ItsVera

Unique, eco-friendly jewellery, handcrafted by Vera

Hamilton, Ontario 5744 Sales On Etsy since 2010

5 out of 5 stars (1095)

ItsVera

Unique, eco-friendly jewellery, handcrafted by Vera

Hamilton, Ontario | 5744 Sales

5 out of 5 stars (1095)

Shop owner

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5744 Sales
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Vera Tempelmans Plat

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Vera Tempelmans Plat

Announcement    Vera designs and meticulously handcrafts, unique jewellery using silver-smithing tools and techniques.
Most of the jewellery, in ItsVera shop, is made from metal re-purposed from vintage and antique silverware. Vera uses this silverware and designs new contemporary jewellery to be loved and treasured by you. This silverware was once well loved, family treasures that over time became unused and Vera rescues to give it new life.
Vera also uses re-purposed pure copper, aluminum, and sterling silver whenever possible. Every item in this shop is personally designed, handcrafted and signed by Vera.

Vera also designs and handcrafts a variety of unique knitting/crochet rings to help retain a consistent tension enabling you to knit and crochet with ease and comfort.

ItsVera knitting rings, crochet rings, contemporary jewellery
As seen in some recent national and international media coverage:
***Knitscene Magazine (Winter 2019) see #5 p6
Love Knitting magazine, Simply Knitting magazine, Hamilton magazine,
The Spec (Hamilton Ontario Newspaper), eKnit online knitting magazine,
Knitsy online magazine, Ariadne at Home magazine, Knit Wear magazine

GIFT Wrapped for You:
The item(s) you purchase will be sent to you gift wrapped and includes information with Jewellery Care Instructions. Add a message, at check out, if you want a gift card included.

GIFTS for FRIENDS:
Buy a gift for a friend and Vera will send your gift directly to your friend, just let Vera know where to send the gift.
What would you like Vera to write a message on a gift card?
Add the note, you want written on the card, at the time of purchase.

A Little History About It's Vera Jewellery:
I have been designing and making jewellery since I was a child using old beads and stove pipe wire. Later, my Dad bought copper wire for me to use. I took my first silver-smithing course several decades ago in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Fast forward a few decades and I started taking jewellery courses in Hamilton Canada, and the Scheveningen Netherlands. I love using vintage silverware, recycled metal, sterling silver, clay, and other non-traditional materials.

In 2010, I discovered Etsy and decided it was a great venue to sell my jewellery. Through my Etsy shop, I enjoy conversing with people from all over the world.
On weekends, I enjoy browsing through antique shops , vintage stores, and flea markets looking for old unwanted silver.
However, there never seems to be enough time in a day to create all the things I want to make.

I hope you will take time to browse and enjoy your visit to my 'It's Vera' shop. Please send me a 'message' if you have any questions. I try to check and answer messages regularly. I'd love to hear from you.
Please check my Policies before ordering.

A portion of the proceeds from my shop are donated to support
international KIVA entrepreneurs, Canadian Feed the Children www.bestgiftever.ca, and locally 100 Women Who Care Hamilton-Wentworth charities, and Good Shepherd Centre in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.

All original jewellery designs, photos, images and text
© Copyright Vera Tempelmans Plat All rights reserved

(revised December 2019)

Announcement

Last updated on 13 Jan, 2020

Vera designs and meticulously handcrafts, unique jewellery using silver-smithing tools and techniques.
Most of the jewellery, in ItsVera shop, is made from metal re-purposed from vintage and antique silverware. Vera uses this silverware and designs new contemporary jewellery to be loved and treasured by you. This silverware was once well loved, family treasures that over time became unused and Vera rescues to give it new life.
Vera also uses re-purposed pure copper, aluminum, and sterling silver whenever possible. Every item in this shop is personally designed, handcrafted and signed by Vera.

Vera also designs and handcrafts a variety of unique knitting/crochet rings to help retain a consistent tension enabling you to knit and crochet with ease and comfort.

ItsVera knitting rings, crochet rings, contemporary jewellery
As seen in some recent national and international media coverage:
***Knitscene Magazine (Winter 2019) see #5 p6
Love Knitting magazine, Simply Knitting magazine, Hamilton magazine,
The Spec (Hamilton Ontario Newspaper), eKnit online knitting magazine,
Knitsy online magazine, Ariadne at Home magazine, Knit Wear magazine

GIFT Wrapped for You:
The item(s) you purchase will be sent to you gift wrapped and includes information with Jewellery Care Instructions. Add a message, at check out, if you want a gift card included.

GIFTS for FRIENDS:
Buy a gift for a friend and Vera will send your gift directly to your friend, just let Vera know where to send the gift.
What would you like Vera to write a message on a gift card?
Add the note, you want written on the card, at the time of purchase.

