faq
last updated: 19 may 2007
Product
Information
- I love your stuff! Where do you get all your goodies from?
- Do you make many pieces of the same design? I love something that just got sold!
- Can you customize an order for me?
- What scrap materials do you use for some of your items? Are they dirty/soiled/smelly clothing?
- What is the quality of your products like since I can only see them online?
- What exactly is Homely Pals all about?
- Why are handmade stuff more expensive than mass produced items?
- What are some of the special custom works you’ve done so far? I need some ideas!
- How much does it cost to customise me something?
Our inspiration & love
- How many of you are there?
- Where do you get all your inspiration from in a country like Singapore?
- Who comes up with all these fun names and stories? They can be so hilarious.
Registration and
privacy
Order, payment and shipping
- Why is shipping so expensive? Where are you shipping from?
- Do you ship via economy/boat mail?
- What payment mode do you accept?
- I have multiple orders. Can you ship them together?
- You’re located in Singapore and I’m Singaporean too! But your prices are in USD. How do I make conversion?
Business tieups/wholesale
- I love crafts too! Can I sell my goodies at Maki Squarepatch?
- I love your stuff and want to carry them in my shop. Do you do wholesale?
Other questions
- I have loads of clothes that I can’t keep anymore. Are you interested in them?
- How often is your shop updated?
- Do you sell your stuff anywhere else?
- Who models your clothes?
Product Information
1. I love your stuff! Where do you get all
your goodies from?
We sell pre-loved threads and handmade stuff. Here, you’ll find an eclectic mix
of vintage apparel and accessories, dolls, purses, home décor….anything! All of which are reconstructed out of
vintage/pre-loved apparel or any kind of fabric, even old curtains! Most of the jewelry pieces are made of
vintage beads salvaged from unwanted old jewelry. We’re big on the recycling theme!
2. Do you make many
pieces of the same design? I love something that just got sold!
Due to the materials that we use
to create the item, we put all our creativity and love into that one piece to make it perfect the way we like
it most of the time. No piece will be alike because of the variety and limitation of vintage/pre-loved fabrics
that we have access to. However if you totally adore something and must simply own it, pop us an email and
we’ll be happy to look into a customised order for you.
3. Can you customise an order for me?
We are more than happy that our works are being appreciated. Because we tend to work with pre-
loved/vintage materials, we may not be able to duplicate the item you like with exact precision. There will be
variations because we hate to limit our creativity too. Feel free to talk to us about what you have in mind
and we’ll try to translate that mental picture into something tangible as much as possible.
4. What scrap
materials do you use for some of your items? Are they dirty/soiled/smelly clothing?
We collect
clothing from thrift shops, flea markets, friends and families who do not want their clothes, and will always
wash and sun the clothing before using them. The same treatment goes for any vintage stuff on sale. Any
clothes that are stained horribly or smell horrendously funky will definitely fail our quality check. We will
not sell what we will not wear ourselves.
5. What is the quality of your products
like since I can only see them online?
All handmade apparel and accessories are lovingly put
together (some even go through careful hand stitchings!) and go through our strict quality check to ensure
that the item is durable (eg bag) and lasting. We will not sell something that we cannot use and expect you
to!
6.
What exactly is Homely Pals all about?
Homely Pals is a place where we dream and create stuff that
will fit nicely into your home as cushions, dolls or just a very huggable friend. Homely Pals is a place where
creation may go beyond wearables. This gives us the freedom and space to create fun, happy oddities and
continue to inspire us and hopefully you in the process.
7. Why are handmade stuff more expensive
than mass produced items?
Maki Squarepatch goods are specially crafted, designed and handmade by
Xin, our designer and artist. You can read more about her here. As an artist, she puts
in creative input for all her works. As a designer, she machine sews and handstitches for any one item. Also,
all items are unique because it is a piece of art in itself. We try to keep prices affordable as much as
possible while being able to maintain all our costs.
8. What are some of the special custom
works you’ve done so far? I need some ideas!
We are happy to make a toy of your favourite
pet/animal using your personal clothes that are no longer wearable yet too beautiful to discard. Mothers may
like to create a keepsake of their baby’s old clothing and pet lovers may like to recreate something out of
their pets’ clothings. Or how about a special gift for that special someone? Only you would know the special
ingredients that ought to go into it. Drop us an email and we’ll be happy to explore with you.
9. How much does it
cost to customise me something?
