FAQ

Product Availability, Testing, Reviewing, and More

When do you restock your shop?

There are two answers to that question, technically, but one thing is true regardless: I do not have a set schedule for stock drops, but there are two "styles" of restocking that I currently use.

The first is a Scheduled Drop. To learn when a drop is scheduled, you'll want to follow my Twitter/X. I tend not to give a lot of advanced notice, so there's usually only about 24-48 hours between an announcement and the actual restock. A restock does not guarantee that all of my models will be represented; less-popular models do not have priority over the faster-moving ones.

If you're a fan of one of a model I don't make often, please do comment on my Twitter/X threads to let me know you're on the lookout for a particular friend. Your other option is to wait for a Made to Order (MTO) slot drop, but MTO listings are not frequently posted and are highly limited when they are.

The second type of restock is a Stealth Drop. I cannot tell you when they will occur or what they will contain; this defeats the purpose of a secret drop, so please do not ask me any questions about my plans for them. These restocks can happen at any time and the contents/quantity can be highly variable. See the FAQ section about Stealth Drops for more information...as much as I can give, anyway. ;)

Is the Purchase Limit still active?

The Purchase Limit is currently INACTIVE unless otherwise stated on a specific listing (so you can mostly disregard this entry for now!). Usually, the limit will only be active for new releases or limited gift sets. The limit will be stated at the top of the listings, and also possibly on the site banner, so check before you buy.

So, (when it's active) what is the limit? In most cases, it's as simple as this: in a 24 hour period, you can only buy one toy of a given size/model combination. Duplicate items can only be purchased 24 hours after the first purchase.

(The limit may vary for certain listings, so check each one to be sure.)

If, for example, Kouya's Maw has a purchase limit on it, then you cannot buy two Kouya's Maws that are the same size, on the same day (but you can buy one of them, and then buy a second one 24 hours later if it's still there). The rule of thumb is that if the silhouettes of the items are identical, then they are duplicates. The firmness and color doesn't matter— even if they're wildly different in firmness and aesthetics, they'll still be considered duplicate items.

As you can see in the above example, the toys are the same size and model, so you can only buy ONE each day if this model has a Purchase Limit notice on its listing.

In the second image, the two toys are different sizes. Even if they have a Purchase Limit notice, you can buy both on the same day, because they do not have the same "silhouette" and are two distinct entities.

And finally, this last image contains two completely different toys, which is always a safe bet if you're confused about the "Same Model, Different Size = OK" rule . Even if one or both of these is flagged as Limited, you can buy as many unique models as your budget and adult responsibilities allow.

For items that don't specify a limit, you can buy as many duplicates of that item as you want. I may not know why someone wants 3 of the same thing at once, but if you seem to be legitimate, then that's nobody's business but yours!

Of course, suspicious order volumes and certain odd patterns will get my attention and may warrant a cancellation if I think you're a reseller or a company looking to steal designs, but the average, legitimate customer has nothing to fear. I can usually tell if an order might not be for a real customer.

When limits are active, I don't recommend getting "drop help" if you and your helper run the risk of purchasing duplicates of limited items. This can result in one or more order cancellations.

As stated in the Terms of Service, the purpose of the purchase limit is to prevent coordinated efforts from becoming disruptive to other customers. An order may still be cancelled even if two different people were doing the shopping, if it turns out that the items are being funneled to a singular place so that one person (or group) receives multiple limited items.

[Updated 4/10/2024]

Do you do custom/made to order toys?

[Updated 7/13/2024]

I occasionally put up Dealer's Choice Made to Order (MTO) listings. MTOs are highly limited both in quantity and scope, so if you are expecting a "full custom", our MTO offerings might not be what you're looking for. These are designed to give me a comfortable degree of freedom, while also allowing the customer to lock in some colors they know they'll enjoy.

MTO listings are not a guaranteed, consistent offering. I do not have a schedule for them, and if the process proves too disruptive to my workflow, I may discontinue them at any time.

Since I rotate limited color palettes with each round of MTOs, you'll want to jump on them right away if you see colors you really like! I do not take color requests on MTOs; the colors on the list are the only ones available at that time. Your preferred colors may not rotate back into the lineup for quite some time. Some may be discontinued entirely if I can't source that pigment anymore, or if that pigment proves itself to be troublesome.

Most MTO listings come with a "Wildcard" option, at no extra charge. If you select Wildcard, an additional surprise color (that may or may not be one of the listed colors) will be added to your toy. It could be used in equal, greater, or lesser amounts than your selected colors, so you may not want to choose this option if you're afraid of getting a wildcard color you won't like. I can't take requests on wildcard colors— a surprise is a surprise!

These types of MTOs all involve some level of surprise, since the design is Dealer's Choice. That means that although you select a couple locked-in colors, the pattern, placement, and quantity of each color will be up to me! I strongly recommend sticking with in-stock toys if this element of surprise doesn't appeal to you. I do not send pictures of MTO toys unless there's something wrong with the toy, or I'm uncertain about a result; you will not know exactly what the toy looks like until you receive it.

 

Do you do toy trades?

I do not consider trades unless you are a reputable, established toymaker (not just a hobbyist, but someone who is making toys as a primary business) and you're offering a brand new custom toy in exchange for another custom. If you're a maker and I follow you on Twitter, that's pretty much an open invitation!

Otherwise, no. Please do not try to offer me used toys or purchases from other makers in exchange for new toys.

Will you send me free items if I'm a reviewer, tester, influencer, etc?

Sorry, I am not looking for reviewers, partnerships, ad space, or anything else at this time (or for the foreseeable future). If I'm seeking a tester for a new type of product, I'll put out feelers on Twitter. At any other time, if I get messages asking me for free product —even if in exchange for a review or "exposure"— I will not respond.

I didn't see any (Insert Model Name Here), are you still making it?

Most likely. If you don't see a particular model in a drop, a mold might've broken, they were all too badly flopped to sell, or it simply sold out. I'm known to revamp models, but I've only discontinued one (Rei) and even that one was replaced by the similar model, Seiryuu. Some have been in an extended state of revision for various reasons but I intend to bring those back when I am able.

If it's on the Models page and there is nothing like "DISCONTINUED" pasted across it, then it's still around! 

Do you do wholesale?

I'm humbled by the interest in my products, but unfortunately, I cannot offer wholesale toys or any other sort of retail partnership. This is a bit too big of a commitment for my little one-person workshop.

Do you plan to offer "pre-shop"?

In short, no. Lately, I've begun trying to post a few more pours as I work to help give you an idea of what might be in an upcoming drop. I still like my occasional surprises, though, so I'm unlikely to ever make a whole drop completely transparent.

Personal preferences aside... from a practical angle, pre-shop is not as simple (on the backend) as one might think. It requires quite a lot of extra work and I'd rather expend my efforts elsewhere.

 

[Updated: 4/10/2024]

Will you implement a cart hold system, then?

If such an app presents itself on Shopify, I'll definitely consider it! Unfortunately, I have zero coding knowledge of any sort, and don't particularly want to commission such a thing, as it will require maintenance I'm unable to personally perform.

I would be placing some major limits on a cart hold system (IE only a 3-minute hold), as I don't want people to be able to easily juggle product for hours while they make decisions, but I'd like something that allows people to grab one or two big items and the accessories they want and get out efficiently with them.

I can foresee potential issues with bots, so I may change my mind in the future if people can't behave themselves and resort to unfairly using bots against regular customers.

Are you going to make Large/XL toys?

Almost certainly not, for the foreseeable future. There are some exceptions, such as the Large Kraken Egg, but I don't have plans to put Large/XL toys in my main lineup. I have neither the space nor the stamina for them.

I'm just one person with zero assistants, and not a super strong one either. Besides the physical impossibility of managing large toys (it's hard enough to extract some of my bigger mediums!), they represent a large (literally) financial risk and are outside of my primary demographic. There are plenty of other excellent stores that sell big toys, so I'd like to stick to what I'm best at, and what I feel safest producing.

It's possible that I may produce SOME of my toys in a slightly larger size, but I wouldn't recommend holding out hope for it. It's so low a priority as to be nonexistent and I don't want to promise something that is so unlikely to happen in any reasonable timeframe.

What is a Stealth Drop?

Exactly what it sounds like: it's an unannounced restock that can occur at any time, and it can have a totally random assortment of items in it.

I realize that for some customers, the unpredictability of this restocking method is stressful, but it is not intended to cause distress or "FOMO". To the contrary, a stealth drop is supposed to reward the occasional "check-in". Anyone who happens to stumble upon a surprise restock will have significantly more time to peruse the items in a far less stressful environment than a typical high-pressure rush at an announced drop.

