Products

Something I want is out of stock – when will you have it again?

If one of the Hapless core styles is out of stock, keep an eye on the Instagram to find out when it will come back. If you’re under a time restraint, do feel free to reach out in Instagram messages or by email at haplesshandmade@gmail.com and I may be able to make that item for you sooner. If you wanted a one-of-a-kind item that has sold, I may be able to recreate it or reimagine it with the materials that are currently available to me.

What materials does Hapless Handmade utilize for jewelry?

Dainty items are made with sterling silver or gold filled materials. These are both great options for a long-lasting piece. Sterling silver does tarnish with contact to moisture or skin, but is easily polished again and again. Gold filled means that the pieces are at least 5% gold by weight, and the gold is pressure bonded to the base metal. This process makes it much more durable than gold plating, in which gold makes up about 0.05% of the product. Gold filled products will not tarnish for a long time with proper care. I do not recommend wearing them in the water or allowing them to get dirty. 

For chainmaille pieces, all of my current stock is stainless steel, jeweler’s brass, and/or anodized aluminum. Stainless steel is great because it’s strong, hard, and feels substantial. It won’t rust and can be worn every day, in almost any circumstance. Jeweler’s brass is a redder tone than common yellow brass, and looks very similar to gold. It is also slightly stronger and slower to tarnish, but tarnish does still happen. Like sterling silver, though, the piece can be polished to a shine again and again; or, if you prefer, leave the tarnish to develop and it gives the piece beautiful character. Anodized aluminum provides playful colors and a generally lower price point (depending on the piece, of course). The layer of color on the aluminum may get scratched or worn off over time, but aluminum does not tarnish.

Do you make custom jewelry?

I am happy to create a custom piece with you, but note that I am limited by ability and material. Building off of a design that I have done in the past is a great way to ensure that I will be able to make the item that you are envisioning. Please reach out in Instagram direct messages or by email at haplesshandmade@gmail.com.

Do you offer wholesale?

Yes, Hapless Handmade offers wholesale! If you are interested in carrying my products, please reach out to haplesshandmade@gmail.com for information on how to get started. Current stockists include White Rabbit and Heim in Iowa City.

Shipping

How does local pickup/delivery work?

I offer local pickup or delivery to shipping addresses in the Des Moines, Iowa area. The following zip codes should get the option for local delivery at checkout: 50309, 50310, 50311, 50312, 50313, 50314, 50316, 50319. Anyone in Polk county can order for pickup if they so choose. After you place an order with the “local delivery” or “local pickup” box marked, I will reach out to you via the email you provide at checkout to work out the details of your pickup or delivery.

How long is your processing time?

I try to keep processing time as short as possible and usually get things sent out within 2 business days of purchase; however, please note that this is a one woman team, and occasionally it will take me up to a week to ship your packages. If you are in a hurry to receive something, please reach out and I will do my best to get your items through the door!

What shipping service do you use?

I ship via USPS Ground because they generally offer the most affordable rates and I have never had an issue. If you would like me to send a package using a different service, please reach out and we can discuss. I would ask that you pay the entire shipping fee if sending by another method.

Do you ship internationally?

I do not allow international orders on my website and have never sent a package over the border, but I am willing to try it if a customer would pay the entire shipping fee. Reach out to me on Instagram or email haplesshandmade@gmail.com to discuss.

Sustainability

How is Hapless Handmade sustainable?

Small businesses are inherently more sustainable than retail giants because they produce less product, therefore producing less waste. Even at larger scales, small businesses tend not to produce much more than necessary to meet immediate demand, while factory-made products can be made so cheaply that it is easy to overproduce and not think about the extra.

My sustainability efforts are:

• Find a loving home for everything I make
• Using high quality materials that won’t quickly degrade and become trash
• Reusing shipping materials that I receive when possible
• Minimal packaging – small items come mailed on a simple jewelry card, wrapped in paper for safety, and in a bubble envelope to take up as little space as possible, maximizing space in mail trucks, reducing carbon footprint
• The paper I am using to wrap things is from old print proofs; I’ll continue this until I run out
• No jewelry boxes, bags, or other unnecessary packaging that you likely have no use for
• I will fix any jewelry I make that has broken to prevent it from becoming waste