Keepsake Jewelry FAQs and Policies
How are your keepsakes created?
- Although I cannot tell you the specifics, I can tell you that your keepsake will be made with jewelry quality resin for durability and amazing results. For breastmilk keepsakes, I use a chemical process that preserves your breastmilk before it is cast in the resin. If it is not properly preserved, it will go yellow or brown over time.
What can be used to make a keepsake?
- There are so many ways you can have a keepsake created to cherish your memories and loved ones.
How do I order and what is your turnaround time?
- Ordering a keepsake is fairly simple. Just visit my website and place your order, and then an email will be sent to you explaining the mailing process to send your inclusion item to me. Turnaround time for each piece is about 8-12 weeks from the moment I receive your inclusion item, not the order date. If you require a custom listing, please message me before so I can set one up. Although inclusion pieces not made with breastmilk (cremation ashes, locks of hair, placenta powder) generally can be finished within 4 weeks, I always give a longer estimate for the event that I have more orders than usual. Please note that Tree of Life Collaboration Necklaces take longer since Maidinthewoods has her own working time needed to complete the order. Her turnaround time is usually about 4-6 weeks from the time she receives the stone.
How do I send inclusion items (breastmilk, cremation ash, placenta powder, etc.) to you?
-When you order you will be sent a confirmation email that will contain a link to a page that has our shipping guide and address. Please read them and follow them carefully. You can also find the information, minus the mailing address, in our Shipping Guide. If you do not receive your email, check your spam. If you still cannot locate it, please email me at sarah@wisebeginnings.com
Do you ship worldwide?
- Yes! You can find we have two shipping options for our customers outside the U.S
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Are custom pieces available?
- Yes! Here at W.I.S.E. - Women Informed, Supported & Empowered, we LOVE to make custom pieces for our customers! If you have a design in mind that I have not yet posted, please let me know your ideas so we can meet your needs!
Do you offer payment plans?
- Yes! We do, which is great for our more expensive pieces. How this works is you message me either through my Facebook page, or email me at sarah@wisebeginnings.com to tell me that you would like a payment plan. It would be best if you take a screenshot of all the items you would like to purchase in your shopping cart and attach that image to your message. Please note if you would prefer a bi-weekly or monthly payment plan and if you desire the two or three-month plan. If you want a quicker plan, that is possible. A one-time extension is also available for those who need a little more time.
Payments can be flexible but are non-refundable. Your piece will not be started until the payment is made in full, but you can send your inclusion item ahead of time to ensure I can start your piece as soon as possible.
Once I receive the notification of your payment plan request, I will set up a custom listing that coordinates with your details given in the request. Once the first payment is made, the listing will renew with the next payment and can be paid any time before or on the due date given. Once complete, your item can be started if I already have your inclusion item.
How much of each inclusion is needed for a keepsake?
Breastmilk - I recommend sending at least one full ounce of breastmilk just in case there is a leak or damage during shipment, however 1/2oz of Breastmilk which can yield up to three small keepsakes. Minimum requirement for one keepsake is 10ml
Ashes- 1/4 teaspoon per keepsake.
Umbilical cord- The part of the stump that falls off after birth is sufficient enough for a keepsake. If you do not have that, then a 1/4' clipping.
Placenta Powder- This depends on how much powder you would like in your keepsake. If you would like just a little, then one capsule (or 1/2 a teaspoon) will be plenty. If you would like a lot of powder, then please send two (or one teaspoon)
Lock of hair- One lock of hair 1 inch or longer, tied together with a string
Fabric- If you are just ordering a small keepsake, a 2' x2' square of the fabric will be plenty to work with.
Flowers- Just a few petals of whatever flowers you would like to include.
Do you mail back leftover inclusion items?
Yes! We mail everything back, minus leftover preserved breastmilk. We hold onto that in case there is an issue with your order or you would like to order more.
Can I change the embellishments in my keepsake after I order?
