Frequently Asked Questions About Lily Tsai's Custom Figurines
Character figurines are not intended to be portraits but representations with cartoon elements. The proportions of the body and head of a figurine is not same as an actual human being. The heads will be slightly larger than normal. Due to limitations of the actual figurine's size, most of the details will be captured but some tiny details/embroidery on your attire may not be duplicated exactly. While most of the materials will be in clay, some other materials may be used such as fabric, beads, and crystals.

These are caricature, not portraits. Although each figurine is carefully handmade, there may be some tiny flaws, which should be expected in original hand-made art.

How much does a figurine cost?
This prices vary based on your requirements. The topper is fully custom-made and it is something that can last for many years even life time. Customization includes faces, attires, hairstyles, and posture with medium difficulties. Please contact me for pricing info.

How long does it take to make a cake topper?
Typical it takes about 3.5 weeks (not including shipping time) but it may vary during busy seasons. I may accept rush orders depending on the season; however early booking (several months in advance) is strongly encouraged so that I can plan ahead. You may want to send me pictures early and have details decided before work begins.  Booking is only confirmed once a deposit/payment is received.

How much do you charge for additional features or props?
I know how much you want to have your kids, pets, vehicles or sports equipment be part of your cake topper. I'll include whatever you desire in your topper and quote any additional costs before work begins.

How large is the topper or sculpture?
A normal figure is about 6 - 6.5 inches high. The typical figurine or topper base (for a couple) is about 5 x 5" inches, which is designed to fit on most cakes. If you need something in different sizes or shape, please let me know. If you would like to have a customized base such as a beach/garden theme, additional charges may apply.

Can the figures be bigger or smaller?
The above mentioned size is specifically designed to fit on most cakes. Bigger figures add too much weight (more than one pound is difficult for most cakes) If you go for smaller figures, the details of facial expression and attires details will be compromised.

How much does a topper or sculpture weight?
A typical two-figure cake topper weighs less than one pound including the base. A motor bike will be about 1/4 - 1/2 pound. Small additional features like little pets are not going to add much.

What kind of pictures do you need?
1) For your faces, in order to create a figurine that looks like you, it is VERY IMPORTANT to have a close-up picture that shows clearly your features and an expression that you like. Please make sure it is HIGH resolution that is suitable to print on a 4 x 6 (4R) photo paper. Your eyes must be looking straight and both ears must be seen equally. Your face should fill at least 1/2 of the picture but please make sure your shoulder is captured to ensure a correct distance (not too close). Your posture of your head must be UPRIGHT. If you are sending a picture with more than one person, please make sure your heads are NOT touching each other.

2) For your attire, please make sure to take a picture of your overall look as well as pictures of each small components that you wish to be incorporated into the topper. It is okay if you are not wearing certain items such as wedding gown as I understand you may not have it available when we begin to work together.

3) For your pets, please make sure to send me pictures to show front, back, and side.

4) For other components/items , please send me pictures of overall look and close ups for details.

5) If you have a particular posture that you wish to be incorporated, please send me a picture.

What happens next after booking is confirmed?
Before I start working on your topper, I will go over the details with you one more time to ensure everything is fine. Once I start, I will not be able to make any major changes.

Can you make more than two figures?
I can do any figures you like for any occasion. For example, I have created a figurine of six happy bridesmaids accompanying their beloved bride. I won't not put any limitation on how you would like your occasion to be remembered. You may want to include your mother, best man or maid of honor. These figures are designed to be lightweight. Four figures weigh about one pound.

Can you make different theme characters, like cartoons, comics, animals, etc?
Please send me pictures of what you have in mind and I can work that out with you. There have been many occasions on which special requests have been well catered to.

What type of materials do you use in the process?
A special type of polymer clay I mix and produce that has the flexibility to accommodate fine details like some embroidery on wedding dress. Sometimes painting is involved.

How much will the figures look like us?
Since I work on the figurines based on pictures, a good-quality picture will be very critical. I would not say 100% or 90% because of the humorous and comical ingredient. But special features will be highlighted so that you will see good similarity between the pictures you provide and the figures. As we look differently in different pictures, it is important that you select a close up picture of your face that you like. My goal is to get as close as I can to your likeness but can't promise a certain degree of likeness. Please check out my examples to get more ideas.

How long do the figures last?
With proper care, the figurines can last many years, even a lifetime. Please DO NOT wash it with water/detergent and keep it in a dry area/place. If possible, please get a display case or put it in a class cabinet in order to keep it in a good condition.

Do you ship internationally?
Definitely.  I have shipped to the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and many other countries and have never have a case of significant delay or additional costs.  Any customs costs are the recipient's responsibility. 

What types of payment methods do you use?
To safeguard your privacy online, I take payment thru PayPal, an eBay company, which is perhaps the easiest and the most secure payment method. Through PayPal, you can pay by common credit cards or even just directly send money online. You don’t even need to have a PayPal account and your credit card or bank information will never be appeared to anybody including us. All our clients, including first time users, love it and it works best with me.

What if there are changes?
Changes are not an issue at all if I have not started working on it. I always prepare a document for my clients to review their requirements before I start making a topper. Therefore, it is your responsibility to review it and let me know if there is any correction before I start. Once started, it is tough. But let me know, I will try to work with you if they are not significant. I will send you a picture of your topper once it is done and usually only minor adjustment can be done.

Is the payment refundable?
Because each topper is fully custom made based on your requirements and details to be incorporated in the topper are reviewed and approved before I start, payment is not subject for refund. I will try my best to do adjustment for you for the final topper if it is needed but again it is very important that clients have to provide accurate information such as details and pictures before I start.

What if there is any damage during shipment?
Please let me know right away and I can talk with you about remedial measures that can be taken. On the extremely rare occasions in which shipping damage occurs, they are very minor things that can be fixed or glued easily. You can also E-mail a picture or two so that I can do some diagnostics for you. Based on my experience, so far no major breakage has been reported.