FAQ
Caminos & Compostelas
What is the Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) is one of the world's oldest and most significant pilgrimages, with history stretching back over a millennium. It is a network of ancient routes across Europe that all lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, which is believed to be the final resting place of the apostle St. James the Great.
For centuries, pilgrims have trekked these routes, often facing significant hardship, to complete this monumental journey. Today, the tradition continues, with over 450,000 people annually completing the pilgrimage. While its origins are deeply religious, the Camino is now embraced by people from all walks of life who seek profound personal, spiritual, or athletic fulfillment, making it a globally significant journey of self-discovery.
What is the Compostela certificate?
The Compostela is the official certificate, written in Latin, that confirms a pilgrim has successfully completed the Camino de Santiago. To obtain it, a pilgrim must walk no less than the final 100 kilometers (62 miles) or cycle the final 200 kilometers, collecting official stamps in their Credencial (Pilgrim Passport) along the way.
It is a highly prized and sacred document, issued by the Cathedral of Santiago, serving as the ultimate tangible record and proof of the pilgrim's perseverance, sacrifice, and physical achievement on the Way.
Why should I bother to display my Compostela?
Displaying your Compostela is about preserving the achievement and the cherished memories and friendships made with fellow pilgrims on the trek. Your journey was a monumental effort, and your Compostela and related photos deserve to be protected and visible. Displaying them provides a daily reminder of your sacrifices, commitment, and personal transformation, honoring your journey and preserving those invaluable memories for decades to come.
Why was this frame specifically designed for the Compostela?
This frame was conceived and designed by a fellow pilgrim to solve a universal problem: the difficulty of finding a suitable display. Your options are usually limited to:
- Standard Retail Frames: These offer cheap quality and standardized sizing that often damage or poorly fit the unique Compostela document.
- Custom Framing: This provides the quality and fit you need, but at a significant time commitment and high cost that can run well into the hundreds of dollars.
- The Pilgrim Artifact frame offers the archival safety, unique sizing, and recessed artifact display required by the Compostela, giving you a premium, purpose-built solution without the premium price tag.
Why does the frame include complimentary mementos?
- Memorialization: Sometimes a pilgrim is so focused on personal growth and the journey itself that they return home without enough artifacts to memorialize their achievement. These pieces ensure every pilgrim has symbols ready to display.
- Variety: They provide a curated collection of objects to ensure your display is visually interesting, sparking conversation and providing variety beyond just pictures.
- Perfect Fit: These mementos are sized specifically to fit the recessed windows, solving the common problem of trying to display oddly-sized items like patches or medals in standard frames.
- Personal Use: They are yours to keep, carry, or gift to a potential pilgrim as a token of protection or inspiration.
Where can I find resources to research the Camino further?
The Camino is a journey that requires preparation! We encourage you to explore the history, practicalities, and planning steps. Here are a few recommended resources:
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Shipping & Delivery
How long will it take for my frame to arrive?
The vast majority of orders are shipped the next business day, with many shipping the same day you place your order. Standard Shipping: Depending on your location within the U.S, you should receive your package within 3–5 business days of shipment. Priority Shipping: For quicker arrival, selecting Priority Shipping at checkout typically reduces transit time to 2–3 business days.
How much is the shipping?
Shipping costs are calculated based on the weight of your purchase and
your exact delivery address. You will be able to clearly see all
shipping costs and review available options (Standard and Priority) at the checkout page before you commit to placing your order.
Will I be able to track my order?
Tracking is included with all shipping options, including Standard Shipping. Once your frame is carefully packaged and
the shipping label is created, you will receive an automated email notification containing your tracking number and a direct link to monitor your frame's journey, so you can follow its progress right to your door.
What if my product arrives damaged?
I package every item with extreme care. However, accidents happen and if
your frame arrives damaged, please take clear photos of the damage and
the packaging immediately, and email them to me at PilgrimArtifact@gmail.com within 3 days of delivery. We will work to promptly send you a replacement.
My frame arrived, but one of the included mementos is missing. What should I do?
Please check your packaging carefully, as sometimes smaller items shift
during transit. If the included memento is genuinely missing, please
email me at PilgrimArtifact@gmail.com with your order number. I will ship the missing memento to you immediately at my expense.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we are proud to ship our frames worldwide! If your country is not available during the checkout process, please contact me directly at windowtoamazon@gmail.com for a custom shipping quote. We do not ship to Russia under any circumstances. Please be aware that all international customers are responsible for any customs duties, VAT, or import taxes charged by your country upon delivery.
Can I ship the frame to a different address as a gift?
Absolutely! You can enter the recipient's address in the 'Shipping Address' section at checkout. If you need a custom gift message included, please leave a note in the "Order Notes" box during the checkout process.
Product Specifics
What materials are the frames made of?
The frame is crafted from Ultra-Durable Engineered Wood which is lightweight, yet offers superior stability to solid wood and, unlike solid wood, requires no fumigation prior to crafting. The product also features UV-treated, 1mm Plexiglass. All matting is heavy-duty, acid-free (archival grade) to protect your Compostela long-term. Non-toxic finishes throughout.
What are the exterior dimensions and frame specifications?
The overall exterior frame size is 21" wide x 18" high, with a depth of 0.75". The moulding (frame width) itself is 1.5" thick. For a complete visual diagram of the frame, please refer to the image gallery on the Product Details Page.
What are the dimensions of the interior display openings?