A Little History About It's Vera Jewellery:
I have been designing and making jewellery since I was a child using old beads and stove pipe wire. Later, my Dad bought copper wire for me to use. I took my first silver-smithing course several decades ago in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Fast forward a few decades and I started taking jewellery courses in Hamilton Canada, and the Scheveningen Netherlands. I love using vintage silverware, recycled metal, sterling silver, clay, and other non-traditional materials.

In 2010, I discovered Etsy and decided it was a great venue to sell my jewellery. Through my Etsy shop, I enjoy conversing with people from all over the world.
On weekends, I enjoy browsing through antique shops , vintage stores, and flea markets looking for old unwanted silver.
However, there never seems to be enough time in a day to create all the things I want to make.

I hope you will take time to browse and enjoy your visit to my 'It's Vera' shop. Please send me a 'message' if you have any questions. I try to check and answer messages regularly. I'd love to hear from you.
Please check my Policies before ordering.

A portion of the proceeds from my shop are donated to support
international KIVA entrepreneurs, Canadian Feed the Children www.bestgiftever.ca, and locally 100 Women Who Care Hamilton-Wentworth charities, and Good Shepherd Centre in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.

All original jewellery designs, photos, images and text
© Copyright Vera Tempelmans Plat All rights reserved

(revised December 2019)

Reviews

Average item review
5 out of 5 stars
(1095)

About ItsVera

Sales 5,744
On Etsy since 2010
  • Staging for shop photographs.
  • The original Knit3 knitting and crochet ring
  • As seen in magazines, Vera's original design knitting and crochet rings custom made for you.
  • In the studio.
  • Knitscene Winter 2019 check p 6 for my 2 loop knitting ring thx Knitscene & Interweave for including the ring

Contemporary Artisan Art Jewellery

Arts and crafts have always been part of Vera's life, from a very young age she enjoyed working with her hands. Vera's creative Mother always had fun ideas to make things and has been Vera's inspiration. "There is nothing you can't do or try", Vera's mother used to say.

from Vera:
As I grew up, my interest in art continued and I became an elementary visual arts teacher for many years. I continued my hobbies of painting, sculpting, pottery and jewellery design. For more than 20 years, I specialized in making smoke fired shard pottery and participated in many outdoor shows. The last 7 years, of my pottery career, were spent participating in Toronto Christmas One of a Kind Shows.

In the mid 2004, I returned to my interest in jewellery design and took numerous silver-smithing courses at Mohawk College and Canadore College in Ontario Canada.
In 2007, I spend a several weeks at Breston Academy in the Netherlands focusing on perfecting my silver-smithing techniques. That was a wonderful experience.

Part of the enjoyable Etsy experience is communicating with customers from all over the world, which adds a real personal touch.

So, welcome to my shop and I hope you will enjoy browsing through my jewellery.
I'm happy to answer any of your questions, just send me a message.

Newspaper article 2014
https://www.thespec.com/living-story/4624797-potter-painter-jewellery-maker-seeks-out-recyclable-materials/

Shop members

  • Vera Tempelmans Plat

    Owner, Designer, Photographer

    I design and craft jewellery mostly using re-purposed old silverware. My knitting rings and ear cuffs have become my signature designs.

  • Andrea

    Assistant, Designer, Maker

    2018 is a year of expansion. My daughter Andrea is joining my shop to help design and produce the jewellery and other items for my shop.

Shop policies

Last updated on 06 June, 2019
Vera designs and makes the jewellery, in ItsVera, shop using vintage silverware. Silver plated silverware is a layer of sterling silver electroplated on a base metal, usually brass or copper. Many silver dishes are EP copper or EP brass means electroplated copper or brass unless they are stamped ster or .925 or sterling silver.
.
Sometimes teaspoon rings are made of German silver or nickel silver, both do not contain any silver, but stay shinier longer than sterling silver or silver plate.

Every piece of jewellery, Vera makes is carefully gift wrapped, ready for gift giving. A gift card, silverware information and jewellery care instructions is also incuded with your purchase. Your item will be shipped inside a secure mailer envelope or box. Vera uses recycled materials (eco-friendly) for packaging whenever possible.
Most orders are shipped, via AIRMAIL, within 2-5 days after receiving payment.

If you have any questions, just send Vera a message and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you need help with your purchase, check... http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php

Accepted payment methods

Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept returns and exchanges
Contact me within: 5 days of delivery
Send items back within: 14 days of delivery
I don't accept cancellations
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
  • Custom or personalised orders
  • Perishable products (like food or flowers)
  • Digital downloads
  • Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Returns and exchange details
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact me upon receipt. I will only accept returns up to 10 days after delivery.

Refunds do not include original shipping and handling fee paid by the purchaser on the listed items(s). Refunds, for the price of the item only, are paid to the purchaser's Etsy account after the the item is received in original condition by It's Vera.

Returned items must be unused and in their original packaging. For your protection, when shipping the package, please be sure that the returns are packaged securely in a sturdy box or padded envelope. Packages must have a delivery confirmation number to enable detailed tracking information as It's Vera is not responsible for return items lost in the mail. When shipping, please ‘insure’ your packages for the retail value of the jewellery.

