FAQs

There is a full story on the “About” page, but in case you made it here first, I am Chrissy, I handmake cool stuff in my garage in rural Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Please keep in mind I am one person, doing what I love to make a living, Consider this in your interactions with me and how you view my items. I am not a big, greedy company trying to make millions by exploiting people. I keep my prices as reasonable as possible to sustain my business and try to make my products as best I as can with the tools I have available. I do not seek perfection in everything I do because I would go insane!

I put my heart and soul into Virago Steel and it means everything to me, so PLEASE be respectful and kind.

99/9% of the jewellery including the cutlery, clasps, jump rings, chains are all S/S – the ONLY exception are the padlocks. These are either plastic coated or brass – brass can irritate skin so keep that in mind when purchasing if you’re planning to wear on the skin. The plastic coated ones should not irritate the skin at all. All other jewellery – depending on the piece it will be either 304 or 316 S/S. The chunky hardware style chains are 316 marine grade. SUPER tough stuff! The specific materials will be listed on the product page.

The bags and jean chains have mostly stainless steel hardware too, however some components are an alloy metal (like the spikes!) I also use metal rings that I thrifted, and other random components. I love hunting the op shops for interesting components to add to bags and jean chains.

I would always prefer to incorporate thrifted components HOWEVER for all the skin-touching jewellery I ONLY use stainless steel as most skin types tolerate it well.

Unfortunately anyone with a severe nickel allergy will be unable to wear my jewellery. Really sorry! Even if I purchased titanium chains and clasps the piece of cutlery would still be S/S or other components therefore I have made the choice to make exclusively S/S jewellery.

Right now, no! Sorry! Just while i’m starting out I will only be shipping to addresses in Aotearoa New Zealand. The international shipping is complex atm and super expensive.

Short answer: YES.

Long answer: every finished product is in someway handmade by me, however I do not make every single chain link by hand for example. I purchase the chains in bulk, cut them down and assemble with the jewellery findings like clasps and jump rings.

I make all the cutlery segments myself from existing cutlery that has been thrifted/op-shopped. I NEVER purchase cutlery brand new, this would defeat the purpose! The cool patterns and designs on the cutlery were already there, the vintage ones are particularly cool! I don’t engrave any of the designs myself however I do punch the letters in by hand myself for the punched rings/pieces.

The cutlery pieces get cut, filed, sanded, bent, drilled, cleaned, polished by me in my garage and then assembled in my workshop inside my house.

I am a one woman rodeo however my partner does help occasionally with the cleaning, polishing and opening jump rings etc.

Every piece of cutlery you see and every bag – YES – 100% thrifted /op-shopped. I will never purchase these pieces brand new, it would totally defeat the purpose! My focus is on slow fashion and using existing items wherever possible.

HOWEVER there are many components/accessories I use that are just not possible to thrift, as much as I would like to!

These components include: chains, clasps, jump rings, padlocks, hex nuts, shackles, carabiners, quick links, steel rings.

I have thrifted a TON of metal rings however I reserve these for bags and jean chains because they are not stainless steel and I wouldn’t want them to irritate your skin!

While stainless steel is considered hypoallergenic, and people like me who have sensitive skin can totally wear it , there are a group of people with severe nickel allergies who may react to the minimal nickel content in stainless steel.

SUPER IMPORTANT! Follow the instructions and recommendations on each product page. It may be essential that you find or purchase a soft tape measure (they are super cheap and found anywhere, or raid your mum’s junk draw). It is my responsibility to list the accurate dimensions and measurements but it is your responsibility to choose correctly based on these measurements.

The product pages may have different size options, but if you want an even more accurate size, message me with your exact measurements and i can re-size the piece accordingly.

If you are based in Christchurch or Canterbury, I may be able to assist with re-sizings, just shoot me a message.

If you have purchased a ring that is slightly too tight, it may be possible to SLOWLY open it up yourself using a strong, long pair of long nosed pliers. only open the ring tiny amounts, rotating where you are pulling it open, GENTLY AND SLOWLY!! After you have opened it a tiny amount, try it on first before opening any further. It is much easier to make it larger than make it smaller so be really careful.

PLEASE keep in mind that I am one person operating an extremely small hand-made product business incorporating second-hand/thrifted components. Every return or refund costs me. With that in mind, OF COURSE I do not want you to receive a faulty product, or disappoint my customers in any way. Where reasonable, I will absolutely accept a return if the item is faulty or broken upon delivery. However this does not include general wear and tear of a secondhand component, or fraying of a bag handle etc. Disclaimers will be present on every product page for this reason.

Every case is up for discussion of course. If there is damage or extreme wear on the piece that you were really not expecting or are unhappy with and it impacts the function of the item, we can discuss options. Just please keep in mind I am NOT a big corporate greedy company with endless funds. I will need to obtain information before considering a refund or accepting return in accordance with the consumer guarantees act.