Privacy Policy

Who we are

This website is run by Jade Boswell, trading as Alma Cara Studio, a sole trader based in the United Kingdom. "We", "us" and "our" in this policy mean Jade Boswell trading as Alma Cara Studio.

If you have any questions about this policy or how your data is used, you can reach us at jade@almacarastudio.com.

What information we collect

We collect information you give us directly when you:

• Fill in the contact form (name, email address, message)
• Send a trade enquiry through the Trade page (name, email address, contact number, message)
• Sign up for the mailing list (email address, and your first name if you choose to give it)
• Place an order through the online shop (name, email address, delivery address and phone number)

We do not collect or store payment card details. All payment processing is handled by Stripe. See Third-party processors below.

How we use your information

We use the information you provide to:

• Respond to your enquiries
• Send you the newsletter or updates you signed up for
• Process, fulfil and ship orders, and contact you about them

We do not sell, share or pass your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Third-party processors

We use the following third-party services, which may process your personal data:

• Netlify (netlify.com) hosts this website and processes form submissions. Form data is transmitted through Netlify's servers. See Netlify's privacy policy at netlify.com/privacy.
• Stripe (stripe.com) processes online payments. If you pay by card, your payment information is handled directly by Stripe and is not stored by us. Stripe also passes us your name, email address, delivery address and phone number so we can send your order. See Stripe's privacy policy at stripe.com/gb/privacy.
• Royal Mail and any courier we use deliver your order, so your name and delivery address are shared with them for that purpose only.
• Google Analytics is used to understand how visitors use this site, with your consent. See the Cookies section below for full details.

How long we keep your information

• Order records: for as long as HMRC requires us to keep business records for tax purposes, then deleted.
• Contact form and trade enquiries: up to 12 months after our last contact, unless they lead to an order.
• Mailing list: until you unsubscribe.

Mailing list

If you sign up for the mailing list, you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send, or by emailing us at jade@almacarastudio.com.

Your basket

When you add something to your basket, the page saves a small note in your browser (local storage, not a cookie) so your basket is still there if you reload the page or come back later. It holds the items and quantities only and stays on your device. It is removed when you complete an order or clear your browser data. Nothing in your basket is sent to us until you press Checkout.

Cookies

This website uses cookies. When you first visit, a banner will ask for your consent before any non-essential cookies are set.

Essential cookies

One cookie is used to remember your cookie preference (cookie_consent). It is set when you make your choice, whichever choice that is, and expires after 365 days. It contains only the value "accepted" or "declined" and is used solely to avoid showing you the consent banner on return visits.

Analytics cookies (with your consent only)

If you choose to accept cookies, this site uses Google Analytics 4 (operated by Google LLC) to collect anonymous data about how visitors use the site, for example which pages are viewed and how long visitors spend on them. This helps us understand what is working well and improve the experience over time.

Google Analytics sets its own cookies (typically _ga and _ga_*) which identify your browser across sessions. This data is processed by Google and is subject to Google's Privacy Policy.

No analytics cookies are set if you click "No thanks". Google Analytics will not load and no data about your visit will be collected or sent to Google.

You can change your cookie preference at any time by clicking Cookie preferences in the footer of any page. Choosing "No thanks" clears the existing consent and removes any analytics cookies, so analytics will not run on future visits.

What we do not do

• We do not use advertising or retargeting cookies.
• We do not sell or share analytics data with third parties for marketing purposes.
• We do not use cookies to identify you personally.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Withdraw consent for any processing based on consent (such as the mailing list or analytics cookies)

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at jade@almacarastudio.com. We will respond within one calendar month.

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised.