Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to the world of Craftenly ! We're so excited you're here to explore the wonderful world of hands-on creativity. We believe in the power of crafting to spark joy, build confidence, and bring families closer together, all while giving those digital screens a well-deserved rest. Here you'll find answers to our most common questions. If there's anything else you'd like to know, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Section I: About Our Creative Clay Kits & The Magic Inside

This section covers everything you need to know about what makes Craftenly special and the incredible benefits packed into every box.

Q: What is Craftenly all about?

Craftenly was born from a simple mission: to help kids and families rediscover the joy of making things with their hands. In a world full of screens, we provide a vibrant, engaging alternative that nurtures a child's innate creativity. Our goal is to reimagine a child's world of creativity, offering simple and fun DIY art and craft activities that result in amazing, functional creations they can be proud of.

Started in Australia, we are shipping our creative adventures to families all across the country. We are also a proud member of the Australian Toy Association (ATA), committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in the products we offer.  We're all about ditching the digital, unleashing that inner Picasso, and creating moments of connection and fun, one clay creation at a time.

Q: What comes inside a Craftenly Creative Clay Craft Fun Box?

Each Craftenly kit is a complete creative adventure in a box! We’ve packed in everything your child needs to dive straight into the fun, with no extra supplies needed.2 It’s a convenient, all-in-one solution for an afternoon of imaginative play.

Inside every Creative Clay Craft Fun Box, you will find:

• High-Quality Air Dry Clay: Multiple packets of our vibrant, soft, and easy-to-mold air dry clay in all the colours needed for your specific project.

• Child-Friendly Sculpting Tools: A set of specially designed tools to help little hands shape, cut, and add amazing details to their creations.

• Step-by-Step Instructions: A super-clear, colourful, and wonderfully illustrated instruction guide that makes following along simple and enjoyable for kids.

• Special Accessories: Depending on the kit, you might find extra goodies like templates or other decorative elements to bring your character to life!

Q: How do Craftenly kits help my child’s development?

This is our favourite question, because our kits are so much more than just a fun way to pass the time; they are powerful developmental tools disguised as play.6 While your child is happily squishing, rolling, and creating, they are actually building a huge range of essential life skills. Research shows that working with a tactile medium like clay has profound benefits for a child's growing mind and body.

The open-ended nature of clay means there is no right or wrong way to play, which encourages self-expression, boosts confidence, and develops problem-solving skills.7 The process is calming and therapeutic, helping to extend attention spans and provide a healthy outlet for emotions. It's a truly holistic activity that nurtures the whole child.

For a closer look at the skills your child will be developing, see the table below.

Q: What age group are the kits best for?

Our Creative Clay Craft Fun Boxes are designed to be a perfect screen-free activity for children aged 6 to 13. We find this age range is the sweet spot where kids can typically follow the instructions independently and have the fine motor skills to really get lost in the creative process.

That said, creativity has no age limit! Younger children (around 4 or 5) will also have a wonderful time with some help and supervision from a grown-up, making it a fantastic family bonding activity. And don't be surprised if older kids, teens, and even adults find themselves wanting to join in on the fun—the challenge of creating a 3D sculpture is enjoyable for everyone!

Section II: Getting Creative: Tips, Tricks & Troubleshooting

Ready to open your box and unleash some creativity? This section is packed with helpful hints to ensure your crafting experience is smooth, successful, and super fun from start to finish.

Q: We’re ready to start! Any tips for beginners?

Absolutely! Welcome to the wonderful world of clay. Here are a few simple tips to get you started on the right foot:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Although our clay is easy to clean, it’s always a good idea to work on a protected surface. A silicone craft mat, wax paper, or even a simple placemat works perfectly to keep your table clean and prevent the clay from sticking.

2. Condition the Clay: Before you start building, take the clay out of its packet and knead it in your hands for a minute or two. This process, called 'conditioning', warms up the clay, making it smoother, more pliable, and much easier to shape.

Q: How do we join clay pieces together so they don’t fall off?

