Do you have any tips on how to purchase a piece during one of your scheduled Shop Updates?
Items in scheduled shop updates are first come, first served. While it is impossible to predict what will happen in each update, work has sold out quickly in the past. These are just tips on how to get a piece, but even if you do everything right it is by no means a guarantee you will get one. A few tips and things to be aware of:
Create an account with shipping/payment information for quicker check-out. Having a stored credit card or Apple Pay seems to go through quicker than Paypal. Log in before the launch.
Be at your computer several minutes before the launch with your browser open to the Shop page. All pieces will go live exactly at the announced time. If you don’t see anything available keep refreshing your browser until you see items appear.
Connect to high speed Internet. The quicker the Internet connection you have the faster the items load.
Complete payment for the item as quickly as you can. The cart does not hold items. Even if the piece is in your cart, the sale is not complete until payment is submitted and you receive a confirmation email. This is NOT a function I have control over. Even if there is only one piece available, the website platform I use (Squarespace) allows unlimited people to add it to their cart. The only person who actually owns the piece is the first person whose payment is processed.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, although due to Covid and new VAT regulations, I have suspended shipping to multiple countries and regions for the time being. Certain countries I am unable to ship to: Click here to see a list of the service interuptions. Additionally, Covid has slowed international shipping times. I ship via USPS First Class International. If you purchase a piece to be shipped to restricted countries I will cancel your order and will refund the full amount. You are responsible for any additional taxes or tariffs that may occur with international orders.
Shipping to EU/UK:
The good news is that I am opening sales back up to the EU/UK (on a trial basis). The bad news is that it is slightly more complicated and more expensive. Because I do not have a VAT number (I applied but was denied) I am unable to collect taxes as an individual, and must go through a third party. This is what I have come up with:
1) Please purchase item via my website to claim item.
2) If the shipping address is listed within the EU or the UK, I will cancel your order and you will be fully refunded.
3) I will email you a new listing via Etsy. Etsy has additional selling fees, so the item price will be 15% more, plus shipping costs and taxes. You must purchase within 24 hours. If the listing goes un-purchased after 24 hours you forfeit the item.
I understand this process is not ideal, but I am doing my best to navigate international shipping restrictions and abiding by all rules and regulations in order to avoid returned and/or lost packages. I hope this allows me to once again ship to the EU & UK. Thank you for your flexibility, patience and understanding!
Do you take custom orders?
No, not currently. As much as I enjoy doing them they prevent me from exploring my own ideas and creating new designs. If I do open up custom spots (a limited amount) I will announce it to my email subscribers first. Keep in mind I always welcome and appreciate suggestions and new ideas (email hello@APCuriosities.com), but cannot guarantee I will make them and do not hold them if I do.
How do your Shop Updates work?
The timelines and notifications change a bit with each update. Currently I send out an email to my Newsletter Subscribers (there is a sign-up on the bottom right footer of every page) about a week ahead of the Update setting a date and time. Within this email is a Preview of what will be available. I do not hold any pieces or set work aside for anyone. I find it most fair for first come first serve.
I am exploring various methods for future Shop Updates to make it more equitable for everyone. The last few updates included a Pottery Lottery; it was successful, and I will continue to explore this idea and style, in addition to more traditional sale styles. I appreciate your understanding and patience while I navigate the best method to sell my work!
How often do you do Shop Updates?
I aim to do 3-4 online Shop Updates a year and 1-2 in-person markets. I announce all updates and sales to my email subscribers (signup is on the bottom of each page).
I am a small business of one person, so production capacity is limited. I thank you immensely for patience and understanding between updates.
I have been trying for months now… what is the best way to get one of your pieces?
The best way to get work is to sign up for my newsletters (have I said that too many times yet?!) - link below.
I very much enjoy making limited runs and small batch works of art. I don’t have any plans to increase production. Making ceramics is not just a job for me; it is also a way to share unique pieces of art with the world, and helps me share my immense love and connection I find in nature. Increasing production means changing the process - which is one of the parts I enjoy. Each piece is a blank canvas, and I love the excitement in knowing each unique piece has a life and story of its own.
I saw a piece that I absolutely love, but it is sold out. When will it be back in stock?
I love making and exploring new designs and new pieces. Certain designs I repeat, but fairly often a piece will end up being one of a kind. The more a piece is requested, the better chance there will be another made, so be sure to reach out via email (hello@apcuriosities.com) and let me know the pieces you like!
When will my order ship?
I do my best to ship orders within 5 days of purchase. I enjoy the packing process and taking the time to carefully wrap and ensure each piece will make it to its destination safely. There is no step in the making process that happens quickly, and packing is just another part of the slow process! If you need a piece for a special occasion or by a specific time please reach out to me and let me know or make a note at checkout.
How do you calculate shipping?
For domestic shipping I use carrier calculated shipping on my website. This tends to reflect the most accurate shipping costs. For international shipping I have done my best to price out various countries and feel the shipping is as accurate as possible. However, because my work is not mass-produced it can be difficult to predict the size and weight of each package. If you feel that you have been over charged for shipping - either international or domestic - or you feel shipping is too expensive for the pieces you want please contact me and I can confirm the shipping price. Shipping is very weight dependent, so the heavier the piece(s), the more expensive it is.
Is my piece microwave or dishwasher safe?
I include a card with each piece that specifies care. I use metal wire in my work very frequently, as well as some metallic lusters. These pieces CANNOT go in the microwave. Just because you can’t see the metal doesn’t always mean it’s not there.
I always recommend hand washing your pieces. Dishwashers cause a lot of movement and there are many fragile and delicate pieces on my work. Dishwashers also dull any lusters over time.
I recommend using a small stiff-bristle paint brush to clean the animals and in the nooks.
Is my piece food safe/durable?
Yes. I only use lead-free glazes. I have moved over to mixing most of my glazes so I know not only what raw materials go into them, but also the basic chemistry and therefore durability of the glazes.
The price has increased since your last update. Why the increase?
Price is based on so many factors, so I could go down many paths from this question. But I’ll try to keep it simple and to the point.
Pricing is one of my least favorite parts of my job. I truly dislike putting a monetary value on my art and time. Unfortunately it is unavoidable and comes with the territory. While I try to keep my work “affordable” (I put this in quotes as affordable has a different meaning depending on your income), this is also my full-time job and how I put food on my table. Ceramics is a very time-consuming process, so a lot of what goes into the price of a piece is the amount of time that goes into not only making it, but also the time involved to acquire the skills, as well as the many other parts of running a business (photography, shipping, bookkeeping, marketing, kiln maintenance, social media, website updates, etc.). I am a one-woman show (and don’t have any immediate plans to change that). So the pricing reflects the amount of time it takes to not only make the piece, but to also market, pack, ship, and get it to its final destination.
Price is also determined by supply and demand. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have high demand for my work at the moment. But as you can imagine, being a one-person company does create a limit on the supply side of things. Therefore, prices do tend to increase over time due to economics, as well as to value my time properly and to create a sustainable life for myself and my family.