Stealth drops are also intended to reduce buyer's remorse by giving customers a chance to think about whether they actually want the item, rather than feeling compelled to grab it as quickly as possible, and/or reschedule their entire week simply to stalk a particular toy and hope to compete against potentially dozens of other customers. Scheduled drops can be so competitive that you do not have time to read listing details or consider how much you want the item. By contrast, you might be the only person to notice a stealth drop for a good amount of time, potentially for a couple hours (until someone blows the whistle on it, that is).

Please do not inquire about the time or contents of stealth drops. I can't answer such questions, or it's not a stealth drop.

As of the time I'm editing this article (4/10/2024), there are no stealth drops being planned for the immediate future. These were more of a necessity when product was moving faster than I could restock it. Now that the economy has slowed, so has the pace of normal drops, and stealth drops are not currently needed.

What does "Lockered" mean?

Toy designs that have been "lockered" have been removed from active production and stored. This is not the same as a toy being Discontinued/Retired — it may come back for special occasions! For instance, if Valentine's Cock is lockered, it's likely that he will make a reappearance for Valentine's Day, or for a werewolf-themed Halloween event.

Because my work space is limited and can't simply be expanded at will (but the number of models is inevitably going to grow over time) I will occasionally need to place under-performing models in the locker. I'll try to give warning when I'm about to move a model into the locker so that last-minute purchases can be made, but this might not always be possible if the mold and/or master print have become damaged. I usually won't make a brand-new mold, master, or both if I'm on the verge of removing it from production.

Orders, Shipping, and Returns

Do you ship internationally?

As of 4/10/2024, International service has been reopened to many countries. Both First Class (UNINSURED, USE ONLY AT YOUR OWN RISK!) and Priority Mail options are available. If your country is not on the list of places I can ship, or if I cease shipping to it suddenly, it is due to one or more of the following:

  • Foreign policies requiring registration with the country to perform certain tasks/use certain materials
  • VAT collection/other tax-related issues I do not feel confident handling
  • Consistent issues with package loss
  • Frequent issues with intellectual property theft and/or resellers in that country
  • Sex toys are prohibited from being imported to your country and/or are considered obscene and have laws against their usage

International service may cease at any time (in general or to specific countries), without warning, if new regulations are created or if there is any other influx of issues which necessitates removal of the service.

Regarding First Class:

I really, truly do not recommend using this service, but I've been asked for this option repeatedly. It WILL be removed if packages start going missing and people fail to read my warning: there will be zero refunds for lost or lagging packages. No exceptions. If I am forced via chargeback to make exceptions, you will be permanently banned from this shop.

First Class is:

  • Not tracked (at least not consistently)
  • Not insured
  • Non-refundable
  • Typically extremely slow moving (can take months)

 

Do not contact me to ask me where the package is or why it's "stuck" somewhere— I don't have any way of knowing or making it move. You have been warned; for any items of higher value, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you pay the extra for Priority. You will be losing 100% of the money and the items if you choose First Class instead and the package never shows up. First Class is more appropriate for inexpensive items, or any amount of money you wouldn't mind losing.

With that said, plenty of people reliably receive their First Class packages. I am simply unwilling to pay large amounts of money out of pocket for something that was not my own error, especially after I've given as much of a warning as I possibly can.

 

 

If I place multiple orders, will you combine them into one box and refund excess shipping?

Unfortunately, I cannot offer that service, and separate orders will ship separately. I don't have a seller option that lets me select two orders and press "combine" to instantly merge them and recalculate weights and dimensions, I have to perform a series of manual adjustments which are extremely time intensive and error-prone. For the sake of time, efficiency, accuracy, stamina and sanity, I have no plans to make exceptions, even for international orders.

While I hate charging people twice for shipping and using up more packaging supplies than necessary, the workflow disruption and errors caused by package combinations are so severe that I don't really have a choice. A single package combination can turn a less than five minute process into a thirty minute (or more) process, which adds up extremely fast.

Can I cancel my order?

No. Rarely, at my sole discretion, I may choose to make an exception, but I will not tolerate being harassed or threatened if I do not allow a cancellation.

I may allow a cancellation if:

  • I made an error on a listing and you no longer want the product after learning the correct listing details
  • I am unable to make an important adjustment to the order (IE fix address error)
  • Your payment/order glitched out somehow
  • You exceeded a purchase limitation and didn't approve the proposed alterations to your order, resulting in a full-order cancellation instead of a partial cancellation
       

I will NOT allow cancellations for:

  • Buyer's remorse/impulse purchases
  • Customer found another item (whether mine or a competitor's) they want instead
  • Items a customer attempted to "hold" for consideration, only to decide against purchasing later
  • Misunderstandings about the sizing or purpose of an item. Check the Models page BEFORE participating in a new stock drop; you won't likely have time during the drop to look over model/size information
  • Anything else which is not clearly and provably caused by a system error or an error that I made personally.
       

I don't make these rules to be a jerk. Unfortunately, there have been just a few too many instances of people using cancellations in an exploitative fashion that negatively impacts other shoppers AND the vendor, and so these rules were born.

If you have experienced some sort of glitch or if there is a critical error with your shipping information, contact me immediately.

Why did you suddenly cancel and refund my order?

Your order either had an error that required me to cancel it — such as the system accidentally selling the same item multiple times— or it was flagged as Suspicious. Because I don't want to write a handbook on "How to Avoid Detection" for unscrupulous  folks, I'll only list a few of the more obvious reasons an order might be cancelled:

  • I suspect you are purchasing for resale/scalping purposes
  • You broke a purchase limit (when one is active)
  • You have been banned from the store
  • You're purchasing on behalf of someone who is banned or in an illegal country
  • Something is wrong with your address and can't be fixed
  • I sent an important message about your order and did not receive a response within the necessary time frame

A cancellation isn't necessarily followed by a ban, and I usually need several criteria to be met before I'll take drastic action. I don't typically cancel automatically if there's a fixable problem with an order. In those situations, you'll get a message from me first, with options or directions on how to proceed. Please check your inbox within the first 24 hours after making a purchase to ensure that you see any messages I may have sent regarding your order (besides the automatic messages which are sent by the shop platform).

Is your packaging discreet?

As a general rule, absolutely! The packaging itself is a plain box (for all toys) or sometimes a bubble mailer (for accessories/merch) and there are no logos or company names on the exterior packaging. I'm pretty sure I straightened out the issue with the company name appearing, so now all labels should either have the business' initials or my personal name.

It is possible—if I don't catch the errors—for international packages to have the product name in the customs section, instead of the non-incriminating description I normally input. Most of the time, I notice this and will void any labels I've messed up and get them replaced before sending, but there's always the slim chance that something will distract me or I'll be a little overtired from work and I might not notice.

It's unlikely that this will happen, but something to be aware of, if you are in a living situation where it would be dangerous for someone to see a customs form with "[Size] [Toy Name] [Firmness]" on it (the form automatically inserts the listing title so this will vary).

Can I return or exchange products?

No. For my own safety and that of other customers, I do not accept returns or perform exchanges, even if the toy appears to be in its original packaging. We're dealing with sex toys, after all! The only time I'll ask you to send it back to me is if a major defect is discovered/suspected and I want the toy removed from circulation, or if an unusual problem is found and I want to investigate it further. In such a situation, the toy will be inspected outside of my workshop and discarded afterward, so there are no used (or potentially used) toys within the workshop.

This toy is too big/small for me to use, are you sure I can't exchange/return it?

The "no return/exchange" policy applies here too.

I try to provide measurements that —while not accurate down to the last decimal point— should give you a pretty good idea of how big the toy is. Generally, a small discrepancy in those numbers isn't enough to change a toy from usable to completely unusable.

Since "too big/small" is a completely subjective issue, and plenty of people are capable of utilizing a range of sizes rather than one highly specific size, there's no way for me to make a guarantee that a toy's sizing will be perfect for any given person. I cannot take a toy back or refund you for it... especially if you found out that the size didn't work out by using it!

If you really want to recoup your monetary losses, there are secondhand communities where you can sell or trade your toy. If you're unfamiliar with the secondhand market, you may be surprised at how much of your purchase price you can get back even on a used toy. Rare or desirable models might even fetch more than their original sale price!

Do you resell returned toys?

The only time I will relist a previously-sold toy is if it never made it to the destination and was returned to me by the postal service directly, unharmed and unopened. Such a toy will be listed as "Lost and Found" or similar, so it's easily identified.

Items returned to me after being accepted by a customer will NOT be relisted on this site, even if they appear to be unopened.

My order is running late, what do I do?

[Updated: 4/10/2024]

If we're only talking about a week or so, especially on International orders, give it some more time. The postal system is still very messy, particularly in certain distribution centers. Major holidays can also cause delays (particularly in November-December).