As long as we haven't started making your keepsake, yes you can change the details (but not the actual keepsake design). Just contact us and let us know what changes you would like and we will get back to you and let you know if it is possible. Please note that if you are changing your design AFTER you have already placed your order there is a slight chance that it will not be done in the event we simply forget. Due the the volume of orders and emails we receive at any given time, and the fact that we are humans, there is a possibility that we will forget to change your order form. This is not grounds for a refund or cancellation. If you are not sure about how you would like your keepsake to look, please contact us first before you orde and we can help you out.
How can I contact you?
We currently have three modes of contact. You can either email us at sarah@wisebeginnings.com, message us on our Facebook page, or text/call at 209-483-1118. If you try one method and it does not work, please try one of the others. We try to be as responsive as possible when answering emails, but sometimes things get sent to spam and we are unaware of it.
Why are some milk pieces different colors?
- The color of your keepsake is dependent on the color of your milk when you send it. This means that pieces can have hues of a variety of colors, including green, blue, pink, yellow, white, and even semi-clear! With proper care, your piece should remain the same color as it was received. Please see our care policy for your jewelry to make sure your keepsake stays exactly how you received it.
Why does my keepsake look different than the example pictures?
-Your keepsake is made with love and care by hand. Because of this, no pieces will ever be the same and each is one of a kind. Example photos are just that- basic examples of the style being offered and there is no guarantee that your piece will be 100% the same.
Cremation ashes may also change color during the process. This is because of the chemical makeup of the human body and each piece will be different.
It is important to know what it means to have a handmade keepsake made for you. This means that slight variations may occur and evidence of being handmade may be evident. This means that there may be small air bubbles, mold seams, placement variations and/or other minor imperfections. Although we strive for perfection here at W.I.S.E, sometimes these things are unavoidable. Locks of hair may lie differently than expected and the color may seem darker since it is "wet" from the resin, bead caps may be a little off center or not 100% flush with the surface, or other evidence of being handmade. This is not grounds for a refund or return. There is just so much I can do to make these perfect and that is the nature of handmade pieces. Every piece is hand sanded, hand polished, and handled with care by me, and only me. If you think there is a flaw that could have been avoided, please email photos to sarah@wisebeginnings.com and explain your situation.
Can discount codes or promo codes be applies to custom orders?
Discount codes cannot be applied toward custom orders, payment plans or gift certificate purchases at this time. Custom order pieces often require much more time to research available designs and planning with the customer. Also, please keep in mind that we will no refund the difference of a sale price if you miss out on a promo code.
Will the metal on my keepsake tarnish?
-Did you know that tarnishing metal isn’t a sign of low quality, but is actually a natural chemical reaction to various factors? Proper care can help keep your keepsake tarnish free, but sometimes it is just something that happens. The good news is that a basic polishing cloth can be used to remove the tarnish and return your piece to its original shine. If you would like to have one included in your order, just let us know! Never use tissue or paper towels to clean silver. These products can cause scratching on the surface.
What type of metal do you use?
- Most pieces are made with sterling silver, but I can order custom pieces if necessary. Just let me know beforehand there isn’t any additional wait for shipping. ** My new supplier has options for 14 kt White, Yellow, and Rose gold! Check them out to see more options.**
How do I care for my keepsake?
- It is very important to follow care instructions with any jewelry item and we advise you to treat your keepsake like fine jewelry. Please do not shower, swim, do housework, wash hands, or submerge your hands while wearing your keepsake. Avoid cleaners, lotions, perfumes, shampoos, lotions, creams, essential oils, and various other topical products while you wear you keepsake. Please remove your keepsakes before exercising or prior to bedtime. Excessive sweating and body oils can cause tarnish to the piece. This also helps to ensure the integrity of the chain. Although the jewelers grade resin that W.I.S.E. uses has a UV inhibitor to keep your from piece yellowing, excessive heat and sun exposure will cause the resin to yellow. Daily use is fine, just don’t store in direct sunlight.
What is your refund/return/cancellation policy?
