If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments. Thanks!
Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY PIECE(S)?
A: Please allow 3-4 weeks for completion of your piece(s). Orders may be expedited at an additional cost.
Q: WHAT IS THE CERAMIC-MAKING PROCESS?
A: After a piece is imprinted and all the finishing work is finished (cutting, shaping, framing, wording, etc.) it needs to dry completely before firing. The drying process ranges anywhere between a few days to a week or two, depending on the size of the piece. When the piece is completely dry it is fired to ceramic. This first firing is called a bisque fire and takes 30 hours from beginning to end. After the piece is bisque fired it is painted with glaze. Multiple-colored pieces are especially time consuming and sometimes take hours to complete. After the piece is painted, it is fired again. This second firing is called a glaze fire and also takes approximately 30 hours to complete. After the piece is glazed successfully it is finished.
Q: WHAT AGE IS BEST TO GET MY NEWBORN'S PRINTS?
A: Only you can determine when you want to get your newborn's prints; however, they are more difficult to work with the younger they are. I've learned that brand new babies don't like to have their hands held and pressed into clay and it's considerably difficult to get clear, clean prints. Their feet prints are easier to get because they aren't able to maneuver their toes like they maneuver their fingers. In that case, feet are possible at any age but if you want both hands and feet I would suggest waiting until your baby is at least one month old. At that point they don't fight quite so much and successful prints are much easier to get.
Q: WHY ARE PIECES PRICED AT A "STARTING AT" RATE RATHER THAN A FLAT RATE?
A: Each piece is so individual and different that it would be unfair to label them with absolute flat rate prices. Prices are determined by specific guidelines that are tapered to ensure each piece is fairly priced. For example, a baby hand and foot plaque starts at a base price of $17.50. This price includes the amount of clay used, the number of prints imprinted, and one glaze color only. For customers who want to further personalize their piece with text, multiple glaze colors, and frames, the price increases accordingly. Display aids (ribbon and easels) are also omitted from the price because each cost differently and are included only according to the customer's choice. With that said, please see the Pricing Guidelines to learn more about additional costs of personalizing your piece(s).
Q: WHAT IS THE FIRING FEE?
A: The firing fee could be compared to shipping and handling fees. It helps pay for the cost of firing my kiln. Firing fees get lower the more pieces an order includes. See Pricing Guidelines to see firing fee amounts.