If it's a domestic delivery and it's been more than 20 days:

After 20 days, you can file a claim with USPS, or ask me to do so in your place. Please be aware that I will be required to wait for them to conduct a mail search, and that I cannot refund you until they've confirmed that the item is indeed gone. Oftentimes, they'll actually find it, or it'll turn up on its own while the investigation is ongoing!

If your order is international, you chose Priority Mail and it's been more than 40 days since the last update:

Contact me and let me know so I can file a claim. I will not be able to file the claim until at least 40 days has passed, and it may take even longer for a search to be conducted. As with domestic orders, I will not be able to refund you until the search is concluded, since it's not uncommon for the package to "un-stick" and show up fashionably late.

If your order is international, you chose First Class shipping, and your package progress never updates/seemingly disappears:

I warned about this everywhere I could for a reason: only choose First Class at your own risk. These packages are not insured, do not have proper tracking, and are completely non-refundable. You can attempt to contact your local mail carrier if the package went off the radar in your own country, but I will not be able to offer any assistance (monetarily or otherwise).

What happens if my package arrives damaged?

If the package exterior is damaged but the contents are unharmed, no action needs to be taken; compensation can't be given for something that isn't lost or broken. Wash and sanitize your toys as you would normally before use.

If the products themselves have actually sustained damage, first take photos of the damaged box AND contents and let me know about the problem. Secondly, either you or I will file a damages claim (you'll need those damage photos) and wait for USPS's response. Thirdly, do not throw out any of the packaging or contents, and do not return them to me unless otherwise instructed. Keep them all together in a safe place, and don't use or otherwise tamper with the items.

When a damages claim is filed (by either you or me), there's a chance that USPS may wish to verify (in person) the condition of the item, so you should not discard anything until the case is closed. Returning the item to the sender means USPS will void any possible claims so don't do this if you want to be properly compensated for your loss. Neither I nor USPS will be able to refund you if you return to sender without being explicitly told to do so.

Once USPS confirms the validity of the claim, they'll either pay me and I'll then refund you (if I submitted the claim), or they'll refund you directly (if you submitted the claim.) I recommend that you file the claim if you want to receive compensation as quickly as possible.

What do I do if someone stole my package, or the package is marked Delivered but is missing?

You must contact your local post office and follow their instructions. They will most likely have you file a claim. There is unfortunately nothing I can do to help you in these situations, as I have no ability to verify the package's location/whether or not it was stolen. Once something is marked as "Delivered", any complications are USPS's job to solve.

Repeated theft incidents from the same location may result in a "soft" shop ban, meaning that I will refuse all orders sent to a problematic address and will only ship if the customer uses a new, hopefully more secure address.

Do you have any additional updates on my package? Can you make my package move faster?

[Updated: 4/10/2024]

Once it's left my studio, I have (literally) no more information than you do regarding the movements of your package. You and I are looking at the exact same tracking page. I also don't have any power to influence the speed of a package, and have no "secret seller access" to USPS information. And if your shipment is presently in the care of an international carrier, it's likely that I'm unable to contact them at all.

You can try inquiring with USPS (or your local carrier, in international cases) directly if you like, but unless a package is gone long enough to be considered "lost", they'll probably tell you that it's in transit and they'll know more when it hits another checkpoint.

Domestic orders generally arrive within a few days of being picked up from my office. I usually print shipping labels no more than 1-2 days before pickup, so the actual delivery time AFTER I print the label is rarely more than a week.

International orders are a different story. The delivery times vary wildly between regions and I cannot offer estimates. However, if it's going on two months, you used Priority Mail, and a package seems to be stuck or is moving irregularly, please let me know so I am aware of a package that might be returning to me for some reason.

If you chose First Class International and the package is missing or hasn't updated in a long time... well, I put a warning against this option almost everywhere it's mentioned in my TOS and FAQ for a reason. The only thing to be done, if USPS/your local carrier has no information for you, is to wait. First Class packages are At Your Own Risk and nothing can or will be done if they disappear.

Will you hold items for me?

[Updated 4/10/2024]

No, I don't have the space to hold items. Please do not purchase if you know (or have good reason to suspect) you won't be around when the package is headed your way. Most items ship within a week (usually less) of ordering, and domestic orders tend to arrive in under a week from their shipping date.

On the uncommon occasions I offer Made to Order ("MTO") toys, I will give an estimated production time. If you know that there is a good chance you will not be at your given address within that time frame, I don't advise making a MTO purchase.

When do you ship items?

[Updated 4/10/2024]

Since the vast majority of my toys are pre-made, orders usually ship within a week, but in rare cases they may take up to two weeks to be shipped. Historically, I've favored "Mailing Day Monday" as the designated day to do the bulk of the packaging, for shipment on Tuesday. However, as the volume of orders rises, I may split the work into multiple days so I don't destroy my spine and knees with hours of standing and hunching.

So if you see some people get tracking notifications but you haven't gotten one, don't worry, your items are on deck for the day after, or as soon as I am able to get it done.

Sometimes, shipping will be delayed when the weekend falls between the drop day and the usual shipping day. This is due to the movement of my payout (or lack thereof) over the weekends; I sometimes can't buy shipping labels until the money from the drop (which includes your payment for said label) actually hits my bank account.

In general, if it hasn't been a full 7 business days, please do not ask me for shipping updates; rarely do I ever reach 7 days, but if this happens, I will usually contact YOU first.

On uncommon occasions when I offer some form of Made to Order (MTO) items, the listing will give you my estimated production time. To be safe, assume that the time it'll take to ship is the maximum possible production time + transit time. If the estimated production time is 2 months maximum, and you are located in the United States, then you might expect to wait for about 2 months and 1 week for your item to arrive.

Can you change my shipping address?

[Added 8/16/2023, very belatedly realizing that apparently I deleted or did not transfer this important bit of information to this FAQ. That, or I buried it in my own wall of text somewhere and will feel silly for rewriting this later.]

In many cases, the answer is unfortunately no. In the following situations (among others I might have forgotten), I cannot change the address:

  • The new address is in a different country.
  • The new shipping label costs more due to the change in location. This platform does not allow me to bill you for the additional cost; I can only buy one that is the same or less than the original, and refund the difference if there is any.
  • The addressee is a completely different person (this can be problematic in the event of a dispute from any of the involved parties)

If I can't change an address, I may offer —at my sole discretion— a one-time order cancellation. You can then place the order again with the new address, but please be aware that I cannot reserve listings, and it is possible that another customer may snag your item. Items automatically relist the moment I cancel an order.

 

Can I get a single color toy from your Made to Order listings?

By default, no; the MTO listings (in their current form) require two different color selections. But if you accept the terms below, yes! Just make sure to use the exact phrasing included on this page, so I know you read this.

The Terms:

All normal Terms of Service apply. In addition, you agree to accept the toy as-is, even if it has minor cosmetic anomalies which might typically result in a re-pour. Only "Low Tier" anomalies will be allowed to pass quality checking — so no worries, you won't be sent something that requires more care than a typical cast of that same item.

Minor cosmetic anomalies include, but are not limited to:

  • A couple of under-base air bubbles, either at or just under the surface.
  • Specks of pigment in a color other than the one selected (this happens often, and sometimes because the pigments themselves are a mix of multiple pigments).
  • Prominent, but sub-surface and intangible, freckles in the selected color.
  • Mold-typical texture anomalies like tooling marks or subtle streaks.
  • Air bubbles in mold-typical areas (EG Snapdragon thorns, Archie's head tips, Anathema's spikes).

As with all other MTOs, I do not send previews of single color pours unless there IS something I consider Flop Discount-Worthy. In such a situation, I will contact you with a photo and ask if you want the toy at a discount, OR if you want me to re-pour — but only if the anomaly is something more severe than what's listed above.

How to Order Secret Menu Style:

Step 1: Select the same color from both drop down lists.

Step 2: Check out as usual.

Step 3: Go to the Contact Page and fill out the form; please put your order number in the message box.

Step 4: After the order number, copy and paste this phrase into the body of your message: "I accept the Secret Menu terms and request a single color toy."

Then send the message as normal. That's all there is to it!

All About the Toys

What firmnesses do you offer?

There are three primary firmnesses, and one that you'll see rarely.

0020 (SuperSoft): Super squishy, a bit tacky, and comparatively fragile. It sort of feels like those sticky hand toys you get from capsule machines. Mainly used for penetrables, sometimes used for thicker insertable toys. Be gentle with toys in this firmness, as they're the most prone to being torn or dented out of all the firmnesses. SuperSoft toys often won't stand up on their own and can be more difficult to insert, as they will "wiggle" away.

0030 (Soft): Very plush and easily compressed, like a fresh gummy candy. An excellent choice if you want to tone down a toy's texture, or if the toy has a lot of girth and is dancing on the edge of being too big for you. It's more forgiving than Medium, but holds itself up slightly better than SuperSoft and is a little less tacky. Sometimes Soft toys will lean sharply or not stand up on their own, but they support themselves better than 0020 toys.

