Sean's Celtic Creations

Questions Anyone?

THIS PAGE IS A WORK IN PROCESS, AND WILL LIKELY BE REVISED AS I CAN TO COVER ISSUES AND COMMON CONCERNS AND INFORMATION ABOUT STERLING JEWELRY,  ORDER PROTOCOLS, AND GENERAL NOTES OF INTEREST!

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I PLACE AN ORDER?
GENERALLY I DO NOT SEND ANY ADDITIONAL CONFIRMATIONS OTHER THAN THE AUTOMATIC WEB GENERATED CONFIRMATION NUMBER, WHICH IS HOW YOU KNOW YOUR ORDER WENT THROUGH. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE OF SOME KIND THAT WILL DELAY THE SHIPPING OF YOUR ORDER BEYOND A WEEK OR SO FROM PLACEMENT, I WILL REACH OUT ABOUT THE ISSUE.

ALSO NOTE! YOU CAN ADD "SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS" WHEN PLACING ORDERS IN THE SHOPPING CART. NOTE THAT YOU CAN FILL IN THE "SHIP TO FORM" DIRECTLY TO THE RECIPIENT IF TIME IS SHORT.

ONCE SHIPPED, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN "ORDER SHIPPED" EMAIL NOTICE. TRACKING MAY OR MAY NOT  BE INCLUDED IN THE SHIPPING CONFIRMATION EMAIL, DEPENDING ON TIME ON HAND. IF YOU NEED TRACKING, LET ME KNOW AND I'LL SEND IT TO YOU.

WHEN AND HOW WILL MY ORDER SHIP, AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO ARRIVE?
USPS PRIORITY IS MY FLAT RATE 3 OR 4 BUSINESS DAYS ONCE SHIPPED. ORDERS DO NOT SHIP ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND MAY BE IN THE SYSTEM FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE PROCESSING, DUE TO TRAVELS AND INVENTORY ACCESS. FOR CRITICAL TIMING, TEXT ME AHEAD OF ORDERING IF YOUR TIMELINES ARE TIGHT. PERSONAL AND BUSINESS CELL 510-928-1146 

HOW WILL MY ORDER BE PACKAGED?

GENERALLY I SEND YOUR ORDER IN A FLAT RATE USPS ENVELOPE OR SMALL BOX. THE ITEMS WILL NORMALLY BE INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED IN A VELVET POUCH OR SMALL GIFT BOX WITH A BUSINESS CARD OR NOTECARD SO THE RECEIVER (IN THE CASE OF GIFTING) WILL KNOW THIS IS AN ORIGINAL ARTISAN HANDMADE ITEM.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? SYMBOLIC INFORMATION FOR GIFTS!
FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLISM AND PERSONALIZING GIFTS MORE FULLY, PLEASE CONSIDER GOING TO THE WEBSITE, COPY AND PASTE THE RELEVANT INFORMATION, EDIT THE INFO AS NEEDED AND PRINT OUT FOR INCLUSION IN THE GIFT PACKAGING. I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE WITH 200 DESIGNS, SO YOUR HELP IN MAKING A CONNECTIVE GIFT IS VERY IMPORTANT

WHAT ABOUT RING SIZES? I THINK I GOT THE WRONG SIZE, OR
I AM GIVING A RING, AND DO NOT KNOW THE SIZE?
PLEASE TRY TO GET AS CLOSE TO THE SIZE YOU NEED, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO ASK THE RECIPIENT. I DO OFFER EXCHANGES FOR PROPER SIZE FOR THE COST OF SHIPPING NORMALLY. I DO MY BEST, THOUGH THIS CAN TAKE TIME DEPENDING ON INVENTORY ETC. THE ORIGINAL CLIENT OR GIFT RECIPIENTS CAN WORK WITH ME ON THESE ISSUES. IF EXCHANGING, PLEASE VERIFY SIZE NEEDED AT A JEWELRY STORE! RETURN WRONG SIZE TO ME WITH A NOTE INSIDE INCLUDING: 1) THE SIZE NEEDED 2) THE RETURN ADDRESS 3) YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR SHIPPING COST (IF APPLICABLE) FOR EMAIL INVOICING. THIS PROCESS CAN TAKE TIME, BE PATIENT PLEASE.
SEAN BERTON
1442A WALNUT ST #467
BERKELEY, CA 94709


WHAT KIND OF CHAIN WORKS WITH A CERTAIN PENDANT, WHAT THICKNESS AND WHAT IS A GOOD LENGTH?
THIS WILL BE HARD TO GUESS, AND I WELCOME INQUIRIES BY TEXT FOR THESE AND OTHER ORDER RELATED CONCERNS: PERSONAL CELL 510-928-1146.

I HOPE TO ADD RECOMMENDED CHAIN TYPES SUITABLE TO SPECIFIC ITEMS ON THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION PAGE OF THE STORE.

I WOULD LIKE A LARGER OR SMALLER VERSION OF THE DESIGN, OR I WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE FOR A DIFFERENT DESIGN (etc)
NORMALLY I CAN ACCOMMODATE SUCH REQUESTS AND DO MY BEST TO MAKE FOLKS HAPPY.


BROKEN CHAINS
It is difficult for me, as much as I want to be of good service, to guarantee chains for folks. The many things that can happen during use prevent me from being able to replace broken chains. That said, often times chain issues can be repaired if it is a simple clasp or jump ring issue, meaning that the chain itself is intact, but the closure apparatus has failed for one reason or another. So if the soldered ends of the chain are intact, and the chain is not actually compromised between the ends, it is likely that I can fix these issues with my spare parts. Upon analysis of the notes above, and you feel that your concern is fixable, send the chain to me and I will repair it at no charge. If you are unsure, text me a photo of the chain issue and your notes for my analysis to 510-928-1146. If a chain does break or fails within a month, let me know the circumstances, ands I will work with you as fairly as I can.

