Q: How many pieces should we order?
I recommend getting a puzzle guest book with enough pieces for 70% of your guests. (100 guests means you’ll need 70 pieces.) For more details, see my blog post on the subject: The secret to getting the right number of pieces for your puzzle guest book.
Q: How large are the puzzles?
All five types of puzzle guest books start as small as 11 x 14 inches and go up to 17 x 22 inches. The WOOD, LOVE, and TREE wedding puzzles can be even larger.
Q: How big are the puzzle pieces?
Most of my puzzle pieces are about 2″ x 2″ in size. This is ample space to write a short message and a signature.
Q: It takes HOW LONG to get my puzzle?
Bella Puzzles custom puzzle guest books are each made by hand, one piece at a time, by one human, using the best materials and methods available. The process takes three days from start to finish. Demand is high, and I produce a limited number of puzzles per month. If I did the work with less attention to detail and quality I could do it faster, but that’s not my style. I treat every customer like royalty and would rather turn away orders than sacrifice quality. Read some customer reviews – I think you’ll see these puzzle guest books are worth the wait.
Q: What if I need it sooner?
I will sometimes accept rush orders. A rush fee will apply. Please contact me if you are interested in a rush order.
Q: How are the puzzles made?
Every piece of every puzzle is cut with my scroll saw and the finest, smallest, imported scroll saw blades available. I direct every move of the blade, inspect and clean each puzzle piece, and reassemble the puzzle when finished.
I have very high standards. No puzzle leaves my studio unless it meets these standards of puzzle perfection. I want you to be delighted with your puzzle.
Q: Tell me more about the special pieces in the puzzle – the words, names, dates, and shapes.
Special pieces (also known as “silhouettes” or “figurals” or “whimsies”) are smaller than the sign-able pieces. I design and locate the special pieces so the puzzle can be used and displayed with or without them. Displaying the puzzle without its special pieces often looks more interesting and makes the puzzle more challenging (fun!) to assemble. Your puzzle’s special pieces are carefully packaged and included with your puzzle in its box.
Q: How do I use a puzzle guest book at my event?
I’m glad you asked.
Q: Are they only for weddings?
Certainly not! Use a puzzle guest book at your wedding, bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah, baby shower, sweet 16, anniversary, birthday, retirement, family reunion, bridal shower, christening, graduation, etc.
Q: How is the puzzle packaged, and how should I store it?
Every puzzle by Bella Puzzles is beautifully packaged in a signature Bella Puzzles box. Inside the box are:
- the puzzle pieces
- pens
- the special pieces (letters, numbers, shapes)
- a care card
- an instruction card
Unless you plan to frame it for your wall, your puzzle should be stored dis-assembled, wrapped in tissue, in its box. Prolonged exposure to light, dust, and the oils from human hands will shorten the life of a wooden puzzle.
Q: What shipping method do you use?
I ship with USPS Priority Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation. Within the U.S. this is 2-3 business day service.
Q: What about international shipping?
International orders will be shipped via USPS International Priority Mail. This usually takes 14 business days, but varies by country. Tracking information is provided for international orders. PLEASE ORDER EARLY IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE U.S..
Q: What if I don’t love my puzzle?
I want you to be completely satisfied with your puzzle, so please ask questions before you buy. I will send extra photos, answer questions, and otherwise do my best to ensure that you get the puzzle you’re expecting and that you are delighted by the puzzle you receive.
Q: Can I change my order?
You are welcome to cancel or change your order at any time before I actually cut the puzzle.
Q: I ordered a photo puzzle. How do I send you the photo?
Please send your .jpg image file to bellapuzzles [!at] gmail.com. The minimum resolution for your image file is 200 dpi (dots per inch). 300 dpi is preferred. The higher the resolution, the better your printed image will look. I have to reject any images that are less than 200 dpi. A tip: if your image is less than 1MB in size, it is most likely NOT a high resolution image. If you’re confused by all this, find a friend or family member to help you get the image thing figured out. It really is worth getting right. If you cannot send a digital image, let me know. I will provide you with a mailing address and you can send a hard copy of the image you have selected. I will convert it to digital format for a small fee. You will have the photo returned to you when I ship the puzzle.
Q: Do you take wholesale orders?
Bella Puzzles is not accepting wholesale orders at this time. If you would like to discuss wholesale orders please contact Lara.
Q: Do you do custom work?
Custom orders are what Bella Puzzles is all about. Please feel free to ask for changes to one of the puzzles you see listed in my shop. Client involvement is always welcome. These puzzles are meant to be very personal, so please be as involved in the process as you wish to be. I will have fun trying to make whatever puzzle you can dream up.
Q: Who took the wonderful photo on that PHOTO puzzle I see in your blog post?
With the permission of my clients, I have the pleasure of using the work of many talented wedding photographers. When I use my photos of finished photo puzzles, I will credit wedding photographers whenever possible. If the credit appears to be missing from a page where you see a photo, please contact me so I can correct the error. I want to properly credit every photograph.
