Recently in Ask Charlotte Category

As a business owner interested in keeping my customers happy, the following are my top 10 suggestions on how to smoothly manage your gift returns:

1. Keep the item in its original packaging including box, plastic sleeve and information cardboard.

2. Go to the company's website and follow the company's return policy. If it says return with 10 days of purchase and you're not sure when it was paid for, write the company that this was a Christmas gift. Most companies will give you the benefit of the doubt.

3. Before shipping, take a photo of the item in it's original packaging so you have a record of the condition of the item before it was shipped. In our case, we photograph all items before they are shipped from our end so we know the condition of the item before it leaves here.

4. Include your name, address, email and phone number on a slip of paper inside the box asking for either a credit or exchange for the item.

5. Ship the item with a tracking number so you can confirm the item was safely received.

6. Some companies require a "return authorization" number prior to you sending the item back. Again, check the company's return policy and if you need to call them for the return authorization number before you ship, please do so. I also keep a record of the number and the date when I ship the item.

7. After you confirm receipt of the item, call the company to finalize how you want the return processed. Some companies only credit the original credit card; others will only give you merchandise credit so check their return policy before calling.

8. If this was a gift from a family member, send a written thank you note and explain if the size was off, etc. If you just didn't like it, thank them anyway and don't say anything else. In this case, it is the thought that counts.

9. Please don't "temporarily use" an item, return it after the return period and then demand a full credit. Most items show wear and most companies, especially small businesses, want to keep a good relationship with customers but this approach is basically fraud.

10. As you make your purchases, if you're not sure the gift will fit or may otherwise need to be traded, ask about the return policy and add that to the gift card. That way the return can be managed smoothly!

During summer 2011, several people emailed me with this question.

First, it depends on the size, and kind, of stain.

Because of age and how vintage quilts are stored, cottons sometimes will develop "stains" or small brown spots.

My advice: don't worry about them. Unless they are big, most people's eye will pass right over it and focus in on the quilt design.

One writer went against my advice and tried to wash her vintage quilt in a washer. Because of the age of the fabric, the cotton disintegrated and a quilt she might have enjoyed for a few more years became a quilt remnant.

It's also tempting to use some of the modern stain removers on vintage quilts.

I recommend against doing that. Old cotton fabrics are delicate. You run the risk of adding stains to the quilt than taking any away, not to mention actually causing more damage to the vintage cotton fabrics.

If this is a family treasure, and the stain, or stains, really bother you, you can always applique or embroider something to cover the stain. Realize if you make an alteration to the vintage quilt, you are also changing the historic value. A quilt's age is determined by the last work done to the quilt.

Then again if it's really old and has wonderful memories associated with it, you want to enjoy it. Don't  stuff it away in a closet. Quilts need to breathe!

Charlotte

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Bluebird Gardens site visitor Mike recently asked if I knew anything more about his made in Japan donkey ceramic (photos)

What's interesting about this donkey ceramic is the pixie riding on the back of a lid that lifts.

A separate plate matches the same design.

I love made in Japan collectibles for fun home decor and gifts; they are relatively inexpensive and can be charmingly whimsical.

Donkeys were a favorite theme for Made in Japan ceramics for many decades.

Some were produced for local markets, others for export.

I promised Mike I would post his photos in case someone else can help him with more detailed information.

I recently received a card in a box of fabric from a woman who lost her husband to cancer.

In one of those odd life coincidences, he died on the anniversary of their wedding day, and only a couple of weeks before family were coming in from all over the country for a long-planned family reunion and anniversary party.

Although she knew we couldn't make her a custom memory quilt in time for the family reunion, she asked if there was anything we could fashion from the enclosed black sweats so all family members could have a fabric memento.

After cutting sweat fabric into 2" strips, I made black flowers with two black leaves.

I added a safety pin on the back so family members could attach the flower close to their heart and use it with different outfits.

