I understand that sending your clothes to be turned into a keepsake can be overwhelming, so I’ve simplified the process. Here are some common questions;
How many pieces of clothing should I send? This may differ depending on the product you are ordering A lot of our clients like to incorporate two or more items in each bear/animal but you are welcome to use as many as you wish. It really depends in the item you want to create. Please feel free to make notes with the clothes when you send them about which ones are most important to you.
I would estimate the following:
8-10 items of small baby cloths (3-6 months)
6-8 items of medium baby clothes (6-12 months)
4-6 items of large baby clothes (18-24 months)
2-3 items of children’s clothing.
1-2 items of adult clothing.
If you would like a more varied pattern bear then you can send between 2 to 4 items adult clothes.
The more items I have, the more creative I can be with your bear. Also if you only have one item of clothing it’s possible to make a bear, sometimes I may need to add a co-ordinating fabric to finish your bear but we can discuss this when you order your bear. How you would like your bear made is very personal, and you only get one chance to do it right, it’s very important to talk about your wishes and ideas.
What happens if I send to much or not enough? Your more than welcome to send extra clothes with your order, please feel free to add notes to your order stating which clothes are most important to you and if you have particular ideas which items are to be used first. I cannot guarantee all items will be used, If too many items are sent that are unused I will send these whole pieces back with your finished keepsake.
What sort of items can/can’t be used? Keepsakes can be made from many items such as blankets, covers, pillow/cushion cases etc. If your clothing is thin or stretchy I will line it so that it keeps it shape. No fur or heavy leather. Some knitted items can be used but this will alter the size of the bear due to the material.
Some items of clothing do not work so well. No socks, underwear, shoes, thick knitted fabric or super fine scarves. Please avoid sheer fabrics like chiffon, silk or organza, very chunky loose knits, very thick or stiff fabric. if you have a fabric you are really unsure about please get in touch, I will be happy to help.
How should I send you the clothing? The best way is package it securely in a mailing bag (as they’re waterproof) and then send it to me recorded delivery or via a courier – something that requires a signature and provides tracking. That minimizes the chances of loss or damage. You’ll receive a confirmation email after you’ve ordered containing postage instructions. If you haven’t received your email please contact me. Please make sure your contact details are right!
Can I order more than one keepsake? Of course you can. If you order more than one product and would like certain clothes used for each keepsake, please separate your clothing into bags with a note stating which bag is for each keepsake. If you don’t mind which clothing is used for each keepsake or would like a mix of clothing used for all keepsakes ordered please leave your clothes together and make a note of this when posting the clothing to me. To order multiple products, simply add them to cart and checkout.
Do you offer discount for large/bulk orders? Yes, I would offer a discount for larger orders.
What condition do the clothes need to be in? I understand that clothes get worn over time! Most clothes can be used. However if clothes have lots of holes in or are severely stained we will not be able to use them, unless this is what you want on your final product. If your clothes have a little stain or a small hole/ tear in one area, we will try to avoid these. The more worn out an item is the less likely the final keepsake is to be durable. If an item is in a bad condition, too worn or unclean and we think may affect the quality of your final product. If you do not send enough items we will contact you to send more. If your baby clothes are really tiny, please send a couple items as spares.
What is the Turnaround time for an item to be made?
Our standard turnaround is up to 4 weeks from the date we have received your clothing. I would suggest a minimum of two weeks’ notice if you require an item for a specific date.
If there is high demand at the time of your placing your order, I will notify you of a potential delay and give you a realistic completion date. I will always contact you if for any reason there will be a further delay, or to confirm I am starting your order and finally when your order is complete. Please be realistic about the time-frame, these are very bespoke items and they do take time! I will do my upmost best to complete orders within the time scale after receiving the clothes.
I will email you to let you know your clothes have arrived safely and email you again to let you know your order is on its way.
As every Memory Bear/animal is totally unique, these times are subject to change, express price quoted is per bear/animal) Each Bear or any other keepsake is handled with the most care when designing. Recognizing that they become family heirlooms, I believe they are worth the time, care, attention to detail, and cost.
What other materials go into making the Memory Bears? I use glass eyes and button joints, (if jointed, optional) noses can be embroidery, a safety nose, a nose made from fabric or a felt nose.
As a filling, I use high-grade 100% Polyester hollow fibre stuffing. I use 100% Cotton Woven brushed interfacing to prevent materials from stretching.
Can my keepsakes be personalised? Yes you can I offer machine embroidery, if you would like embroidery on your bear/animal, please contact us to discuss your ideas prior to ordering
Can I have any clothing remnants returned to me? Yes, if you specifically request to have any fabric remnants returned to you I will send them back along with your completed memory bear.
I’m planning on using a mixture of items to make my keepsake bear/ animal do I need to decide what item of clothing goes on each part of the bear/animal? If you are using several items to make your bear or animal you can enclose a note with your design ideas or you can leave it up to me to design something special for you. The possibilities with Keepsake memory bears, animals are endless! They can be made from almost any material – not just clothes! So, if you’ve got a dog blanket, pillowcase, scarf or tablecloth that you’d love to transform into a cherished keepsake, I can help!
Can I return an item? Sorry No, We cannot accept returns as this is truly a bespoke item. Please note that there may be variations, due to the very different natures of the fabrics I receive, the final item may differ slightly from the examples shown. Please be aware of this before ordering.
PRODUCT & SAFETY INFORMATION (DISCLAIMER)
Can I give a memory bear / animal to a child as a toy? *No, sorry* due to the external material been supplied by yourselves they can not be individually CE checked. By ordering from me you have agreed to have read this info and agreed that your item has been sold to you as a ornamental item only. Due to the design of them they have small buttons, tags, ribbons etc that can cause a choking hazard so they are not approved or comply with guidelines that make these items safe to be used as a toy. Some bears/animals have moving joints and these are attached with a button and thread, therefore, it needs to be treated very carefully. They are not made to be played with. I am not liable for any damage or misshaping caused by being played with.
Care advice – I suggest a gentle dust regularly, and a light sponge with a damp cloth if needed. Due to the delicate nature of the materials used I do not recommend washing your bear in the washing machine or by hand as they will go misshaped. I would recommend using a damp cloth with a little stain remover if they do get a stain or mark on them.
Don’t see your question? Get in touch. I welcome you to get in touch with any questions you may have.
