La historia

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. I ship worldwide from Croatia. Shipping times vary by destination:

Europe: 5–10 business days
USA & Canada: 10–15 business days
Rest of world: 15–20 business days

All pieces are carefully packaged in recycled materials with a handwritten note. Tracking is included.

Are your pieces truly one-of-a-kind?

Absolutely. Every piece is handmade by me in my studio. I don't use molds or mass production. The etching process involves acid, which behaves unpredictably — meaning no two surfaces are ever identical. Even if I tried to replicate a design, the tremor in my hands and the organic nature of the materials make it impossible. When you buy from After Eleven, you own something unrepeatable.

What materials do you use?

I work primarily with:

Sterling silver (925)
Brass (etched and hand-textured)
Copper (occasionally, for sculptural pieces)
Pearls from Palawan, Philippines
Mediterranean coral and turquoise
Czech glass beads (a nod to my mother's heritage)
Stones from vintage and heirloom jewelry (reimagined)

All metals are nickel-free. I source materials ethically and often repurpose vintage elements.

How do I care for brass jewelry?

Brass develops a natural patina over time — this is normal and beautiful. To care for it:

Keep it dry (remove before washing hands, showering, swimming)
Clean gently with mild soap and a soft cloth
For tarnish, use a paste of baking soda and lemon juice, rinse, and dry completely
Avoid perfume, hairspray, and chlorine
Store in a dry place, ideally in a soft pouch

The patina is part of the piece's story. Embrace it — or polish it back to brightness. Both are beautiful.

How do I care for silver jewelry?

Sterling silver tarnishes naturally when exposed to air and moisture. To maintain its shine:

Wipe with a polishing cloth after wearing
Store in an airtight bag or box
Avoid contact with chemicals (perfume, lotions, cleaning products)
For deep tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth or gentle silver cleaner

Like brass, silver's patina adds character. Some prefer the darker, oxidized look — it's entirely up to you.

Can I request a custom piece?

Yes, but selectively. I take on a limited number of custom commissions each year — partly to protect the integrity of my process, and partly because from June through October, I'm not in my Zagreb studio where all my tools and equipment are.

Custom work begins with a conversation about your vision, materials, and timeline.

If you're interested, email me at afterelevenjewelry@outlook.com with:

A description of what you're looking for
Your budget range
Any inspiration images (optional)

I'll let you know if it's a fit and when I can begin. Turnaround time is typically 2–3 weeks (or longer if you contact me during my summer months away from the studio).

What is your return policy?

I want you to love what you order. If something doesn't feel right, I'm here to help.

I accept returns within 30 days of delivery if the piece doesn't feel right for you or arrives damaged.

Before sending anything back, contact me at afterelevenjewelry@outlook.com with:

Your order number
A brief explanation
Photos (if damaged or doesn't match description)

I'll confirm your return eligibility and provide return instructions.

Important:

Do not send items back without contacting me first — unapproved returns may not be refunded
The piece must be returned in its original packaging with proof of purchase
Custom commissions, sale items, and gift cards are final sale
Return shipping costs are your responsibility unless the item arrived damaged or defective

If you're unsure about sizing or style before ordering, reach out — I'm happy to help you choose.

How do I know my ring size?

Most of my rings are adjustable by design — which means you don't need to know your exact size.

Here's why: I intentionally craft band rings with an open back, allowing you to gently adjust the fit to your finger. But this isn't a compromise or a shortcut. Over time, I've refined this opening so much that it's become a signature feature — not something to hide, but something to celebrate.

The gap is framed and adorned with silver or brass granules, turning what could be a "flaw" into the focal point of the design. And because of this opening, many of my band rings are reversible — you can wear them on either side, giving you two looks in one piece.

If you prefer a closed band or need exact sizing:

The most accurate way is to visit a local jeweler and get professionally sized.

If that's not possible:

Use a ring you already own that fits well
Measure the inner diameter in millimeters
Compare to a ring size chart (I can send you one)

Important: Ring sizes vary by country. Let me know your location, and I'll confirm the conversion.

How long does it take to make a piece?

Most pieces are made to order and take 1–2 weeks to complete. This includes:

Designing and forging
Etching (which requires time for the acid process)
Finishing (granulation, polishing, oxidizing)
Quality check and packaging

If you need a piece by a specific date (birthday, anniversary, etc.), let me know when ordering — I'll do my best to accommodate.

Why is handmade jewelry more expensive than mass-produced pieces?

Because it's made by human hands, not machines.