Years from now, the fabric flowers can still be used on favorite clothing and continue to be a reminder of this beloved family member who meant so much to so many.

Charlotte

 

 

 

 

 

Overstocked Xmas items are not the only things on sale this time of year.

When you browse through marked down Xmas items, look for a shelf or two with marked-down spring flower bulbs left over from fall.

A friend recently said she passed up spring bulbs at 90% off because she wasn't sure they were ok.

The key to buying spring bulbs this late in the season is to make sure the bulbs are firm to the touch, not smushy or feeling hard as rocks.

I also look for a little sign of life, like the tips of the plant peeking out of bulbs.


Out of this bag of 60 mixed crocus spring bulbs, about 5 didn't have any starts.

One of my business colleagues recently was contacted by a potential customer wanting to place a large order for her handmade birdhouses. Luckily she decided to call the bank with the credit card number she was given, only to find out it was a stolen card.

If you've been in business for any length of time, you're bound to be the target of scammers, phishing for personal information like usernames, passwords and credit card information. Another phishing scam involves ordering large amounts of a product and charging it to a stolen credit card, which isn't apparent until after the products are shipped.

One of the latest scams looks like this:

"Hello I am interested in purchasing some of your products, I will like to know if you can ship directly to Australia,but before i proceed i will like to know if your company accepts payment via VISA or MASTER CARD. Get back to me if you can ship to that destination and also if you accept the payment type I indicated Kindly return this email with your price list of your products.. RJONIE INC MART 2590 Cromwell St, Glen Iris, Victoria, 3146. Australia TEL +0644544385 Email:jonnie.ricketts05@gmail.com"

If it doesn't sound real, it probably isn't.

If you're a bona fide customer wanting to order large quantities of something, make a call to the business to guarantee the veracity of your order.

These days, we all need to be careful and double check!

Charlotte

"...I received a personalized baby gift from your company.

I love the baby quilt. It is my first personalized one which I love.

I like even more the ladybugs on the card and label.

They look handmade, which is hard to believe anyone these days would even DO that.

Are they??

I LOVE ladybugs and would have them all over the place, even my baby room nursery.

Do you think I could paint them on a wall?

Can you show me where to get them or how to draw them?

They are just TOO cool!"

Hi Nancy,

I'm glad you like your baby quilt and our hand drawn ladybugs.

I've never drawn nor painted them on a wall but I don't see why you couldn't!

We've had ladybugs moving around our website almost since we started 11 years ago.

I've also been easily adding these charming garden friends to labels and cards for over a decade. It took me awhile to get a design I liked!

Here's how you can hand draw our red ladybugs:

1. Draw slightly oval red circles with a red marking pen. Start with a size you're comfortable with to practice, then make them smaller or larger, depending on how you want to use them.

Regular marking pens are better than thin ones because they more quickly fill the oval.

Allow to dry.

2. Using a thin black marking pen, draw a small circle at one end for the head.

Add a black semi-circle down the middle.

If you want to draw different angled ladybugs, you can move the semi-circle closer to one side or the other to make the ladybug look like it's moving.

Sprinkle with little dots, at least 3 per side.

Finish by adding 3 legs on each side.
 
Be careful if you leave the pen on the paper for too long or the leg will end up with a thick stroke.

Allow to dry for a few minutes before you slip these into envelopes; they'll need to dry or they'll smudge.

Now if you make these larger on a wall, you might want to add black antenna.

I would be tempted to practice on paper first and test several designs before I put them on  a wall.

You could also make a stencil out of cardboard to paint the red bodies, then another one to add black details if you don't want to try them free hand.

Do let us see how your project looks when you're finished. A room full of ladybugs on the wall can't help but be a cheery, fun place!

"I received a camel saddle foot stool purchased in Afghanistan during the 1950's. I was wondering if you knew of anyone or links I could find sending me to someone or a group who may be interested in something like this. I enjoyed your post on bluebirdgardens. Thank you for your time."

