Frequently Asked Questions

About shopping and ordering online:
Do you have any special offers or discounts?
Can I custom order my jewelry?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Is my credit card information secure?
Do you have wholesale prices?

About Shipping and delivery:
Do you ship internationally?
Why isn't my country listed upon checkout?
When will I receive my jewelry?

About returns, exchanges and repairs:
What is your return policy?
Where do I return my order?
What if my order arrives damaged?
My jewelry needs repairs, will you fix it?
Can I exchange my order for something else?

About Gift services:
Do you sell gift certificates?
Will you gift wrap my order?
Can I get a gift receipt?
Will you ship directly to the gift recipient?

About Customer support:
Do you offer a newsletter or catalog?
How can I contact KINCAIDESIGNS?

If you have any questions or inquiries about my handmade jewelry or the process of lampwork beads, please submit your question and I will respond promptly. Thank you for your interest in KINCAIDESIGNS.

About the handmade jewelry:

Are all the glass beads in KINCAIDESIGNS jewelry handmade by the artist?
Yes, all the glass beads used in Kincaidesigns handmade jewelry are handmade by the artist, Holly Kincaid, using the lampworking techniques explained in the next questions. When the handmade glass beads are complete and properly kiln annealed, the glass beads are used in the handmade jewelry along with semiprecious stones, pearls, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver and gold filled materials.
Go Shopping at the Handmade Jewelry and Glass Art Boutique...

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What is Lampwork?
Glass rods are melted and wound on a mandrel using either Moretti (Effetre) or Bullseye glass, there are other brands of glass, however these are the two types of glass used in Kincaidesigns handmade jewelry. This glass comes in long rods and their diameters range, not usually exceeding a quarter inch for bead making. The glass begins to move at around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and the glass is workable (it can be shaped or molded) at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. There are many different tools used in flameworking, usually made of stainless steel or graphite. Graphite tools are used because they don't stick to the hot glass. Stainless steel tools will stick to hot glass while in the flame or when its at it's hottest temperatures, however, they are very effective in shaping glass when properly used. Each of the glass beads are individually flameworked (torch-blown) and properly kiln-annealed overnight.
Read more about the history of lampworking and handmade glass beads...

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What is kiln-annealed?
By annealing the beads, they are guaranteed hard as rocks, durable enough for everyday wear with long lasting heirloom quality. When a bead is finished, the hot bead (while still on the mandrel), is placed in a kiln heated at 960°F. The annealing process releases the stress from the glass and slowly cools the beads down to room temperature. Cooling the beads too quickly will cause them to crack.
Read more about lampworking...

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How did you learn lampworking?
My first experience in lampworking was on the island of Saba, in the Dutch West Indies, at the glass studio of JoBean Chambers. JoBean gives workshops for lampworking and jewelry year round and I had the great opportunity to be her apprentice for a year. JoBean has studied with the Italian Masters such as Lucio Bubacco and Vittorio Constatini, and has studied with artists at Penland and the prestigious Corning Studio, where she was also a teaching assistant. It was working with Jobean that my love for lampwork grew into an exciting new passion, hobby and career.
Read more about the glass and jewelry artist, Holly Kincaid...

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How would you categorize your jewelry?
The general category for the handmade jewelry here at KINCAIDESIGNS is "bridge jewelry." Bridge jewelry is jewely categorized between "fashion jewelry," which is mass produced and marked up dramatically from it's original cost (however still cheap), and "fine jewelry," where you can find diamond necklaces and precious stones and metals. Bridge jewelry is the unique, quality, handmade jewelry, usually using handmade materials such as handmade glass beads, and other materials such as pearls, semiprecious stones, Swarovski crystals (which are of the highest quality in crystals), and semiprecious metals such as sterling silver (apposed to silver plated or base metal) and gold-filled metals (instead of gold plated or base metals.) Bridge jewelry makes unique, handmade, heir-loom quality jewelry available to anyone without spending a fortune on fine jewelry.
Go Shopping at the Handmade Jewelry and Glass Art Boutique...

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How is gold-filled different from gold-plated?
Gold-filled, or gold overlay, is made by heat and pressure-bonding a thin layer of gold to a brass core. The gold covers the brass surface, making it tarnish resistant. The value of gold-filled is greater than gold-plated because gold-filled has an actual layer of gold, not just a microscopic film. All the 14kt gold-filled materials used by KINCAIDESIGNS handmade jewelry meets federal standards for quality and content.

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How do I care for my sterling silver jewelry?
Sterling silver is prone to tarnishing when it is exposed to the open air, expecially when humidity is high. The best way to protect your sterling silver jewelry from tarnish is to store your jewelry in air tight containers. Plastic bags are commonly used and they store well in a jewelry box. Sterling silver is also a soft metal and it can be scratched. Store your jewelry away from other jewelry pieces by placing them in separate plastic bags. This will also protect other materials such as your pearls and other soft metals or stones. Gold fill can also tarnish and can be cared for in the same way.

I'm allergic to nickel, is the jewelry nickel-free?
All the jewelry is handcrafted using either .925 sterling silver or 14kt gold fill materials. Sterling silver is made from an alloy of silver and another metal, usually copper. The ratio of silver to copper is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. All the sterling silver used in Kincaidesigns handmade jewelry is an alloy of silver and copper. All the 14kt gold filled materials are also nickel-free. Read more about 14kt gold fill. Read more about .925 sterling silver.