0050 (Medium): Still squeezable, plenty bendable, but noticeably firmer than 20 or 30. Kind of like stale gummies, or maybe a flexed muscle. Details and texture will be more easily felt in this firmness and it will compress/bend less in use, making it an all-around good, multipurpose firmness. Often the preferred firmness for slimmer toys, or any item intended for anal use, since it doesn't squirm away as much as the softer toys.

10A (Firm): Not a firmness I typically use for actual toys; it's mainly the firmness of my molds, but sometimes I'll pour small toys in it. Textures are super pronounced in 10A. It's closer to a pencil eraser in firmness, having very little give and almost no squish. While you can still flex/bend it, it's far more rigid than 0050.

How do I take care of my toy?

Please see the Toy Care page for a detailed guide on maintaining your toys.

What are some of these terms I see on your listings and posts?

Pigment Terms

GITD: Glow in the Dark. After being charged under a strong light (ideally sunlight), a GITD toy will emit a glow for varying amounts of time according to the type and quantity of pigment, as well as duration of charge. Certain colors glow weakly for a short time, others might glow for hours. These colors also usually flouresce brightly under blacklights. Do not store GITD toys in direct sunlight, as it may have a negative impact on both the color of the silicone and the ability of the pigment to glow. GITD is non-toxic and not radioactive. No longer in use in my products, unless otherwise stated, due to complications with the flop rate of these pigments.

UV: Generally neon colors that flouresce under blacklight. They do not glow when not under blacklight, but they're still pretty bright! Non-toxic, and not radioactive, even if it looks like it came straight out of a kaiju movie.

Thermochromic: A type of pigment that changes color at certain temperatures. Toys with this pigment should NEVER be boiled, left in sunlight, or left in any place at or above their activation temperature, or the color will "burn" and lock into one state instead of changing back and forth. This won't impact the usage of the toy and isn't eligible for refund. Non-toxic.

Cosmetic Pigment: Non-toxic pigments which are rated specifically for use on the human body, usually found in makeup, soap, or bath bombs. These make up the bulk of our pigment library.

Chameleon/Duochrome: Pigments that color-shift depending on lighting and angle. The shift may be very obvious, or hardly detectable. May be mentioned only because it can cause a misunderstanding that the listing image does not match the photo, due to the customer's lighting conditions and viewing angle being different from the photo booth.

Interference: A mica pigment that can be added to other pigments in order to create a sheen of a specific color; these pigments are colorless on their own. IE "Interference Blue" will change black-pigmented silicone into something that appears extremely dark blue when light strikes it.

Glitter/Sparkle: Flashy mica particles which are larger than typical pigment particles, but not as large as craft glitter. We do not use craft-grade glitter due to the risk of it emerging from a toy. May be mistaken for "dirt" because at certain angles, the particles are dark. When the item is turned, the particle will shimmer.

Metallic/Pearlescent: These terms are used somewhat interchangeably to refer to non-flat colors that have a sheen to them and will sometimes form interesting "folds" and patterns even on a solid-color toy. "Metallic" is often used for toys with bolder flash and larger particle sizes, while "Pearlescent" usually refers to a softer, subtle sparkle that might not be as obvious.

Listing Details

Flop: A toy that has imperfections which may alter the appearance, care requirements, longevity, or performance of the item, but will not render it unusable or unsafe if properly cared for. Generally discounted according to the severity of the issue. See the FAQ question specifically about flops for more information.

Notes: If a listing has "Notes" on it, these are just a bit of extra information about a particular toy or model, to alert customers to a characteristic of the toy that might be mistaken for a flop. Some molds have consistent minor imperfections that do not receive the Flop designation or discount, or the notes may alert you to special care requirements. This section will often, but not always, be used to note if a toy has been observed to have any larger-than-average pigment flecks.

Painting/Painted Details: Refers to the process by which thickened silicone is "painted" inside of a mold to achieve color patterns that are not possible via the usual means of pouring in the liquid silicone. This is NOT the same as painting with actual paint, and should never be performed on a toy that has already been cured. Anyone who is adding on extra paint to a toy's surface after pulling it is using techniques that are neither durable, nor safe for internal use.

House Color: A set, named color pattern which may recur during certain holidays, seasons, or events. They do have some variation due to the nature of the material, but any two toys poured in the same House Color will use an identical color set. The same colors go in, but something else might come out!

Natural Color: A set, named color pattern specific to a particular model, IE "Skoll's Natural". The color might be found on other models, but is most consistent on the model for which it was designed.

Dual Firmness: The toy's parts are different firmnesses, IE it has a shaft in 0050/Medium and a base in 0030/Soft. Check the listing to make sure which part is which firmness.

Anomalous or Multifirm/Variable Firmness: Designation given to a toy that is composed of multiple firmnesses, but they didn't stay where they were put and have blended into something other than what went into the pour. Essentially a "failed" Dual Firmness toy, though this "failure" sometimes approximates a "cored" toy from other shops and can feel really interesting! Check the notes on any toys like these, to see my (highly subjective) opinion on what each part feels like.

Color Pattern Terms

Fade: A gradient between two or more colors. An "ideal" fade is a smooth transition from one color into another, but silicone doesn't always cooperate in such a way, so a faded toy may have some spots that don't blend completely.

Marble: Two or more colors in a swirled or blotchy pattern. The exact appearance of a marble varies tremendously and is strongly affected by firmness and color. They are not possible to replicate precisely, as the patterns fall differently every time.

Underbelly Marble: A specific type of marble where the colors are not evenly mixed into each other, and each of its composite colors are distributed in a more dominant fashion on either side of the toy (IE a topside that is predominantly black, while the opposite side is predominantly white).

Transitional Marble: A specific type of marble which gradually transitions from one color to another, similar to a fade, but without a smooth blend. Sometimes a toy poured as a marble will come out looking like a fade by accident, but typically there is an obvious difference.

Solid: A toy which is a single color.

Split: A coloration in which the base and shaft of a toy are different colors, or where the toy is poured in clean "bars" or layers. A "true" split has a totally straight, clean line between the colors, but because this is a riskier and more time-consuming type of pour, you will more commonly see a "messy" split that is safer and more secure.

Highlight/Wash: A layer of pigmented silicone which is used to coat the inside of the mold before finishing the rest of the pour. Results in a toy with accentuated details which might otherwise be less visible.

Drip: A variant of the Highlight technique which covers only part of the toy instead of the entirety, so that it looks like a color is dripping from the tip of the toy, down toward the base. Often used to simulate a "sloppy seconds" look on a toy.

 

Production Terms

Pour (used as a noun): In its raw form, silicone has a honey-like consistency and only achieves a solid state after Parts A and B have been thoroughly mixed. Because this liquidy substance is poured from a cup into the toy mold, people will often refer to a particular toy or pattern as a "pour". Ex: "Wow, that rainbow pour is incredible!"

Mold: The object that liquid silicone is poured into, which holds it in the appropriate shape until the liquid cures into a solid. May be mentioned because if a specific mold has an inherent flaw, then ALL copies of a toy pulled from this mold will have that same flaw. May also be mentioned because makers have a finite number of each mold on their shelves, and can only pour as many toys as they have molds available.

Mold Release: In order to remove a silicone toy from a silicone mold, the mold must be sprayed with Mold Release, or else the mold and the toy will be permanently fused. When ordering from any shop, it's possible you might receive an item that still has residual mold release on it. This is a major reason why all new toys should be washed before you use them.

Cure: The process by which silicone changes from a liquid to solid state. A toy has to be cured for a certain amount of time before it is solid enough to be removed from its mold.

Cure Inhibition: What happens when the process of curing is interrupted (sometimes permanently) or slowed by something, such as an incompatible material that acts as a contaminant.

3D Print/Printing: Refers to the process by which the original sculpture of a toy is produced by a machine, may be mentioned because the process is imperfect and a final product might show signs of its origins as a machine-created object. This does NOT refer to the products you are purchasing directly; there is no such thing as a 3D printed silicone toy, and no 3D printed object should ever be directly used for sexual purposes. Makers create a mold of a 3D printed object, then pour liquid silicone into the mold in order to create the final product.

Post-Processing: Raw 3D prints usually have imperfections that require sanding and coating to achieve the smooth finish that is desired for the final product. This is what that stage of refinement is called.

Delamination: The separation of silicone from itself; can manifest as "peeling", and usually occurs along obvious, clean lines. This is an error that can occur in highlighted, painted, or split toys (or toys with silicone inclusions) if something goes wrong in production and each part of the pour does not fuse completely. This can be a serious issue, particularly if it occurs along a split. Any toy with delamination at a split point (IE shaft/base), or along the usable surface, should not be used and the vendor should be informed.

