Made-to-order, custom, and personalized items are final sale once production begins. Damaged, defective, or incorrect orders will be made right.
Sizes, materials, and production time
- Sizes: 8x8, 8x10, and 12x12 (the sizes offered for each design are shown on its product page)
- Fronts: all shadow boxes have glass fronts
- Production time: approximately 7 business days, before pickup or shipping; shipping transit time is separate
- Pickup: local pickup may be available by arrangement; shipping within the contiguous U.S. is shown at checkout
Custom orders
Many Kathy’s Card-tel designs can be personalized with names, dates, colors, wording, themes, or photos. Personalization, photo, or custom wording is generally an additional $10–$20 on top of the standard price for the size you choose. Fully custom commissions generally start around $89–$99, depending on size and complexity. Completely custom requests are welcome and reviewed before production.
Where can I buy a handmade personalized shadow box?
Kathy’s Card-tel sells handmade layered shadow boxes on this website. Choose a design and size, add your details where the product page offers them, and check out online. Kathy makes your piece by hand after you order. The Butterfly Photo Memory shadow box has fields for names, dates, wording, and colors; for other designs, use the special instructions box or send a custom request.
How do I order a personalized shadow box?
Pick a design and size, add your personalization details on the product page (or in the special instructions box), and check out. If your piece uses photos, email them to Kathy after you order and she will reply to confirm the details. Production takes approximately 7 business days before pickup or shipping. Want something different? Start a custom creation.
Where can I get a custom shadow box or custom handmade gift made?
Start on the Custom Creations page. Tell Kathy the occasion, who the gift is for, your colors, wording, photos, budget, and the size you have in mind. Kathy replies by email with design ideas, a price, and a timeline, and sends a secure checkout link once you approve. No payment is needed to ask.
How long does a custom handmade gift take?
Standard designs take approximately 7 business days before pickup or shipping. For a custom piece, Kathy confirms the production time in your quote. Shipping transit time is separate, and delivery dates are estimates, not guarantees. If you need a piece by a certain date, say so in your request.
Where can I find unique handmade birthday gifts?
Browse the Birthday Gifts collection. Kathy’s Card-tel makes handmade shadow boxes in wildlife, music, plant, photography, faith, and holiday designs, each made to order, and many can be personalized. For something one-of-a-kind, send a custom request.
What is a good handmade wedding or anniversary keepsake?
A personalized shadow box with names, dates, colors, and photos can make a meaningful keepsake. Kathy’s Card-tel does not list a wedding design yet, but you can describe the occasion in a custom request and Kathy will reply with ideas, a price, and a timeline.
Who makes the products?
Kathy’s Card-tel is a small handmade gift business. Every piece is handmade to order by Kathy, in layered paper behind a glass front.
Does Kathy’s Card-tel make handmade cards?
Kathy makes handmade 3D and pop-up cards. No cards are listed in the shop yet; ask about a custom card on the Custom Creations page.
Can I request something that is not already in the shop?
Yes. Tell Kathy the occasion, who the gift is for, what they enjoy, the colors or theme you have in mind, any wording or photos you want included, your approximate budget, and when you need it. Start at Custom Creations.
How long does an order take?
Production time is approximately 7 business days. Shipping transit time for shipped orders is separate and additional, and delivery dates are estimates, not guarantees. If you need a piece for a specific date, tell Kathy before you order. Complex custom commissions and busy holiday periods may need more time, and Kathy will confirm the timeline before accepting a time-sensitive project.
What size shadow boxes does Kathy’s Card-tel offer?
Shadow boxes are made in 8x8, 8x10, and 12x12. Some designs are offered in only some of these sizes, so check the product page or the size guide, or ask Kathy.
Do the shadow boxes have glass fronts?
Yes. Every shadow box has a glass front. Because glass is fragile, each shipped order is packed in a rigid box with corner and edge protection and plenty of cushioning.
Can I pick my order up locally?
Local pickup may be available by arrangement. Contact Kathy before ordering to ask. A home address is never shown publicly.
Where do you ship, and how much does shipping cost?
For now, Kathy’s Card-tel ships within the contiguous United States only (the 48 lower states and Washington, D.C.). Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, military addresses (APO, FPO, DPO), and international addresses are not available yet. Shipping is shown at checkout. It is charged separately from the item price and is a flat rate based on the size of the piece or pieces in your order.
Will I see the idea before it is made?
For fully custom projects, Kathy will confirm the design direction before production begins. The regular custom-request form is always available.
Can I change or cancel an order?
You may request a change or cancellation before production begins. Once production has started, changes or cancellation may not be possible because materials and labor have already been committed to your order.
Can I return a made-to-order item?
Every Kathy’s Card-tel shadow box is made after you order, so made-to-order, custom, and personalized items are final sale once production begins. That includes standard designs that are not personalized. Only products that already exist as finished, ready-to-ship inventory can be returned for a change of mind, within 14 days of delivery if unused and in original condition. See Returns & Damaged Orders for the full policy.
What if my order arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect?
Final sale never removes your remedy for shipping damage, a defective or incorrect item, or an error in Kathy’s production or personalization. Contact Kathy promptly at kp2brn@aol.com with your order number, a description of the problem, and clear photos of the item (and of the packaging if shipping damage occurred). Kathy will review it and, as appropriate, offer a repair, remake, replacement, or refund.
Are handmade items identical?
No. Small variations in placement, color, and assembly are a normal part of handmade work.