Friday, January 30, 2009

Just the FAQ's...

Who is Ruth Parker?

This is a very common question considering my name is Lauren, not Ruth Parker. Our company started when my husband, Rhett, and I made the jewelry for our wedding. It was something I really enjoyed doing, and after the response that we got from friends and family, I decided it was something I wanted to pursue. Ruth Parker started because we got married, so I thought it appropriate to use both of our middle names as the company name. (Ruth Parker sounded a lot better to me than my name, even though it’s more confusing this way!) It is a collaboration of both of us (my creative side and his technical side), which is why it works.

Who is Lauren?

I am the owner and creator of Ruth Parker Jewelry, a wife and mother to one brand new baby boy, a fashion enthusiast, a trained and schooled Interior Designer, an architecture maven, an outdoor adventuress, a sports fan, a history buff, a color specialist, a culinary student, a tom-boy, and a girly girl all rolled into one. Making jewelry is my way of expressing myself and creating something completely unique because one of my biggest pet peeves is that I hate wearing the same thing as someone else!

What do you specialize in?

Ruth Parker Jewelry specializes in one-of-a-kind vintage recreations, wedding and formal jewelry, and limited edition jewelry. We rarely make more than 10 of the same thing, which means all of our selections are extremely individual. When purchasing our vintage pieces, please keep in mind that these are one-of-a-kind finds and therefore may contain small "flaws" or signs of wear. The items we work with, especially in the “Lost & Found” (vintage) collection, are rarely going to be perfect but that’s why we love them!

Why are some of the pieces named after California cities?

Rhett and I were both born and raised in California but no longer live there. I decided to do it as a way to pay tribute to my roots, because there are so many things I love about the place!

How do I place an order?

1. Please visit our shop on Etsy: ByRuthParker.etsy.com

2. Once on Etsy, you simply fill your cart, pay by credit card through PayPal, and that’s it!

3. Once I have received payment from you, I will ship your order by priority mail to the shipping address you have specified.

How do Giveaways work?

All you have to do is comment one time on the giveaway post before midnight on Thursday of the last week of the month. Giveaways start the first Monday of the month and the winner is announced the last Friday of that month. If commenting anonymously, please leave an email with the comment so that I can contact you should you win. At this time, giveaways are only open to US residents, 13 years or older. Items are shipped at the expense of Ruth Parker Jewelry, USPS priority mail to the address specified by the winner. Most items are shipped the following Monday, unless specified by me. Giveaway items are not eligible for exchange or return. If you are not interested in winning the piece, please do not comment.

What are your shipping policies?

Ruth Parker Jewelry ships priority mail (domestic and international) through the United States Postal Service. The customer pays all shipping costs, except in the case of Giveaways, which are shipped priority through the USPS to US residents only at our cost. We will not ship your order until payment has been received from you. US residents are charged a flat $6 shipping fee per order, international customers are charged $12. Your purchase is gift wrapped in a white box with ribbon and carefully packaged when shipped. For multiple items I try to save boxes, unless specified by the customer beforehand. If you are purchasing something as a gift, please let me know and I will package everything separately.

Do you accept international orders?

Yes, anyone can purchase through our shop on Etsy.

Do you accept custom orders?

We absolutely encourage custom designs. Please contact us with whatever your heart desires and we will do our best to make it happen for you. Whether you're looking for that one-of-a-kind wedding piece or a statement you can wear every day, we are here to help!

When will I receive my jewelry?

You will receive it within the time frame of priority mail, which is 2-3 days for domestic and 6-10 days for international. For custom designs, please allow a 3-week lead-time per piece of jewelry. (Earrings are considered one piece) This does not include the shipping time, which will add a few days depending on where you are located. If, for whatever reason, you need something shipped faster than the time frames given here, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate, within reason.

What is your return policy?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the jewelry made, please let us know. We want you to be extremely satisfied with our finished product and will do our best to make sure that happens. In the event that you do need an item returned, we will be glad to take it back within 7 days of receipt of your package. Please keep in mind that these are handmade and/or vintage one-of-a-kind pieces and therefore may contain small "flaws" or signs of wear. The items we work with, especially in the “Lost & Found” collection, are rarely going to be perfect but that’s why we love them!

- We offer full refunds, an exchange, or store credit for the retail price of the item. Custom orders and sale items cannot be returned.

- Please also note that shipping costs incurred are non-refundable for purchases and returns and are your responsibility. All of our orders are carefully addressed and packaged when shipped to our customers. In the event that your package arrives damaged or is lost, please contact your local postal service to address the issue. Ruth Parker Jewelry cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged items once they have been shipped out.

Why should I add myself to your mailing list?

We use our mailing list to let you know when we are having sales and/or promotions, and to announce new items that become available. It is the best way for us to keep you “in the loop” on the happenings at Ruth Parker. Please email us at: byruthparker@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the mailing list. Which leads us to…

What is your privacy policy?

Ruth Parker respects each individual's right to personal privacy. Personally identifiable information is only collected when you provide it to us and only then is used for the purpose it was provided for (answering an email inquiry, sending you our newsletter or processing your order, for example). This information will remain confidential and is never shared with third parties without your permission unless required by law. Payments are processed by PayPal which provides an easy and safe way to purchase products online. Please visit PayPal’s website if you would like more information.


Thursday, January 15, 2009

Crystal Lamp



So, one of my very favorite things to do is find old, unique pieces of jewelry and recreate them into something amazingly current. However, sometimes I surprise myself by finding old, unique things that you might not normally think could become jewelry and then they do! Perfect example...I recently found this awesome lamp dripping with dusty, dingy vintage crystals and decided I had to have it! After some thorough cleaning, the crystals, although still showing signs of wear (scratches on the back, a few have chips in places) look bright and clear, with amazing colors! I cannot wait to turn these into something fantastically unique and beautiful. I have decided to name my vintage recreations the "Lost and Found Collection" because everything I'm working with is finding new life...I'm thinking of it as my way of chic recycling.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Gallery

The Rancho Palos Verdes Necklace
The Madrid Necklace

(The first of a few) Vintage Italian Mosaic Necklace
Custom work: Antique locket, Swarovski crystals, gold filled chain
A vintage African necklace of my mother-in-laws that I reconstructed
Martha, light pink
Martha, plum
Custom work; vintage PanAm hat pin, airplane charm, glass beads
Ice Castles Necklace
Crown of Violets Necklace
Drama Queen Necklace
Red Layered Necklace (Personal)
Vintage Trifari Magnolia Posts (Personal)
Candy Dish Earrings
Key to My....Necklace #3
Biscayne Bay Necklace
Trophy Life Bracelet
Trophy Life Necklace
Scatter Shine Earrings
Custom Work: Christmas present using vintage bracelet and necklace charms

Rancho Mirage Necklace
Beverly Hills Necklace
Love Haight Necklace
Key to My...Necklace #2
Avalon Earrings
Fiesta Rosa Necklace
Rosey Posey Necklace
Magnolia and Arlington Necklace
Duchess of Rock Necklace
August Boatwright Necklace
Key to My...Necklace #1
Poppies Nouveau Necklace
Pasadena Earrings
Crystal Candy Dish Necklace
Icy Blossoms Necklace
Love Haight Bracelet
Pasadena Necklace
San Juan Capistrano Earrings

San Francisco Necklace
Santa Rosa Necklace
San Juan Capistrano Necklace
Solvang Necklace
Personal Work
Cheery Cherry Bracelet
Santa Monica Necklace
Personal Work
Palm Springs Necklace
Purple Passion Necklace
Lyndsey's Wedding, Redlands Earrings and Necklace

Ruth Parker Jewelry's Fan Box