 

What is a "Flop"?

[Updated 2/6/2023]

It's a bit of a misnomer, but a "flopped" toy isn't a failure, and it's not rendered nonfunctional by its irregularities. The "flop" label is applied when something unintended occurs and might result in a toy that needs special care, or has characteristics that I feel the customer might want to know about before purchasing.

Since no two flops are exactly alike, there isn't a standard "this flop gets this discount" policy. I determine the discount on a case-by-case basis and apply it directly to the toy's price. Flop discounts are not given after purchase, unless I have determined that there was an additional undisclosed, discount-worthy issue with a toy after it's brought to my attention.

Please note that I do not necessarily discount for the same "issues" that other vendors might. Of particular note is the "beauty mark" or "choppy base"; while some vendors will discount for an aesthetic aberration, I usually don't unless I think there's a good chance that this mark or base cut might directly or indirectly cause damage to the toy. I also don't automatically discount for an air bubble unless it meets certain criteria, but I generally do make note of them anyway.

If you purchase a flopped toy, or one with notes alerting you to an anomaly or a fix that could cause the toy to be classified as a flop later in its lifespan, it may become necessary for you to do small repairs. Please see the FAQ article on repairing damaged items for information on how to fix minor issues — it's a handy skill to have if you're a fan of silicone toys, especially if you have a soft spot for the flopped fellows!

My toy was listed as one firmness, but it feels more like a different firmness. Is this an error?

The firmness in a toy's listing is the shore firmness number given by the silicone manufacturer. If I have a bucket that says 0050, then any toys made with that silicone are designated 0050.

The dimensions of a toy might make it feel subjectively firmer than a differently sized toy. There are numerous other factors that might also affect the firmness and result in a different reading if one were to use a durometer, including but not limited to: altitude, temperature, pigment composition, quantity of pigment, and other manufacturing inconsistencies I cannot control.

While I have rarely mislabeled a toy's firmness (generally I catch this before I ship the toy), the minute firmness differences some people mistake for an error is simply a consequence of environmental conditions and inconsistencies in the supplier's product. If your 0050 toy "feels" a bit firmer than that, you didn't mistakenly get a 10A toy; you have a 0050 toy subject to the usual variations. Consider the listed shore firmness as a guide, not a precise measurement.

What do I do if I think my toy has an undocumented flaw?

Firstly: DO NOT OPEN THE TOY BAG until instructed. Opening the bag means you've accepted the item and there are no exceptions; there is a sticker on the bag specifically instructing customers not to open until a check has been done. In most cases, I can no longer determine the source of an issue once the bag is open, since it has been exposed to conditions within the customer's home and there are too many variables for me to tell what happened.

Secondly: take the clearest possible photos of the bagged item and send them to me. If there is actual damage or a manufacturing defect that is my fault, I will compensate accordingly. If I have not made an error, and if the package didn't arrive damaged (if it IS damaged, see the shipping section of the FAQ for how to file damage claims), no compensation is given.

You may be asked to return the toy for further inspection or destruction, if a potentially dangerous defect is found and the toy needs to be removed from circulation. A full refund for both the item and all shipping charges will be issued once the item is received and the issue confirmed to be a manufacturing defect.

What if the toy's colors aren't what I expected?

The answer depends on the circumstances.

If I actually sent the entirely wrong item:

Do not open the bag, and contact me immediately to let me know about the mix-up. The options I offer you will depend on the status of the item you received, and whether or not I still have the correct one in my possession.

Please, please, PLEASE do not open an item if it's obviously not the correct one! There may be another customer who had their heart set on that item and is also a victim of an accidental switcheroo. If all the items remain sealed, there's a chance that they can be exchanged and go to their proper homes. That's actually happened before, and everyone ended up happily united with their toys! But if one person opens their item despite knowing it's the wrong one, the outcome will not be nearly so ideal.

If I sent the correct item but the colors "look off":

There's no way I can guarantee that a person's perception and my photos will be a 100% match; I take the best photos I can with the equipment and limited experience available to me, but the best pictures in the universe don't help when people's eyes and screens vary so greatly. Photos are provided as a general idea of the item's colors and overall condition, they are NOT a guarantee of absolute accuracy.

Subjective opinions about the item's color are not considered refund or discount-worthy, as the item's color has no effect on its actual function.

Are these issues I found flop or discount-worthy?

Depends on the issue and whether it was documented. You're always welcome to contact me if you think there's something genuinely wrong with the product that might pose a health risk, or cause the toy to sustain damage under circumstances that a "normal" toy would be able to handle. However, many "issues" are not what they may seem, and oftentimes the situation is misdiagnosed unnecessarily, so please remain patient and calm when contacting me.

Large, Tangible Pigment Fleck:

Usually noted in the item description and discounted already. If you think I missed one, contact me before opening the bag. Deep, intangible freckles or silicone fragment inclusions are often not discounted if they are fully encapsulated and unlikely to emerge unless the owner picks/cuts the silicone, or subjects it to unusual amounts of stretching (beyond what the toy experiences during intended usage).

Small Pigment Freckles:

Normal, not discounted if encapsulated and of similar size to "glitter" particles. Often noted if they are very close to the surface and have the potential to come out with minimal disturbance. Not noted if unnoticeable/barely noticeable "at arm's length", with or without a headlamp; see FAQ on this specific subject for more information.

Air Bubble:

Air bubbles under the base not usually discounted unless numerous and severe (rare). If on another part of the base, may be discounted. If on usable/shaft portion, almost always discounted, depending on location and number of them.

Bubbles often get confused with "skin tags". A surface air bubble looks like a tiny ice cream scoop for ants was used on your toy, leaving a smooth concave impression. A bit of flashing that sticks out from the surface usually comes from the mold and can generally be carefully pinched off if it's bothering you (at your own risk; user modifications void any possible discount/refund). Such tags usually don't receive a discount, as they pose no threat to you or your toy.

Fuzz, Silicone Shards, Etc ON Toy:

Common, not discounted. While my toys are bathed and meticulously checked before being bagged, silicone and plastic bags both generate a ton of static and attract every imaginable type of dust, fuzz, and of course, small shards of silicone clippings. Always wash a new toy regardless of an individual maker's cleaning policies, just to make sure it's extra clean!

Something IN Toy:

Rare - if there is something embedded IN the toy, especially if it's tangible and hard, let me know. The object is more likely resting on top of the toy or stuck on it thanks to static (a common offender is little "shards" of silicone clippings that like to hitchhike); if the item is bagged and you can't tell for sure, message me first, and don't unbag it until directed to do so.

Choppy Base Cut:

I don't have the world's most stable hands, so it's not uncommon for the cut of the base to be imperfect (typically it looks fine when the toy is sitting flat on a surface). Normally, I don't discount this unless it's particularly sloppy, in which case it will already be noted in the item listing.

What are these marks/surface inconsistencies on my toy?

While the "master sculpt" for each toy is 3D printed in high definition, 3D printed objects aren't flawless. They still need to be sanded and coated to eliminate support marks, printing striations, and other aberrations. Imperfections can occur at any time between post-processing, molding, and pouring. Every detail, whether intended or not, will be faithfully replicated when a mold is made of the master sculpt, and will be passed on to every toy made with that mold.

Sometimes you'll find small divots, "nicks", tooling or sanding marks, bumps, a slight run or other texture anomaly in the coating, all of which translates in perfect detail to the final silicone piece that's now in your hands. All of these things are a normal part of the process. It's evidence that your toy was handmade with love and care, not produced by a robot.

Please keep in mind that Phoenixflame Creations is not a giant commercial enterprise with expensive factory equipment. It's not even a small, dedicated team of specialists. I'm literally one random artist operating out of her home office. You wouldn't know me from any other person on the street, and I don't have any more superpowers of perfection than the next guy. I don't have endless money or resources either, so I'm certainly not going to cull a toy for having aesthetic attributes that don't affect its primary function or longevity.

So, while I won't promise perfection —something which is not possible for me to do, given that perfection is both subjective and impossible— I will always do my best to ensure that you get a functional work of art that I've put my heart and soul into. 

Will you send me additional pictures of a toy?

No, the pictures on the listing are the only ones that are available. Toys are washed and bagged after their photo session. I will not rip open a bag to take more photos, since I would then need to replace the bag, re-wash, and dry the toy all over again.

What pigments do you use to color your toys?

There are several types of pigments I use to color toys, all of which are non-toxic and come in two forms: powdered pigments (usually mica) and specialized silicone pigments which have a paint-like consistency. Where possible, they are also cosmetic grade, meaning that the raw pigment is safe for contact with the human body even if it is not encapsulated, such as it is in my toys. Certain types of pigment, such as Glow in the Dark, are not specifically cosmetic grade, but they are safe nonetheless and are not radioactive.

