What makes Ayatana products better for our environment?

The materials we use to create our lanyards, bracelets, card holders and keyrings are mostly naturally occuring and of those that are not, they are made from recycled products, are strong and therefore have a long lifespan, meaning that they are highly sustainable.  For more information on the environmental aspects of our products, please click here.
 

Are all Ayatana products environmentally friendly?

There are some products we offer that are not handmade and are brought in because they have a fit with the neurodivergent community such as badges and fidget toys.  Whilst materials like silicone (many fidget toys are made of this) are not derived from an environmentally friendly source, they have a long lifespan which makes them a better alternative to plastic.  It is not always possible to ascertain the 'other metals' used in alloys so erring on the side of caution, we cannot say that these are environmentally products.  Ultimately, we offer these extra products simply to give personal choice to people.  

Can Ayatana lanyards only be used with Ayatana cards and card holders?

No.  Of course, if you also choose an Ayatana card or card holder, you will be making a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice but the lanyards have been created so that they should fit with any card / badge / pass holder that you already own so, if you just want to switch from your run-of-the-mill nylon / polyester lanyard, our beaded lanyards make a striking and long-lasting alternative.

Do I need to be neurodivergent or have a hidden disability to buy Ayatana lanyards and bracelets?

No.  Whilst everything I make was / is created with neurodiversity in mind, anyone can use Ayatana items.  Think about how many people have to wear lanyards these days; students, employees, people needing to show ID, teachers, security staff etc. and for our allistic allies, those who support and care for a neurodivergent person, our bracelets are the perfect, unique, yet subtle way to show your support for neurodivergent people.

How can I pay for my items?

At present, we accept PayPal and bank transfer.  Please get in touch for bank details if this is your chosen method. Transactions completed via bank transfer receive a discount of 5% off the total order value (excluding postage).

What postage options are there?

All items on the website are priced to include postage with the exception of lanyards, bracelets, fidgets and cardboard cards.  Fidgets and cardboard cards are charged at £1.00 for postage regardless of how many you buy. The postage and packing cost for lanyards and bracelets is £4.95 and this covers any number of items included within the same order.  Postage is free for all orders totalling £35.00 and over.  Where postage is charged on an order, we use the Royal Mail tracked 48 service.  

Ayatana lanyards seem a lot more expensive than other lanyards.  Why?

Any product that is handmade (regardless of what it is) will cost more than something that is machine, mass produced.  It takes quite some time to put a lanyard together simply because I ensure that each piece is made to the standard that I know will give it its longevity and beauty.  The lanyards are designed to be worn in all sorts of situations and some of these may be challenging so strength is crucial and I use only premium thread so as to minimise / eradicate the possibility of breakage.  In addition, using ethically sourced beads is more expensive than picking up random beads from a corner shop!  Whilst our lanyards certainly are more expensive than the regular items that are on the market, they are much higher in quality, will last a very long time and do not harm our environment.  In addition, they are beautiful items to wear alongside having their obvious practical use and for some items, there is a donation made to a local autistic charity as well.

Which stones do you work with?

I selected 15 different types of stone to work with which I chose based on their metaphysical properties and the resonance of these to autistic people and those with mental health issues.  These are;  Amazonite, Blue Lace Agate, Chrysocolla, Green Aventurine, Kunzite, Lava Stone, Lepidolite, Orange Carnelian, Petrified Wood, Picture Jasper, Sodalite, Sugilite, Sunstone, Tigers Eye and White Howlite.  To read more about each of the stones I work with and their metaphysical properties, click here.

Do you make things to order?

Yes.  As a general rule, I work with the 15 different types of stone mentioned above but if there is a particular stone that resonates with you, please get in touch to ask about bespoke lanyards or bracelets.  There is no additional charge for a bespoke item.  Only the stone beads will be different.  The rest of the item will be made in exactly the same way as all the others, meaning that it will be as strong and long-lasting as all the rest.  In terms of price, bespoke lanyards will still fall into one of the existing three price brackets, with the rarity and availability of the stone requested dictating which one.

What if I don't believe in the metaphysical properties of the stones?

Nobody has to believe in the metaphysical properties of the gemstones.  Natural occuring crystals are thought to have been used for healing purposes as far back as 6,000 years ago.  Even if they don't mean anything to you in this way, they are still beautifully coloured and patterned stones that are a joy to wear.

Some of your profit goes to charity.  Who are Understanding Autism North West?

Understanding Autism North West (UANW) are the only free therapeutic service in Lancashire specifically for autistic individuals and families and they provide over 1,000 sessions of counselling every year.  As if that wasn't valuable enough on it's own, every one of their fully qualified counsellors are neurodivergent themselves.

With 94% of autistic people experiencing anxiety and 83% experiencing depression, UANW provide a hugely valuable and rare service and they receive no external or statutory funding at all.  They rely solely on charitable donations. 

£1.00 from the sale of every keyring is donated to Understanding Autism North West.

To find out more about UANW, please visit their website by clicking here.

What's the best way to look after my stretch bracelet?

It's natural that all stretch bracelets will lose some elasticity over time with continued wear.  We have a 9 point handy guide to caring for your stretch bracelet to help prolong the life of it.   This is provided as a leaflet at the point of purchase.

Is it definitely OK to add fragrance to my Lava stone beads?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to do this.  The porous nature of Lava stone means that it is ideal for gently absorbing a few drops of your favourite scent.  However, be mindful that the composition of scents themselves can affect the longevity of the bracelet cord so very frequent or heavy use is not advisable.

Do you always have stock of everything?

In general, yes.  The only time stock levels may fall lower than usual is during the craft fair season but I'm always making so stock levels should be back to normal within a week or two of any event I attend.