Store FAQ

• Why should I buy from this store?

  This is a great opportunity to get one-of-a-kind Argentine handmade items directly in the US. I created Atípica, a gallery/store in trendy Palermo Viejo, the Design & Arts district of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2003. Leading travel book guide Lonely Planet has been recommending us in their editions since 2005 and wrote that we deliver "high quality products and fair prices". I recently moved to the US, so now I'm offering our handmade creations directly to you from New Jersey. I hope you like them! And as a native Spanish speaker, I will be also offering Online Spanish Lessons via Skype soon. I have more than three years of teaching experience and you'll be speaking Spanish since the first lesson. Nancy Kulfas-Perri

• How long will it take to receive my order?

  I ship to U.S. customers via USPS Priority Mail, within two business days following receipt or completion of order. For international shipping I use USPS Priority Mail International Flat Rate. Delivery times may vary depending on each country, but it usually ships in 6 to 10 business days for many major markets. I'll confirm each particular case by e-mail. Contact me at nkulfas at gmail dot com if you have any questions.

• Where does this store ship from?

  I ship from New Jersey, US.

• Do you accept orders placed outside of the US?

  We sure do!

• What is this store's return and exchange policy?

  If you are not satisfied with an item for any reason, please contact me and we will individually discuss it so that you can remain a completely satisfied customer. All the products in this shop are handmade, and I control any single piece I ship to guarantee excellent quality.

• Do you have other products?

  Yes, I'll be regularly adding new products to the shop, so come back soon! And as I am a passionate photographer, you'll also find Buenos Aires and Tango wall calendars, featured under Places. By clicking on the buttons, you'll be re-directed to my Cafepress.com shops. You may find T-shirts and other items as well. I've also been taking photos in the US since my arrival, so you'll also be able to find New York, Brooklyn, Hoboken and Philadelphia prints, canvas and framed art on my Imagekind.com gallery. I hope you don't mind my mix and enjoy it. And of course, as a native Spanish speaker and more than 3 years of teaching experience, I'm also offering Online Spanish Lessons! Yes! I love to multitask :) These are the links in case you want to check out my photos right away: Amazing Buenos Aires: http://www.cafepress.com/amazingba Let's Tango: http://www.cafepress.com/letstango Amazing New York: http://www.cafepress.com/amazingnyc Brooklyn: http://www.cafepress.com/brooklynworld Philadelphia: http://www.cafepress.com/artsyphilly Hoboken: http://www.cafepress.com/charminghoboken More prints, canvas and framed art: http://www.atipica.imagekind.com

• How can I keep/clean the jewelry?

  For all my Sterling Silver, Alpaca and Brass pieces, I recommend the use of a jewelry polishing cloth that you usually use for all your jewelry. Avoid perfumes or getting the pieces wet. Some of the Alpaca pieces have a matte finish but you can still keep them nice by using the polishing cloth. Otherwise, they can turn a little yellowish, but will come back to the normal appearance once you polish them again. This is normal.

• I've never been to Argentina. Is it nice?

  Argentina is a wonderful country and Buenos Aires is really worth a visit. You can take a look at some photographs taken by me on: http://atipica.imagekind.com/ and http://www.cafepress.com/amazingba and read my blog http://www.amazingbuenosaires.blogspot.com/ Planning a trip? Need some advice? Please feel free to contact me, I'll be happy to help you!

• Buenos Aires appointed UNESCO City of Design?

  Yes! In 2005, the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was appointed as the first UNESCO City of Design. Buenos Aires has been capturing the essence of diversity and creativity in order to develop one of the most viable and productive design industries in the South American continent. Spanning the fields of fashion, architecture, industrial, interior and urban design with a keen focus on incorporating the latest technology and know-how, Buenos Aires is a city that inspires design.

• What can you tell me about Trendy Palermo Viejo?

  Palermo Viejo is the Design & Arts district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's also known as Palermo Soho & Palermo Hollywood because of all the trendy designers boutiques, artists studios and fancy restaurants. You can learn more about this great neighborhood in my blog http://trendypalermoviejo.blogspot.com

• I would like to buy a necklace and a pair of earrings which are listed separately. Can I get a discount for buying a set?

  Sure! Please contact me before buying and I'll prepare a special listing for you. Send me an email to nkulfas at gmail dot com.

• I am allergic. Can I use your products?

  All the products are made and packaged in a pet free, smoke free environment. All earrings have Sterling Silver hooks unless specified in the product description. All pieces made of Alpaca or German Silver are metal alloy containing copper, zinc and between 12% and 18% nickel. This metal is frequently found in musical instruments, such as saxophones, oboes and clarinets, flatware, cutlery, and Mexican jewelry. The scarves are hand-knit with different types of yarn, all from Argentina, some are 100% wool, some are mixed with acrylic or synthetic fibers, as described in each case. I choose fibers which feel soft to the skin and wash beautifully.

• What does Atípica mean?

  Atípica means "not typical" or "atypical" in Spanish. It is the name of my gallery/store which was located in Buenos Aires.

• I sent you a message through the contact form and got no answer.

  If you contacted me through the contact form and I did not reply to you, it's probably because I never received your message. Please write me directly to nkulfas at gmail dot com.

• Why should I learn Spanish?

  Spanish is the most popular second language learned by native speakers of American English and the third most commonly used language on the Internet after English and Mandarin. Since the early 21st century, it has arguably superseded French in becoming the second most studied language and second language in international communication, after English, in the world.

• What method do you use to teach Spanish?

  I use an immersion style method, which means that you'll be speaking Spanish since the first lesson. We'll work together building your vocabulary, fluency, pronunciation and accuracy, according to your interests or needs. Whether it is for work, travel or a particular project in Spanish, you'll learn the language with practical real-life situations.

• What is your experience as a teacher? What is your background?

  As a graduate in Communications and Advertising from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, I used to teach Advertising and Social Media at the University of Palermo (also in BA), for three years, before moving to the US. I have been teaching Spanish and Portuguese at a well-known global language center in Manhattan, New York. As a multilingual blogger and art gallery/store owner, I am used to dealing with people of all walks of life and cultures.

• Are you a Spanish native speaker?

  Yes! I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Spanish is my mother tongue language.

• Can I contact you in other language?

  Yes, I also speak Spanish, Portuguese and French. By the way, I teach Spanish, in case you are interested :)