Buying a ring?

Buying a ring can be tricky and making sure that it will fit is essential! If you have had your fingers sized previously by a jeweler that is amazing and is definitely the best and most accurate option - I highly recommend. If you don’t have that resource, here are some links that can help you figure out your size.

Here is a link to a plastic adjustable ring sizer - they are very cheap to purchase and are reusable.

Here is a link to a MUST WATCH sizing video that should be followed along with to ensure you are getting the most accurate size with your plastic sizer.

!! If you are ordering a ring with a wider ring band, it will fit snug in comparison to a dainty/thinner band, sizing up by 1/4 or 1/2 of a size is highly recommended for a proper fit.

If you have questions about your sizing or want to get a second opinion when using your plastic sizer - you can email me at cbassdesign@gmail.com & I’d be happy to weigh in.

*PLEASE NOTE - If you are ordering a ring, make sure the size is the correct size for it’s wearer. For simpler/dainty silver rings (with no stone), I typically like to offer a free resizing if the size is off by just a bit (you cover shipping each way). For rings that have stones set into them, please make sure the size you choose is accurate. When changing the size of a ring that has a stone set, the ring must be disassembled and the stone removed to avoid any heat damage to the stone - essentially the ring gets entirely rebuilt, so an hourly rate will be charged for this type of resizing.

Can I commission a custom piece?

At the moment I am not taking on any custom projects - I am currently learning a new skill (lost wax casting!!) and taking the time to decide how I’d like this small business to change and grow over the next year.

I recommend keeping an eye out on my Instagram page for updates on this - although I am not currently taking orders, there may be a time in the future where I announce availability once again.

(If we have spoken previously about custom work - this will be an exception, please feel free to reach out.)

Where do I Contact you?

I will happily respond to emails at cbassdesign@gmail.com or to direct messages sent to my Instagram page @tenderfoot.studio.

How do you price your pieces?

Current Material Cost, Tool Usage Fees, Working Hours

Material Pricing/Stone Pricing : Materials typically used include Sterling Silver, Argentium Silver & Stones. Pricing of these items are based off of their Spot Price / How many Troy Ounces the metal used in the piece weighs. I do not cut my own gemstones (yet-hopefully someday) but this pricing is based off of individual stone prices and any shipping costs to receive them.

Working time : Carefully tracked time that it takes to physically create your piece. I try to pay myself a normal hourly wage! If I am prototyping or developing a new design that I plan to recreate, I don’t include this time when pricing out a piece.

Tool Usage Fees : Unfortunately not all tools live forever, so the tool usage fee is based off of how much wear & tear the project requires. This ranges from $20 - $70 typically, simplistic quick build projects may be less!

*I look forward to offering casted forms in the future, so once I have that system in place an explanation and breakdown of casting fees will be added here.

Do you perform jewelry repairs?

I am happy to repair a broken piece that was handmade by Tenderfoot Studio. I will not however, repair work created by another artist - it is risky to repair work if the creation process is not known.

I believe in creating high-quality & long-lasting work. If you have any issues with the quality of your Tenderfoot Studio product, feel free to contact me to inquire about a solution!

*PLEASE NOTE - If you are ordering a ring, make sure the size is the correct size for it’s wearer. For simpler/dainty silver rings (with no stone), I typically like to offer a free resizing if the size is off my just a little bit (you cover shipping). For rings that have stones set into them, please make sure the size you choose is accurate. Changing the size of a ring that has a stone set, the ring must be disassembled and the stone removed to avoid any heat damage to the stone - essentially the ring gets entirely rebuilt, so an hourly rate will be charged for resizing.

What materials do you use? How do I care for them?

I primarily work in Argentium or Sterling Silver - this will not turn your skin a funny color and is solid metal that will last. The speed in which metal tarnishes differs for each person. Silver can tarnish and require occasional polishing. For me, I wear the same rings every day and don’t take them off for ANY activities - they are perfectly fine and rarely need to be polished (as in, I might do it once a year). My best friend and loyal customer, who takes her pieces off when showering and sleeping, polishes her pieces every week or two . The point is - the metal will not ‘go bad’ on you, but depending on your body’s PH and your activities, you might need to polish them here and there.

What is Argentium Silver?

Argentium Silver is similar to Sterling, but better. Argentium Silver is brighter, slower to tarnish, has a higher silver content. Argentium is also nickel-free - the alloy includes Silver, Copper & Germanium. The price tag for Argentium is slightly higher than for Sterling, but I believe it 100% worth the price difference!

(Sterling Silver makeup is Silver, Copper, Nickel or Zinc).

Some of my pieces are made of “recycled” or “reclaimed” silver - basically I am just melting down my silver scrap and reforming them into a new piece. These pieces are listed as such, but are a combination of both Argentium & Sterling scrap.

Where does the name Tenderfoot come from?

My dog. I have an 15 year old Chihuahua/Papillon mix who I partnered up with when he was around 1 or 2 years old. His name is Ace, but many call him Bean. Tenderfoot came from a day of us playing ball, for maybe too long, in our driveway; he roughed up his little paws to the point of tenderfootin’ around for the next couple days. Simultaneously, I was trying to figure out how the hell to start this business and needed a name. Hence Tenderfoot. Acey is my smallest best friend who I am thankful to steal glances of while I work at my in-home studio.