FAQ
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you still need help, please shoot me an email.
Shipping + Ordering
What countries do you ship to?
Currently, we only ship to the United States and Canada. We are aiming to ship internationally by summertime 2024!
What is your return policy?
If you are dissatisfied with your card for any reason, I will absolutely refund your money! The card you’re returning must be in good condition to qualify for a refund. You are responsible for return shipping costs – unless you are returning the card because of a defect/shipping damage, in which case, I will of course cover the shipping. I am also open to exchanges for a similarly priced item, if there is a different card you’re eyeing.
How do you package the cards? Will they bend?
For single or dual card purchases, cards will be sent in a rigid cardboard mailer. For three or more cards, they will be shipped in a small (card-sized) cardboard box packed carefully with tissue paper.
How do you set your prices?
I try to make my cards as affordable as possible, while making sure I am reimbursed for the supplies, business costs, and my time. Some cards take WAY LONGER than others, whether it’s because they have more pieces, have especially small pieces, or they require a special technique that simply takes longer than others. (Colouring… don’t get me started!) Generally, the faster it is for me to make a card, the lower its price will be. Occasionally, some cards require more expensive supplies to make (such as vellum or specialty coloured cardstock) which is reflected in their pricing.
Where do you ship from?
I ship from Vancouver, Canada.
Do you have an Etsy shop I can purchase from instead?
Yes! My storefront on Etsy is called "The Wiseacre Cardmaker". Please note -- because of Etsy's extensive fees, my cards are listed for $2 more on the Etsy site. As well, shipping costs are about $1 more on average using Etsy.
Questions about the cards
What size are the cards?
Almost all of my cards are A2 size, which measure at 5.5 inches by 4.25 inches (10.8 by 14 cm).
Why are your cards A2 size? Do you ever make bigger cards?
The cardmaking industry has seemingly universally chosen the A2 size; therefore, most of my tools (metal die cuts, cardstock, etc) work only with A2 size cards. I have made some bigger cards (A7 size) in the past, but it’s uncommon. I will always state the size of the card in the product description, so be sure to check that before purchasing!
Will little pieces fall off the cards? Are they delicate?
Little pieces will definitely NOT fall off the card. Every piece, even the little ones, are securely adhered using liquid glue. The cards are generally not delicate, as they feature thick cardstock and secure adhesives. Of course – don’t go crazy on them. They are as stable as an average card from the store.
Can you get the cards wet? (A real question I have been asked)
As with any card -- no -- do not get the cards wet. They are made of paper pulp and will warp or tear. If there is ink on them, the ink will likely run.
Questions about my cardmaking process
What kind of paper do you use?
I use thick, quality cardstock for all my cards. This includes white and multi-coloured cardstocks from companies like The Stamp Market, Concord and 9th, and the Cardstock Warehouse. I do not use paper from Michaels as it's not as thick as professional cardstock and is generally not very good quality. My cardstock can be very expensive and is one of my costliest expenses -- but it's definitely worth it!
What kind of adhesive do you use?
My go-to adhesive is professional liquid glue, but depending on the situation I sometimes use heavy-duty double sided adhesives. I also use extra-strength foam squares for dimensional pieces that are popped up. Adhesives are definitely my second highest expense since I go through so much of it!
Do you really make these by hand? Or do you buy paper cut-outs and glue them together?
I absolutely make these cards by hand! I use raw materials (cardstock, inks, etc.) to build the individual elements that make up my cards. I do not buy pre-cut materials and simply arrange them together. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – lots of people do it and it’s definitely a fun method of cardmaking. But I LOVE die-cutting out the individual pieces, choosing the colour scheme, arranging a layout, attending to the little details, and seeing a card come together with the vision I had planned. It’s definitely a lot of work, but I love every minute of it.
Are your cards from Temu?
Absolutely NOT! No part of my cards -- whatsoever-- are from Temu, AliExpress, or any similar website. I hand-make all parts of my cards including each individual element. Check out my Instagram and YouTube pages to see videos of how I make my cards from scratch.
Do you use a Cricut to make your cards?
I do own a Cricut, but I don't really use it to make my cards. A Cricut (or similar machine) is handy for lots of things, but it’s very time-taking and doesn’t create the cleanest cuts. You can definitely make cards using a Cricut, but it just doesn’t work to make the style of cards that I’m going for!
What do you use to cut out the elements on your cards?
I use an old-fashioned die cut rolling machine to cut out the individual elements on my cards. I buy individual metal die cuts that cut out specific shapes. Then I roll them through my machine by hand, and the pressure from the rollers force the metal to cut into the paper. There is actually a lot of science and engineering to it, and it never ceases to fascinate me!
What are the steps to making a card?
I'm so glad you asked! There is a ton of planning (and, unfortunately, math) behind each card design – it’s actually shocking! First, you have to assess what available products (such as stamps, die cuts, etc.) you own, and pick ones that work together. Then, you have to plan the layout of the card. Up next: choosing the colour combination. For me, that’s actually the most difficult part! There is lots of trial and error when it comes to choosing colours. Then, you have to PLAN how you will die cut out all your elements. How many of each die do you need, and of which colours? It’s never an easy number – sometimes you need 2 of one tiny die and 18 of the bigger dies, all in specific colours. After that, you can die cut out all your elements. This can take hours. I sometimes spend an entire 8-hour day die cutting elements for future cards. After you have your elements, next comes the gluing and paper-piecing. This is probably the most time-taking part. Cards with many little tiny pieces can be a nightmare. Once all the elements are ready, it’s time to arrange and adhere everything to your card. This is the part that will go smoothly if you’ve done the first layout planning step properly. Also, gluing is an actual skill that I am still working on after all these years! A lot can go wrong when adhering. After everything is ready, I leave my cards to flatten overnight. Ta-da!