FAQ & Shipping

Sizes vary, so please check the description of the item you want to buy.

Mounted prints are available in varying sizes – please ask for details. I can also supply professionally framed prints at very reasonable costs, although I can’t post framed prints because of the glass.

UK: £1.10 per single card/pack of cards, or fridge magnet order, sent via Royal Mail 2nd Class (if your order is urgent please tell me). Royal Mail aim is to deliver post in 2-3 working days, including Saturdays. 

Europe: £3.50 per single card/pack, or fridge magnet order, sent via Royal Mail ‘International Standard’ (if your order is urgent please tell me).  Royal Mail aim to deliver post to Europe within 3-5 working days.

Canada & the US: £5.00 per single card or fridge magnet order, sent via Royal Mail ‘International Standard’ (if your order is urgent please tell me). For more than one item shipping will be calculated at checkout. Royal Mail aim to deliver post within 6-7 working days.

Rest of the world: Shipping will be calculated at checkout. Royal Mail aim to deliver post within 6-7 working days.

Cards and fridge magnets are dispatched in an outer envelope, which may be padded depending on the contents inside.

UPDATE APRIL 2022: I no longer make face coverings, but I do still have a few in stock. If you would like to buy one please contact me.

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The masks I make are NOT medical grade, but are suitable for use in shops, public transport etc. However, if you are in any doubt as to whether the masks are appropriate for your needs, please take medical advice.

I make both fitted face masks (see photo immediately below) and a pleated version with a nose wire.

Fitted face masks

All the face coverings I make are 100% cotton.

The fitted masks (example with dogs shown here) have an outer layer and a 100% cotton lining with a sewn-in material interfacing attached, giving the wearer three layers of protection.

There is the option to insert your own extra filter, in between the layers of cotton. This could be a coffee filter, kitchen roll or something similar – there are a few ideas on the Web. This filter could be removed/replaced as often as you want, but please also follow the government guidelines about removing face masks in the correct way.

ALL the masks I make are washable/reusable, but I’ve been advised by a COVID-19 trained dentist that an alternative to washing face masks is to sterilise by using a hot iron (avoiding the elastic of course).

Face masks with nose wires

The other type of mask I make (example shown here) has two layers, a 100% cotton outer and inner layer, plus the option to insert your own extra filter. This could be kitchen roll, a coffee filter or something similar – there are ideas on the Web.

This filter can be removed/replaced as often as you want, but please follow the government guidelines about removing face masks in the correct way.

Please note that for hygiene reasons face masks are non-returnable.

Face mask colours

I try to edit my photos to show the mask colours/patterns so that they are as lifelike as possible, but please understand the actual colour may vary slightly. This depends on the capability of the device you are viewing them on: how old it is, whether it is calibrated etc. That means I cannot guarantee that the colour you see accurately portrays the true colour of the product.

Cleaning your face covering

All the masks I make are washable and therefore reusable, but a viable alternative to washing face masks is to sterilise by using a hot iron (avoiding the elastic fixings of course). This method was recommended to me by a COVID-19 trained dentist, although you would still sometimes need to wash your mask (see below).

Hand washing your mask

I recommend washing/soaking your face mask in a bowl of hand hot (but definitely not boiling) water, along with a small amount of washing powder. I leave my mask in the water for an hour or two, replacing the cooled water with hot water a couple of times. When the mask is clean you can then gently squeeze the excess water out and hang your face covering up to dry.

NOTE: If you have a pleated style mask be careful of crumpling the nose wire, because it bends easily. However, there is no need to take the nose wire out when you wash your mask.

Machine washing your mask (not really recommended)

If you put your mask in the washing machine and it is a pleated style mask with a wire, the wire should stay put, though I can’t absolutely guarantee this. That said, I have occasionally washed my masks in the washing machine and never had a nose wire fall out…yet.

If you want to be doubly sure the nose wire doesn’t fall out and get lost in the washing machine, I suggest placing the whole mask in an old, sealed, pillowcase or a net washing bag before washing. This also separates it from other washing, so that the mask won’t get tangled up. Note that if it gets tangled up or bashed around in the machine unduly, the nose wire can crumple and even break.

Ironing your mask

After washing I always iron my masks so they look nice, but am careful to avoid the elastic and toggles. I use my iron on the ‘Cotton’ (or a slightly cooler setting), without steam.

Can I take the nose wire out?

The wire can carefully be removed, but I don’t recommend it unless you want to replace it. If you’ve bought a mask off me and need a new nose wire, contact me and I will send you one for the price of a stamp.

How to stop glasses from steaming up when wearing your face mask

I’ve been asked several times about the conflict between glasses and face masks. There is a good BBC video here, which shows three different ways to stop glasses from misting up due to your face mask. Well worth a watch!

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Postage & Packing

UK sales only: £1.10 per single face covering, sent 2nd Class. For more than one mask shipping will be calculated at checkout.

Local Pickup (from Poole, Dorset)

Local pickup is available from Lower Parkstone, Poole, Dorset, but I can sometimes deliver if you’re not too far away.

You are welcome to collect items by appointment – please contact me to tell me what you want to buy and then pay by cash upon pickup.

Alternatively, pay by PayPal and then let me know when it would be convenient for you to collect or, if you’re very close to me and ask nicely, I can probably deliver to you 🙂

Payment is accepted via PayPal, but you don’t need an account with them. All transactions are processed through PayPal’s secure server, meaning your card details are encrypted and you can be assured that the whole purchase process is safe.

If you prefer you can contact me by e-mail to pay by bank transfer or send a cheque (the latter will need to clear my account before I send your order).

Sorry, please email instead and I will ring you if necessary.

 

Yes, for cards and prints I can ship anywhere in the world (see above for postage and packing rates). 

You can pay through Paypal even if you don’t have an account with them and they will automatically convert the currency. Please check PayPal for the latest exchange rates.

As long as your items are in stock, I aim to dispatch all orders via Royal Mail (2nd Class for the UK and International Standard elsewhere) within three working days, except for weekends and English Bank Holidays. Delivery times are, of course, also dependent on Royal Mail, or international services. If your order is urgent please contact me and ask me to send it 1st class (any extra cost can be made via PayPal).

UK deliveries: Royal Mail advises that 2nd Class post takes 2 or 3 working days, including Saturdays. For 1st Class they say that 90% of first class post within the UK will arrive the following day, but the other 10% can take up to 3 days.

European deliveries: Please allow at least 5 working days.

Canada and the US Mainland: Please allow at least 7 working days.

Rest of the world deliveries: Please allow at least 7 working days.

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Disclaimer

If any of the details you have given in your delivery address are incorrect, I am not liable for any items which are not received, or for items that are lost in the post. I will also have a Proof of Posting certificate for all items I send.