Ivy Studios, frequently asked questions
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Frequently Asked Questions

When will I get my order? Most orders are shipped within two or three business days of the time I get them. Large orders (a dozen pieces or more) take a little longer. I'm happy to give you a ship date if I know your order is coming. I am busiest during the Holidays, so if you are buying a Christmas gift for someone please try to order by December 17 or 18. I am happy to fill last minute orders but there might be additional shipping charges if you need a faster shipping method. If you need your order by a specific date, please let me know. I can probably accommodate you and will give you a firm answer once I know what you need and when.

How much is shipping? I offer free shipping in the US for orders over $150. Orders of $50 or less are $7 shipping and $50.01 to $100.00 are $12, and $16 for orders up to $149.99. Rates include insurance and delivery confirmation, and usually arrive in two to three days.

I ship by US Priority Mail. If you require shipping by another method just tell me and I will let you know the cost. Signatures are required for all delivery methods.

I live outside the US. Can you ship to me? Absolutely! I have shipped all over the world, with hundreds of orders going to Canada, Japan, and throughout Europe. I've even mailed to Zimbabwe, Malta, and Peru. I am happy to ship to your country, just contact me and tell me what you want to order and where it's going and I will tell you what it will cost and when it will arrive.

Do you accept credit cards? Yes. I accept Visa and Mastercard as well as personal checks and money orders.

How do I place an order? There are five different ways you can place an order: through the secure on-line order form, by phone, regular mail, fax, and e-mail. You can also come see me when I exhibit my work.

What if I don't like what I get?
I have a fantastic return policy: If you don't like it, send it back! If, for any reason, you are not happy with your purchase, just send it back within 14 days of receipt and I will refund the cost of the item (but not the cost of shipping).

How long have you been doing this?
I have been an artist all my life. I have worked full time as a sculptor since 1993, when I started offering military miniatures to collectors. Prior to this I worked as an illustrator and semi-pro costume designer. I estimate I have made nearly 100,000 castings in my life, from simple $1 items to elaborate $500 pieces. I have designed and consulted for major toy companies, and my work is in the collections of many well-known collectors and celebrities.

Do you do custom work, such as a sport that I don't see on your site?
Yes, I can do custom designs for you. Some custom pieces are simply a different color for an existing sculpture. More elaborate work includes re-posing existing figures, such as for a wedding cake topper. The most complex work would be a completely new sculpture. Find out more about this on my Custom Work page.

Do you do all these sports?
What I try to do is capture the feeling of each activity in my sculptures, and I have done all these sports at one time or another, though not much golf. I am not a fantastic athlete but I do enjoy cycling, hiking, climbing, kayaking, and running. I used to swim quite a bit but here in Washington there are few opportunities for swimming other than in chlorinated pools, and I prefer rivers, lakes, and the ocean. I am a PADI certified Advanced Open Water SCUBA diver and I spent many years selling high-end camping, backpacking, and climbing gear.

What are your pieces made of?
Every casting medium has its advantages and disadvantages and I put a lot of effort into picking the right material for each sculpture. I have worked in cold-cast bronze, alabastrite, hot-cast bronze, silver and gold, expanded foam urethanes, and other casting media. All the pieces shown here are made from Alabastrite, a mix of stone and resin. Many well-known figurine manufacturers use this material, you've certainly seen it before. I love this material; it holds the finest detail (right down to my fingerprints in the oil on the surface of the original if I don't wipe it down), it's tough, lightweight (important for magnets so they don't slide down the fridge), and fairly affordable. These same pieces in hot-cast bronze would be about as much as twenty times more expensive! This is a wonderful medium that allows everyone access to fine sculpture.

Are you really such a fun and charming guy?
Yes.

Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions about my work, how to order, ship times, or anything else. I can handle most custom orders, as well as wholesale and large volume orders. Don't be shy, e-mail me if you have any questions at all!

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This web site, all photos and copy © 1993 to 2008 Paul D. Ivy, Ivy Studios. All rights reserved.
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All items are intended for adults only: they are not toys and should be kept out of reach of children.