Hi David,

Oh, my, those camel foot stools were quite the rage in the
1970s!

Since you have an original one, as opposed to a reproduction,
I'm guessing an interior designer in your area might be very 
interested in that piece since the 70s are part of the retro 
movement in home decor these days. Check your yellow pages and
offer to send them this photo with your asking price.

You might also consider Ebay or one of the other auction sites,
if nothing else to see if someone else has one listed and how
much they're asking for camel saddle foot stools.

I don't think it's a high value item, more of an interesting piece that could be a 
focal point in a room.

Thanks for sharing and good luck!

The site visitor was charming on the phone, calling before 6 am to ask if she paid us a "rush" fee, could we get a custom quilt started and finished for her in a week.

It wasn't that we didn't want to help but making a double wedding ring quilt, one of the hardest patchwork quilt designs, in a week is just not possible. It takes an average of 3 specialists to make one quilt, and at that we get them made in as little as 3 months - less if the quilt is simpler.

"So how come I read some people can make a quilt in a week" she persisted.

If the quilt is a simple enough pattern - large fabric blocks, for example, it's conceivable a quilt can be started and finished in a week but this was not the kind of quilt the caller was interested in.

Bluebird Gardens custom quilts, as most quilts do, go through at least 8 steps in the process of getting made:

1. Finalizing details including quilt size, design, fabric colors, getting photos to be used on photo memory quilts, and final price, including a deposit.

2. Quilt materials get laid out and photographed for a final look prior to starting.

3. Quilt pieces are cut and sewn together to make the quilt top.

4. Pieced quilt top gets embroidered.

5. Quilt top is quilted.

6. Quilt top is "bound" to finish edges.

7. Quilt label and any other embellishments are added.

8. Quilt is photographed and wrapped for shipping.

9. Finished quilt is shipped usually two-day priority mail with quilt care guide.

If you're planning on getting a custom quilt made, regardless of who's making it, plan on at least 3 months; in some cases, there's a year waiting list, sometimes longer, especially if you want the quilt hand quilted.

A good, detailed custom handmade quilt takes a little time to make, and from the comments we get, is well worth the wait.


 

"...was visiting your website...My Dad loves beer, he even says he wants  to make his own beer. I was thinking about something with beer...What  can I make Dad for Father's Day?"

Hi Karen,

I've noticed that people who love beer also like peanuts. Does your Dad like peanuts? How about giving your Dad his own pot of growing peanuts to go with his beer?

Start with a handful  of un-roasted, unsalted peanuts.

You don't need a lot; 4 to 6 peanuts will do nicely.

Prepare a clean, garden pot by putting about an inch of packing peanuts in the bottom to help keep the pot light enough to move around.

Add a couple of inches of compost, then fill the pot up with good potting soil to about 2 inches from the top.

Don't use garden soil, it'll dry out after a couple of weeks and make it hard for the peanuts to grow. You need good potting soil, available at any garden center.

Now DON'T do what I did and plant peanuts in the shell.

It may work, but it will take a long time for the shells to break down and release peanut seeds. Those outer shells are hard and designed to protect delicious peanuts inside!

Not to mention peanuts attracting wildlife including Blue Jays, raccoons and possums, all who love peanuts. Have you watched a Blue Jay pecking a peanut shell? They look like woodpeckers!

Even covered up in soil, wildlife WILL find the pot of planted peanuts and throw their own party, as I found out the next day...(photo)

Remove peanuts from shells. Place shelled peanuts on soil a few inches apart; then cover with about an inch of soil.

Water. Place in full sun.

Unroasted, unsalted shelled peanuts will quickly sprout and, 3-4 months later, you'll be able to turn the pot over and harvest your very own peanuts, not to mention the weeks you'll spend talking to your Dad about how peanut plants are doing.

Add or make a Father's Day card that says "Dad, a little something to go with your favorite beer, from one of your very own peanuts" and "Happy Father's Day!"