I do not use craft glitter in any of my products. Any references to "glitter" are describing a type of larger-particle mica, rather than a plastic or metal flake material.

See the FAQ section on shop terminology for more information on the specific types of pigments you might see in my products.

What do I do if my toy is damaged?

The good news is, you don't need to toss out a beloved toy if it has the "right" kind of damage! In situations where a refund or replacement isn't possible, it pays to know how to repair your toys, especially if it's a collection you take seriously. Anything can happen, even if you're super careful, so a "Dildo First Aid Kit" might be handy to keep around.

Before we get started, some important disclaimers:

The contents of this page are suggestions only, based upon our personal methods and experience. Phoenixflame Creations is not responsible for the results of customer repairs, which may vary. We cannot refund for customer-end modifications, whether intentional or unintentional, nor are we responsible for any medical situations that may arise from attempting to repair a toy, or from using a repaired toy. The customer is responsible for reading all relevant safety sheets on the products suggested in this guide, and is likewise responsible for their own handling of potentially hazardous materials. Phoenixflame Creations does not manufacture these repair products, nor can we give personalized medical and safety advice for their use.

Repairs are considered a viable suggestion per our TOS; if we are unable to issue a replacement or refund, but still believe the item can be safely used, we will refer you to this page for instructions to fix your item instead. This same suggestion may be given on individual toy listings for flops and other such items with notes regarding repairs that have been made, or could potentially be required if a suspected flop issue (IE pigment freckle emergence) manifests for any reason.

With that out of the way, on to the repair guide!

Issues That Cannot/Should Not Be Repaired:

  • Abnormally sticky or molten toys as a result of exposure to incompatible chemicals, such as inappropriate lube, inferior toy materials, improper storage containers, or the wrong types of soaps. Throw these out, as they cannot be saved by any known means, may injure the user, and will likely damage any other toys they come in contact with.
  • Widespread delamination over a large surface of an insertable toy
  • Any toy where the insertable portion has been separated from the base/structure that would ordinarily make it anal-safe. Theoretically, an insertable toy that has been sliced in half MIGHT be "technically" repairable for vaginal use, or just to keep it on display, but absolutely should not be used for anything else, nor should it be sold to another person secondhand.
  • Any other large, especially horizontal, cut to an insertable portion of a toy, that could conceivably rip wider and cause the item to break in half in a way that would result in it being lost in a Bad Place Requiring Medical Intervention.

You Will Need:

  • Sil-Poxy*
  • Isopropyl Alcohol ("IPA"), 90-99% preferable, lower percentages can work in a pinch but are less ideal
  • Lint-free paper towels, or whatever applicator you have that won't shed fibers when you use it to apply IPA to your toy
  • Disposable mixing sticks and/or toothpicks. Can also use plastic spoons or palette knives, as long as it's smooth and has no jagged edges.
  • Ventilated space and/or respirator, if you are sensitive to odors and/or want to be safe as possible. Sil-Poxy has a powerful salt and vinegar chip smell when it's still in "raw" form, and IPA shouldn't be used recklessly, as it's a potent chemical.
  • Gloves (IMPORTANT: this is for your own safety only, if you have sensitive skin. Most types of disposable medical gloves are made of materials that inhibit or degrade silicone, so do not let them touch uncured Sil-Poxy, or it may remain uncured permanently). DO NOT use latex for anything involving silicone, cured or uncured.

*Can be found re-branded with a different name in a smaller, cheaper tube, sold by a certain Very Large Fantasy Toy Company having to do with draconic entities of a naughty persuasion. Legally, I don't think I can name them, but they're the household name in this industry.

Preparing the Item for Repair:

Regardless of the type of damage, first thing you'll want to do is sanitize your item. See our Toy Care Guide for cleaning methods, if you're not already familiar. You'll want to be as thorough as possible, so ideally use the bleach method OR boiling method (never both at once!), and give it a regular wash as well to ensure there is no residue. We're trying to get it as close to "Factory" Clean as possible before we repair.

Once the item is clean and dry, dispense some isopropyl alcohol onto a lint-free (or at least low-lint) cloth, and gently rub it onto the spot you want to fix. If it's a slice or hole, make sure it gets inside, and that it dries completely before moving on to your repair.

Outside of this scenario, we do not suggest cleaning toys with isopropyl alcohol, as IPA is a solvent for silicone in its raw form and may cause damage to your toy if frequently exposed, or submerged for an extended period of time. Its purpose here is to be a degreaser and ensure the best possible bond between the Sil-Poxy and the toy.

Repairing Holes:

In the event of an emerging pigment freckle, silicone fragment, or any similar incident that involves leaving a small open pocket behind, you'll likely want to fill this hole, otherwise it will be difficult to clean completely and may trap bacteria. Air bubbles are usually shallow and clean and wouldn't require a patch, but emerging pigment can be messy and must be cleaned before the toy is used again. Our pigments are non-toxic and shouldn't do harm, but you should still discontinue use until this issue is repaired.

Use the aforementioned cleaning protocol first. If any pigment (liquid OR mica powder) remains, make sure it is completely cleaned out of the pocket and surrounding toy area, using soap/water and IPA as necessary to get rid of it. The liquid pigment can smear surprisingly far even if it's a tiny freckle, so you may be surprised how much (gentle!) scrubbing is required before it finally goes away.

Once the area is clean and completely dry, open your Sil-Poxy and squeeze out a tiny bit (a little more than you think you need to fill the hole) onto a popsicle stick or other smooth, disposable instrument. Carefully push the Sil-Poxy into the hole and level it off with the stick (unofficially, you could probably do this with a finger, but make sure you read the SDS first before deciding to do this).

You'll notice that the Sil-Poxy is very shiny relative to the rest of the toy. To minimize the amount of shininess and excess patching, wipe off your popsicle stick (or use a new one) and gently swipe it over the excess, getting as close as you can to the patched hole while still leaving a little bit on the surrounding area to ensure it's sealed off. I personally will "pat" away excess with a bare finger (wiping off as necessary), but this is a personal risk I take and officially, I do not recommend it for those with sensitive skin, as uncured silicone can be an irritant.

Wait 24-48 hours before using or handling the toy, in order to give the Sil-Poxy ample time to bond.

Repairing Cuts or Slivers:

These are a little trickier to make look good, and depending on the location and severity, it may not be advisable to repair. I do not advise repairing cuts, especially horizontal ones, that occur on the insertable portion of any toy. A horizontal cut may cause a shaft to rip free from the base, causing the toy to become unsafe for anal (or, gods forbid, oral) use.

You will need to use your own judgement in situations like these. As a general rule, if the location and severity of the cut means that part of the toy could completely pop off the rest, do not keep any such toy for oral or anal use.

Good Repair Candidates:

  • The entry/exit holes on penetrable toys, or the penetrable portions of hybrid toys
  • Severed details on any other non-insertable area, such as the spikes on Anathema's base
  • Shallow vertical slices even on the shaft, as long as it isn't at a weak point where it seems it could tear through

Clean your toy as directed earlier in the guide. Dispense a small amount of Sil-Poxy onto a popsicle stick or toothpick. If it is a simple cut, fill the cut completely with the Sil-Poxy and level it off using your tool of choice. "Pat" or wipe the surrounding area with your tool (clean it off first if it has Sil-Poxy still on it) if you wish to blend the patch job a little more smoothly.

For slivers or a severed detail, where none of the original silicone has actually been lost, use your disposable tool of choice to apply Sil-Poxy along the whole surface area of the sliver and the piece it's been separated from. Press the halves together, and use your tool to clean up the excess that comes out. You may wish to let this cure for around 15 minutes, then go back and apply more Sil-Poxy to fill anything that looks like it requires reinforcing.

Do not use or handle your toy for at least 24 hours after a repair, but preferably 48+ hours.

Repairing Minor Delamination:

Delamination is when a portion of the toy (usually a highlight, drip, or handpainted area) starts to peel away from the rest of the toy. This is a risk of all drip/highlight/painted techniques, since the tiniest amount of mold release may cause just enough interference to create a small bit of delamination. If it is just a single spot, it's quite fixable, but if the whole toy is peeling, discontinue use and report to us.

Extensive delamination, especially occurring in less than a year of owning a toy, should be reported to us as soon as the customer becomes aware of the problem. However, for minor delamination, especially on a non-insertable toy or non-insertable portion of a toy, it's an easy fix and is the suggested treatment for all handpainted toys that could potentially develop this issue.

Clean toy as instructed above. Dispense small amount of Sil-Poxy onto your disposable tool of choice, and smear thinly over the delaminated area. Cover only as much as is needed to seal the peeling edge, and then go slightly beyond that to ensure that it is secure. "Pat" or wipe the area as necessary to make the transition from patched area to the rest of the toy a bit neater. Repeat the application process after about 15 minutes if you find that your first layer needs reinforcement or more smoothing.