SPECIAL MAINTENANCE NOTES!

HOW DO I CLEAN STERLING SILVER?
DETAIL ON CLEANING CONCERNS
CLEANING CLOTHS: THE WAY TO GO! Actually, these are my favorite type of sterling and gold cleaning cloth, and the easiest to use by far. The inner lining does the main tarnish removal with a little rubbing quite quickly. Please find an exploration of this important topic below!

POLISHING CLOTH DESCRIPTION:
The cloths get dark right away as you start to use them, but they keep working for many months, and even years. At some point, when you are tired of looking at it, get another one, they inexpensive as it gets. You never want to wash the magic fairy dust out of these cloths, just use them! If your fingers get a little funky looking, imagine how my hands look after hours in the studio with polishing wheels spinning day and night! (That is actually an overstatement, but it makes being a jeweler seem more macho to say it out loud!)

NORMAL TARNISH NOTES:
You can get some pretty badly tarnished pieces to come right back to life with a little rubbing, and this is one of the great joys of sterling silver. TIP: For flat designs, lay the cloth on a table edge and hold cloth tight with thumb and index fingers on one hand, and move the piece across the tentioned cloth with the other hand. But on the other hand, do what feels right! Yes, sterling will naturally tone in with oxidation, but getting back to a high shine is not that big of a problem IF you are equipped with a Hand Sewn One of a kind Sean's Celtic Creations Sterling Polishing Cloth! Well... OK.... these are a manufactured item that I have silk screened with my endorsement, since I believe you will be very happy to get all that formerly gorgeous jewelry, now tarnished and sad, out of the jewelry box, and back on your body and into the real world where it belongs! 
Shine on Brothers and Sisters!

HEAVY TARNISH NOTES:
Note that there are types of tarnish that are more difficult to remove, like that which is caused by perspiration and higher acidity in some folks. That more intense "chemically induced" oxidation is harder to polish off with a mere cloth than the "atmopheric tarnish" normally associated with sterling silver jewelry. You can be extra aggressive with polishing cloths and get some results. 

ONE SOLUTION TO CONSIDER
There exists a very fine form of steel wool, graded as "000" grit, hiding on a shelf in the paint department of your local or BigBox hardware store, which will effectively remove "edge, back & chain" tarnish very easily, following up with a polishing cloth can bring back the high shine. This is not the best method to use on the "face" of a design, but for those folks (usually guys) that like a bit of duller satin finish, steel wool of this grit can be used gently on the entire piece.

CHAIN CLEANING
Take care when cleaning chains NOT to pull hard on the ends. Pinch the chain itself instead of the clasp and connections to reduce stress on these parts when cleaning. There are enough people in the world who have broken chains when cleaning them for me to mention this tip...Chains are subject to heavier tarnish due to perspiration. See Heavy Tarnish notes above.

CLEANING DONT'S!
No ultrasonic or dip cleaners please! I work hard to get all the contrast in the lower areas of the patterns, which is the main contrasting element I have as a silversmith artisan. Most of these methods can reduce or make irregular the antiquing I have done during the finishing process.
IF YOU DIPPED YOUR PIECE, AND NEED HELP, LET ME KNOW, DON'T DESPAIR!

RINGS ARE A SPECIAL CASE!
All manner of odd debris can become lodged in the lower engraved portions of the pattern on rings in particular, and on pendants and earrings as well at times. Block the drain on your sink to avoid taking your sink apart, get a soft bristled toothbrush, and gently brush the offending debris (hard hand soap, playdough, bread dough, suntan lotion etc). If you need a little liquid soap, that's ok if needed.


RING AROUND THE FINGER?

HELP! IS THIS NOT STERLING SILVER?

Higher Acidity Skin Conditions, and mild staining is not rare or widespread.

There are folks with higher acidity in their skin and general perspiration that can create temporary skin and edge discoloration. I call this temporary condition a "break in period" of rings which can go up and down in skin chemistry depending on diet, medications, and in times of high perspiration. This is normal for this brief period, then this acidity breaks down the copper that exists in sterling silver, resulting in a greenish gray line around your finger, which should will wash off quite easily. There is no toxicity here, since copper is not harmful. In a week or so this should stop happening as the copper in the interior ring surface is dissolved and

becomes close to pure silver. Sterling is 92.5% pure silver with 7+% copper for metal strength. Pure silver (99%) is too soft for the rigors of jewelry wear in the real world.

EARRINGS
In order to protect the shape of the wires during cleaning, pinch the loop of the wire firmly as you rub the cloth over the earring between your thumb and index finger of the other hand. flat items can also be rubbed over a flat surface, like the edge of a table by stretching the cloth tight with the index and thumb of one hand, and placing the index finger of the other hand over the back of earring (or pendant) and slide the face of the design back and forth over the tight cloth surface

Ladies, if you must use hairspray, take your earrings out first please. Always take care when cleaning the earwires, and take time to inspect the attachment point on the wire to make sure the wire loop touches the other side. If not, use needlenose pliers to wiggle the wire over to touch.


MORE NOTES TO COME AS I THINK OF USEFUL TIPS AND TRICKS!

ANYTHING I MISSED, USE THE "CONTACT US" LINKS AROUND THE SITE. 
Best, Sean