Where did the name Maqaroon come from?

I love obscure Japanese/Korean brands with funny 'Engrish' names so I wanted something similar that reflects the Euro-kawaii style of my designs. 

What was the inspiration behind the brand?

In 2008 I went to Tokyo and kept seeing macaron necklaces everywhere, which looked amazingly pretty. I expected the trend to arrive in Europe quickly, but it never did. So eventually, I decided I should just start creating some myself. Inspiration also comes from other key areas of my life including otaku culture, manga comics and graphic design.

What payment methods do you accept?

The online shop only takes Paypal at the moment.

Do you ship internationally?

Of course! Check the table at the bottom of this page for rates and estimated delivery times. Please note that orders outside the EU may be subject to customs charges which you need to pay yourself. Maqaroon is based in Vienna, Austria.

I'm having a technical difficulty during checkout or sign-up.

Please let me know and I'll get it checked out right away. In the meantime, you can also purchase Maqaroon products from the Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maqaroon

Can I buy directly from a real shop or event?

A lot of Maqaroon products are stocked in Étagère Designshop, Amerlingstrasse 4, 1060 Vienna. If you're after a specific item, just drop me a mail (geht natürlich auch in Deutsch) and I can let you know if it's in stock. If not, I'd be happy to bring it over for you to purchase from the store. I also do various pop-up markets throughout the year. The best way to stay informed is to check out Facebook or Twitter. 

Can I order a necklace in another colour/length/charm?

It's generally possible to mix and match any of the existing jewellery elements. So if you have a special request then just get in touch and I'll let you know if that's possible. There's no charge for customisation, you simply pay the equivalent of a regular necklace in that length. Please note, I can't add any elements that aren't already shown on the site (eg. a blue macaroon or a large version of a small macaroon).

I have really thin wrists, how do I know if the bracelet will fit?

All bracelets and necklaces are sized on the smaller side but I offer a FREE petite-friendly service of tailoring your bracelet to fit! This is based on my own experience of never being able to find jewellery small enough for me in shops. Just add a note to your order with your ideal bracelet length in cm. Use a string to measure your wrist and make sure it's not pulled tight against the skin. I'll cut your bracelet to size so it fits perfectly and there is no extension chain hanging off the end.

Can I keep track of my parcel?

Large packages (rolled posters) are automatically sent with a tracking code. For smaller items, you have the option of choosing regular or recorded delivery. Please try to make sure that someone will be present at the address to sign for parcels or recorded mail.

My order hasn’t arrived yet.

Orders are shipped from Maqaroon within 1-3 working days and will then take the approximate times shown on the shipping table for delivery. If you’ve placed an order from outside the EU, the delay is most likely due to customs. Please allow 21 days before contacting customer service.

I need my order quickly.

If you're ordering items for a gift, please take delivery times into account (see table below). If you need it sooner then choose the "Recorded Delivery" option which I always put through using priority mail.

I placed an order but I didn't get an confirmation email?

You will always receive email updates when your order is being processed, and after it has been dispatched. If you don't see anything then please check your Spam folder and make sure 'maqaroon.com' is added to your safe list.

I have a shop and would like to stock some of your products.

Please get in touch through the contact form and I'd be happy to send you our wholesale prices. Maqaroon has very low MOQs and flexible order arrangements.

What upcoming products do you have?

I have more macaron necklaces in different colours coming up, along with plans for new earrings!

Can I hire Maqaroon for a commercial project?

I'm always open for new ideas! The Maqaroon concept is suited for fashion/editorial illustration, licensing, bespoke character design and much more. I can also offer bespoke jewellery designs with orders as low as 50pcs. Simply email me through the contact form. Please note that a collaboration will depend on time capacity and suitability of the product or branding.

How does the blogger gallery work?

If you’ve been chosen for the blogger gallery then your portrait is free of charge and you will receive the hi-res version over email. You may display this wherever you like, but please credit Maqaroon and don't use it for any commercial purposes without contacting me :).

Can you draw my portrait for my blog?

I do take requests but these will be charged at my professional commission rates. Send inquiries here. Please note that private commissions only apply to portraits of real bloggers (i.e. no fantasy characters or personal projects) and may not be displayed in the Maqaroon Gallery due to space limitations.

How were the characters created?

Each character was drawn and inked by hand, then scanned and coloured using Photoshop and Illustrator. If you’re particularly interested in illustration techniques, then you can find out more in my book Super Cute Chibis to Draw and Paint!

Who designed the website?

I designed it myself in Photoshop and it was developed by Brighton web design company Subzerostudio.

How much is postage to my country?

Small Package or Envelope (Postcards, stickers, charms, folded posters)

	Standard	Recorded Delivery	Estimated Time
Austria	€ 1.45	€ 4.05	1 Day
European Union	€ 3.40	€ 6.25	5-11 Days
Rest of Europe	€ 3.40	€ 6.25	5-12 Days
Rest of World*	€ 5.90	€ 8.75	10-20 Days

 

Large Package (Rolled posters)

	Recorded Delivery	Estimated Time
Austria	€ 4.30	2 Days
European Union	€ 13.50	5-6 Days
Rest of Europe	€ 14.50	10-15 Days
North America/  Zone 3	€ 15.50	10-15 Days
Asia, South America /Zone 4	€ 17.00	10-19 Days
Australia/Zone 5	€ 19.00	10-19 Days

European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Rest of Europe: Russia, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Georgia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Iceland, Jersey, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, Vatican City, Belarus, Cyprus, Egypt

*World Zone 3: USA, Canada, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

*World Zone 4: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, South Africa

*World Zone 5: Australia, New Zealand 

If your country is not listed then let us know and we can look it up for you. In rare cases, a country may not be in the same price band as the geographic zones listed above. If you notice a discrepancy in your shipping cost, then contact us too.