About shopping and ordering online:

Do you have any special offers or discounts?
Yes, we do have special offers and discounts on our handmade jewelry. You can be the first to know about those special offers and discounts by signing up for the monthly e-newsletter. Not only will you be informed about those specials, discounts and sales, but you will find out about more specials and discounts available Exclusively to E-newsletter subscribers. All we need is your email address! (Other information is optional, the only required information is your email.) Subscribe Now

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Can I custom order my handmade jewelry?
I do offer custom jewelry, however, I am not accepting custom or special orders at this time. Please check back, as this service will be offered again in the near future.

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What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, including, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. We respect your privacy and will never, in any occasion, hand out your personal information.

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Is my credit card information secure?
The order form pages for Kincaidesigns is served through a secure https connection using 128-bit SSL v2/v3 encryption. We encrypt credit card information when a shopper enter the credit card number in the web browser, when it is sent to our server, and finally when it is sent from our server to our order processing center.

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Do you have handmade jewelry wholesale prices?
We do offer jewelry wholesale prices for those who are interested in selling our handmade jewelry in their retail shops, galleries or boutiques. All the wholesale requirements are stated on the wholesale information page. Read more about jewelry wholesale prices.

About shipping and delivery:

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we will ship internationally. However, we reserve the right to refuse any order. Please contact us with your address and the items you wish to purchase. We will reply with your estimate and checkout instructions.

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Why isn't my country listed upon checkout?
Due to the risk of credit card fraud, we do not list most countries upon checkout. If you wish to make a purchase, please contact us with your address and the items you wish to purchase. We will reply with your estimate and checkout instructions.

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When will I receive my handmade jewelry?
If your handmade jewelry is in-stock, your order will ship within 48 hours. If you made a custom jewelry order or ordered out-of-stock items, your jewelry order will ship within 4-7 days. We will contact you if your ship date needs to be extended.

About returns, exchanges and repairs:

What is your return policy?
We have a 30-day money back guarantee. Since all the jewelry is totally handmade, many pieces might have slight natural irregularities. If you are not happy for any reason with your jewelry, just send it back within 30 days of purchase for a complete refund. Plase fill out the "returns & exchanges" form included in your order. All returns must be unworn and in "new or original condition" and must be returned in original packaging including the any security tags that are attached to your jewelry. All custom orders are final and cannot be returned.
See the Return policy Statement and step by step instructions...

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Where do I return my order?
All orders should be retured to:
KINCAIDESIGNS
P.O. Box 32073
Kansas City, MO 64171

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What is my order arrives damaged?
While this is a rare occurance, accidents can happen. Please return your order and we will replace it. Any shipping charges you incurred will be credited to your credit card, and we will pay to re-ship the replacement to you.

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My jewelry needs repairs, will you fix it?
We have never had to fix any of our jewelry items, as all items are individually handcrafted and have had special attention paid to each detail. However, in the event that your jewelry does need repairs, we can repair it for a small fee. Simply contact us and we will asses the damages. Glass beads cannot be repaired, only replaced for a fee.

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Can I exchange my order for something else?
The return policy applies to exchanges as well. If you are not happy for any reason with your jewelry, just send it back within 30 days of purchase for a complete refund or exchange. Plase fill out the "returns & exchanges" form included in your order. All returns must be unworn and in "new or original condition" and must be returned in original packaging including the any security tags that are attached to your jewelry. All custom orders are final and cannot be returned or exchanged.

About gift services:

Do you sell gift certificates?
You may purchase gift certificates in the amounts of $25, $50 and $100. Shipping is free on all gift certificates unless it is combines with a handmade jewelry order. Purchase gift certificates now.

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Will you gift wrap my handmade jewelry order?
Your handmade jewelry will arrive in a small organza pouch inside a gift box wrapped with a ribbon. If you wish to have your gift box wrapped in tissue paper as well, please include your instructions in the comments box upon checkout.

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Can I get a gift receipt?
If you would like a gift receipt, please make the request in the comments box upon checkout. We can include an invoice without the dollar value so your recipient can exchange their order. Please note that the return policy does apply to all returns and exchanges, even in the event of a gift.

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Will you ship directly to the gift recipient?
You may ship your order to whoever you want. Upon checkout, you will have the option to enter the billing and shipping address, if they are the same, select "same as billing", if they are different, enter in the recipient's address. Don't forget to include any comments or requests if you would like a gift receipt included. All orders will include a receipt with the dollar value unless requested otherwise.

About customer support:

Do you offer a newsletter or catalog?
Yes, we offers an e-newsletter once a month. We occasionally send out 2 per month in the event of a seasonal special or promotion. The Kincaidesigns E-Newsletter is a FREE Service to you. Find out about exclusive offers available to E-Newsletter subscribers only! PLUS you'll find out about more specials, promotions and discounts, new jewelry designs, website updates, jewelry events, shopping tips, interesting "Did you know" Facts about jewelry and materials, and much more! All we need is your email address! (Other information is optional, the only required information is your email.) Subscribe Now

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How can I contact KINCAIDESIGNS?
You can fill out our contact form, email us, call us on the phone, or send us a letter. It's up to your preference. See our contact information for more details.

If you have any questions or inquiries about my handmade jewelry or the process of lampwork beads, please submit your question and I will respond promptly. Thank you for your interest in KINCAIDESIGNS.