​Alchemist Designs
​Personalised PURCHASEs FAQ's & T&C's

Please make sure to thoroughly read this page before placing your order.
Do I need to book in advance?
I am currently taking bookings as far in advance as 18 months. To my knowledge I am the only supplier of this craft in Ireland who provides this service. It is advisable to book in as soon as you can if you are looking for wedding flower preservation. I reserve a certain amount of space per month for memorial flower preservation.
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Do you need a deposit for advance bookings?
Yes, I take a 25% non refundable booking fee for any bookings. If more than 4 weeks away I require a 50% non refundable booking fee of the total amount. For flowers coming to me within 4 weeks or less, full total payment amount is required up front. A deposit is a booking fee which is non-refundable. All booking fees and stage payments collected are deducted from the final bill if applicable.

How do I order? 
Very easy! Simply use this form to contact me and I will be in touch with you to secure your booking.
This is for both customers with flowers ready to send, or to book in for a wedding or occasion. You can get in touch with me if you need any help with it, but do please read the FAQ here first as your answer may be there.
 
How long will it take to complete my order? 
Due to the nature of working with flowers, organic materials and resin, I am unable to give an accurate time scale. Please allow at least up to 12 weeks as guidance. You are welcome to check in if you haven't heard from me after 8 weeks and I will be happy to let you know how I am getting on. 
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Are there any flowers you can’t use?
Every flower has its own history and of course are each made differently by Mother Nature herself. Flowers are dried before going in the resin so some can be more challenging than others. Fleshy flowers such as Lillie’s, Tulips and Orchids for example tend to be quite temperamental but I’m always happy to try but will not guarantee they will preserve well. Berries are not the best thing to preserve but again I can always try them, most turn dark but still look pretty. Wax flowers sometimes close up completely during the drying process but again are still lovely. 
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What if I am getting married abroad and want to bring flowers home for preserving?
You have about 5-7 days to send most flowers before they start to go. I recommend trimming the stems and placing in water, and ideally keep them cool until you fly home. You can always allocate a family member to bring them home for you. Flat pack a box in your suitcase before you fly out and after the wedding trim them down to transport them home. Even a large lunchbox would prevent them getting squashed in a hold bag! There is the alternative of hanging them to dry while you enjoy the rest of your stay! Hang upside down in small bunches in a dry place.  
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Can you provide flowers?
Yes, provided they are in season/ I have some already dried!
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Will my flowers look the same or will they change?
IMPORTANT. I cannot stress it enough that your flowers are not guaranteed to look the same in the resin as they do fresh. Flowers need to be dried to be placed in resin, sometimes this can change the colour of your flowers. Some flowers/foliage are also unsuitable for the preservation process, for example Lillie’s and berries so they may be left out of your order. Some flowers/foliage can look quite different when dried, but still very beautiful! Just remember, this process is a form of art whereby I Vanessa will work with nature and my skills to preserve the beauty of each flower; however, Mother Nature allows. Please note also that white flowers dry cream/yellowy 95% of the time. If you are concerned please just ask! I will always try to keep you informed where possible of any flowers which cannot be used.

I have ordered Initials. Are they free standing?
The letters do stand-up but you may need something adhesive to assist in making them free standing, which is not guaranteed, alongside the silicone feet provided. The letter L has a short “foot”. The letters J, F and P do not stand up so you will need something adhesive to assist in making them free standing, and the I is a simple straight shape "I" also without "feet".
Terms and Conditions

  • No responsibility will be held for damaged flowers which are not packaged as advised and sent within a reasonable time scale. No refunds are given for flowers arriving damaged having not been sent according to instructions. I also am unable to offer a refund for any packages lost by An Post or other courier, please ensure the insurance offered by them covers your order amount and you obtain a reference number. It is also your responsibility to keep an eye on tracking to ensure the parcel containing your flowers has reached its destination as although I try to, I cannot always contact you to confirm receipt.
 
  • Deposits are non-refundable with no negotiation’s. For wedding bookings, in the unlikely event that your wedding is cancelled, I am unable to offer a refund on deposits aka booking fee, so please ensure that your wedding insurance will cover your flower preservation booking. For any weddings postponed in relation to a pandemic/ COVID-19, you can move your deposit over to a new date. All I ask is you simply keep me informed/ up to date with your plans via email or Facebook message. Please note updated pricing may be applied to any bookings moved to 2021 and beyond to account for inflation in costs of materials and other overheads that occur with rising costs of running a business. 
 
  • I cannot chase up flower arrivals.It is very important that you put your name on the inside of the box with your Order Form, printed clearly and easily obtainable.
 
  • Please ensure your address details are correct as this is the address your finished order will be sent to unless otherwise stated on your Order Form. I do not accept notes inside flower boxes with addresses on as I cannot retain them. I will not accept any responsibility for orders lost by An Post, Couriers etc on their way to me or when shipping to you due to the address being incorrect. All dispatches are tracked and should you wish to Register your parcel with An Post, you will need to advise me of this and this postal service will incur an extra fee but the peace of mind is reassuring. Should you wish to organise your own courier or pick up; let me know in advance so I can make arrangements to be present when it is time to dispatch your purchase(s).
 
  • My shapes can contain bubbles, small holes and slight bulges/ indents- this is due to the nature of working with real flowers and soft moulds. It all adds to the charm of buying a handmade item! The backs are not designed to be seen- I sometimes have to sand off and where needed, recoat sharp edges of flowers which poke out.
 
  • It is not possible to send leftover flowers back so if you’d like to keep any please separate them before sending.
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  • Customers sending flowers to me from overseas will be responsible for any customs charges. I am unable to advise on estimated costs, and it is not something I am able to control. Some couriers will require payment before delivery is permitted. Please ensure you do the relevant research before booking with me.

Got more questions? Drop me an instant message and I will be more than happy to help!

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