Tiger Torre Art ~ Frequently Asked Questions

The first step is really simple, you just e-mail Tiger.

If the item(s) you would like to order is listed as in stock on our Current Stock page, then your order can progress quickly and simply. E-mail Tiger with the name of the item(s) you would like to order, along with any special details that might apply. She will then return your e-mail and arrange payment. As soon as payment is received, your item(s) will ship out.

	How do I place an order ?
	What about a custom order ? Or an out of stock item ?
	How can I pay for my order ?
	How will my order be shipped ?
	How long does it take to make a mask ?
	How long of a turn around or wait time will there be for my custom order ?
	Wait, did that say Payment Plan ?
	There’s a fee for custom patterns ?
	What are they made out of ? Is it real leather ? Must you use leather ?
	Where does the leather come from ? Who is the supplier ?
	Can Tiger make a mask out of something that isn’t leather ?
	Why are the prices so high ? (or, Wow, the prices are affordable !?)
	What kind of paints/finishes/sealers are used ?
	How do I care for my mask ? What if I need a repair ? What if my elastic snaps ?
	What’s this I hear about glasses and masks ?
	Do you have a shop ? Where is your store ? Can I come see the masks ?
	Can I have a pattern so I can make a mask ?
	Can Tiger teach me how to make masks ?
	You have mask hangers ? Will the mask hangers work for other kinds of masks ?
	Do you offer Gift Certificates ?
	Can Tiger make something that isn’t listed on the website at all ?
	Can Tiger make a Mexican Wrestler Mask/Stitched Bondage Hood ?

	How do I place an order ?

	The first step is really simple, you just e-mail Tiger. If the item(s) you would like to order is listed as in stock on our Current Stock page, then your order can progress quickly and simply. E-mail Tiger with the name of the item(s) you would like to order, along with any special details that might apply. She will then return your e-mail and arrange payment. As soon as payment is received, your item(s) will ship out.

	What about a custom order ? Or an out of stock item ?
	If the item(s) you would like to order is not currently in stock, or if you want a custom design, you should e-mail Tiger. Let her know what you would like to order, along with as much detail as is possible, and she will return your e-mail to discuss your details. If it is a patterned, repeatable piece, easily made, the turn around time shouldn’t be too long. If it is a completely custom piece, a pattern may need to be drawn up. A quote for custom work will be given, and no work will start until payment is received. All item(s) must be paid for in full before they will ship out.

	How can I pay for my order ?

	For online orders, PayPal, money orders, and personal checks are accepted. You can pay with your credit card or bank account securely with PayPal. At the MD Renaissance Faire, and certain other shows, we will accept Cash and Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Personal checks with ID may be accepted on a case by case basis.

	How will my order be shipped ?

	Unless otherwise noted or requested, most orders ship out using USPS. Insurance and/or other means of shipping can be arranged. Tiger uses recycled materials for shipping, like shredded paper and recycled boxes, whenever possible.

	How long does it take to make a mask ?

	From a few days to about a week, starting from a finished pattern. It depends on the complexity of the mask, the relative humidity in Baltimore, MD, and drying times for the different layers of finishes.

	How long of a turn around or wait time will there be for my custom order ?

	This depends on what you order, how detailed it is, and what time of year it is. If you place your custom order during August through December, expect a longer wait time. Tiger will give you an estimate of how long your order will take. This is usually two weeks or more, which generally includes shipping time. Also remember, that no order will ship until all payments have been received if you arrange a payment plan.

	Wait, did that say Payment Plan ?

	Yes, Tiger offers Payment Plans. As a starving artist, she knows what is like to want something beautiful, but not have enough money to buy it ! And credit card companies get all sorts of interest, while Tiger won’t ask that from you. Payment Plans work as follows : You find/order Item(s) that you want dearly, and arrange a Payment Plan with Tiger. You make an initial Payment of $20* or more, and get a note/e-mail from Tiger with your Plan details. (* Half of total down for most custom design orders.) You make payments of $10 or more, at intervals of no more than 6 months.* (* If you've made no payments for a period of 6 months, Tiger will remind you once, and then your Item reverts back to property of Tiger Torre Art.) When your total is paid in full, Tiger ships out your Item(s). Exact Payment Plan details can be discussed and negotiated depending on the Item(s).

	There's a fee for custom patterns ?

	Yes. Tiger spends a decent amount of time working on a new pattern for a custom piece, and there will be a non-refundable $10 fee for each custom pattern she draws. If you decide not to have your custom item made, the pattern remains the property of Tiger. If you do have your custom item made, the $10 fee goes towards the total of your purchase price.

	What are they made out of ? Is it real leather ? Must you use leather ?

	The masks and crowns are made from vegetable tanned cow leather. This leather is a by-product of the meat industry, and comes from cows that have likely already been consumed. Tiger believes is it best to use all parts of an animal if we are going to eat its meat, and aside from any other problems with the modern meat industry, it is guaranteed that every part of an animal is used in some way. Tiger maximizes the usage of each hide that she cuts, using smaller pieces for other products, and using the scrap for demonstrations. For most other products, a variety of cow hide is used, and again, Tiger minimizes waste.

	Where does the leather come from ? Who is the supplier ?