· Return Policy - Because of the nature of the order, returns are not accepted. I will always consult you along the way of making your keepsake if I have questions, but I go by your order form. Please let me know if anything is going wrong in the process. Please see the variations of normal in our section for handmade jewelry to see what is to be expected.
· Cancellation/Refund Policy - Once I receive your inclusion item, cancellations are not accepted. If you have not yet mailed your inclusion item and are within 12 hours of the initial purchase then there is a hassle free cancellation. Anything after that will come with a 20% cancellation fee, however if I have already ordered the supplies needed for your keepsake (ring setting, necklace setting, etc.) there will be no cancellation due to my suppliers own cancellation/refund policy. When purchasing a keepsake from W.I.S.E. - Women Informed, Supported & Empowered you understand that handmade pieces will not be 100% flawless and that these are not factory made pieces, but pieces made with love and dedication.
Do the European beads fit Pandora bracelets?
-Yes! I ordered the molds specifically for this. As long as your bracelet accepts the 5 mm hole beads (standard) then it will fit.
Will I be able to track my order once it shipped?
- Yes! All domestic orders are shipped USPS and a tracking number will be sent to the email you provided in the initial order. Shipping generally takes 2-7 business days once it is picked up by the mail carrier. If you would like to insure your package, please purchase it before checking out.
Does W.I.S.E. offer any type of guarantee policy for breastmilk keepsakes turning yellow?
-The preservation process for preserving milk is very lengthy to ensure that your milk stays the same color as it was sent. Because of this, your milk keepsake should not become discolored. Because the preservation is all done by hand and there is room for human error, there is a small chance that a piece will become discolored and this usually happens within the first 6 months of creation due to the nature of the inclusion. Jewelry grade resin is essentially a hard plastic and improper care will lead to discoloration or even warping. W.I.S.E offers a 6 month guarantee on our breastmilk keepsakes. If, for some reason, your milk keepsake becomes discolored within the first six months I am more than happy to examine the piece for you. I always keep a little bit of the breastmilk/resin mixture as a control piece just in case something like this happens. It will be telling on if the piece was made improperly, or if there was an error in keepsake care. If it is determined that the proper care instructions were followed and it was indeed manufacturer error, then I will remake the piece for you at our cost. This is why we ask for more milk than needed, so we have a small reserve in case of error. If your piece discolors after the 6 months, it is because of improper care (please see our care instructions) and that is not a manufacturer error.
If I miss out on a sale, can you refund the difference or extend the sale for me?
Unfortunately we will no longer be extending promo codes or refunding the difference of a sale price. While we used to do this in the past, this generosity has been abused by a few and we have discontinued this practice. If you miss out on a sale, don't worry! We run plenty of sales and monthly discounts, so just keep an eye out!
My package says it was delivered but I cannot find it. Can you help?
It is very possible that your package was stolen. Please contact your post office. This does not quality for a refund or new product. Once the post office takes responsibility of the package there isn’t anything that I can help with. Please contact your neighbors to see if the package was possibly delivered to them by accident. If it isn't there, then please check in with your local Post Office to see if they can locate where they delivered the package. If the package was delivered at your house but you still cannot find it, it is very possible that it was stolen. Please contact your local police department to report the stolen package.
A note about handmade items-
It is important to know what it means to have a handmade keepsake made for you. This means that slight variations may occur and evidence of being handmade may be evident. This means that there may be small air bubbles, mold seams, specks of glitter or pigment in the keepsake, placement variations and/or other minor imperfections. Although we strive for perfection here at W.I.S.E, sometimes these things are unavoidable. Locks of hair may lie differently than expected and the color may seem darker since it is "wet" from the resin, bead caps may be a little off center or not 100% flush with the surface, or other evidence of being handmade. This is not grounds for a refund or return. There is just so much I can do to make these perfect and that is the nature of handmade pieces. If you think there is a flaw that could have been avoided, please email photos to sarah@wisebeginnings.com and explain your situation.
