Common Questions » FAQ

Use these quick-links to find answers to your questions:

• General Product Information
• Shipping Information
• Payment Information
• Custom Orders
• Refunds/Exchanges
• Buyer’s Rewards
• Coupon Codes and Gift Certificates

General Product Information

Q: Are all items handmade?
A: All miniature food items are handmade by me, and as such, no two items will be exactly the same. I use polymer clay for all of the food pieces, and I also incorporate fabrics, decorative papers, wood, ceramic dishes, and other items into some of my pieces. I also sell non-handmade dollhouse supplies, such as furniture, kitchen utensils, etc., which can be found in this section.

Q: How big are the food pieces?
A: All miniature food items are made to 1/12 scale (one inch in miniature equals one foot in “real life”) or 1/6 scale (suitable for Barbie, 12″ Blythe, etc.), but food jewelry pieces vary in size. Be sure to check the individual measurements listed in each item’s descriptions before purchasing.

Q: What type of metal is used in the jewelry findings?
A: Unless otherwise noted in the individual item description, all of my earring wires and posts are hypoallergenic, lead free surgical steel. While surgical steel does contain nickel, the nickel is so tightly bound within the metal that it rarely triggers allergic reactions, unlike many other base metal findings and even sterling silver, which is sometimes alloyed with nickel. I have extreme nickel sensitivities, and surgical steel is one of the few metals that I can safely wear for extended periods of time, which is why I have chosen to use it exclusively in my pieces. My necklace and bracelet chains are nickel free, silver plated brass, unless otherwise noted.

Q: Many items are out of stock–why is that?
A: I have decided to keep listings of sold items visible in my shop, because many of my customers enjoy custom ordering pieces that they may have missed when the items were initially released, and this gives everyone an opportunity to browse my complete line of work. If you see an item that you are interested in purchasing as a custom order, please contact me and I would be happy to create a piece to your specifications. You may also visit my Flickr galleries for hundreds of mouth-watering photos of my minis–perfect if you’re in need of custom order ideas!

Q: How are the items packaged?
A: All items are carefully packaged in a blue jewelry box with a cute Mouse Market “takeout” sticker on the lid, ready for gift giving. For shipment, pieces are mailed in a padded bubble envelope for safe delivery.

Q: Are your items made in a smoke free home?
A: Yes. I also do not have any dander-carrying pets, unless you count my gerbil, but she isn’t allowed anywhere near my work room.

Shipping Information

Q: What are your shipping rates?
A: My default shipping method for both US and international shipments is USPS First Class. For orders shipped within the US, the first item ships for $2.50, and each additional item within the same order ships for $0.25 each. For example, if you order five pieces, your shipping will total $3.50: $2.50 for the first item and $0.25 times 4, or $1, for the additional pieces.

For orders shipped outside of the US, an additional $1 is charged to the first item ordered, and all additional items within that order ship for $0.25 each.

USPS Express for domestic shipping ($19), which generally arrives the next business day, or International Express ($30),which typically takes 3-5 business days, are available, and both of these options will accommodate anywhere from 5-15 items (depending on individual item sizes) within a single flat rate envelope. Priority Mail is also available for both US and international shipments, and rates vary depending on destination and the number of items ordered. I am also happy to arrange UPS or FedEx delivery, where available, but please be advised that these are generally more expensive than USPS options. Please contact me if you have questions regarding alternative shipping options.

Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes! I am happy to ship my pieces worldwide, and I use USPS International First Class, which generally takes 1-2 weeks. Please see the answer to the previous question for shipping rates. If you need your items faster, contact me prior to placing your order, and I will be happy to arrange another shipping method. For example, International Express generally arrives in about 3-4 days, and the $28 flat rate box will accommodate anywhere from 5-15 pieces, depending on individual item sizes.

Q: What happens if my item never arrives?
A: For domestic orders, you will receive a tracking number in an email from PayPal when I ship your order. If the tracking information reflects that the item has been delivered successfully, I cannot offer a refund or replacement. For all other shipping issues, or to purchase insurance prior to order placement for a nominal fee, please contact me.

International orders shipped via First Class do not include tracking or shipping, and I cannot offer refunds or replacements for lost items. If you are purchasing a considerable amount of pieces, I would strongly suggest shipping via International Express ($30 for a flat rate envelope) or Priority Mail International (varies by country), both of which allow for tracking and insurance to most countries. Please contact me for more information.

