FAQs
Want to know more? Try our FAQs:
About the Artists:
Purchasing a Product:
- How do I purchase something I like?
- Why can't I pay online when I am on the site?
- What if the product is not in stock?
- What is a custom order?
- How long will it take to receive a product that I order?
- Do I have to pay for shipping?
- Do you ship outside of the United States?
Caring for a Product:
General Questions:
Why do so many of the Zimbabwean artists live in South Africa?
Unfortunately, because of the current political situation in Zimbabwe, many Zimbabweans have fled across the border to South Africa in search of jobs and safety. This is why many of our artists on the site, who are Zimbabwean and have Zimbabwean products are asctually based in South Africa where they make a living by selling their products to locals, tourists and Zambezi Designz.
How do I purchase something I like?
You can either contact Zambezi Designz via the Contact Us form or if you are viewing a product you like, at the bottom right hand side of the product image you will see a link to add the item to a cart. Click on this link and the item will be placed in your cart. You can then continue shopping or proceed to checkout. At checkout you will be asked to fill out your details and Zambezi Designz will contact you to complete your order and take payment by Paypal.
Why can't I pay online when I am on the site?
Each piece is unique to the artist that made it. We only have one of its kind in stock. Zambezi Designz likes to ensure that your order is available and ready to be shipped to you. If the product is in stock you will be contacted regarding payment.
What if the product is not in stock?
If the product is not in stock you can either request a custom order or cancel your purchase order that you submitted. Zambezi Designz will contact you regarding this.
If a product is out of stock Zambezi Designz can contact the artist and request another one to be made. We will do our best to ensure that the new product is as close to the one you saw online however, as each piece is handmade and therefore unique you need to be aware that it may differ slightly.
How long will it take to receive a product that I order?
If the product is available then it will be sent to you the next business day standard USPS shipping. If you would like it quicker please let Zambezi Designz know.
If a product is to be custom made then Zambezi Designz requests up to 2 months to get it to you. This is because we give our artists time to find the right materials and to make your product and then we have to ship it to the United States. If customs slow the process down then it may take longer but we will always keep you informed on a regular basis.
Do I have to pay for shipping?
Any postage in the United States you will be asked to pay for. Standard shipping within the USA is $5 for smaller items such as key chains and $10 for larger items such as place mats. Any of the speciality pieces such as stone or large beaded animals will be between $10 - $20 size dependant.
If we need to import a custom order, or Art Work you will be asked to pay for the international shipping which can range from $40 upwards. Zambezi Designz will work with you specifically regarding custom order shipping.
Do you ship outside of the United States?
Yes, we ship all over the world. Prices range depending on where we ship too. Please contact us for more information.
How do I care for my fabric product?
Cushion Covers:
To care for this product hand wash or gentle machine wash and hang dry. Iron only if necessary underneath a towel to protect the print.
Placemats:
These can be machine washed but do not tumble dry them or they will shrink. Rather hang them up to dry and then iron on the back and not on the print.
Batik is a dyeing technique used on fabric and has been both an art and a craft for centuries, taking up to 6 days depending on the size of the piece to produce. A flour and water or sadza paste is applied to cloth before being dipped in dye or painted. Wherever the paste has seeped through the fabric, the dye or paint will not penetrate. Sometimes several colours are used, with a series of steps. After the last application, the fabric is hung up to dry and the flour or sadza is removed by washing the piece, revealing the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character.
Each Zimbabwean Batik is a unique piece that has custom made and been carefully selected by Zambezi Designz for you.
What is Sadza?
Sadza is diet staple for Zimbabweans made from mielies (corn) and when cooked with water resembles stiff mashed potato.