PAYMENT METHOD

I accept payments via Direct Checkout (credit/debit card, Paypal, bank transfer and Etsy Gift Cards). Please contact me if another method would sit you better. See www.theseisles.co/barter for some barter suggestions.


LAYAWAY PAYMENT IN INSTALMENTS

In layaway cases where you pay for a stock item in instalments, we agree a payment schedule over a limited number of months. I ask for a non-refundable deposit at 25% of the total upfront to reserve the item. Please contact me through my shop beforehand to arrange and I'll adjust and duplicate the listing accordingly for you to purchase each instalment as normal through Etsy's checkout.

I will usually add a 5% surcharge for the additional administration involved.


CUSTOM ORDERS

If you would like something made especially for you, I work to commission, designing weavings in consultation with you. This provides me with constant technical and artistic challenge, as well as new inspiration.

I tend to work in batches for efficiency, so your weaving will usually be one of several similar (but non-identical) weavings. I normally have a waiting list of at least a month, and the batch of weavings containing yours may take another month to make.

Custom orders cost 50% more than equivalent stock items because of the extra time, pressure and commitment involved. In case of disappointment, you do not have to commit in advance to purchasing the final weaving. Instead, to cover my costs I take a 33% non-refundable, non-transferable deposit once we've agreed the project proposal. Costlier yarns, complicated colour combinations or designs, larger dimensions and/or denser weaves will all increase the price due to higher materials costs, lengthier consultation time, experimentation challenges and increased labour intensiveness.

The order process is as follows:

1. You request a custom order (see button on left of my shop home page) in which you describe your ideal colour(s), texture, weight, dimensions and character, sending photos and highlighting which aspects you like most in my existing items. You specify your ceiling budget.

2. I make a design proposal (which may involve more discussion with you), giving a guide price, outlining timescale.

3. If for larger weavings you wish to pay in instalments, we agree a payment schedule. (The full amount plus shipping costs are to be paid before despatch.)

4. I create a listing for you to pay a non-refundable deposit of 33% of the guide price.

5. I buy the yarn to make what we've agreed, probably in a batch with stock items (it is cost-ineffective for me to make one weaving at a time).

6. I list the weaving(s) for sale and send you the link for you to pay the 77% balance if you like what you see.

I endeavour to despatch items within five working days of receiving your payment, and almost always achieve this and better with stock items. Since I live on the road and seek out the wilder places, please forgive any delay – I will usually be able to contact you to let you know if this is likely to be the case. Please let me know if you have a special occasion deadline or similar and I will do my best. (If in doubt please enquire before purchase.)

Please bear in mind that you will be liable for any import duties charged by the Customs and Excise department of your country.

One day I hope to be able to offer fossil-fuel-reduced sail delivery options for international orders on request, as there are one or two pioneering companies offering this green option. (If you're a pioneering sailboat company offering this green option, please get in touch!)

WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR

I take great care and time with both my customers and my craft.

My weavings are never perfect. With the more organic-looking designs, I allow irregularities to remain where they complement the whole. With smarter, patterned or more homogenous items, I make more corrections to any missed picks that are not in keeping with the overall look.

Handweaving is an extremely time-consuming and labour-intensive process (even without this additional step).

As I establish my business my prices - which have to cover labour, materials, customer service, workshop, marketing, advertising, listing, computing, banking and professional development costs - will increase gradually over time so that I can achieve at least the local minimum wage for myself.

'These Isles' is yet young and changing as it grows: my craft, procedures and policies are refined and improved all the time. Your suggestions are welcome.