About & FAQ
Hello and welcome!
Thank you for stopping by, my name is Emily Steele and I create Charming Creatures; handsome little ornaments and decorations made from air drying/polymer clay. I work from my home in South Yorkshire where I sculpt all my pieces by hand, after which I meticulously paint each one down to the finest details.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about my work please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the contact page, it’s always nice to hear from you!
Here are a few frequently asked questions which may be of interest -
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What are Charming Creatures made of?
All my ornaments and decorations are hand sculpted using polymer clay. I sometimes use paper/air drying clay for less intricate pieces.
How can I stay informed on shop updates and custom slots?
I regularly update my Instagram & Blog with works in progress, but all shop update announcements are made exclusively to my mailing list audience.
To stay tuned on when I have new items available, please enter your email into the pop-up box upon visiting my site and you will be added to my mailing list.
Why are your items always 'sold out'?
I aim to update my shop every few months, but there can be longer periods of time bewteen shop updates whilst I develop new designs or work on personal projects.
I will always send out a mailing list notification when I expect to update my shop, or when slots for custom items become available. My shop operates a 'first come, first served' policy in an attempt to keep things fair for everyone, as items tend to sell out quickly.
Do you take commissions?
In short, no. (Sorry!) I open up slots for custom items such as pets and cake toppers from time to time, but I generally cannot accept other requests due to time constraints.
What are your postage & packaging costs?
Please note that these prices are a rough guide and postage costs can vary with each item based on weight, size and value (p&p for multiple items is automatically calculated at checkout).
All orders (UK & Overseas) are sent via Tracked Services - I post my parcels via Royail Mail using their quickest delivery methods. Proof of posting is always obtained and a tracking reference will be provided.
(Post & packaging prices as of April 2024)
UK Special Delivery Service - £12.00
Each additional item - £3
US International Tracked Service - £18.00
Each additional item - £5
Australia International Tracked Service - £20
Each additional item - £5
New Zealand International Tracked Service - £20
Each additional item £5
For any countries not individually listed, International Tracked Service - £16
Each additional item - £3
When will my order be posted?
Ready to post items are sent 1-3 days after purchase. Turnaround times for made to order items will vary, please see the specific listing for further details.
Why do I have to pay customs fees?
Please note that as the buyer, you are responsible for any customs fees should your country impose these. Customs fees are taxes levied by your government on imported goods. The amount you're charged is decided by your government, and sellers have absolutely no hand in this matter. International orders sometimes (but rarely) get delayed while they are processed at customs, so if you are ordering for a special day please keep this in mind.
What happens if my item was damaged in transit?
My parcels have been in the capable hands of Royal Mail for many years and during this time I have experienced very few breakages. I package my ornaments using second hand or biodegradable bubble wrap to keep them safe on their journey to you. I cannot be held responsible for any unfortunate damages upon arrival, but if you receive a damaged item, please contact me right away.
You will be required to send photographs of any damage to items/packaging to enable me to initiate a claim with the postage carrier and arrange a replacement.
Are Charming Creatures suitable for children?
Due to my work being mostly small and delicate, I'm afraid that none of my designs are suitable for young children and are meant for decorative purposes only. Please keep all ornaments and decorations out of the reach of little hands.
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Additional Information
Custom Pet Ornaments
I work to tight schedules throughout the year so to ensure I am able to complete your order in a timely manner, please refer to the steps listed below.
1. Images
You must provide images of your pet within 48 hours of purchase as failure to do so may result in your order being cancelled and the slot being given to someone else. Please bear this in mind before you place an order and have your images ready to go when I request them.
As your pet will be sculpted in a standing position, it is paramount that you are able to provide a full-body side profile of your pet to allow me to recreate their body type and take out any guess work. Similarly with any unusual markings/coat types or other features, please provide good quality examples of these within your images.
If you're still unsure on image requirements, please allow Wilf to be your guide and use this blog post to help you.
Please note that I do not accept requests for your pet to be sculpted in positions other than standing, and this also applies for accessories such as collars and neckerchiefs etc.
2. Extras
If you are unsure on the necessary 'extras' you need to purchase for your dog or cat breed, please contact me prior to purchase and I will provide a quote for you.
A base price (with or without a hook) option must first be added to your cart, and you will then be required to go back to the listing and add any extras. You can then proceed with the purchase. Failure to add necessary extras may result in your order being cancelled.
3. Amendments
Once I have sculpted your pet, I will send along photos for your approval before the clay is baked. If at this stage you feel the sculpt is not quite perfect, I will allow for amendments. If after two amendments you are still not satisfied, any further alterations will be chargeable.
At the painting stage of the process (which is the lengthiest part) amendments are not possible, hence the importance of good quality images.
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Refunds & Exchanges
It is of absolute importance to me that my customers are happy with their buying experience. If for any reason you are not absolutely satisfied, please let me know upon receiving your item and I will do my very best to remedy the situation.
If you would like to return an item* you must do so within 10 calendar days of receipt and provide proof of posting. The item must be in it's original condition/packaging to qualify for a refund. Any postage costs incurred to return an item will not be reimbursed.
*Please be aware before you purchase that all bespoke items are non-refundable.
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Support my work - Become a monthly subscriber
I'm currently working on setting up subscriber options - you can keep up to date on when this will be launched by checking my blog.
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Copyright
All my work is copyright protected. Please respect my intellectual property and refrain from using/distributing my images online or otherwise without my permission.