FAQ

Comprehensive Care Guide

Q: How do I care for handcrafted products?

A: Our comprehensive Product Care Guide includes detailed instructions for each product category.

Returns & Exchanges

Q: How long do I have to return an item?

You have 7 days from the delivery date to initiate a return. Email us at returns@homeandtheworld.com within this window.

Q: Are returns free?

Yes, we cover all return shipping costs. We’ll email you a prepaid return label -you pay $0 return shipping.

Q: How soon will I get my refund?

  • Refunds are processed within 24 hours of receiving and inspecting your return.
  • Funds typically appear in your account in 3-5 business days (depending on your bank).

Q: Why 3-5 days for refunds?

We process refunds within 24 hours! The 3-5 day wait is your bank’s processing time.

Q: Why aren’t original shipping fees refunded?

A: These fees cover dedicated services already provided, including artisan order coordination and packaging materials. We absorb return shipping costs to serve you better.

Q: What if my item arrives damaged?

  • Notify us within 48 hours of delivery.
  • Include photos of the damaged item + packaging.
  • We’ll send a replacement or issue a full refund (including original shipping) immediately.

Q: Can I return customised items?

Pieces crafted uniquely for you (for instance, monogrammed textiles, made-to-order furniture) are final sale.

Q: What condition must returns be in?

Items must be:

  • Unused and undamaged
  • In original packaging with tags attached
  • Free of scratches, scents, or alterations

Q: Can I exchange an item?

We don’t offer direct exchanges.

  • Return your item for a refund.
  • Place a new order for the preferred item.

Q: What if I miss the 7-day window?

Contact us! We’ll help find a solution (e.g., store credit).

Shipping Information

Q: How is shipping calculated?
A: Your exact shipping cost is calculated at checkout. Enjoy free shipping on orders over $200 to the US and Canada.

Q: Do you offer international shipping?
A: Yes, shipping rates calculate at checkout. International shipments may encounter customs duties or import taxes upon delivery.

Q: Why does shipping take 2 to 3 weeks?
A: Because our order isn’t plucked from a warehouse shelf. It’s brought to life through deliberate, human-paced creation.

If you need your order by a specific date, email us at contact@homeandworld.com before ordering. We’ll confirm if the deadline aligns with the craft rhythm, or if the shipping process can be expedited.

Rushing earth, metal, or stone breaks trust with the material. Here is why time is non-negotiable:

The Artisan’s Rhythm

  • Terracotta & Ceramics

  • Process

    → Sun-dries 3 days

    → Bisque fires 24h

    → Glaze cures 48h

    → Final firing

    → Slow kiln-cooling

  • Rushing

    = Cracks ∙ Weak glazes

  • Brass & Bronze

  • Process

    → Molten brass & bronze cool 72h

    → Hand-chiseling

    → Patina sets

    → Weight-balance checks

  • Rushing

    = Warping ∙ Microfractures

  • Wood

  • Process

    → Freshly carved wood must rest in climate-controlled spaces 7–10 days to release internal tensions

    → Oil-cured (food-safe linseed/tung oil) in layers—each layer needs 24h drying.

  • Rushing

    = Warps ∙ Loose joints

  • Marble

  • Process

    → Raw stone hand-polished for 5+ days to reveal its "watermark" veins.

    → Sealing requires 48h cure time for food-safe protection.

  • Rushing

    = Hidden Fractures ∙ Cloudy Patches

  • Textiles

  • Process

    → Fiber sun-dries 48h

    → Plant-dye sets 24h

    → Hand-stitching or Hand-embroidery

    → Paired QC

  • Consequence of Rushing

    Fraying ∙ Faded spirit

Our Promise to You

✦ Zero Waste: We craft only after your order—no overproduction, no waste.

✦ No Shortcuts: Every piece must meet its heirloom standard before shipping.

✦ The Artisan's Rhythm: Artisans carve, stitch, and polish only in focused reverence—never frenzy. Human rhythm over machine pace.

Objects of Earth & Hand

VALUES & COMMUNITY

Q: How does "slow craftsmanship" benefit artisans?
A: It protects:

  • Tradition: Ancient skills thrive without factory pressure.
  • Livelihoods: Artisans earn steadily (no bulk-order exploitation).
  • Well-being: No rushed deadlines = pride in every stitch.

Q: How can I support your mission beyond buying?
A: Share stories—not just products. Tag artisans’ work (#HomeandWorldMakers). Read our Journal about clay’s memory or banana fiber’s rebirth. 

Craft survives when its story is told.

Slow Craftsmanship

MATERIALS & SUSTAINABILITY

Q: What makes your materials sustainable?


A: We prioritize:

  • Natural & Renewable: Organic cotton, stoneware clay, banana fiber (from farm waste), reclaimed wood, recycled aluminum.
  • Non-Toxic: Food-safe glazes, plant-based dyes, unvarnished woods.
  • Zero-Waste: Made-to-order production, minimal packaging (recycled/reusable).
    Transparency note: If a material has limitations (e.g., brass fusion), we detail it on product pages.
Presence over Possession