This is the most important trick for building strong clay creations! To make sure legs, arms, ears, and other attachments stay put, simple use the glue provided with the kit.

Q: My child’s creation is cracking as it dries! What can we do?

Don't panic! A few small cracks are a normal part of working with air dry clay and are very easy to fix. Cracking usually happens for one of two reasons: the clay is shrinking as the water evaporates (a natural process), or it's drying a little too quickly.

To prevent cracks:

• Wrap the clay in the clinch foil that comes originally packed clay. You can use clinch foil from home as well. 

To fix cracks:

• Use a drop or two of hand cream provided in the kit (or any other soft skin cream at home), and do the kneading of the clay. After few rolls it will be be softened. 

Q: You say your kits are "no mess." What does that mean for cleanup?

Great question! When we say "no mess," we mean you can say goodbye to the things that cause real headaches and hassles in crafting. With Craftenly kits, there is no kiln to operate, no pottery wheel to splash mud all over your walls, and no permanent, staining glazes to worry about.

Our air dry clay is water-based, making cleanup incredibly simple. We do recommend working on a placemat or craft mat for a super speedy tidy-up. Any clay residue left on hands or tools washes away easily be wiped with wet cloth or wiping tissues. It’s all the tactile, creative fun of pottery, with none of the fuss!

Q: How long does the clay take to dry?

Patience is part of the creative magic! Most Craftenly creations will be completely dry, hard, and ready for the final step of painting within 12 to 24 hours.

The exact drying time can vary depending on a few factors, such as the thickness of your project and the humidity in your home. Thicker pieces will naturally take a bit longer to dry all the way through.

Q: What’s the best way to paint our finished creations?

Painting is where your child's creation truly comes to life with personality and flair! But Craftenly provides you pre-colored items which means you or your kids don't have to paint anything while you use our kits. Simple moulding and play. Easy!

Section III: Safety & Product Care

Your child's safety and the longevity of their creations are our top priorities. This section provides important information on our safety standards and how to care for your clay projects.

Q: Are Craftenly kits and the air dry clay safe for my child?

Absolutely. Your child's safety is paramount to us, and we take it very seriously. All materials included in our Craftenly kits are chosen with care and are rigorously tested to meet high safety standards.

Our air dry clay is non-toxic and gluten-free. Furthermore, all of our complete craft kits are independently tested by a certified lab to ensure they comply with the relevant

Australia & New Zealand Toy Safety Standards. Specifically, they meet AS/NZS ISO 8124.3, which tests for the migration of certain elements to ensure there are no harmful heavy metals or other substances.

Our kits are designed for creative kids aged 6 and up. As with any craft material, we always recommend adult supervision, especially with younger crafters, to ensure the clay is used for sculpting and not for snacking!

Q: Are the finished clay projects food-safe or waterproof?

This is a very important question. Craftenly air dry clay creations are intended for decorative purposes only.

Even after the clay has been painted and sealed with a varnish, it is not food-safe, not microwave-safe, and not waterproof. The clay is porous, and sealants provide a water-resistant finish, but they do not make the item suitable for holding water or food.

Your finished pieces will make fantastic pen holders, beautiful photo frames, amazing sculptures, and treasured keepsakes. Please do not use them for eating, drinking, or as a vase for fresh flowers.

Q: How should we store leftover clay?

Don't let any creative potential go to waste! Any unused clay can be saved for another day of imaginative fun. The key is to keep it from drying out.

To keep your leftover clay soft and ready for your next project, wrap it tightly in cling film first. Then, pop the wrapped clay into a zip-lock bag or an airtight container, squeezing out as much air as possible before you seal it. Store the container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight or heat. Stored this way, your clay will stay fresh for your next flash of inspiration!

Section IV: Ordering, Payments & Shipping

Here you'll find everything you need to know about the practical side of getting a Craftenly kit from our workshop to your doorstep.

Q: How do I place an order?

