Made to order in Nepal · Australian owned
Alchemy StoryNatural fibres · Nepal
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Alchemy Story

About Alchemy Story – FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Alchemy Story

Who owns Alchemy Story?

Alchemy Story is proudly owned by a brother and sister who share a deep appreciation for natural fibres, traditional craftsmanship, and timeless design. While one of the founders is based in Melbourne, Australia, our family roots and artisan partnerships remain closely connected to Kathmandu, Nepal. Together, we created Alchemy Story to bring beautifully handcrafted products to customers around the world while supporting skilled artisans and preserving traditional weaving techniques.

Where is Alchemy Story located?

Alchemy Story is an Australian-owned small business based in Melbourne, Australia. While our business is operated from Australia, our handmade products are carefully crafted by skilled artisans in Kathmandu, Nepal, where generations of traditional weaving and knitting techniques continue to thrive.

Is Alchemy Story an Australian brand?

Yes. Alchemy Story is proudly an Australian brand. We design and curate our collections in Australia while partnering with experienced artisans in Nepal to create premium handcrafted products using traditional techniques and natural fibres.

Where are Alchemy Story products made?

Our products are handcrafted in Kathmandu, Nepal by experienced artisans. We work closely with skilled makers who specialise in traditional handloom weaving and hand knitting, ensuring every product reflects genuine craftsmanship and exceptional quality.

What does Alchemy Story sell?

Alchemy Story specialises in premium handmade products made from natural fibres.

Our collection includes:

Our focus is on timeless designs, premium natural materials, and products made to last for years.

Are your products handmade?

Yes.

Many of our products are handcrafted using traditional handloom weaving or hand-knitting techniques. Because they are handmade rather than mass produced, slight variations in weave, texture, or colour are natural and make every piece unique.

Do you have a physical store?

No.

Alchemy Story operates exclusively as an online store. By selling directly online, we can offer premium handcrafted products to customers worldwide while keeping our business efficient and focused on quality rather than maintaining retail premises.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes.

We proudly offer free worldwide shipping on our products.

Rather than charging separately for shipping, we include shipping within our pricing so customers can enjoy a simple shopping experience without unexpected delivery costs.

How does Alchemy Story source its products?

At Alchemy Story, we believe that every product should have a story.

Rather than purchasing from large factories or mass-production facilities, we work closely with trusted artisan partners and family-owned businesses throughout Nepal.

Our goal is to preserve traditional craftsmanship while supporting small businesses that have dedicated generations to creating beautiful handmade products.

Who makes Alchemy Story products?

Many of our cashmere and natural fibre products are handcrafted by a family-owned business based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

They have more than 30 years of experience working with traditional weaving, knitting, and textile craftsmanship.

Like us, they are a small family business that values quality, skilled workmanship, and ethical production over mass manufacturing.

By working together, we are able to offer premium handcrafted products while helping preserve traditional Nepalese textile techniques.

Does Alchemy Story work directly with artisans?

Yes.

Wherever possible, we work directly with skilled artisans and trusted family-run workshops in Nepal.

Building long-term relationships allows us to better understand how products are made, maintain quality standards, and support artisan communities through fair and sustainable partnerships.

Where do your nettle fibre products come from?

Our handmade nettle products come from the mountainous regions of Nepal, where Himalayan stinging nettle grows naturally.

For generations, local communities have harvested and processed this remarkable natural fibre using traditional techniques.

Many of these products are handcrafted by women living in rural hill communities, helping create valuable income opportunities while preserving traditional skills.

Whenever possible, we purchase these handmade nettle products directly from the artisans or through trusted local partners who work closely with these communities.

Why do you choose to work with small businesses?

As a small Australian family business ourselves, we understand the challenges and rewards of building something with care and dedication.

That’s why we choose to work with other small family-owned businesses and artisan communities whenever possible.

These partnerships allow us to:

We believe handmade products carry the story, skill, and passion of the people who create them.

Why doesn’t Alchemy Story use large factories?

Our philosophy is centred on craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Large factories often prioritise speed and volume, whereas our artisan partners focus on quality, careful workmanship, and traditional techniques.

Many of our products are made in smaller batches, allowing every item to receive the attention and care it deserves.

How do you ensure quality?

Every product goes through careful quality checks before being packed and shipped.

We work closely with our artisan partners to ensure the materials, weaving, knitting, stitching, and finishing meet our quality standards.

Because our products are handmade, slight variations are expected and celebrated as part of authentic craftsmanship rather than considered imperfections.

Why do you support traditional craftsmanship?

Traditional weaving, knitting, and handloom techniques have been passed down through generations in Nepal.

By choosing handmade products, customers help preserve these valuable skills for future generations while supporting artisan families and local communities.

Every purchase contributes to keeping these traditional crafts alive.

Does Alchemy Story believe in ethical sourcing?

Yes.

We believe beautiful products should also be responsibly made.

We choose partners who share our values of craftsmanship, respect for artisans, small-batch production, and fair working relationships.

Our aim is to create products that customers can enjoy with confidence, knowing they were made with care for both people and traditional craftsmanship.

Why are your products more expensive than many others?

Our products reflect the true cost of premium craftsmanship.

The price includes:

We believe handcrafted products should support the people who make them while offering customers exceptional quality that lasts.