Do not use or handle your toy for at least 24 hours after a repair, but preferably 48+ hours.

Final Notes:

Sil-Poxy is pricey for the tiny amount you get, but you can keep a tube for much longer if you're careful with how you store it. Before screwing the lid back on, squeeze until there is a tiny bead emerging, and THEN screw the lid on tightly, making sure there is no residue on the threads that might interfere with the seal.

The reason for squeezing that little bit out before sealing is so that air doesn't get inside the tube. The bit you squeezed to the top may cure, but the next time you need to use your Sil-Poxy, you should be able to pick that little bit of cured rubber off and the rest of the contents should be ready to use.

In the event that a good portion of your tube gets sealed off and won't dispense, you can still use whatever's left inside as long as the tube is still soft and squishy, indicating the rest of the contents are still fine. Just use a toothpick or similar item to puncture a small hole in the squishy area of the tube and the stuff will come out. Of course, this is sort of a "Hail Mary" option. You might get away with this a couple times, but eventually the contents will receive enough oxygen that the whole tube will cure inside, at which point you can discard it.

What is a thermochromic toy and how does its care differ from normal toys?

Thermochromic toys have pigments that change their color depending on their temperature, meaning that you can observe such a toy beginning to change color simply from holding (or using) it. It's a neat effect, but it has special care requirements if you want to enjoy this color change for as long as possible.

  • Do not use the boiling method to sanitize a toy with any thermochromic pigment in it. Use warm water and soap for regular care, and the bleach method for deeper cleaning if necessary.
  • Do not leave exposed to UV light; keep them out of window sills, and maybe don't include them in lit displays, just in case.
  • Do not leave/store toy in an area where it is at its "hot" activation temperature (somewhere around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for most of these pigments). Somewhere between 70 and 75F is preferable.

Any of the above conditions can prematurely cause the toy to "lock" into one color and stop changing back. This doesn't void any warranties or affect the usage of the toy whatsoever, as the toy's primary function hasn't been compromised. Even with perfect care, it is possible that thermochromic pigments have a limited life span, so please keep that in mind when purchasing a toy that uses them.

What is a pigment freckle/beauty mark? Does the one on my toy warrant concern?

I use the words "pigment freckle" or "beauty mark" somewhat interchangeably to refer to any visible fleck of pigment that stands out on the toy. They usually come in two basic flavors:

Tangible: An easily-feelable cluster of pigment that is either sticking out of the surface, or is so close that you do not need to press hard to feel it. This is almost always a flop and will be either be listed as such, or I will nick it out of the toy and patch it if need be, before listing it as a flop.

Intangible: A fleck that can be seen, but not felt. This is the vast majority, and usually it does not warrant concern. I may or may not mention these in the listing; when they're particularly obvious/in a spot where I think someone might be inclined to ask about them, I may take an extra photo showing the spot in question just to be extra safe.

If you receive a toy with an "undocumented" freckle, and it isn't tangible, this is normal and does not warrant safety concerns. My general rule of thumb is: if I can't feel it, and if I can't see it (or can barely see it) when the toy is held at arm's length, even with my head lamp on, then it does not require disclosure.

Under no circumstances should you pick or scrape at freckles "just to check" unless otherwise directed; in doing so, you can relatively easily create a breach in the silicone that would not otherwise occur under intended use situations. Refunds cannot be given in this scenario, as the item has been damaged by the customer.

Anything that doesn't easily come off with a nice warm, soapy bath is highly unlikely to be dislodged in use and will be fine if left alone. The fleck you're seeing is generally just a larger-than-average bit of mica, and it can be in a different color than you expect; you might be surprised that your pastel blue toy has a random dark blue or silvery dot, but this is actually normal and expected. Pastel colors are a blend of white pigment with a darker pigment, and since mica particles vary in size, sometimes you'll get one that stands out simply because it's a couple microns bigger than its neighbors.

"But what if a fleck DOES come out? What then?"

If you accidentally picked it open, or if it turned out to be closer to the surface than originally thought, a single emerging pigment freckle isn't the end of your toy. This is an easy fix — check out this page of the FAQ to learn how to repair a toy.

Depending on the location, you could choose to carefully excise the spot instead, but this is going to be a pretty unsightly fix compared to a simple fill with Sil-Poxy.

In most cases, a refund can't be offered for this type of damage; it's all but impossible for me to tell whether the freckle emerged under intended usage, or if it was "helped along" by someone trying to vigorously rub it off the toy.

"Is there any color that's guaranteed not to have freckles?"

Nope. It can happen with liquid pigments too, not just mica. I currently filter every pigment I use, which means that they must be extremely fine to pass the filter. Just because a fleck is visible, does not mean it's too big, or even that it's necessarily bigger than its neighbors!

Mica pigment is like superfine sand, so if you're looking close enough, you'll often see the particles. This is especially true if there's high contrast between the toy's composite colors, or if a single invading particle just so happens to be much bolder/more contrasting than everything else (which is why you might hone in on a single tiny black dot on an otherwise pastel toy).

There's no way to completely eradicate this phenomenon, so I will not pretend that I can, nor do I offer refunds if your toy has a couple spots less than the size of a grain of sand here and there. This is considered a minor aesthetic anomaly, not a safety concern.

Misc

What's this random Desk Guardian I received? It's not on the Guardian listing.

You might have received Soba the Familiar! For more information on this rare, special gift, check out the Soba Project page.

If it isn't Soba, it could be something entirely new, or something that has been retired. I'm known to occasionally put random gifts into packages, when I have items sitting around that didn't quite make the quality cut to be sold, but could still brighten someone's day.

Why haven't you responded to my e-mail or social media posts?

There's a few possible reasons I might not respond to a message.

  • It's the weekend, a major holiday, or after 5 PM EST, and I might not be "in the office". I try, but often fail, to separate work and personal life.
  • Your question is already answered in this FAQ, listing details, model catalog, or the Terms of Service
  • You're inquiring about learning how to make toys; I can't advise on this.
  • Your message is unrelated to the business/is not an order inquiry
  • You sent me unsolicited nudes, in-use pictures, or other inappropriate and irrelevant messages
  • Your e-mail got caught in a spam filter. If none of the above applies to your message, it might just be this issue, so try again!

Although I do love to receive random compliments on my work, and am flattered that some people just want to talk to me for fun, my work e-mail and social media account are for business only, so I may decline to engage in friendly conversations. After all, I'm not working when I'm talking, and most people would be happiest if I keep working!

While I may occasionally comment on the work of my fellow Donglords, or on an issue particular to our community, I have a zero tolerancy policy for being dragged into unrelated discourse or drama. If necessary, individuals clogging my feed or bombarding my DMs with dramatic messages (and/or demands for me to comment on an issue) will be blocked.

 

You blocked me on Twitter, am I banned from your shop?

[Updated 2/6/2023]

Yes. About 99% of the time, a Twitter block is equal to a shop ban. If I haven't enforced the ban and a blocked user has been able to buy items from me, this is only because I haven't been able to confirm a link between the offending Twitter account and a real person. That, or they are evading detection through various means.

I only use the Block function on people I want nothing to do with, and usually for hostile and/or illegal behavior, whether it is against myself, other makers, or community members. It isn't easy to accidentally block a person, but you may contact me via e-mail to confirm if you want to be certain that the Twitter block was not in error.

Just be aware that if I have actually banned you, I may decline to comment further and will only confirm the ban, nothing more. The types of people that I am forced to ban are not the sort that are likely to accept an explanation or alter their behavior, and therefore, I will not engage them in conversation/debate.

 

 

Will you buy my toy design? If so, what do I get?

[Updated 2/7/2023]

I might! However, please do not be discouraged if I'm not interested in your design. It's not personal, I'm just very particular about what I add to my lineup. The design might be completely sound and beautiful, but simply not be my preferred aesthetic.

It's also possible that I may love a concept but want to alter it to fit a specific character I have in mind. I'm known to pick up promising projects and make sweeping changes if necessary, so if that doesn't sit well with you, you will probably want to work with a different company who wants the design as-is.