It's as easy as 1-2-3! Simply browse our collection of Creative Clay Craft Fun Boxes and choose your favourite design. Click the “Add To Cart” button, and when you're ready, follow the simple, secure steps to complete your order at checkout. You can add as many different kits as you like to your cart to be delivered in a single order.

Q: What payment methods do you accept?

We offer a range of secure and convenient payment options to make your checkout experience as smooth as possible. All transactions are processed through a fully encrypted, secure payment gateway to ensure your personal information is protected.

We currently accept:

• Credit and Debit Cards: All major cards, including Visa, Mastercard®, and American Express.

• PayPal: A trusted and secure way to pay online.

• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): We offer popular services like Afterpay, allowing you to get crafting now and pay in convenient installments. BNPL is a favourite payment method for many Australian shoppers.

• Digital Wallets: For quick and easy checkout, we also support digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Q: How much does shipping cost and how long will it take?

We are delighted to ship our creative kits Australia-wide!

Shipping charges are calculated automatically at the checkout page based on the total weight of your order and your location.

We work hard to get your creative goodies on their way to you as quickly as possible. Please allow 1-2 business days for our team to process and pack your order. Once your order is dispatched, standard delivery with our courier partner typically takes 2-5 working days to arrive.

Please be aware that shipping times can occasionally take longer during peak periods like Christmas, sale events, or to more remote and regional areas.

Q: How can I track my order?

Of course! You'll be able to follow your parcel's journey right to your door.

Once your order is packed and has been dispatched from our workshop, we will send you a shipping confirmation email. This email will contain a unique tracking number and a link to the courier's website. Please allow up to 12 hours for the tracking information to become active in the system, as it can take some time between when the parcel is packed and its first scan with the courier.

Q: Do you ship internationally?

Currently, Craftenly ships to all corners of beautiful Australia. We are not offering international shipping at this time. We are focused on bringing creative joy to Australian families, but we hope to expand and share our kits with the rest of the world in the future!

Section V: Our Returns & Happiness Guarantee

Your happiness is the reason we do what we do. We stand by the quality of our products and want to ensure you have a wonderful experience with us. This section outlines our policies, which are designed to be fair, transparent, and in line with your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

Q: What is your policy if there’s a problem with my order (e.g., faulty or damaged)?

Our goal is for you to have a 100% happy and creative experience, and your purchase is always protected by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

In the unlikely event that you receive a kit that is faulty, has been damaged in transit, is missing an item, or is not as described, please contact us straight away at hello@craftenly.com.au. To help us resolve the issue quickly, please include your order number and a photo of the problem.

We will work with you promptly to provide a solution as required by the ACL, which may be a replacement kit, a repair, or a full refund. If a return is necessary due to a fault, we will of course cover any reasonable return postage costs you incur. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Q: Can I return my order if I change my mind?

We understand that sometimes things change! While the Australian Consumer Law does not require us to provide a refund for a change of mind, we are happy to offer one as part of our commitment to great customer service.

We will gladly accept returns on full-priced items within 14 days of you receiving your order, provided the following conditions are met:

• The item must be unused, unopened, and in its original, saleable condition.

• All original packaging must be intact and undamaged.

To initiate a change-of-mind return, please email us at hello@craftenly.com.au with your order number. Please note that for change-of-mind returns, you will be responsible for the return shipping costs, and the original shipping charges paid on your order are non-refundable. Once we receive and inspect the item to ensure it meets the return conditions, we will process your refund to your original payment method.

Please note that we cannot offer change-of-mind returns on sale items.

Q: What happens if my parcel is returned to you?

Please take a moment to double-check your shipping address at checkout to ensure it is complete and correct.

If a parcel is returned to us by the courier because it was unclaimed or an incorrect address was provided, we will contact you as soon as we receive it. We can arrange to re-ship the parcel to the correct address for a flat-rate re-delivery fee of $10 to cover the additional handling and postage costs.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a refund in this situation, we can process one for the total order amount, minus the $10 handling and postage fee that we were charged for the return.