General Policies:

Each of our items is completely handmade and also packaged by hand.  There will be variations in each product, and some variation from the product as pictured on our website/social media site.  For some items variations will be very minor (and/or attributed to differences in lighting, etc.), for others (such as handmade loaf soaps) differences between products are desirable and will be more pronounced.  We make every effort to represent our products as accurately as possible, and to note in the product listing where major variations due to process will occur.

If you have ANY questions, please ask PRIOR to purchasing.  By purchasing, you agree you have fully read the product description on the individual product listing page, our full “Products Information” section on the website, AND our complete policies listed here.  Please use the “Contact Us” link on the website (or private message through Facebook/DM through Instagram) for your questions, and we will make every effort to answer them in a timely manner.

CA Sales tax will apply for orders shipped within CA.

As stated in our “Products Information” section, many of our products contain real Essential Oils derived directly from plant sources.  We have included some information on these oils, but please be aware it is not exhaustive and does not in any way constitute medical advice.  If you are pregnant, nursing, taking prescribed medications or have any major health condition PLEASE consult your physician regarding the use of Essential Oils prior to purchasing.  Many Essential Oils have no contra-indications of any kind for adults (very few are suitable for use in infants and small children) it it is upon you as the consumer to research for your own specific needs.  Please use ALL due caution with Essential Oils and children and do not use Essential Oils with infants at all unless you have specifically researched all safety precautions for yourself.

Customer Satisfaction/Returns:

At Heart’s Path Designs, we strive for your utmost satisfaction with each and every order.  If you are ever not fully satisfied with an order (or if it was damaged during shipping) please contact us immediately for resolution.  All claims must be made within 3 days of receipt of your order.  We may ask you to send the product back to us (industry standard) OR to provide photos of the product prior to a refund (per our discretion). 

Upon review, in some cases a refund will be issued.  Refunds will be made directly back to the credit card that was used for payment.  Shipping charges may or may not be refunded at our discretion.  Please do not ship products back to us unless we have asked you to do so.  Refunds are generally not given on special orders/made to order items unless they were damaged during shipment or are SIGNIFICANTLY different than as represented.  For some special orders we will ask you to agree to a description statement for the product(s) prior to ordering so that there are no mis-understandings.

Payment/Shipping:

We accept payment from all major credit cards (processed with Stripe secure payment processing service).  Customers may contact us directly to qualify for payment by check.  All payments must be received before your order will be shipped.  First-time customers paying by check (over $20 order total): Your order will ship after your check clears.  Return customers do not require a hold.

For shipping, our basic options include 2 sizes of USPS Flat-rate 2-day shipping containers. This ensures a speedy shipping time.  If you need an order rushed to you, please message us.  The first is the priority mail bubble mailer envelope for $8.00. The envelope holds an 8 1/2 " x 11" sheet of paper. We find that we can usually fit about 4 bars of soap plus 2 bath bombs and 3 lotion bars in there, or 4 bars of soap (depending on soap size) plus 1-2 jars of sugar scrub cubes. If you are just getting soap it usually holds about 10 bars of soap (more if they are smaller bars). We DO add some padding inside the envelope for any delicate items however if you like you can choose the 2-day box instead for any order for better security of your items.

Our second standard option is a pretty good size 2-3 day Priority Mail box for $19.00.  Dimensions are 12” x 12” x 5 1/2.”  To give you an idea of product that can ship in that type of box, a recent order we shipped in that box included: 4 jars of sugar scrub cubes, 12 bath bombs (full size at 5 oz each), 6 lotion bars, and 4 bars of soap. That pretty much filled up the box, it would have been difficult to get more than that in there given the need for wrapping/padding of certain items.

If you would like to go with a different shipping option or delivery speed, please contact us directly for a shipping quote; including the items you would like to order, your address, and the shipping type/speed you would prefer.  We can set up a custom order for you after we get shipping charges.  

Order Processing Time - TAT

Our typical turnaround time (TAT) for most orders of IN STOCK items is 1-4 business days from receipt.  Please note that custom orders may take a bit longer to prepare.  If you are ordering specialty favors or gifts for an event, please communicate to us your timeline along with your specific needs.

TAT may lengthen during sales or around the holidays. 

Special Orders:

Special Orders are defined as items that are created specifically per customer request, such as custom Wedding Favors, custom Bridal Shower/Baby Shower favors, Corporate gifts, OR variations on any of our regular products that are NOT regularly sold in our store (e.g., different color, different scent than the listed product).  We are pleased to be able to make custom creations for your specific needs, and if we have the materials to do so (or can obtain them within a reasonable cost/timeline) we will.  Generally, special orders under $10 where no costly materials are required (e.g., custom soap molds) do not require any advance deposit.  Special Orders totaling $11-$50 (and/or those requiring extra materials) require a 60% deposit before the order will be produced.  Special Orders over $50 require a 75% deposit before the order will be produced.  The EXCEPTION to the above is seasonal soaps/bath & body items and other designs that we do not regularly stock or have discontinued (example: snowflake guest soaps to be produced in the month of May).  A fee of up to 90% of the item purchase price will be charged to put those through production.  Inquire per design you are interested in.

Approximate cure times for handmade soaps will be conveyed prior to signing agreement for custom order production.  Actual cure times may vary, we do our best to be as accurate as possible.

Thank you for shopping with us, and we look forward to doing business with you again! 

Pre-Orders: Soap
Some seasonal designs and designs new to our shop WILL be listed as available for pre-order on a certain date. Item descriptions will clearly identify them as "Pre-Order" items - this means they have not reached a full cure date at the time of listing.  Production date will be listed for those items. Pre-order means selling a soap after initial saponification has completed and the bar is hard enough to handle/stamp/ship, but before the final cure date. Cold process soaps need to cure for a minimum 4-6 weeks, depending on the oil and water content of the initial soap. Part of this is for moisture to evaporate from the soap (so you don't use a soggy bar that is gone after a few showers) and part of that is for more subtle changes in the soap including pH changes and changes to the crystalline structure of fatty acids within the soap. The bulk of saponification of the Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) with the butters and oils occurs within the first few days after the soap is made – HOWEVER, full cure time will give you the best quality and longest-lasting bar of soap. Some soaps, such as soaps high in Olive Oil continue to improve in lather and other characteristics for months after they are made. A 3-month-old (or older) 97% pure Olive Oil soap is thought to be quite superior in lather and other usage characteristics to a 4-week old bar. There is a good bit of variation in how much a soap improves with extended cure depending on the formulation of the soap.

ALL weights listed on our website will be final cure weights after a good portion of the water has evaporated from the soap. You will not be charged for water weight when pre-ordering your designs.

When pre-ordering a qualifying soap bar, please communicate to us whether you want it shipped ASAP (with notes included on your packing slip for final cure date) or whether you want it held at our workshop until the date of cure and shipped out then. You may message us at heartspathdesigns@yahoo.com, through messenger on our Facebook Page, or DM on Instagram.

IF YOU ARE PURCHASING other items that are not pre-orders, or are pre-orders with a different cure date, additional shipping charges will apply if you choose to have the order split into two shipments. This is why we offer early shipping on pre-orders with cure notes included.  Please contact us PRIOR to ordering if you have any questions about our pre-order and shipping procedures.