FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS :
Important Bits...
If you need to get in contact for anything Urgent please do not use Facebook or Instagram. Email me at hello@alittleidea.ie I will always answer emails first as a priority.
If its in relation to an order placed, quote your confirmation number.
Is your business a sustainable business ?
A Little Idea is a one-woman show. Its just me - designing, operating, making, maintaining the website, packing , answering emails and doing all the social media and photography. So essentially being a small business with a small footprint I am sustainable. I use only recycled cardboard for my jewellery boxes, recyclable packaging for posting orders, and I source my materials from many other small independent businesses who have the same environmental ethos as me. I make in small batches and I reuse any scrap materials for future use in textile and jewellery items. My plan for the future of my studio building is to be fully solar powered running by 2026.
How sustainable is acrylic? :
I am very careful to work with laser cutting companies that make or supply acrylic from reputable companies that off set their carbon emissions. These cutting companies understand and focus on sustainable products .
The Acrylic/ perspex I use is sourced from a UK company and their policies with environmental issues are that they aim to use resources more efficiently in order to conserve energy, to source from environmentally responsible manufacturers and to place provenance over portfolio due to the impact of greenhouse gases and their contribution to climate change.
Therefore their product is the original versatile Perspex cast acrylic . With over 97% manufacturing efficiency, an efficient delivery process and an ethical supply chain. Perspex (official trademark ), has a reduced carbon footprint from it's local and efficient origins. They have taken steps to ensure such areas as waste, recycling & reuse, packaging, water conservation and quality as well as responsible behaviour.
There are also some acrylics I get cut from another company in the UK and they cut from Greencast Acrylics which are made from waste acrylic which is produced in Italy and Germany, and then shipped to the UK.
Myself as a Maker and supplier of such materials, I am always super conscious that I reuse every inch of the acrylic so when it comes to designing the cuts I fit as many pieces onto the sheets, with smaller areas cut down and I make studs from those off cuts of smaller pieces for the statement earrings.
The acrylic is recyclable too. It can get recycled at your local plastic merchant or fabricator as they would have on site acrylic bins. But I hope that making something beautiful I can be hopeful that it will be used by generations to come.
I forgot to add something in my online order or made a mistake in my order :
If you notice you have forgotten something or there is a mistake on your order - please reach out right away. Email me on hello@alittleidea.ie
I lost an earring / I broke an earring. Can I buy just one replacement ?
As I use a laser cutting company and do not cut the pieces myself, I order everything cut in pairs / doubles, so unfortunately I cannot sell a single earring, as I would be left with one spare that I cannot sell on. In the case of a lost earring, I am not responsible for replacing them for free.
My order arrived damaged, what can I do :
Contact me straight away. If an item arrives damaged please email me within 1 week of receiving your order. I will ask you for some details and maybe a photo to show me what is damaged. I will then ask you to send the damaged product back to me for fixing, or I will replace it straight away. This issue will be worked out at the time.
If your item gets damaged whilst wearing it, please do not hesitate in getting in touch and I can see if I can fix it.
Can I pick up my order?
I don't offer a local pickup service as all orders are packed and shipped from my studio in my private residence. My hours can change depending on school pick ups, postal runs and other family commitments. I really appreciate your understanding on this matter.
Can I phone you?
If you have any questions at all email is the best way to contact, all emails are answered as a priority.
Can I visit?
A Little Idea is an online-only business, I don’t have a shop front you can visit . You can however find me at my regular markets if you need to see the jewellery pieces up close before you buy. I am also stocked in lots of cool shops nationwide. All stockists are listed on my About page.
Are there student discounts?
My prices are very reasonable for everyone. I do not specifically offer student discounts - but if you sign up to my mailing list I offer discount codes each month for money off, extra gifts in orders or free shipping.
Custom Designs:
I usually don’t take on custom orders for one off pieces as the costs are too high for getting one piece cut on acrylic. There’s also a lot of waste which I do not want to be doing.
I am however open to custom orders of small to large quantities of the same piece cut, for example , in the past I have designed and made multiple quantities of the same brooch design for an Irish company.
Peak Season October to December : Please be aware that orders may take slightly longer to make and pack between these months. Generally orders go out within 2-3 business days. During Oct - Dec this could easily be 5 working days as I fulfil stock for my shop stockists , attend markets and have more website orders at this time. The studio is closed on weekends and bank holidays. Creative and office hours are mon-thurs 10-5pm, friday 10-1pm.
Holidays :
I generally take all of January and all of August off each year. Specific dates for the studio closing will be listed on my website and social media.
My jewellery is looking like it needs a clean, can you clean it :
Yes, I offer a free cleaning service on all my jewellery pieces. The dangly earrings are made up of raw brass, and gold plated brass, as well as nickel free studs that are stainless steel or gold plated. Raw brass can tarnish slightly over time. This is natural to this material. But sometimes it can start to look a bit too dark. I can clean it with my eco brass cleaning cream and post it back to you. Postage costs will be charged. Otherwise , I do have this cream available to buy on my website, and it also comes with a microfibre cloth and instructions on how to clean your jewellery.
If you are needing the acrylic cleaned, you can do so at home using warm water and kitchen paper. DO NOT use any chemicals on the acrylic as this will stain it.
International orders:
Postage outside of Ireland will always get sent via Registered Tracking post. I will have details of your tracking number to pass on to you if you need it at any stage.
International Customs and Duty Charges:
Please be aware of your own Country's own Import and Duty Taxes before ordering. A Little Idea is not responsible for any extra charges incurred when your order arrives at your Country.
Postage within Ireland :
I ship via An Post standard post for all general orders. If you have not asked for registered post and a parcel goes missing I will not be held responsible, sorry. I make a note of the date I post each and every order so I know it has shipped. You will also get a confirmation email when your order has been packed up and posted. Contact your local post office depot if you do not receive your order.
Postage costs have increased since Feb 2024. Most orders via my website cost 4 or 6 euro to post. You will be automatically charged 10 euro on any orders with over 2 items. This is a technical fault within my web host and the web design of Squarespace. I am trying to get it fixed. If this happens and you get over charged, I will refund the extra cost at the time of packing your order. You will receive an email confirming a refund.
I changed my mind. Can I get a refund :
If you change your mind, I can offer an exchange. All items are non-refundable.
Because of health and safety I cannot take back earrings that have been worn.
Sale items cannot be exchanged or refunded.
Get in touch via the contact page or by email if you need to send your piece back for exchanging.
I am a shop owner, do you supply wholesale ? :
Yes I do ! I am always open to new stockists . You can request a brochure emailed or posted to you by contacting me via my contact page or email - hello@alittleidea.ie
All wholesale orders will be sent via registered post within Ireland with a tracking number.
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PLEASE contact me via email or my contact page if you have any further questions. All emails will be answered.
Thank you,
Ali.