Q: Please explain more about the Mario and Princess Peach Topper.
Q: I am interested in buying a sculpture, what do I need to do first?
Q: If the date is good, what else would you need from me?
Q: How long does it take to make a Squatz, Topper, Mjj, etc?
Q: So can I order a Squatz, Topper, Mjj, etc. and have it in a day or so?
Q: Where are you located?
Q: Can I come pick up, visit, shop at your work?
Q: How do you ship, or why is shipping so expensive?
Q: My chocolate melted, or I think you only sent me two slabs of chocolate and scammed me into thinking they looked like Miis. What are you going to do about it?
Q: What are your return policies?
Q: How many people work at Paul Pape Designs?
Q: How did you get into this?
Q: What is Pop-Out Furniture, and how does it fit into this world of cake toppers and sculptures?
Q: I need a _________. Can you make it?
Q: How easy is it to see out of the Button Eyes?
Q: Please explain more about the Mario and Princess Peach Topper.
A: I made the Mario and Princess Peach cake topper that you see on the web and my site. That's what I do, sculpting custom pieces for clients. I don't mass produce any of my pieces, including the Mario and Princess Peach Topper. That's because I have an agreement with Nintendo that allows me to create individualized pieces but not mass produce them. That being said, that topper was $300 plus shipping. If this is something you would like to have created for you, please contact me.
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Q: I am interested in buying a sculpture, what do I need to do first?
A: The first thing I need for you to do is contact me and let me know when you need the cake topper in-hand. This is the “Need By Date”.
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Q: If the date is good, what else would you need from me?
A: Once I have you pencilled in for a ship date, I need the set of photos to create your sculpture. If you are getting a sculpture based on a video game, there is a standard set of images I need, which can be found HERE. If you are getting a cake topper that based on your actual outfits, I would need pictures of the tux and dress as well. For the dress, I need images of the dress with someone in it. It doesn’t have to be the bride, it can be from a magazine. I just need to see how the fabric hangs. The tux can be on a hanger, or an image from a magazine, just specify the color and style of the tie and vest.
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Q: How long does it take to make a Squatz, Topper, Mjj, etc?
A: It takes between 10-20 hours, depending on the complexity of the piece.
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Q: So can I order a Squatz, Topper, Mjj, etc. and have it in a day or so?
A: Although it only takes a few hours to make a sculpture, I have a lot of orders to complete and am only one guy. If you need something in less than two weeks from the day you order it, there will be a $50 rush fee attached to the order.
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A: I live in Bellevue, Nebraska. I work from my house, mostly my kitchen.
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Q: Can I come pick up, visit, shop at your work?
A: Since I work at home, it’s a little awkward to open it up to customers. But if you are local, I will be happy to have you come pick up your item once it is complete, you just have to arrange that with me from the get-go so I can eliminate the shipping cost.
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Q: How do you ship, or why is shipping so expensive?
A: I primarily use the United States Postal Service. I Overnight all sculptures. It has been my experience that hand-made sculptures arrive in one piece more often when the shipping company handles it the least. When shipping chocolates, I offer 2-3 day and Overnight shipping, but signature is required for both. This ensures the Post Office doesn’t leave it in the sun to melt. As far as cost goes, I ship all sculptures in either an 8”x8”x8” or 10”x10”x10” box, filled with packing peanuts. It weighs between 1-3 pounds. The cost of shipping is nearly $25, plus the packing materials. I only charge enough that I am not out anything to get it to you.
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Q: My chocolate melted, or I think you only sent me two slabs of chocolate and scammed me into thinking they looked like Miis. What are you going to do about it?
A: I ship a lot of chocolate. I would say 99% of it arrives fine. Occasionally, one will melt. I am not sure why, but I assure you I packaged the actual thing, so I know I didn’t cheat you. If you contact me, I will be happy to reship the chocolate to you, or reimburse you. Just be nice about it, please. Milk chocolate is the worst, but it takes a lot of direct heat (around 90-99 degrees for about an hour) to melt chocolate into a puddle. The only thing I can hypothesize is that the Post Office is leaving the package on the dash, and the heater is running full blast since the doors are always open. I mark all chocolate as “Perishable”, but no amount of labels will educate everyone.
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Q: What are your return policies?
A: I will refund you completely on any sculpture I haven’t started. If I have started it, but not shipped it, then I will refund 60% of the cost and all of the shipping. If I have already shipped it, or you have it, there are no refunds. I custom make all sculptures, so it isn’t like I can resell you to another customer. That being said, I have a lifetime repair warranty on anything I sculpt. If you break it, it breaks on its’ own, or anything in-between, just contact me and I will repair it as long as you pay to get it to me.
For chocolates, refunds will be given for inedible boxes, or melted boxes on one condition. That condition is that you contact me and be polite. If you use the words “entitled”, “demand”, “asshole” or threats, I will not offer a refund. Really.
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Q: How many people work at Paul Pape Designs?
A: One, me. My wife will help pack and ship, or if I need to box 3000 boxes of chocolate, I will hire students to help. But for the most part, I do everything, from maintaining the website, the blog, answering phones, developing new products, sculpting and painting every piece. The name of my business is also an action. Paul Pape Designs... Paul Pape designs.
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A: I have been making gifts for people since I was little. My first hand-made gifts were ballet dancers made by knotting napkins. Since then, I have earned my Masters in Scenic Design and have been designing theatre since the 90’s. I like to work with my hands, and a few years ago, while working for “the man”, I realized I was making as much money selling stuff on the side as I was working full time. So, with my wife’s permission, I quit my job and started doing this full time.
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Q: What is Pop-Out Furniture, and how does it fit into this world of cake toppers and sculptures?
A: Pop-Out Furniture was my first product that I mass produced. It is laser die-cut furniture for designers, architects, students and crafters. It used to have its’ own site, but it was a pain to maintain, so I consolidated. It reflects my love of theatre, and fills a void that many designers are thankful for.
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Q: I need a _________. Can you make it?
A: Yes, I can. I have made fully articulating spider monkeys, six-foot sporks, silicone Halloween masks, movie prop replicas, etc. I like to make the out-of-the-ordinary, but how do you advertise it? If you have an idea for something, contact me and I can make it a reality.
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Q: How easy is it to see out of the Button Eyes?
A: Actually, they are virtually unnoticeable. The four holes in the middle are large enough and close enough together that your eye will eliminate the middle part from vision. And, the buttons sit on your face so that you have peripheral vision as well. I designed them so that I could wear them long term, not just to be a nice decoration. I have even driven with them. The only thing you might notice is that there is a slight darkening of your sight, but less than even the lightest colored sunglasses.
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