A: I've now migrated the purchasing functions to my Etsy shop. I was not having success finding the right kind of shopping-cart software at the right price. Most shopping-cart programs that I looked at are not designed for single-item, one-of-a-kind products, so I had no way to prevent multiple buyers from paying me simultaneously for the same item. Etsy, on the other hand, is set up specifically for one-of-a-kind products and that's why I decided to migrte there. Visit my shop at http://www.aspentreeyarns.etsy.com.
A: That depends a lot on how much you order, and what time of year it is. Assume 3 - 4 weeks, as a ballpark figure. I do have a regular job in addition to spinning and weaving; at midterms and finals time, I'm up to my neck in grading exams and final projects, so it may take a little longer at those times. But I will always let you know the time frame when I send your invoice.
A: Within 30 days of purchase, if you decide that you don't like the yarn you purchased, you may return it, even if you've begun knitting or crocheting with it, if the yarn has NOT been cut and is still in salable condition (not stained, damaged, or felted). In that case, I can simply rewash it, reblock it, and put it back up on Etsy.
A: For purchases within Colorado, yes. According to the Department of Revenue, the sales tax charged will be at the tax rate charged in the location where the yarn actually reaches the customer: your home address, my office address, a craft fair, or whatever.
A: No. Once you have made your one-of-a-kind treasure from handspun wool, you don't want it to get ruined by improper care or washing. Yarns spun from wool or other animal fibers are NOT machine washable! But washing them isn't difficult. Here's how:
1. Fill a sink or dishpan with warm water. Use water that feels just warm to your skin. The water can be a little hotter if the item is especially dirty.
2. Add a small amount of shampoo, dog shampoo, cleaner designed for wool such as (Eucalan Wool Wash) or even liquid dish soap. Don't use 'Woolite'; it can be too harsh for some fibers.
3. Allow item to soak in the warm soapy water for several minutes. DO NOT rub, wring, or twist wet wool -- this will make it 'shrink' and turn into felt.
4. After it has soaked, lift the item and gently squeeze out the soapy water. Check the water before you drain it out: if it's especially dirty, you may have to repeat steps 1 - 3.
5. Refill the sink, dishpan, etc. with clear water the same temperature. This is to rinse the item. Place the item carefully back in the warm rinse water. If you noticed any tendency for the color to run (that shouldn't happen--I wash the yarn thoroughly before I sell it--but it could), add a glug of white vinegar to the rinse water to help hold the color.
6. Allow the item to soak in the rinse water for a few minutes, and then rinse again to make sure all the soap is out.
7. After rinsing, squeeze out as much water as possible, and then you have a couple of options. Either wrap the item in a thick towel, and then "loonily jump up and down on it" (time-honored advice from Elizabeth Zimmermann), or else place the item in the washing machine on the SPIN-ONLY cycle (DO NOT allow machine to add water or agitate), and spin out as much water as will come out.
8. Finally, lay the item flat on a towel and allow to dry away from cats, dogs, or other curious and meddlesome creatures.