Why does my order take longer to arrive?

Our products are made to order or produced in small batches rather than sitting in large warehouses.

This allows us to maintain quality while reducing unnecessary inventory.

Because we also provide free worldwide shipping, delivery may take longer than express shipping services.

We appreciate your patience and believe the craftsmanship is worth the wait.

Why does my new product have a slight smell?

Some handcrafted products may have a mild natural scent when first opened.

This is completely normal and usually comes from recent dyeing, natural fibres, or the finishing process.

The smell naturally disappears after a few days to two weeks when the product is aired in a well-ventilated space.

It is not harmful and is a normal characteristic of freshly made artisan products.

What is your return policy?

Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

If you receive a product that isn’t quite right or you experience any issues, please contact us.

We’re always happy to work with you to find a fair solution, whether that involves a replacement, exchange, or another suitable resolution in accordance with our return policy.

Is Alchemy Story a small business?

Yes.

Alchemy Story is a proudly independent Australian small business.

Every order means a great deal to us and directly supports both our family business and the skilled artisans who create our products.

When you shop with Alchemy Story, you’re supporting traditional craftsmanship rather than mass production.

Why does it sometimes take longer to receive a reply?

We’re a very small team and personally handle customer enquiries, product sourcing, quality control, and order management.

While we may not always reply instantly, we do our very best to respond as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Every customer is important to us, and we strive to provide friendly and helpful support.

Why choose Alchemy Story?

Customers choose Alchemy Story because we believe quality should never be rushed.

We carefully select premium natural fibres, work with skilled artisans in Nepal, pay fairly for traditional craftsmanship, and focus on creating timeless products rather than fast fashion.

Our goal is simple: to offer beautifully handcrafted products that you’ll enjoy for many years while supporting artisan communities and preserving traditional skills for future generations.

How should I wash my Alchemy Story products?

We recommend gentle hand washing for most of our natural fibre products unless otherwise stated on the product page.

For best results:

Proper care will help preserve the softness, shape, and beauty of your handmade textile for many years.

Does Alchemy Story use polyester?

No.

We do not use polyester in our premium natural fibre collections.

Instead, we carefully blend natural fibres such as:

Each blend is chosen for a specific purpose.

For example, adding cotton may improve durability, silk can enhance softness and lustre, while linen creates texture and breathability. Every blend is carefully selected to produce the best balance of comfort, appearance, and performance.

Why do some cashmere products feel different from others?

Cashmere is a natural fibre, and its feel can vary depending on several factors, including:

These natural variations are completely normal and are part of genuine artisan-made textiles.

Why do darker cashmere colours sometimes feel slightly firmer?

Dark colours such as black, charcoal, navy, forest green, and deep burgundy generally require more dye than lighter shades.

The additional dyeing process can make the surface of the fabric feel slightly firmer compared to lighter colours.

This does not mean the cashmere is of lower quality. With normal use and proper washing, the fibres naturally relax and become softer over time.

Why do cream and beige cashmere throws often feel softer?

Cream, ivory, oatmeal, and beige are closer to the natural colour of cashmere fibres.

Because these shades require little or no heavy dyeing, the fibres retain more of their original softness and natural feel.

Many customers notice that undyed or lightly dyed cashmere feels especially soft from the very first use.

When was Alchemy Story founded?

Alchemy Story was established in 2018.

We began as a small business, showcasing our products at pop-up markets and events throughout Melbourne.

When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the retail landscape, we shifted our focus to online sales, allowing us to continue sharing handcrafted products with customers throughout Australia and around the world.

Today we remain a proudly independent Australian small business.

What makes Himalayan cashmere special?

Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats raised in cold, mountainous regions.

These goats naturally grow an incredibly fine undercoat to protect themselves during harsh winters.

Cashmere is produced in several regions around the world, including Nepal, Mongolia, China, and parts of Scotland where imported cashmere fibres may be processed or spun.

At Alchemy Story, we specialise in handcrafted products made in Nepal, where traditional weaving and knitting skills have been passed down through generations.

While cashmere from different regions can all be of excellent quality, the final product depends on several factors, including:

Our focus is on combining quality natural fibres with exceptional Nepalese craftsmanship.

Are all Alchemy Story cashmere products made from 100% cashmere?

Not always.

Many of our products use carefully selected blends of natural fibres such as:

These blends are intentionally created to improve durability, add texture, enhance breathability, or achieve a particular style and feel.

We also offer 100% cashmere products for customers who specifically want pure cashmere.

The fibre composition is always clearly listed on each product page so you know exactly what you’re purchasing.

Why do you use fibre blends instead of only 100% cashmere?

Different fibres each offer unique benefits.

For example:

By blending natural fibres, we can create products with different characteristics to suit different lifestyles, seasons, and budgets while maintaining premium quality.

Why are handmade products never exactly identical?

Every handmade product reflects the work of skilled artisans rather than automated machines.

Small variations in weave, knitting, colour, fringe, or texture are natural and make every piece unique.

These characteristics are a sign of genuine craftsmanship and are part of the beauty of handmade products.

Why choose Alchemy Story over mass-produced brands?

At Alchemy Story, we believe quality begins with thoughtful craftsmanship rather than mass production.

We focus on:

Every purchase supports skilled artisans while helping preserve traditional textile craftsmanship in Nepal.