	Tiger orders leather and other supplies from Tandy Leather Company, Leather Unlimited, and Weaver Leather, along with a few other craft suppliers and stores.

	Can Tiger make a mask out of something that isn’t leather ?

	Tiger prefers to work in leather, and it’s honestly what she does best. There are many artists and mask makers out there who work in other mediums.

	Why are the prices so high ? (or, Wow, the prices are affordable !?)

	Tiger bases the prices for her products with a simple system. Cost of the materials used, plus a percentage for overhead operating costs, and then pays herself about $10 an hour for labor. Each mask takes at least a few days to make; a hand-stitched codpiece takes over an hour to stitch. If basic cost of living or overhead goes up, so do the prices. Tiger tries to keep her prices affordable, because masks are much happier living in a new home than in a plastic stock bin.

	What kind of paints/finishes/sealers are used ?

	Most of the base dye coats are Fiebings or Tandy leather dyes, sometimes a custom blend. All paints used are acrylics, with Tandy’s Cova Color and Golden Fluid acrylics the most common. All sealers used are acrylic. Tiger also recycles plastic lids for use as palettes, uses a water based cleaning blend for her brushes, and minimizes waste.

	How do I care for my mask ? What if I need a repair ? What if my elastic snaps ?

	All of this information can be found on the Mask Info Page, but here it is again : Care: Display or store your mask in a dry place; excess moisture could be harmful. Mask hangers are available in silver and brass, at $2 each, for display of your mask on the wall. We highly recommend that you hang your mask with a hanger, and not by its elastics. Cleaning: Carefully wipe your piece with a slightly damp cloth and let air dry completely. You can also use a soft bristle brush to brush away dust in the nooks and crannies if needed ! The elastics are guaranteed. If they should become brittle, stretched, or unattached, Tiger will replace them, and paint the new elastic to match the mask. Other repairs on your mask, should the finish become damaged, can be handled on a case by case basis.

	What's this I hear about glasses and masks ?

	Tiger can make a mask work with your glasses. There are several ways to do this, but the most popular and comfortable is to place holes for the stems of the glasses on either side of the eyeholes of the mask, so that the glasses sit on top of the mask. No, it doesn’t really look that dorky, and in fact, many of the masks look quite striking with glasses over them, especially the animal masks. Tiger needs to see you, your glasses and the mask in person in order to make this work. She can generally alter in stock items at an event to fit your glasses, and she can make a custom piece to work with your glasses as well. Again, you have to be present for a custom fitting in order to make it work.

	Do you have a shop ? Where is your store ? Can I come see the masks ?

	Tiger works out of her home, and does not have a year round retail location. There is the booth at the MD Renaissance Faire, which is open from the last weekend of August through the second to last weekend of October each year. You can check the Calendar page for exact dates, and for a listing of shows and convention where Tiger Torre Art will be vending. There are also some masks on consignment at Chained Desires in Baltimore, MD. And, if you ask politely, and Tiger has the time, you may be able to schedule a mask stock viewing at Tiger's house in Baltimore.

	Can I have a pattern so I can make a mask ?

	Nope. All patterns drawn by Tiger remain in her copyright, and are her property. She does not give out or sell patterns. If you order a custom mask or item, you may be shown or e-mailed a digital scan of your pattern for approval, but the copyright remains Tiger’s.

	Can Tiger teach me how to make masks ?

	Nope. Tiger will not teach classes, or do one-on-one instruction. She will point out this good tutorial on making masks, and you can watch her HGTV clip on YouTube. There are also a few books out there which discuss wet molding leather techniques. The basic technique Tiger uses is no secret, but please remember that this is her livelihood.

	You have mask hangers ? Will the mask hangers work for other kinds of masks ?

	We have metal wire mask hangers in silver tone and brass tone. They are $2 each. The hangers come in one basic size. This size works for almost every mask. Because they are wire, you can bend them as needed to adjust for different shapes of masks. Since they are meant to hang the masks by the eyeholes, the weight of the mask will be on the top portion of the eyeholes of each mask. Because of this, thicker leather or stiffer materials are best for the mask hangers that we sell. You can, however, use the laces of the mask to wrap around our hangers and hang them that way instead, but this does not work for every mask. We do not recommend our mask hangers for thin leather or ceramic masks.

	Do you offer Gift Certificates ?

	Yes, we do. Gift Certificates are available in any amount over $10. Payment for Gift Certificates is like any other order. Gift Certificates will expire in ONE YEAR. They are numbered, individually signed by Tiger, and can be mailed via USPS to you or your recipient. To order a Gift Certificate, Tiger will need the following information: Amount it is to be made out in, who it is to be made out for, address to send it to, and payment information.

	Can Tiger make something that isn’t listed on the website at all ?

	Possibly. There are limitations. Tiger does not own a heavy duty leather stitching machine. She does not make leather clothing, or do leather upholstery. While she has painted on a variety of leather surfaces, it highly depends on the item. The best way to find out if she can make what you have in mind is to e-mail her.

	Can Tiger make a Mexican Wrestler Mask/Stitched Bondage Hood ?

	Tiger does not make any sort of stitched leather head covering. That is a completely different type of mask or product, and there are other companies out there who do make such products. Tiger also does NOT make or repair : golf bags, wallets, leather jackets, purses, briefcases, corsets, saddles or shoes. Etc.