Meet the maker Caroline Hodson

I am a self taught mixed media artist working mainly with a range of papers and cards, acrylics, watercolour, pen and ink, pencils, beads, fabrics, fibres and foils, gold and silver leaf, natural stones, slates and gems, Swarovski crystals and pearls, wire, wood and cork and all manner of found objects and recycled materials Occasionally I’ll turn to oils and I like snapping the odd photo here and there too. I’ll try most things and I don’t follow the rules to get what I have in my mind’s eye.

I’ve spent all my life drawing, painting, creating...although I mixed in a conventional career too as a biologist, lecturer and online educator amongst other things. My inquisitive mind and scientific background compliment rather than hinder my work – I find science inspiring rather than mind boggling. I love what I do.

I am a huge believer in supporting British trade and use British companies for all of my raw materials supplies; indeed most of my raw materials originate from Great Britain with the exception being a few finishing touches to some of my pieces such as Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, some gems and ribbon. I do not buy ready made (e.g. books, boxes, plaques etc) merely to embellish; everything I bring to you is made by me. I am passionate about supporting local and small businesses and handmade and I believe that this philosophy helps my work stand out from the crowd.

Offline I have been involved in creations for weddings (from stationery to decorative accessories and big day jewellery) new baby and special occasion giftware and stationery for over fifteen years. Many of the items I have created have become framed family heirlooms. Over the course of 2012 I hope to bring some of the flavours of my past creations and bring them bang up to date for you online.

You can follow me on my blog, my Facebook page (facebook.com/MintToBeUK) , or on Twitter (@mint_to_be). Hope to see you around!

STUDIO POLICIES FOR MintToBeStationery

PAYMENT

We only accept Paypal as method of payment at present. Payment must be made within 3 days of purchase. Items that have not been paid for within this time frame will be relisted.

SHIPPING & CUSTOMS

At present, all items are shipped by Royal Mail or Parcelforce and we will always let you know when your order has been shipped.

Orders within the UK may be shipped using First Class post, First Class Recorded Delivery (Signed For) or Special Delivery (Next Day/signed for) services. Details of the shipping service options for items is detailed in the product listing. Regarding items that require a signature - you must provide your billing address when paying for the order, but you can request that an order be shipped to an alternative address (such as your workplace) in the "Instructions to Seller" when checking out via PayPal.

Higher value orders (e.g. paintings/drawings, custom hand drawn/painted favour boxes and large custom stationery orders) will always be sent via a tracked and insured service for everyone's peace of mind.

We ship worldwide, including the USA and Canada, although there are a few exceptions. Contact us if in doubt. Orders outside the UK are shipped via Airmail or if you request, a tracked and insured service for an extra charge. Please contact me for more information and a quote before you order. It is your responsibility to pay any charges imposed by Customs when your order arrives in your country. We cannot mark orders as gifts on the customs documentation.

UPGRADES

If you require an expedited postal service for your order, this can usually be arranged. This will incur extra charges (based on cost price only).

PACKAGING

Please note that our shipping costs include postage *and* a contribution towards packaging, travel to the Post Office etc. We do try to keep costs down as much as possible regarding packaging by recycling or bulk buying wherever feasible. We do not make money on postage/expedited courier services or packaging.

We love the earth! Please recycle our packaging wherever possible. :-)

DELIVERY TIMESCALES

All items are carefully made by hand and most are made to order. Many are also custom made or personalised which naturally takes some time. Items are *usually* shipped within two-four weeks of order, although most small items within a couple of days. Large custom orders (e.g. hand drawn/hand painted favour boxes and custom stationery) may take a little longer depending upon the current workload, but I can advise you of this at the time you order. If you need an item faster, please contact me and I may be able to accommodate your request.

RETURNS/EXCHANGES

We want you to be happy with the products you buy from us, however where items are personalised, custom-made or commissioned at point of sale we do not offer returns or exchanges.

If you wish to return an item and either exchange it or request a refund, please contact us prior to sending the items back us and let us know.

Do not return an item until you have received a response from us authorising its return and instructions for its return have been given to you. The returns address can be found on the packing slip sent with the order.

Returns can not be accepted until we have authorised the return.

The cost of returning the item will be at your expense and refunds can only be made once the item has been received by us, therefore it is recommended that you use a tracked and insured shipping service.

Where an item is agreed to be faulty, the cost of the postage will be refunded along with the value of the item returned, once it has been received by us.

If you are returning items to us they must be in their original condition, any labels still attached and included with their original packaging which should be intact. Do not destroy or dispose of any item or its packaging, even if faulty.

Please remember that exchanges may be limited by the availability of materials or stock.

Returns and Exchanges will be accepted within 14 working days.

CANCELLATIONS

If you have changed your mind about your order for any reason, you may cancel it within 7 working days by contacting us. If the item has already been despatched, you can return it to the seller in accordance with our returns policy above.

However, exceptions do apply where items are commissioned, custom made or personalised at the point of sale; orders for these items can not be cancelled. For all other items (i.e. items *not* commissioned, custom made or personalised) if the cancellation is received before work commences on your order or before it is shipped, your order will be cancelled.

LAW & JURISDICTION

Contracts for the purchase of Goods through the Folksy Mint To Be Stationery shopfront will be governed by English law. Any dispute arising from, or related to, such Contracts shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

CUSTOM WORK

We do accept requests for commissions, custom or personalised work. Please contact us for further information.

IMPORTANT NOTICE RE INTERNATIONAL DELIVERIES

In the event of a lost package we ask international customers to wait six weeks and UK customers to wait four weeks before your item is replaced. From experience we've found that even the most waylaid packages reach their final destination within that time frame.