on my welcome page.
How do I obtain fingerprints?
I have found the pencil, paper and tape fingerprint method to be the easiest and most effective way of capturing your prints:
Metal Clay is made from powdered metal combined with an organic binder and water. It can be modeled, molded, or sculpted then when heated to a high temperature in a kiln, the binder burns away, and the metal particles sinter (or fuse) into solid metal. I work with numerous forms of metal clay and they contain the following properties:
- Fine Silver is .999 fine silver after firing. It is a bright silver and tarnishes less quickly than sterling silver.
- The Sterling Silver I use is .950 silver after firing. Standard sterling is .925, but I use a higher percentage of fine silver to help hinder tarnishing as quickly. Sterling silver is a bit harder than fine silver and is recommend for bracelets, keychains, rings, or anything else that will get bumped around more.
- Bronze is solid bronze after firing. It is not as bright as gold, but is gold toned. While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
- Brilliant Bronze is solid bronze after firing. This bronze is as close to gold color as you can get with base metal. While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
- Rose Bronze is solid bronze after firing. This bronze has a pink tint to it...not as bright as copper, but somewhere between bronze and copper. While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
- Copper is solid copper after firing. I typically leave the copper in its natural state, but it can be antiqued for a more rustic look. While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
- Steel is solid steel after firing. This metal is very lightweight and very strong and durable. The color can vary from light gray to almost black, depending on the process. It has a silver tone to it, but is not as bright as silver. Steel is protected with a sealant to prevent rust and is not recommend to be worn in water at all.
- White Satin is a unique combination of iron, copper and tin. This metal is also very lightweight and very strong and durable. The color can vary from dark silver to light gray to dark gray. When polished to a high polish it has a silver tone, but is not as bright as silver. White Satin is protected with a sealant to prevent rust and is not recommend to be worn in water at all.
What is the difference between fine silver and sterling silver?
- Fine silver is .999 pure silver. This silver will not tarnish as quickly, but it is a bit softer than sterling.
- The sterling silver I use is .950 sterling, which contains 5% copper and 96% silver. The copper adds some strength to the silver, but causes it to tarnish more quickly.
- I typically recommend fine silver for necklaces and sterling silver for bracelets, rings and keychains.
How long will my order take?
Everlasting Prints (fingerprints, hand prints, footprints, lip prints, etc):
- While I do complete most orders more quickly than this, please allow 2-3 weeks after I receive your fingerprint(s).
- If you order inkless fingerprint kits, you can expect to receive them in approximately 5-10 business days after I receive your order. Your order is then completed in approximately 2-3 weeks after I receive your fingerprints back from you.
Precious Pets: Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your photos, paw prints, etc.
Cremation Ashes: Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your ashes.
You will find the Current Turnaround Time here on my welcome page.
How do I obtain fingerprints?
I have found the pencil, paper and tape fingerprint method to be the easiest and most effective way of capturing your prints:
I found also this helpful video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UYHrPas3c&feature=share I can also use ink prints taken with an ink pad on smooth white paper, as long as they are clearly lined prints. Smudged prints will not work. Once you have your prints, the best method for providing them to me is to take a photo of each print then email them to ATimelessImpression@gmail.com. Most people use their smart phones and this works very well as long as the images are well focused and in good lighting.
If you are having problems getting prints from babies and children under 3, you can try different areas from the palm of the hand, the big toe, the bottom of the foot or the heel.
If you are having problems getting prints from babies and children under 3, you can try different areas from the palm of the hand, the big toe, the bottom of the foot or the heel.
How I do send my handwriting, artwork or photo images?
You can simply email them to ATimelessImpression@gmail.com. I can use a jpg or png image or a pdf file.
Shipping Information:
All items will be shipped via USPS First Class Mail with tracking unless otherwise requested/ordered and all items will include insurance provided by a 3rd service provider or the USPS, depending on how the package is shipped.
Lost Packages
The USPS does make mistakes from time to time, afterall, they're human just like us. The USPS does not consider a package lost until 30 days have passed for U.S. buyers and 6 weeks for International buyers. If the amount of time stated above has passed and your package has been deemed lost by the USPS please contact us, we will be happy to send a replacement to you. If your tracking has stopped, or your item says delivered but has not been please contact your local U.S. Post Office and provide them with your tracking number. They will be much more helpful than we will be, as they were the last ones to see your package.
Customs/VAT Fees for non U.S. Buyers
International customers are responsible for all customs, VAT and brokerage fees assessed by your country. If you are living in the UK it is VERY likely that you will have fees to pay, we cannot and will not reimburse you for these fees. They are a tax imposed by your country and have nothing to do with our shipping methods.
