FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Each coin is hand painted by Ann Nolen in her studio in Santa Rosa, CA.  The coins are then covered with a thick clear coat to give the appearance of glass or enamelling.  The result is very durable and should last for many years.  If the surface should be damaged by rough treatment, it can be returned to be sanded down and recoated.  There is a nominal charge to do this, contact this artist by email to answer any questions you have on this.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU TAKE?
You can pay for your purchases on my store using credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover card.  You can pay by Bank Debit Card if it has a MasterCard or Visa symbol on it. 
I also accept checks mailed to me, but your order won't be shipping until the check is received and processed at my bank.

SHIPPING
My goal is to mail your item within 24 hours of getting the payment for your order.  All items are shipped 1st class US Mail.  It is free to anywhere in the USA.  International mailing is more expensive so the charge is $10.00 for US International 1st Class mail.  This is the total shipping cost you will be charged, regardless of how many items you order.  Keep in mind that it is a minimum of 10 days for international mail, and many times it takes longer due to Customs in your country examining the package.

CAN YOU PAINT A COIN I ALREADY OWN?
I accept custom orders to hand-paint a coin you already have, see the “Custom” page on this website for more detail, or email me at Ann@AnimalCoin.com.  Custom orders require a 50% non-refundable down payment.  Final payment will be made when the coin is completed, the customer has reviewed photos,  and the order is ready to ship.

For custom coins, please contact me by email to start a conversation on the paint colors, timeline and costs.  I normally either need to see the coin before giving a quote, or a close up photo and dimensions of the coin.  By the way, most smart phones take great close up photos.

MATERIALS USED
People often ask me for details on how I paint and make these pieces. When I started, I couldn't find a paint that got the results I wanted.  I spent 3 months experimenting with combining materials, pigments, and paints and developed “recipes” for each color.  I wanted the paint to be translucent, so have ended up using different brands and types of paint to attain that with each color.  I then add a thick clear coat of epoxy to seal in the paint and make the surface durable.  It also makes the piece shiny like the look of glass. Once I got the painted blended, then it was months of practice to be able to do the fine detail. 
 
BAIL WARRANTY:
Pendants include a bail for the chain to go through.  These are glued with professional grade epoxy and are very strong.  Even still, occationally through frequent metal flexing the bond can weaken.  It is extremely rare for this to happen, but since this process is not 100% fullproof, I warranty this for the lifetime of the pendant and will happily make this type of repair at no charge at anytime.

COLORS
I am a 1 person operation, so each coin is painted in colors that please my artistic eye.  I blend my own paints, and I developed a recipe for each color.  This is a very time consuming process, so I limit orders to using the palette of colors I have developed.  For examples, please look through my online store and that will give you an idea of the colors available.  Please keep in mind that each computer monitor shows colors slightly different, so what you see on the screen may not match the coin itself.  I am glad to make suggestions of what might look best on your coin.

WHAT IS I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE?
I work hard to satisfy my customers, but sometimes things just don't work out. Coin jewelry purchased can be returned in original condition for 30 days for a full refund.  My credit card processor requires me to refund in the same method the purchase was made. After 30 days, I will give a store credit if the items is still in original condition. The buyer arranges and pays for shipping to return any item.

Custom coins that you sent me the coin are obviously not returnable.  The 50% non-returnable down payment is not refundable and covers my time and expenses.  I find that good communication at the beginning usually prevents a problem. If you have any questions, I am always willing to discuss them with you.