FAQs

Why Skateboards?

We grew up skateboarding, so there is a small amount of bias behind this answer, but put simply: we just love the material. The colors and combinations are never-ending when it comes to the pre-dyesd maple veneers.

Additionally, the majority of excess material used in skateboard manufacturing just ends up in a landfill with no end goal in mind. We are trying to help reduce this practice by providing beautiful and functional pieces of artwork that can be used by anyone for years to come.

How do you get those colors in there?

Skateboards are comprised of seven 1/16” maple veneers glued and pressed into a curved surface with a nose and tail. Skateboards for the most part come pre-dyed from the manufacturer. Depending on the manufacturer, one deck may have only one bright colored veneer, whereas another will be made up of all seven brightly colored plies.

Our contribution to this step in the process is almost non-existent other than choosing which skateboards are paired together in their final glue up. The patterns and color combinations you see are a result of us experimenting with the material as it was provided to us, which is, after all, the entire point behind what we do!

Is it all recycled?

The majority of the skateboards that we use are often broken, discarded, or donated to provide us with material to be repurposed in a new way. Some of the decks used in our manufacturing process are upcycled to ensure our ability to quality control patterns and colors for various projects.

Our acrylic plexiglass and metal additions are also recycled from excess and raw material waste used in other projects. These are provided to us by some local vendors. We do our best to include as much recycled material as possible to showcase what can be done with the product in its new life.

Where can I donate my old and broken skateboards?

For all donation inquiries please contact us through this website or our Instagram account - @manualware for further information on the best way to donate.

Are you accepting custom orders?

We are always looking to make new items and build on the community of our products. If there is a specific project you want made, we would love to talk about it with you. Can’t find the right color or design? Please let us know and we will see what we can do to make sure you find what you are looking for in our product line.

What is your shipping policy?

All domestic orders are shipped through USPS First Class or Priority Mail with insurance and tracking. Due to the current state of the world, international orders are taking much longer to arrive and we are not fully setup to take on international shipping at this time. If you have any further questions please reach out accordingly. Please be patient and allow for extra time if ordering your jewelry for a gift or holiday.

Do you accept returns?

We currently do not accept returns at this time. All orders are handmade and are subject to change after being purchased. Please read our section on jewelry care to ensure the lifespan of your items.

What if my order doesn’t arrive?

All items are shipped through USPS First Class or Priority Mail with insurance and tracking. If you have specific shipping requests, please feel free to contact us before checkout. If an item is lost or damaged during shipping, we will do our best to remedy the situation.

Where can I buy your jewelry?

Currently, our jewelry is available exclusively through this website and our business Instagram - @manualware, as well as our owner’s personal Instagram - @dmansteve

We are working with local vendors, shops, and events to branch out and sell within the community. Please check back periodically to see updates to this list.

Do you provide repairs?

We currently do not offer repairs to our products. Wood products do not lend themselves to repairs easily at this scale. We work very hard to provide high quality, handmade goods that can both look beautiful and last a long time with the right upkeep and care.

Sizing?

We do our best to accommodate all sizing needs on products that require it within their variant options. The majority of products are handmade from wood, so any unique inconsistencies or blemishes cannot be replicated due to the nature of the recycled material. Sizing varies from product to product but generally all information can be found in the product description within the shop pages. If you have any other questions regarding specific sizing needs, please reach out to us directly.

JEWELRY CARE

The bulk of our jewelry and other products are made from reclaimed wood materials, sanded smooth, and are finished with multiple coats of semi-gloss pre-cat lacquer. Proper care should be taken in order to maintain a beautiful finish, prevent blemishes, scratching, or warping to any new product.

Some of our products combine metals and plastics with our reclaimed wood materials to add contrast and a depth in aesthetics. This juxtaposition of materials increases the care to ensure its longevity in wear over time.

Jewelry purchased from our shop is shipped in a kraft jewelry box with a cotton bed and custom display card. This box can be used if you do not have a specific location to store your new jewelry.

Daily Wear

Always remove jewelry before washing your hands, showering, swimming, doing dishes, exercising, or engaging in any other activities that may expose jewelry to moisture for long periods of time. The multiple coats of lacquer finish are durable but can deteriorate very quickly when overexposed to water and other chemical cleaners.

Overall Storage

Do not store silver jewelry with wood, rubber, or newspaper as these items can lead to increased tarnishing. All wood/silver jewelry combinations sold through our shop are finished separately to increase its lifespan.

Don’t leave jewelry lying in direct sunlight (unless you are wearing them) as sun exposure can cause discoloration and possible warping in the wood and plastic finishes.

Make sure your jewelry is as dry as possible when storing. Do not place in an area at risk to moisture accumulation (i.e., your bathroom).

Cleaning

Never submerse your jewelry in chemical cleaners as these may damage the wood and its finish or weaken any silver included.

You can clean your piece of jewelry with mild, soapy water and polish with a dry polishing cloth - available at most jewelry counters or at any online retailer.