Returns and Exchanges:
My policy is to sell only quality products to my customers and to advertise each item honestly. I strive to make each customer happy and will try to resolve any issues that may arise. My specific refund policies are as follows:
I will happily refund any damaged items upon return receipt of the item within 15 days of purchase. Or, you may choose to have the item replaced with a "like type" item. Once again, I must receive the damaged item first.
If the item you received does not meet your expectations, please contact me within 15 days with an explanation and your refund will be reviewed.
Custom order refunds will be reviewed on an individual basis. In cases where I provide artwork proofs and you approve them, refunds will not be granted unless the item is not made per the proof. Again, I must receive the item you are requesting a refund for back from you before any refunds will be issued.
If you purchase a fingerprint item and are unable to get good prints, I will let you know if I feel the prints are not good or questionable. If you choose not to continue with your order, I will refund you minus any shipping costs and the cost of the print kits. If you have instructed me to make your piece even if the prints are questionable, I will not issue a refund.
If you order a product made using base metals (i.e., copper, bronze, gold bronze, rose bronze, etc.) please understand that some people's skin reacts to it and turns green. While I seal all pieces with a protective sealant to help prevent this from happening, I do not guarantee your skin will not react. I will not issue refunds on any base metal products unless the item is defective (and your skin turning green is not the cause of a defective product). In addition, base metals may patina or change color over time. The sealant helps to retard this process, but I cannot guarantee it will not happen and refunds will not be issued for this reason either.
Refunds will not be issued for items lost by the USPS or other shipping method of your choice. Refunds will not be issued for items that an incorrect shipping address was entered into the shipping information at time of purchase.
Refunds will be given for the price of the item - SHIPPING COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED unless the item is defective upon receipt.
Cancellations:
I will accept cancellations as long as I have not begun working on your order and will refund the full amount. If your proof has been completed but I have not made your item, I will cancel your order and refund a portion of your purchase price. The amount refunded will be dependent on the amount of time spent on the proof.
All items will be shipped via USPS First Class Mail with tracking unless otherwise requested/ordered and all items will include insurance provided by a 3rd service provider or the USPS, depending on how the package is shipped.
Lost Packages
The USPS does make mistakes from time to time, afterall, they're human just like us. The USPS does not consider a package lost until 30 days have passed for U.S. buyers and 6 weeks for International buyers. If the amount of time stated above has passed and your package has been deemed lost by the USPS please contact us, we will be happy to send a replacement to you. If your tracking has stopped, or your item says delivered but has not been please contact your local U.S. Post Office and provide them with your tracking number. They will be much more helpful than we will be, as they were the last ones to see your package.
Customs/VAT Fees for non U.S. Buyers
International customers are responsible for all customs, VAT and brokerage fees assessed by your country. If you are living in the UK it is VERY likely that you will have fees to pay, we cannot and will not reimburse you for these fees. They are a tax imposed by your country and have nothing to do with our shipping methods.
Returns and Exchanges:
My policy is to sell only quality products to my customers and to advertise each item honestly. I strive to make each customer happy and will try to resolve any issues that may arise. My specific refund policies are as follows:
I will happily refund any damaged items upon return receipt of the item within 15 days of purchase. Or, you may choose to have the item replaced with a "like type" item. Once again, I must receive the damaged item first.
If the item you received does not meet your expectations, please contact me within 15 days with an explanation and your refund will be reviewed.
Custom order refunds will be reviewed on an individual basis. In cases where I provide artwork proofs and you approve them, refunds will not be granted unless the item is not made per the proof. Again, I must receive the item you are requesting a refund for back from you before any refunds will be issued.
If you purchase a fingerprint item and are unable to get good prints, I will let you know if I feel the prints are not good or questionable. If you choose not to continue with your order, I will refund you minus any shipping costs and the cost of the print kits. If you have instructed me to make your piece even if the prints are questionable, I will not issue a refund.
If you order a product made using base metals (i.e., copper, bronze, gold bronze, rose bronze, etc.) please understand that some people's skin reacts to it and turns green. While I seal all pieces with a protective sealant to help prevent this from happening, I do not guarantee your skin will not react. I will not issue refunds on any base metal products unless the item is defective (and your skin turning green is not the cause of a defective product). In addition, base metals may patina or change color over time. The sealant helps to retard this process, but I cannot guarantee it will not happen and refunds will not be issued for this reason either.
Refunds will not be issued for items lost by the USPS or other shipping method of your choice. Refunds will not be issued for items that an incorrect shipping address was entered into the shipping information at time of purchase.
Refunds will be given for the price of the item - SHIPPING COSTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED unless the item is defective upon receipt.
Cancellations:
I will accept cancellations as long as I have not begun working on your order and will refund the full amount. If your proof has been completed but I have not made your item, I will cancel your order and refund a portion of your purchase price. The amount refunded will be dependent on the amount of time spent on the proof.
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