This is our customisation price list for now. It may vary
depending on the specific elements you are looking for but in basic here it is (in USD):
med-large
tote: $35.00 - 60.00
small sling pouch: $25.00-$35.00
blanket (small-med): $90.00 - $120.00
blanket (big): $150 - $200
pencil case: $20.00-$25.00
pillow (small-med) : $35.00-$45.00
pillow (large) : $45.00 - $60.00
Toy (small-med) : $35.00 - $55.00
Toy (big huggable) : $55.00 -
$70.00
Got something else in mind? Please email us and we will get back to you shortly!
Our inspiration
& love
1. How many of you are there?
Maki
Squarepatch is the creation of sisters Enqi and Xin, along with 3 cats and 1 very handsome dog.
2.
Where do you get all your inspiration from in a country like Singapore?
In a country like
Singapore, where law is deemed as stiff and rigid and everybody seems only driven to chase after material
matters, we have found a place within ourselves to develop our creativity, to create out of passion, to live
on that passion and spread that passionate love. In an environment of structured order, we recognize chaos and
recreate. Sometimes inspiration simply comes from the small beautiful things that God has already given
us.
3. Who comes up with all these fun names and stories? They can be so hilarious.
Enqi! Some of Xin’s all-time favorites are: Weewee Bandit, Matiki Totem, Miss Mimi and this bandit toy who
peed in his pants because he got chickened out of instigations to go rob the bank (from our Jolly Clown and
the Punk Pirates gang series).
Registration and
privacy
1. How will you use customers’ details?
I don’t like spam.
Well good news because we don’t fancy spam either. Your details are kept
absolutely confidential and we will not share this information with any third party even if we do any
promotional tie-ups in future. We will only send you Maki Squarepatch related updates, news, promotions and
events so sign up and be part of the special people who is in the loop of all updates!
Order, payment and shipping
1. Why is shipping so
expensive? Where are you shipping from?
Shipping cost is calculated based on the weight of the
item and some of the items are heavy especially the home décor items. We are in Singapore and are happy to
ship to anywhere in the world. What goes into shipping cost: postage cost, handling cost as well as currency
fluctuation.
2. Do you ship via economy/boat mail?
Our shipping rates as based on air freight, which takes up to 14 days to anywhere in the world depending on
location. If you wish to opt for economy mail (up to 11 weeks), drop us a note and we will invoice you.
3. What payment mode do you accept?
We accept all credit cards through PAYPAL.
Just sign up with PAYPAL and you can pay us conveniently. We accept DBS/OUB bank transfers for Singaporean
buyers only. This option is available for you to complete at checkout.
4. I have multiple orders.
Can you ship them together?
A single combined payment will ensure a single package. A new order
will mean a new package so make sure you combine your orders in a single payment so as to save you on shipping
cost!
5. You’re located in Singapore and I’m Singaporean too! But your prices are in USD. How do
I make conversion?
Singaporeans are encouraged to pay via bank transfer through DBS or UOB and it
can be easily at at ATM or over internet banking. You’re strongly encouraged to shop in the currency that you
will be paying in to prevent any confusions later on.
Business
tieups/Wholesale
1. I love crafts too! Can I sell my goodies
at Maki Squarepatch?
We’ll be happy to work out something with you if your items fit our shop
profile and style. Do send us an email with images of your products and tell us more about what you do.
2. I love your stuff and want to carry them in my shop. Do you do wholesale?
We’re happy that shops want to carry our stuff! Yes we offer a wholesale rate. Email us with your company
profile, URL and the brands that you’re currently carrying and we’ll forward you our wholesale catalog and
details. Drop us an email!
Other questions
1. I have loads of clothes that I can’t keep anymore. Are you interested in them?
We’re happy to take donations anytime. We will not sell what you have donated to us and will only
recycle them to recreate. Rest assured that we will recycle all the donated materials. We can arrange for
collection of the items as long as it is a substantial amount. If you feel that your pieces can be sold as
they are or if you have a ton of vintage clothes/accessories to get rid of, we can work out a consignment
deal. Consignment deals are strictly controlled by the style of your items.
2. How often is your
shop updated?
We’ll update our shop frequently according to the seasonal theme but we may also
have random occasional updates. Put yourself on our mailing list and you’ll be the first to hear about special
promotions, events etc whenever.
3. Do you sell your stuff anywhere else?
We are found at MAAD every first weekend of the
month. Check their website out for their calendar of events. We try to participate in other fairs regular and
you can read it all up at our blog for updates. We also have some lovely shops stocking our goods. Click on
‘retailers’ above to see them.
4. Who models your clothes?
Us!
Unfortunately, Xin has a mild allergy to taking pictures, thus appearing glum in some shots. In her own words:
I’m holding my breath. We welcome any up and coming models who wish to model free for us at this point. Just
drop us a line and we’ll talk.
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