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FAQ's
What currency does your website use? TOP
The currency is in New Zealand dollars. There are many online currency converters available that keep up to date with the daily exchange rate.
What are the postage and shipping costs? TOP
Postage within New Zealand is $3.50 & Internationally $6.90
New Zealand Post has a reliable International service, however they do charge by weight on a minimum of 100gms. This allows a couple of average size beads to be included within one package for a flat rate. You are most welcome to contact me with any questions regarding this or specific shipping options.
Unfortunately NZ Post have recently increased their shipping prices - although they assure me they haven't. However my receipts & records indicate otherwise ;o) Why are the beads called 'lampwork' beads? TOP
Back as far as the ancient egyptians glass has been used as a form of decoration & human embellishment. In the early days of producing beads & other small items of glass, an oil lamp was used, with the artist blowing air into the flame through a pipe. These days most artists work with a torch that uses propane or natural gas mixed with oxygen, which is why the technique is now often referred to as flamework. What is annealing? TOP
Annealing is a process by which the beads are treated at a specific cycle of temperatures in a kiln. This reduces the risk of stress, fracture & breakage likely to happen in a glass bead down to the lowest possible level. Different types of glass require different treatment.
All of my beads are correctly annealed in a digitally contolled glass specific kiln.
There is a wonderful explanation of the process on Wikipedia, along with some interesting facts about lampworking. What is the difference between your beads & a whole strand of lampwork beads I can pick up for few dollars at a shop? TOP
Lets get this one straight, all lampwork beads are handmade - but not all lampwork beads are created equal. I'm not about to openly bag the mass producers - suffice to say you get what you pay for. In some cases the the follow up treatment of cheap imports is non-existant. A little reserach in this can be quite an eye opener.
What is of equal concern is the recent occurance of a supplier of cheaply made mass produced beads, using stolen photographic images of the artisan created original designs, to respresent their cheap copies in their catalogue. You certainly have to wonder how thrilled the buyers were going to be when they received their product.
Each & every one of my beads is indivudually handmade, annealed & then thoroughly inspected & cleaned after removal from the kiln.
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