The archival matting features five dedicated openings:
- Compostela Opening: 8" x 11" (intentionally cut slightly slightly undersized to secure and display as much of the document as possible).
- Photo Openings: Two openings measuring 3.75" x 5.75" (designed for standard 4" x 6" photos).
- Small Memento Openings: Two square openings measuring 2.5" x 2.5".
For a visual breakdown of all interior dimensions, please refer to the image gallery on the Product Details Page.
What are the included mementos, and how can I use them?
Your frame comes with a:
- Brass Medallion (St James Sword), a fully embroidered.
- Iron-on Patch (Santiaguiño Shell).
- Wayfarer's Card (Heavy Card Stock with Gold Foil Accents).
These items are yours to use as you wish! Beyond the frame, you might: Iron the patch onto clothing or a bag. Use the Wayfarer's Card as a bookmark or keep it behind a car visor as a reminder. Sew the medal into clothing as a symbol of protection, keep it in a wallet or pocket, or glue it onto another item. Any can also be gifted to inspire a potential pilgrim.
Can the frame be hung vertically and horizontally?
The frame includes hardware for hanging in both orientations. However, to keep your Compostela document upright (portrait orientation) and not sideways, we recommend hanging the frame horizontally (landscape orientation).
Can I position the Compostela on either side of the frame?
Certainly. The matting is designed so that you can display the Compostela on either the left or the right side of the frame, depending on your aesthetic preference.
Where are your products made?
We source our specialty materials from trusted international and domestic suppliers.
Every product is assembled and quality-checked right here in our home-based workshop.
Bringing this product to life required many hours of local research, design collaboration, and direct input from fellow pilgrims right here in beautiful North Carolina.
Does the frame come with a warranty or guarantee?
Yes. I stand behind the quality of the materials and superior workmanship. The frame is guaranteed against warping and defects for one year from the date of purchase. If you experience any issue, please contact me for assistance.
Achieving the Perfect Display
My Compostela document is curled/rolled up. How do I flatten it for the frame?
To safely flatten your Compostela, gently unroll it and place it between two clean, heavy, flat objects (like large books) for 24 to 48 hours. Do not use an iron or steam! Once flattened, it will fit easily into the frame's mounting area.
Even after flattening, the edges of my Compostela still look wavy or uneven inside the frame?
This can happen because the document's fibers retain the memory of being rolled up for a long period. The solution is to increase the pressure holding the Compostela against the mat. Simply place a piece of thick cardstock or a small stack of paper sheets directly behind the document before securing the frame backing. This added material will apply the firm, even pressure needed to hold the wavy edges flat for a professional display.
How do I ensure my items are aligned correctly?
Center Items Easily. For easier alignment, remove the plexiglass and frame molding entirely. Lay the backing board, liner and matting flat of your work surface. This makes centering your Compostela and artifacts much easier before replacing the glazing and frame.
How do I ensure my items don't shift or fall once the frame is hung?
Secure Artifacts. Included are a variety of adhesives to help you mount your items. Feel free to cut them to your desired size, but you may also use your own preferred archival-safe tape or glue. This step prevents your display from shifting, rotating, or falling through once the frame is hung vertically.
The clear front panel seems blurry or cloudy. Is it damaged?
Remove Plexiglass Film. Your UV-treated glass arrives covered with a protective film. Remove it prior to hanging your display.
What is the purpose of the Reversible Liner?
Reversible Liner: The paper liner behind the matting features subtle sketches of Camino symbols on one side. If these symbols interfere with your displayed artifacts, simply flip the liner over—the reverse side is completely blank, offering a uniform background.
How can I create a 3D effect with depth for my display?
Create 3D Effect. For a high-end look, use some foam or cardboard behind the patch and card. This slight lift creates shadows and adds another dimension to your display.
How can I use a background to make my artifacts pop?
When displaying the Card and Patch in the frame, consider placing a piece of colored paper behind them before sealing frame. This adds contrast and makes the colors and gold foil truly stand out.
Why are the mat openings smaller than my photos?
Mat openings are undersized (common framing practice) to ensure that standard-sized photos (e.g. 4x6") and documents fit flush and do not fall through. Ensure all documents and photos go behind the matting for proper display.
I can't find my iron-on patch instructions. What can I do?
1. Preparation: Ensure your garment can with stand high heat. Sturdy material like denim or cotton is best. Place the patch on your garment, embroidery facing up. Set iron to 400F (205C) or the "Cotton" setting until fully hot, ensuring the steam function if OFF.
2. Ironing: Place a thin cloth or light towel over the patch. Using a slow, circular motion, press the iron firmly for 30 seconds. Next, turn the garment inside out and iron the back for an additional 30 seconds.
3. Final Check: Let the patch cool for 1 minute. Gently test the edges. If any part is not secure, repeat Step 2 until patch is fully bonded.
I followed the iron-on instructions and my patch is still not adhering well. What should I do?
If the edges lift after cooling, it usually means the patch did not receive enough heat or pressure. Check that the towel you used in Step 2 is not too thick. Repeat the pressing steps, ensuring you are applying the necessary heat and pressure for the full duration. Repeat as necessary.
What is the best way to clean the frame and the clear front panel?
To keep your frame pristine, use a soft, clean, micro-fiber cloth to dust the wood and clear panel. If smudges occur, dampen the cloth slightly with water or a mild, non-ammonia-based cleaner. Crucially, never use harshcommercial window cleaners (like Windex) on the clear panel, as the chemicals can damage the protective finish or the frame's wood.