Every piece involves:

Hours of skilled labor (designing, forging, etching, finishing)
High-quality materials (sterling silver, ethically sourced stones)
Unique techniques (granulation, hand-hammering, acid etching)
Years of training and expertise
The guarantee that no one else in the world owns the exact same piece

You're not paying for jewelry. You're investing in wearable art, made with intention, that will last a lifetime.

Do you offer gift wrapping?

Every piece comes beautifully packaged in recycled materials with a hand-tied ribbon and a handwritten note (fountain pen, always). It's ready to gift — or to keep for yourself.

If you'd like a specific message included, let me know at checkout.

Can I visit your studio?

My studio is private, but I occasionally host open studio days and trunk shows. If you're in Croatia and interested in seeing the work in person, email me — I'll let you know when the next event is scheduled.

How do I stay updated on new collections?

Follow me on Instagram [@afterelevenjewelry] for behind-the-scenes process shots, new releases, and studio stories.

I also send occasional emails to my list (no spam, just meaningful updates). You can join at the bottom of this page.

Is sterling silver waterproof?

Sterling silver can get wet occasionally, but I would not recommend making it a habit.

Water itself is not the problem. Prolonged exposure to moisture, saltwater, chlorine, and chemicals speeds up tarnishing and dulls the finish over time.

For the longest life, remove your jewelry before swimming, showering, or using cleaning products.

A quick wipe with a soft polishing cloth after wearing keeps sterling silver looking its best for years.

Will brass jewelry turn my skin green?

Sometimes, yes. And it is completely harmless.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. When copper meets your skin's natural acidity, moisture, or heat, it oxidises and can leave a temporary green mark. The same reaction turned the Statue of Liberty that particular shade of dignified green.

Some people never experience it. Others notice it after long wear. It is not an allergy, and it is not a sign of poor quality. It is simply chemistry.

If it happens, it washes off easily with soap and water. Keeping your jewelry clean and dry reduces the effect significantly.

Is handmade jewelry worth it?

Handmade jewelry is not simply something you buy. It is something you keep.

Every After Eleven piece is individually designed, forged, textured, etched, and finished by hand in my Zagreb studio. No moulds. No assembly lines. No mass production.

The process is intentionally slow, because the result needs to be unrepeatable. What you own exists only once. No one else will ever have the same piece.

If that matters to you, handmade jewelry is worth every cent.

How should I store handmade jewelry?

The simplest rule: keep it clean, dry, and separate from other pieces.

A soft pouch or a divided jewelry box, away from humidity and direct sunlight, is all you need. Metals scratch each other, so each piece deserves its own space.

Silver and brass develop character over time naturally. Proper storage simply slows tarnishing and prevents surface damage.

A little care means your jewelry can last for decades. Which, given that these pieces are made to be kept, seems appropriate.

Can I wear sterling silver every day?

Absolutely. That is what it is made for.

Sterling silver often stays brighter with regular wear, because the natural movement against your skin reduces tarnish buildup rather than allowing it to settle.

Avoid perfumes, lotions, chlorine, and household chemicals directly on the piece. Give it an occasional polish with a soft cloth.

These pieces are designed to be worn, not saved for special occasions. A life actually lived in them is the point.

What makes artisan jewelry different from designer jewelry?

Designer jewelry is often created by one person and produced by many.

Artisan jewelry is different.

The person who designs the piece is also the person who cuts, solders, forges, etches, polishes, and finishes it by hand. Every decision happens during the making process, in real time, with real tools.

This means each piece carries subtle variations that no machine can replicate, because no machine was involved.

At After Eleven, there is one studio and one maker. That is not a limitation. It is the entire point.

What Does "After Eleven" Mean?

It's the time when the world quiets down and the real work begins.

After Eleven is when I'm alone in the studio, hands in metal, no distractions. It's when the magic happens. The name is a reminder: the best things are made in the margins, when no one's watching.

The name itself was a gift from a dear friend, who looked at me one day and said, "You have to call it After Eleven. You're a night creature. You wouldn't get out of bed before eleven if the world didn't insist on it, and after eleven at night, when everyone else is dead to the world, you're just reaching working temperature."

She was right. I've always been most alive in the hours that don't belong to anyone else. When the noise fades. When expectation sleeps. When it's just me, the torch, and the metal waiting to become something it doesn't yet know.

After Eleven isn't just a time. It's a state of being. It's where intuition takes over, where imperfection turns into presence.

It's the hour when I stop performing and start creating.

And honestly? It's the only time I trust myself completely.