It is a strange and unusual time right now so I hope you are all coping, safe and doing what you can to keep isolated, happy and well.
As I run an online store and international deliveries through both Etsy and Patreon I wanted to take this opportunity to assure you all that I am taking the best precautions advised under the circumstances to keep, you, me, my partner (and our cats) and everyone around us as safe as we can in these difficult times.
I run my store from my at-home studio where all packages are made up in clean, isolated surroundings. Neither I nor my partner are showing symptoms and I have been practicing social distancing. All items are shipped using the Click & Drop Royal Mail method in order to minimize social interaction. During this time, items will only be being dropped off once per week to minimize the amount of time outside of my home as per UK government recommendation. As such, shipping times on all items have been adjusted to accommodate this change.
The NHS has assured the public that the virus is unlikely to spread via packages or envelopes, as it has poor survivability on surfaces; there is also likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. However, if you or any member of your household are immunocompromised or elderly and you would like to practice extra caution, the inner packet of items will be bagged in a protective cellophane sleeve.
While I have been working to minimize plastic waste over the last year, I still have stock of plastic cello bags which I have slowly but surely been using up. As such, going forward during this crisis, all items will be packaged in plastic cello bags inside the outer envelopes. I would advise disposing of the outer envelope and washing your hands before taking your items out of the inner plastic sleeve.
Finally, thank you for supporting an independent self-employed artist during this time. I am very aware that artwork is a luxury item and during this period of financial uncertainty, where you choose to spend your money is of greater concern than ever. Thank you if you choose to spend it here and I hope that what I create will bring you a little bit of happiness during this difficult time.
Beyond all of this it is business as usual for me for now and I will endeavor to continue bringing you new art, new writing and new creations the same as always. You can follow me and my work over on Patreon where I publish many of my posts publicly for free www.patreon.com/AnastasiaCatris.
Stay safe, stay well, stay indoors. And wash your hands. Ana x
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