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Timer indicates the amount of time the items will be on hold for you while you continue shopping. If checkout is not completed within this time, they will automatically be available for sale again.

Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10-5 || Sunday Closed

FAQs


What is CLAYAKAR?

AKAR in Sanskrit means forms and shapes, therefore the new name CLAYAKAR for this website is focusing on forms made in Clay. 

History  

AKAR was established in 1998 by Sanjay and Jigna Jani,  both  architects with a passion for ceramics. Art, architecture, and design converged in one location, both at a brick and mortar and an online store for many years. 

Artist Submission / How to submit to show with us

At AKAR we hold invitational shows with no application fees. We hold 3-5 group shows a year; Yunomi, Americano, Thanksgiving, and Valentines. During these shows we aim to fill with at least a third new artists. To introduce us to your work please send us the following:

  • An email to contactclayakar@gmail.com titled "Artist Submission"  
  • Attached images of your work or a website link or instagram link
  • Any information about you and your work that you'd like to share with us
What is your return policy?
  • Please inspect your order upon delivery.
  • If your merchandise arrives damaged, please contact us immediately with images, including images of the boxes.
  • Items must be returned in original product packaging in salable condition, mailed in an appropriate size shipping box within 14 days.
  • Please email us at contactclayakar@gmail.com letting us know you are returning.
  • Shipping and handling costs are non-refundable.
  • Return your package to AKAR: Attn Returns, 257 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240. We will notify you by email once we have received and processed your returned item(s).
  • Items on sale are non-refundable.

What is the Shipping Policy / What are the costs?

Our starting shipping cost is $15 for purchases up to $150. Then 10% of the purchase cost above that, i.e. $200 purchase will have a $20 shipping charge. Shipping charges cover shipping, handling, materials, and insurance. We double wrap and double box all purchases and ship via UPS and USPS.

If you have multiple orders on the same day and would like your orders combined, please let us know by email or phone call.

What is the Shipping Policy / When will my order ship?

Work from our Friday weekly shows typically ships within 5 business days after the Friday show date with some shipping earlier, a tracking number is emailed out with every order. Our current shipping days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you need your item sooner please let us know and we will try to accommodate your request. If you need an item expedited we can send estimates for any additional shipping fees.

For our larger Americano and Yunomi shows, we work extra hard to get our orders to you, but do expect 1-3 weeks for shipping and delivery as we can have 100-300 orders from these larger group shows. If you need the order for an occasion, do let us know and we will try to expedite your order.

How do I report damaged items?

Although this rarely happens with our double boxing policy, if your shipment does arrive damaged, please contact us as soon as possible at contact@clayakar.com with images of the exterior box, interior box, and broken item. We insure all packages and submit the claims. Please keep all the original boxes, packaging material and damaged item(s) until the claim process is completed. 

Do I need to create an account?

Creating an account is optional, but quick and easy. Checkout will be quicker since the account will prefill your billing and shipping address on subsequent orders, and allow easy access to your order history, status, and shipping updates. Also if you choose to use "SHOP PAY" after the first time, your information is saved for future purchases, securely speeding up  your checkout with a simple tap.

What are my payment options?

We accept payment through most major credit cards, Paypal, and SHOP PAY.

How to make a purchase?

Once you click on the product you will be taken to the product page. Click the "ADD TO CART" button and your selection will be placed in your cart. Click the shopping cart icon at the top right and select "View Cart". You will be taken to the initial checkout page, confirm your items and at the bottom select "Checkout" and proceed to confirm your address and payment information.

During our higher volume show days there is more traffic on our web servers, if two people click the add to cart button at virtually the same time / or if you have not refreshed the item page and the item has already been selected by someone else. You might see the item in your cart briefly while someone else had it selected first, we suggest “Refreshing” your page to make sure that the item was not already selected by someone else before it registered in your cart. We understand that this could be disappointing, but since each pot is one of a kind there is no other way around it.

"Add to Cart" button not responding?

Occasionally on a show opening day, due to increased traffic on the website, the "Add to Cart" button is not responsive. Try opening  the website in a different web browser i.e. Chrome or Mozilla if you opened in Safari. During business hours(Monday - Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-4) you can call us at 319.351.1227 and we will be glad to help you with an order over the phone.

Do you ship outside of the United States?

We are able to accept international orders. After your shipping address is entered, our cart will charge your order with an estimated shipping deposit of $32 USD. If the shipping cost exceeds the deposit due to weight/size we will contact you in 3-5 business days with shipping options and any additional cost to finalize the order. Shipping fees will be adjusted or credited based on the shipping options chosen. We use USPS and DHL for all international shipping. We will contact you to inquire which option you prefer before shipping.

What is your privacy policy?
We do not share or sell any personal information. All information is for the exclusive use of AKAR, and is kept private at all times.

Can I purchase a gift certificate?

Yes, we do offer gift certificates and is is great option to let your loved ones choose a pot for themselves. You can purchase them at https://www.clayakar.com/collections/gift-cards. We offer printed gift cards and E-cards.  Printed gift cards can be shipped for you to an address of your choice and E-card are delivered by email to you.

Will I receive an email confirmation?

Yes. We will send you an email confirmation when we receive your order and again with a tracking number when it is on its way to you. 

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, as long as it has not shipped yet. Please contact us at (319) 351-1227 or contactclayakar@gmail.com as soon as possible. 

Would you like to pick up your order at our store?

Before proceeding to the check out, click "View Cart" and scroll to the bottom. On the right will be a box with a "Free Local Pickup" option. Customers residing in Iowa will have a "Free Local Pickup" option in the shipping method section. If you wish to pick up in-store and you do not live in Iowa, please call us at (319) 351-1227 to complete your order.

Reproduction & Borrowing of Website Images:

Photographs & graphics are exclusive property of ClayAkar and may not be used without written permission.

Can I have my item(s) gift-wrapped?

At this time, we do not offer gift wrapping, but it is on our list of future updates for the website. 


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