- Although I cannot tell you the specifics, I can tell you that your keepsake will be made with jewelry quality resin for durability and amazing results. For breastmilk keepsakes, I use a chemical process that preserves your breastmilk before it is cast in the resin. If it is not properly preserved, it will go yellow or brown over time.
What can be used to make a keepsake?
- There are so many ways you can have a keepsake created to cherish your memories and loved ones.
- Breastmilk - Fresh/Frozen/Expired, it all works! As long as there isn't any visible mold, your milk (or donated milk) will be a beautiful keepsake.
- Human Ash
- Pet Ash
- Human Hair
- Pet Hair
- Flowers
- Placenta Powder
- Umbilical cord
- Hospital Blanket
- Clothing
- And so much more!
How do I order and what is your turnaround time?
- Ordering a keepsake is fairly simple. Just visit my website and place your order, and then an email will be sent to you explaining the mailing process to send your inclusion item to me. Turnaround time for each piece is about 8-12 weeks from the moment I receive your inclusion item, not the order date. If you require a custom listing, please message me before so I can set one up. Although inclusion pieces not made with breastmilk (cremation ashes, locks of hair, placenta powder) generally can be finished within 4 weeks, I always give a longer estimate for the event that I have more orders than usual. Please note that Tree of Life Collaboration Necklaces take longer since Maidinthewoods has her own working time needed to complete the order. Her turnaround time is usually about 4-6 weeks from the time she receives the stone.
How do I send inclusion items (breastmilk, cremation ash, placenta powder, etc.) to you?
-When you order you will be sent a confirmation email that will contain a link to a page that has our shipping guide and address. Please read them and follow them carefully. You can also find the information, minus the mailing address, in our Shipping Guide. If you do not receive your email, check your spam. If you still cannot locate it, please email me at sarah@wisebeginnings.com
Do you ship worldwide?
- Yes! You can find we have two shipping options for our customers outside the U.S
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Are custom pieces available?
- Yes! Here at W.I.S.E. - Women Informed, Supported & Empowered, we LOVE to make custom pieces for our customers! If you have a design in mind that I have not yet posted, please let me know your ideas so we can meet your needs!
Do you offer payment plans?
- Yes! We do, which is great for our more expensive pieces. How this works is you message me either through my Facebook page, or email me at sarah@wisebeginnings.com to tell me that you would like a payment plan. It would be best if you take a screenshot of all the items you would like to purchase in your shopping cart and attach that image to your message. Please note if you would prefer a bi-weekly or monthly payment plan and if you desire the two or three-month plan. If you want a quicker plan, that is possible. A one-time extension is also available for those who need a little more time.
Payments can be flexible but are non-refundable. Your piece will not be started until the payment is made in full, but you can send your inclusion item ahead of time to ensure I can start your piece as soon as possible.
Once I receive the notification of your payment plan request, I will set up a custom listing that coordinates with your details given in the request. Once the first payment is made, the listing will renew with the next payment and can be paid any time before or on the due date given. Once complete, your item can be started if I already have your inclusion item.
How much of each inclusion is needed for a keepsake?
Breastmilk - I recommend sending at least one full ounce of breastmilk just in case there is a leak or damage during shipment, however 1/2oz of Breastmilk which can yield up to three small keepsakes. Minimum requirement for one keepsake is 10ml
Ashes- 1/4 teaspoon per keepsake.
Umbilical cord- The part of the stump that falls off after birth is sufficient enough for a keepsake. If you do not have that, then a 1/4' clipping.
Placenta Powder- This depends on how much powder you would like in your keepsake. If you would like just a little, then one capsule (or 1/2 a teaspoon) will be plenty. If you would like a lot of powder, then please send two (or one teaspoon)
Lock of hair- One lock of hair 1 inch or longer, tied together with a string
Fabric- If you are just ordering a small keepsake, a 2' x2' square of the fabric will be plenty to work with.
Flowers- Just a few petals of whatever flowers you would like to include.
Do you mail back leftover inclusion items?
Yes! We mail everything back, minus leftover preserved breastmilk. We hold onto that in case there is an issue with your order or you would like to order more.
