Aloha and welcome to my blog everyone,

A Gentle Answer

I would like to share my answer to this question, because I truly love what I do, and I hope that feeling shows when you walk through my website.

Niʻihau shell jewelry is handmade using some of the most precious and tiny shells. These shells are rare and very special, and each piece takes time, patience, and care to complete. Because of that, I usually let my customers know that I do not offer rush orders.

I truly understand that sometimes shopping happens a little late — for birthdays, anniversaries, or even Mother’s Day. These are all very meaningful moments. At the same time, placing an order one or even two weeks ahead usually allows enough time to receive something special without needing to rush the process or add extra shipping.

A Little Look Into My Process

Do I have a lot of orders? Yes… and I truly appreciate the support. I’m very thankful for everyone who chooses to purchase their Niʻihau shell jewelry or loose shell supplies from my website, especially my returning customers — your support means so much to me.

ShellsHawaii.com is a one-person show, so I do everything myself. I take care of each order from beginning to end, doing my best to prepare everything with care and send it out properly.

My estimated processing time is 3–7 business days, and I do my best to ship as soon as possible. I go to the post office almost every day, depending on what I have going on. If I’m in the middle of finishing orders or working on a creation, it may take a little longer before I can send your package.

Even though I often work long days, I still try to keep a normal life like most people do. This balance helps me rest, recharge, and stay inspired. Because of this, most items on my website and Etsy shop are already in stock and ready to ship. I do accept custom orders occasionally, and as I’ve shared in some of my blogs, I truly enjoy creating them. At the same time, I also enjoy the challenge of working with the shells I have in stock and bringing them to life in designs I hope you will love.

Why I Don’t Offer Rush Orders

Rush orders may work well for many businesses and customers, and there is no right or wrong when both sides are happy and comfortable with that choice. For me, I choose to follow a pace that feels right for how I create and care for each piece — and to treat every order with the same level of attention.

As a customer myself, I wouldn’t feel comfortable placing an order and seeing someone else pay extra and receive theirs first. I believe each order deserves its place in line.

Rushing this kind of work will show, and I never want to send something that doesn’t reflect the care and quality I stand behind. So I choose to follow a pace that allows me to give each piece the attention it deserves.

About Express Shipping

The same goes for express shipping. I’ve had customers ask if they can pay extra for faster delivery, and the answer is yes, you can. But many times, I gently let my customers know that you may not need to.

Even with express shipping, it still takes about 2 days and goes through the same post office process. USPS handles a large volume of packages every day, and while everything usually moves smoothly, delays can still happen and are not something we can fully control.

I ship using USPS Priority Mail, which usually takes about 3 business days. If you have around a week before your special date, I will do my best to prepare your order quickly and get it shipped as soon as possible. Once the package is in their system, we simply trust the process — knowing that small delays or routing issues, while not common, can still happen.