Please read the Refunds/Exchanges section for further information regarding lost items.

Payment Information

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: To ensure a secure, worry-free shopping experience, I accept PayPal only for all orders. PayPal will allow you to pay using most major credit cards or a checking account if you do not have a PayPal account. Please note that if you pay using a checking account, also known as paying with an eCheck, it can take up to five days for the payment to clear, and your order will not ship until I receive notification from PayPal that payment has cleared.

Q: I don’t have a PayPal account. Can I still make a purchase?
A: If you do not have a PayPal account, you may still pay using PayPal without creating an account. After you add the desired items to your cart and proceed to payment, you will be redirected to the PayPal website. You will see an option to log into a PayPal account, and immediately below this you will see an option for paying without an account, which will allow you to pay using most major credit/debit cards. Choose this option and enter in the necessary information to complete payment without the need to create an account with PayPal.

Custom Orders

Q: Do you take custom requests?
A: Definitely! I am more than happy to create unique pieces, so please contact me for further information. Please be aware that custom pieces do take time based on the complexity of the piece, so if the item(s) is meant to be a gift, order as soon as possible to avoid delays. My custom order schedule books up quickly from October through December, so please keep this in mind when ordering holiday gifts.

If you are custom ordering an item that is out of stock on my site, please be aware that I am unable to recreate items marked as Limited Edition. Additionally, if a piece requires unique supplies, such as special dishes or utensils, that are unavailable, we will need to discuss alternatives for your custom piece.

Refunds/Exchanges

Q: My item arrived broken. What do I do?
A: If an item arrives damaged, please contact me within 15 days of the date of shipment for orders shipped with the US, or within 30 days for orders shipped internationally, and I will promptly create a replacement piece. I reserve the right to request return shipment of the damaged item.

Q: My order never arrived. What are my options?
A: All domestic orders are sent with a tracking number. If the item is listed as successfully delivered by the USPS but you have not received the item, I am more than happy to file a lost item claim with the USPS on your behalf, but I cannot issue a refund. In these situations, it is often helpful to contact your local post office to determine a proper course of action. Please contact me for more information.

If your item has not been marked as successfully delivered and considerable time has passed, please contact me. Often in these situations, the USPS will be able to offer further information as to the delay with reasonable estimates for the item’s arrival, and I am happy to contact them on your behalf. If you would like to insure your purchase for a nominal fee (typically $1-3), please contact me prior to or immediately after submitting your order. I will send you an invoice for the insurance charges. If you choose the default uninsured shipping option, you assume the risks associated in the event that the item is lost in transit.

International orders sent via First Class are not eligible for tracking or insurance; thus, I cannot offer refunds for lost items. By purchasing items using USPS First Class International as the shipping method, you assume the risks associated with uninsured shipping. If you are purchasing a considerable amount of pieces, I strongly suggest shipping via Express International or Priority Mail International. For a flat rate fee of $30, you can ship anywhere from 5-15 items (depending on individual item sizes) via Express International; Priority Mail charges vary by country and are typically cheaper than Express. Both of these shipping methods have the option of both tracking and insurance, so please contact me if you wish to use these in lieu of the default First Class shipping.

Buyer’s Rewards

Q: How do I join the Mouse Marketeers Buyer’s Rewards?
A: You are automatically enrolled in the Buyer’s Rewards program when you make a purchase. For every $20 you spend in themousemarket.com shop or my Etsy shop, you will receive a cheese wedge. Earn ten cheese wedges to receive a Mouse Market gift certificate worth $20! Purchases are cumulative, meaning if you spend $5 on your first order and $15 on your second order, you will receive one cheese wedge. Your balance doesn’t “reset” with every order, which allows you to earn points faster!

Please note: Currently, points are not available for purchases made at craft shows. Eligible purchases must be made through my online shops.

Coupon Codes and Gift Certificates

Q: How do I use a coupon?
A: To use a coupon, simply enter the coupon code in the coupon box at checkout. The discount will be applied automatically.

Q: How do I use a gift certificate?
A: To use a gift certificate, please choose the items you wish to purchase from my shop. Then, send me an email with links to these items and your gift certificate code. I will be in touch within 24 hours with information for finalizing your order. If your order total exceeds the amount of your certificate I will notify you prior to sending a PayPal invoice for the remaining balance.
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