Can I change the embellishments in my keepsake after I order?
As long as we haven't started making your keepsake, yes you can change the details (but not the actual keepsake design). Just contact us and let us know what changes you would like and we will get back to you and let you know if it is possible. Please note that if you are changing your design AFTER you have already placed your order there is a slight chance that it will not be done in the event we simply forget. Due the the volume of orders and emails we receive at any given time, and the fact that we are humans, there is a possibility that we will forget to change your order form. This is not grounds for a refund or cancellation. If you are not sure about how you would like your keepsake to look, please contact us first before you orde and we can help you out.
How can I contact you?
We currently have three modes of contact. You can either email us at sarah@wisebeginnings.com, message us on our Facebook page, or text/call at 209-483-1118. If you try one method and it does not work, please try one of the others. We try to be as responsive as possible when answering emails, but sometimes things get sent to spam and we are unaware of it.
Why are some milk pieces different colors?
- The color of your keepsake is dependent on the color of your milk when you send it. This means that pieces can have hues of a variety of colors, including green, blue, pink, yellow, white, and even semi-clear! With proper care, your piece should remain the same color as it was received. Please see our care policy for your jewelry to make sure your keepsake stays exactly how you received it.
Why does my keepsake look different than the example pictures?
-Your keepsake is made with love and care by hand. Because of this, no pieces will ever be the same and each is one of a kind. Example photos are just that- basic examples of the style being offered and there is no guarantee that your piece will be 100% the same.
Cremation ashes may also change color during the process. This is because of the chemical makeup of the human body and each piece will be different.
It is important to know what it means to have a handmade keepsake made for you. This means that slight variations may occur and evidence of being handmade may be evident. This means that there may be small air bubbles, mold seams, placement variations and/or other minor imperfections. Although we strive for perfection here at W.I.S.E, sometimes these things are unavoidable. Locks of hair may lie differently than expected and the color may seem darker since it is "wet" from the resin, bead caps may be a little off center or not 100% flush with the surface, or other evidence of being handmade. This is not grounds for a refund or return. There is just so much I can do to make these perfect and that is the nature of handmade pieces. Every piece is hand sanded, hand polished, and handled with care by me, and only me. If you think there is a flaw that could have been avoided, please email photos to sarah@wisebeginnings.com and explain your situation.
Can discount codes or promo codes be applies to custom orders?
Discount codes cannot be applied toward custom orders, payment plans or gift certificate purchases at this time. Custom order pieces often require much more time to research available designs and planning with the customer. Also, please keep in mind that we will no refund the difference of a sale price if you miss out on a promo code.
Will the metal on my keepsake tarnish?
-Did you know that tarnishing metal isn’t a sign of low quality, but is actually a natural chemical reaction to various factors? Proper care can help keep your keepsake tarnish free, but sometimes it is just something that happens. The good news is that a basic polishing cloth can be used to remove the tarnish and return your piece to its original shine. If you would like to have one included in your order, just let us know! Never use tissue or paper towels to clean silver. These products can cause scratching on the surface.
What type of metal do you use?
- Most pieces are made with sterling silver, but I can order custom pieces if necessary. Just let me know beforehand there isn’t any additional wait for shipping. ** My new supplier has options for 14 kt White, Yellow, and Rose gold! Check them out to see more options.**
How do I care for my keepsake?
- It is very important to follow care instructions with any jewelry item and we advise you to treat your keepsake like fine jewelry. Please do not shower, swim, do housework, wash hands, or submerge your hands while wearing your keepsake. Avoid cleaners, lotions, perfumes, shampoos, lotions, creams, essential oils, and various other topical products while you wear you keepsake. Please remove your keepsakes before exercising or prior to bedtime. Excessive sweating and body oils can cause tarnish to the piece. This also helps to ensure the integrity of the chain. Although the jewelers grade resin that W.I.S.E. uses has a UV inhibitor to keep your from piece yellowing, excessive heat and sun exposure will cause the resin to yellow. Daily use is fine, just don’t store in direct sunlight.