NOTE: Earrings are Final Sale and cannot be returned.

NOTE: Custom, monogrammed items cannot be refunded or exchanged.
Payment
PAYMENT:
Immediate payment via Etsy Direct Checkout is appreciated.
You can use your debit or most credit cards with Etsy Direct Checkout.
Etsy Direct Checkout are safe and convenient when paying for a purchase.

All purchases must be paid for in full within 1-3 days of ordering (unless special agreement has been confirmed by It's Vera.) If my shop 'It's Vera' does not receive payment after that time and you do not respond to my email, I will cancel the transaction and the item will be re-listed in my shop.

If you need help with your purchase, check... http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php
Delivery
SHIPPING:
YOUR PURCHASE will be shipped to YOUR Etsy account address, so please check that YOUR address is correct.

DOMESTIC SHIPPING
via Canada Post: Regular shipping or Expedited Delivery (optional at Check Out) usually 5-10 business days. TRACKING is optional at Check Out.

USA SHIPPING
via Canada Post/USPS without tracking
or via ChitChats/USPS: Delivery varies, usually 6-14 business days depending on the USPS routing. TRACKING is included. Your tracking number is in your Etsy order in your account.
Check tracking at https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
via Asendia International Priority Tracked: Delivery varies, 7-20 business days, depending on the country.
Check tracking at https://asendiausa.com
TRACKING and Insurance is included, unless the destination is not an Asendia country then Shipping will be with Canada Post Airmail, without tracking or insurance.

***SHIPPING NOTE:
It's Vera is not responsible for any packages that are undelivered in the event of incorrect shipping information on the customer's Etsy invoice.
***It's Vera is not responsible for lost packages and/or customs and duty charges that are incurred by this service. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
Shipping labels are copied or printed directly from your Etsy account information.
Packages returned to It's Vera, by fault of the customer, will be reshipped only after the customer has paid additional shipping charges.

THIRD PARTY SHIPPING
I will gladly ship a gift to a different address and even add a note from you. Just add the correct shipping name and address before you Check Out. The add the note you want added in a message.

(updated June 2019)
Additional policies and FAQs
HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR NEW JEWELLERY
Now that you have this lovely, handmade jewellery, it's easy to look after it. As with all silver, it will naturally patina over time and you can polish it with a jeweller's cloth or silver polish which will bring back the original lustre.
Store your jewellery in a closed plastic bag.

HOW TO CLEAN COPPER JEWELRY
- clean the jewellery with toothpaste (regular toothpaste with no whiteners, etc.) and an old toothbrush or your fingers, rub and then wash with soap and water, dry thoroughly
- clean the jewellery with a copper or silver polish and then wash with soap and water, dry thoroughly
- clean the jewellery with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt, rub and then wash with soap and water, dry thoroughly
- when not in use, keep all clean jewellery in a plastic baggie and add a little drying bag ( the tiny bags of silica sand found in new shoe boxes, etc.)

WILL THIS RING OR BRACELET TURN MY SKIN GREEN?
That's a good question. Skin reacts to copper and brass in different ways and sometimes it will turn your skin green when worn. One can’t tell without wearing the metal, if the skins will react or not.
When copper or brass reacts with skin, it’s only oxidation and less likely to happen with a bracelet than a ring because there is more air circulating a bracelet. If your skin does react with the metal, the reaction will usually disappear over night or can be washes off with soap and water.

HOW TO PREVENT A GREEN SKIN REACTION?
- keep the ring and/or bracelet clean by wiping away the skin oil and dirt after wearing the jewellery
- take the jewellery off at night and clean it before you wear it
- coat the jewellery with clear nail polish to prevent the metal from coming in contact with the skin and prevent the skin from turning green (reapplication may be needed occasionally)
- coat the jewellery with car polish or a floor polish will prevent the metal from coming in contact with the skin and prevent the skin from turning green
- use hand or body lotion on the skin under the ring or bracelet
Coatings are fast and effective, and will need reapplication occasionally.

NOW that you know all about this wonderful, handmade jewellery, enjoy wearing it and remember it's contemporary art jewellery that has a lot of history.

More information

Last updated on 16 Dec, 2018
Frequently asked questions
Care instructions

Please check 'Additional Policies and FAQ' for How to look after and clean your It's Vera jewellery.

Custom and personalized orders

I only make custom knitting and crochet rings.

Sizing details

Please check the jewellery listings for instructions:
- how to measure your finger for a knitting ring, finger ring or bracelet

Wholesale availability

I do not wholesale at this time.

Gift wrapping and packaging

All items are gift wrapped and include a gift/care tag.
I use recycled mail packaging whenever possible.

Where can I track my order with USPS?

Your tracking number is in your ItsVera Etsy order.
Track it at https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input