Shopping and Etsy FAQ

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace (i.e. a website) for handmade goods. The creators of Etsy supply artists and crafters with a means to list and sell their inventory online, thereby freeing up more creative time to actually make rather than market their goods. You can shop on Etsy as you do on other retail websites by selecting goods, adding them to a shopping cart, and going through a checkout process. You can learn more about Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/faq.php

Why does With Love from Mom sell through an Etsy storefront instead of directly from your homepage?

I hope to bring both shopping options to customers in the near future. In the meantime, I have found Etsy to be a great solution for both seller and buyer because of it's great inventory handling and security features.

Will I have to create a username and account on Etsy just to buy one or two things from you? Why?

Yes, in order to make a purchase through the storefront you will need to "sign up" on Etsy. Like eBay, Etsy protects both buyers and sellers by verifying identities through logins. Etsy further investigates its sellers by verifying credit and sales. Along with their secure servers, this provides buyers with a great deal of protection from fraud. Signing up also gives you a window to a really great marketplace for "homegrown" goods. Check out the great ways there are to search for items and you never know what you might find! Check out my "favorites" to see what other great stores I've found on Etsy. And if you step outside of my storefront to the Etsy homepage, you can search for items of a certain color, or for artists and crafters in your hometown! Be careful though... this marketplace is addictive!

I'm really not comfortable creating an account on Etsy, but I'd really like to make a purchase from With Love from Mom.

I do understand being wary of such things in cyberspace, so please don't let Etsy be a stumbling block for you. Although I fully support the site, arrangements can be made for another means of purchase. You can browse the storefront and e-mail me with your selections and we will set something up!

I'm trying to check out, and there is a payment option for PayPal. What is that?

Like Etsy, it's another mechanism that provides both you and I security in our transaction. You can pay through PayPal at http://www.paypal.com without me ever seeing your credit card or other payment information. Visit Paypal's website for everything you need to know. They explain it much more clearly than I ever could. And if you still have questions, I have been using Paypal as both a buyer and seller for at least 7 years, so don't hesitate to contact me and I will help walk you through the process.

What are your shipping costs and policies?

I will ship an item to anywhere in the U.S. via First Class Mail for $3.50. Each additional item purchased at the same time is an additional 50 cents. If you would like insurance, please let me know before you submit payment and I will send you an ammended invoice that includes insurance for the amount you desire. Shipping to Canada is $5.50 for the first item, and 50 cents for each additional item. For shipping outside of these countries, please e-mail me for a quote before making your purchase.

Your item will be shipped within 5 business days of payment. If you are submitting payment by mail, please allow time for your payment to be received by me. Also, if paying by personal check, allow 10 days for the check to clear.

Rush delivery is available upon request. Please request a rush shipping quote before making your purchase so that you receive the correct charge on your invoice. Otherwise, your item will be sent via First Class Mail.

I saw an item you have listed and was wondering if it came in other colors, or with a different clasp, etc.

Many of my items are one of a kind, however, I truly enjoy creating something I know you will enjoy so I would be more than happy to answer requests for different colors, or whatever modifications you may desire. Not EVERYTHING is possible, but I will most certainly do my best to make it happen. Please visit the Custom Design page for more information and to submit your request.

The pictures of your work look great, but is there any way to shop your selection in person?

I'd love to say that the With Love from Mom Boutique will be coming soon to a shopping center near you... however, for now, I'll be selling online, at craft fairs in the Mid-Atlantic area and in-home shows very local to my own home. I do plan on traveling to some trade shows, so some distance doesn't make in-person shopping impossible. If you'd like to find out if I'll be at a craft fair or show near you, visit the Contact Us page and sign up for my mailing list! (This also gives you great notice of sales, coupons and other specials!)