What is your refund/return/cancellation policy?
· Return Policy - Because of the nature of the order, returns are not accepted. I will always consult you along the way of making your keepsake if I have questions, but I go by your order form. Please let me know if anything is going wrong in the process. Please see the variations of normal in our section for handmade jewelry to see what is to be expected.
· Cancellation/Refund Policy - Once I receive your inclusion item, cancellations are not accepted. If you have not yet mailed your inclusion item and are within 12 hours of the initial purchase then there is a hassle free cancellation. Anything after that will come with a 20% cancellation fee, however if I have already ordered the supplies needed for your keepsake (ring setting, necklace setting, etc.) there will be no cancellation due to my suppliers own cancellation/refund policy. When purchasing a keepsake from W.I.S.E. - Women Informed, Supported & Empowered you understand that handmade pieces will not be 100% flawless and that these are not factory made pieces, but pieces made with love and dedication.
Do the European beads fit Pandora bracelets?
-Yes! I ordered the molds specifically for this. As long as your bracelet accepts the 5 mm hole beads (standard) then it will fit.
Will I be able to track my order once it shipped?
- Yes! All domestic orders are shipped USPS and a tracking number will be sent to the email you provided in the initial order. Shipping generally takes 2-7 business days once it is picked up by the mail carrier. If you would like to insure your package, please purchase it before checking out.
Does W.I.S.E. offer any type of guarantee policy for breastmilk keepsakes turning yellow?
-The preservation process for preserving milk is very lengthy to ensure that your milk stays the same color as it was sent. Because of this, your milk keepsake should not become discolored. Because the preservation is all done by hand and there is room for human error, there is a small chance that a piece will become discolored and this usually happens within the first 6 months of creation due to the nature of the inclusion. Jewelry grade resin is essentially a hard plastic and improper care will lead to discoloration or even warping. W.I.S.E offers a 6 month guarantee on our breastmilk keepsakes. If, for some reason, your milk keepsake becomes discolored within the first six months I am more than happy to examine the piece for you. I always keep a little bit of the breastmilk/resin mixture as a control piece just in case something like this happens. It will be telling on if the piece was made improperly, or if there was an error in keepsake care. If it is determined that the proper care instructions were followed and it was indeed manufacturer error, then I will remake the piece for you at our cost. This is why we ask for more milk than needed, so we have a small reserve in case of error. If your piece discolors after the 6 months, it is because of improper care (please see our care instructions) and that is not a manufacturer error.
If I miss out on a sale, can you refund the difference or extend the sale for me?
Unfortunately we will no longer be extending promo codes or refunding the difference of a sale price. While we used to do this in the past, this generosity has been abused by a few and we have discontinued this practice. If you miss out on a sale, don't worry! We run plenty of sales and monthly discounts, so just keep an eye out!
My package says it was delivered but I cannot find it. Can you help?
It is very possible that your package was stolen. Please contact your post office. This does not quality for a refund or new product. Once the post office takes responsibility of the package there isn’t anything that I can help with. Please contact your neighbors to see if the package was possibly delivered to them by accident. If it isn't there, then please check in with your local Post Office to see if they can locate where they delivered the package. If the package was delivered at your house but you still cannot find it, it is very possible that it was stolen. Please contact your local police department to report the stolen package.
A note about handmade items-
It is important to know what it means to have a handmade keepsake made for you. This means that slight variations may occur and evidence of being handmade may be evident. This means that there may be small air bubbles, mold seams, specks of glitter or pigment in the keepsake, placement variations and/or other minor imperfections. Although we strive for perfection here at W.I.S.E, sometimes these things are unavoidable. Locks of hair may lie differently than expected and the color may seem darker since it is "wet" from the resin, bead caps may be a little off center or not 100% flush with the surface, or other evidence of being handmade. This is not grounds for a refund or return. There is just so much I can do to make these perfect and that is the nature of handmade pieces. If you think there is a flaw that could have been avoided, please email photos to sarah@wisebeginnings.com and explain your situation.
