ORDERING
Do you accept Credit Cards?
Yes - Credit cards are accepted through Paypal. We also accept personal checks and Money Orders. Please allow 5 days for personal checks to clear the bank if this is the first time you are adopting a bead from us.
How long until you send me my critters?
Please allow up to 5 business days for the critters to attend all their goodbye parties and exchange email addresses with their buddies before their journey to your home.
Do you offer rush service?
Yes. There is an additional fee of $15 per critter and most can ship via USPS Priority Mail within 36 hours (depending on the season). UPS 1-day shipping is available for an additional $8. Please email us for more details.
Are there any critters in Caswell Country that may resemble my own beloved pet?
Probably! Please send us at least 2 clear photos of your pet to help ensure a good match. A picture of the face, and one with the whole body/feet/tail is usually sufficient. If you don't have photos, you could send a link to a website containing a similarly colored/shaped animal. Once we've received the pictures and a description of the pose you'd like to see, we can provide a quote.
Do you do wholesale?
No, but depending on the season, we often include some "freebies" for single orders totaling over $400.
Do you have a mailing list?
Not at this time, however it is possible to be updated of our new ebay auctions automatically if you set us as an "Ebay Favorite"
LAMPWORKING
How long does it take to make a bead?
Anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the complexity and colors of the bead.
What kind of torch do you use?
National 8M torch running Natural Gas and an oxygen concentrator
What kind of glass do you use?
Italian Moretti / Effetre Glass, Lauscha, and Vetrofond with Moretti being the most common.
What kind of fuel do you use?
Natural Gas and oxygen derived from an oxygen concentrator
What kind of kiln do you use?
We have a digitally controlled, top of the line, Skutt GM 10F.
Why is it important to kiln anneal a bead?
When a hot glass bead begins to cool, the outside of the bead will cool at a faster rate than the glass on the inside. This can cause the bead to form tiny (or not so tiny) stress fractures. When a bead is kiln annealed, it is gently placed into a kiln while it is still very hot. It "soaks" in the heat for at least 25 minutes at a constant temperature of about 950F. This helps normalize the temperature throughout the bead. The temperature of the bead is then lowered over the next 6-8 hours. This process is controlled via computer which is programmed to optimize the strength and durability of all Caswell Critters.
Why do you sign your beads?
For a few reasons: First, signed art helps increase its initial value and also helps it to retain it's re-sale value. Second, with so many bead-makers copying and selling knock-offs of our designs, we realized we needed to give buyers the piece of mind that they are getting an authentic and original Caswell bead. The signature is your guarantee that if your bead is found to have some sort of structural defect, we will gladly either refund your money or make a replacement
I keep trying to win your beads on eBay but I get outbid at the last second! What do I do?
Place a higher proxy bid (-:
THE ARTIST
When did Amy start making beads?
She started making round beads in January of 1998. Shortly thereafter, she branched out into creature beads - mostly cats.
Does Amy offer classes?
Not at this time.
What publications have Caswell Beads appeared in?
Please click the "About Us" link for a full listing of all the current publications.
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