Last updated 14 April: delivery to New Zealand has resumed.
I hope you're doing okay. I hope you have all that you need. I hope there's sunshine through your window and friends and family on the end of the phone or video call.
I wanted to let you know that, in these strange and difficult times, I'm still here. I'm still making. I can still deliver your orders - with some changes (full details towards the end of this blog post).
I have set up a home studio so I can carry on working during social distancing restrictions. I am going to the Post Office to send out your orders once a week, the same day I go out to buy groceries.
Birthdays still happen. Wedding anniversaries should still be celebrated. Thoughtful 'just because' or 'I'm thinking of you' parcels will be appreciated more than ever before. Although you can't go to the shops other than for groceries, and you can't see many of your loved ones in person, you can still send them something special and meaningful - through the post.
Please choose from the Ready to Ship collection as I have already made these books and can send them out soon. I hope to be able to continue making everything else in my shop, and also bespoke, personalised books, but please get in touch about these and leave plenty of time as there may be delays getting necessary materials.
If your gift recipient does not live in your househould, please ask me to send your order directly to them. I'm happy to include a handwritten note and I will make your gift look as nice as possible, I promise. No financial information will be included in the parcel.
You can arrange gift delivery by entering your recipient's details when you fill out the shipping address at checkout. Leave your message in the 'note to BOUND' box (but if that doesn't appear, just email me after ordering).
If you're not sure what to give, you can now order a Gift Card for your loved one. They're sent by email with instructions on how to redeem them. They're available in denominations from £10 to £100 and you can mix and match to reach any amount.
Like many people, you might be wanting to support very small independent businesses and self-employed creatives through this incredibly challenging time. Perhaps you know you want to buy yourself a Sketchbook, but not right now? Perhaps your wedding has been postponed but you know you're going to want a Guest Book once everything has returned to normal?
You could purchase a Gift Card for yourself. That helps me pay my bills right now (I feel squeamish typing that, but I might as well be honest, right?) and it means you've made a payment towards your future book (you can redeem the gift card yourself).
There are some changes to deliveries:
1. Slightly longer delivery times (UK & International) for Ready to Ship items. I've reduced my post office visits to once per week to minimise risk to myself and others. In addition, postal workforces around the world will be experiencing under-staffing. This means your order will take a couple of days longer than normal. If you have a specific deadline, please let me know.
2) Longer lead times for made to order and bespoke books. My usual lead time is 4 weeks plus delivery, but this may increase because of difficulties in obtaining materials due to disruptions in supply chains. I can advise current times on an individual basis - so do get in touch.
2) Posties are practicing social distancing measures. Please support them by not opening your door to greet them until they have had time to put your parcel on the doorstep, knock on your door and step back. They’ll wait for you to open the door.
3) Signed-for services. If I can fit your order throught a postbox then I will send it through normal post, not signed-for (so I don't have to visit a Post Office unless absolutely necessary). I'll refund you any difference in postage cost. Orders over £50 will still be sent using a tracked and signed-for service. However, you won't be asked to physically sign for your parcel. Once you've opened the door and the postie can see you've got your parcel, they will sign for it themselves. If you're not at home, they'll leave a card.
If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know.
Look after yourselves, and each other.
Susan x
+44 (0)7748 759371
info@boundbyhand.co.uk
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