These are the requirements if I'm going to buy a design:

  • You must be the original creator, or be able to put me in contact with the original creator, and both of you must sign contracts when transferring the rights to me
  • I won't engage in a bidding war with other makers, nor will I try to haggle with you, so if you are offering a design to me, I will want to see your full, fixed price up front. I will either accept or decline outright, you won't be harassed to lower your price.
  • No restrictions on edits (by me) to the design. I need to have the ability to edit it freely, otherwise it's a lease, not a sale.
  • I must have sole, permanent ownership. The design cannot be given to any other entities, private or public, either before OR after you sell it to me. I will only buy a "secondhand" design if the previous sole producer is permanently giving up rights to it, has ceased production, and will sign the contract.
  • The design cannot be overtly feral (meaning, no real-world animals). It can be non-anthropomorphic, but must be a clearly fantasy creature.
  • You are willing to forfeit all media related to the design (such as associated character art, which may be of an original species you created). Don't offer something from an original species if you intend to retain rights TO that species.
  • It cannot be explicitly based on/"inspired by" the intellectual property of any other type of creator, whether they're a maker or not. Even an "open species" in the furry fandom is not permitted. This is especially true of other properties belonging to notoriously litigious megacorporations. There's some wiggle room with regards to "parody" and the like, but this will be a case-by-case situation.

 

If all of those requirements are met, here's what I typically offer in exchange for a design:

  • Your full asking price, upfront. I don't do royalties, so make sure you've set the price you want and don't lowball yourself!
  • At least one custom cast of the final design. The custom design must fall within the realm of things I regularly produce; I will not be opening infinite options, especially not for techniques or materials I don't utilize often (EG Glow in the Dark or complex painted details). You can show me a concept and I'll tell you what methods I can use to get as close as possible, but please prepare to be flexible about altering your concept.
  • An equivalent amount of "Store Credit" so you can choose from any other toy design I offer, if you wish to opt out of a custom toy of your design for whatever reason. Some folks can't or don't want to use their own designs, or might not like my alterations, so this way you can pick an alternative.
  • Any merch featuring this character, within approximately a year of the design being released. Guardians, stickers, Dicklets, etc. Not guaranteed unless stated by our contract, but I like to make "Gift Packs" of stuff like this and will often do it for fun even years after I buy a design, as long as I still have contact with the artist.

 

Anything offered above may be rendered void if I am unable to contact you for any reason.

Please also be aware that when it comes to custom casts of your design, I will not be creating the toy's size lineup according to your size preferences; you will be asked to choose from the available sizes at launch. If none of the sizes appeal, you will be offered "Store Credit" instead so you can choose a different toy to customize, from whatever selection is available at that time, if desired.

Do you have animals/are there other allergens in your shop that I should know about?

Considering the workshop is located on a farm and we have a ton of different animals, yes, you should be aware that allergens (and sometimes very tiny critters like gnats) can and do make their way into the shop. No animals are permitted in the workspace, but that doesn't stop dust, dander, and other fluff from drifting in.

I wear a designated set of work clothes when pouring or cleaning toys that reduces the likelihood of transferring allergens, but it's by no means perfect. This is NOT a sterile environment, it's a home office probably similar to any other person's. I don't have industrial cleaning equipment, sealed rooms, or specialized hazmat clothing.

I (and by extension, Phoenixflame Creations, LLC) am not responsible for any medical issues or emergencies that may arise from the purchase and use of my products. I strive to keep my work surfaces clean, but this is not a medical facility, nor are these medical devices. I'm not a qualified physician, cannot instruct the customer on safety precautions, and cannot advise them on whether or not to purchase. It is up to the individual to assess their own level of risk and purchase accordingly.

Animals aside, there are a number of chemicals and other production supplies that could conceivably be allergens (as well as variables within the pigments used to color toys), though it's unlikely they'll be directly present in any quantity worthy of note. I use dish soap to give the toys their initial cleaning, but it's by no means a deep sanitation process, and you should wash/sanitize the toy to the degree you are most comfortable with, before you use the toy.

How many people are running this business?

Just one. So if I ever say "we" or "our", it's kinda like the "Royal We"! I, Sarah, am responsible for all customer service, printing, molding, pouring, trimming — so on and so forth. I have exactly zero helpers. Whenever I restrict options, stock quantity, etc., it's for a very good reason: I have to make sure that whatever I offer to customers, I must be able to complete by myself within a reasonable time frame.

You've used the phrase "intended usage" a few times. Just to be clear, what is intended usage?

Before I answer that, please bear in mind that for legal reasons, my toys are considered novelty items only. They are not medical devices, and are not intended to treat medical conditions. I am not responsible for mishandling by the customer, nor am I responsible for any medical bills or injury that may arise from usage of my toys. I am also not qualified to give medical advice, so if you have any problems, please seek professional assistance.

With that out of the way, "intended usage" more or less means, "If you wouldn't do it to actual genitals, don't do it to your toys." So don't dig your nails into them or pluck at the silicone, don't chew on them, don't grab and pull them like a Stretch Armstrong or try to compress them into weird shapes. Don't crush them under heavy objects, either.

(If there's someone who's into that stuff, then apply these guidelines to the average person who does not want these things to be done to their genitals.)

My toys can take (and give) quite a pounding, but the material is resilient, not invincible. Surprisingly minor things can damage silicone, especially SuperSoft, which can tear if you pull at a stress point that wouldn't ordinarily be affected if you were using it "as intended" in your toothless sexual orifice of choice. If you want your toys to last as long as possible, be gentle with them.

Do your toys have a warranty?

In short, no. The nature of these items and the conditions to which they are exposed are too variable for me to offer a warranty. Penetrables in particular are subject to rips, purely due to the softness of the silicone and the type of strain applied to them. In general, I cannot offer any sort of refund or replacement for toys that become damaged, as it's all but impossible for me to tell whether the damage came from a manufacturing flaw, user maintenance (or lack thereof), or from something in the toy's environment.

However, there are some rare cases where I may be able to determine that the toy likely has a manufacturing defect, and in such cases, I may offer a replacement at my sole discretion. Replacements will NOT be custom toys (they will be treated as "Artisan's Choice"), and will most likely not resemble the original color scheme closely, if at all. If a model is no longer in production or its size has been altered since the original purchase, the nearest equivalent product will be offered in its place, or the customer will be allowed to choose a product of equal or approximate value.

What does your workflow look like?

It's honestly kind of chaotic and changes from week to week depending on what's going on at the time. Sometimes a bunch of molds will start churning out flawed product and I'll have to alter my workflow for a while to divert my time and effort into a different task. Generally, though, the production process looks a little like this:

  1. Clear table of last round's shipping materials and prepare space for Production. Pour a batch of product (however many I have molds available for, or whatever I want to be in that one specific batch), wait for cure.
  2. Pull products from molds and perform Quality Check #1. This is a cursory check for the big obvious issues. The toy receives its trim job if it passes QC1 and goes into the bin for safe storage.
  3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until all silicone on hand is used up.
  4. Put away molds and production supplies. Lay out all toys in preparation for photo shoot. Perform Quality Check #2, looking for less-obvious flops, and note anything that needs a Phlop Flop Photo.
  5. Set up photo booth and take all photographs at once.
  6. Wash all the toys, perform Quality Check #3 while setting them out to dry, to make sure that any debris acquired from being in the photo booth is in fact NOT part of the toy. Take additional photos if passable flops are found, discard toy if Critical flops are found.
  7. Begin editing all photos while toys dry off. Write some listings if time permits.
  8. Immediately bag and seal toys as soon as they're dry, so there's less chance for fuzz to work its way into the package. Perform Final Quality Check as toy is being bagged, and ensure that nothing unwanted snuck in with the toy.
  9. Finish writing listings. Once that's done, the drop can be posted as soon as possible afterward.
  10. Store all bagged items and reclaim table space for shipping materials.

As you can see, I don't even have the counterspace prepared for a photo session until the middle of the process, which is a big part of why I don't usually offer preview photos (as explained earlier in the FAQ). And because there are at least four major quality checks, there are several opportunities for a toy to be removed from the sale pile, so I cannot definitively answer questions like, "How many of X Model are in the drop?" until I've actually finished ALL inspections.

By that point, I'm in the middle of writing the listings, and I don't usually allot much time (generally only a matter of hours) between "writing listings" and "posting the drop", which is why I will decline to sit on social media answering questions about the drop contents.

Why did I get a shop ban?

Firstly, I want to reassure everyone that bans are extremely rare. As in, there are fewer than five actively-enforced bans as of the time I'm writing this (2/6/2023). My business has existed since 2016.

If you got banned, it wasn't because I was feeling a little irritable. You earned it. The following lists are not comprehensive, but should give you an idea of what I do (and don't) consider ban-worthy.

If you believe I have made an error, you may e-mail me for confirmation through the Contact page (do not ask me on my social media posts, this is not an appropriate place to contest a ban), but please be aware that I am unlikely to explain ban reasons in detail. As a business, everything I say can and will be used for drama by the types of folks I'm likely to ban, and I'm well aware of that.

Some Reasons I May Ban:

  • Customer went nuclear on social media rather than work out an issue with me (or another maker) in private.
  • Spreading misinformation and/or libelous accusations regarding my business, or that of another person I trust.
  • Person is publicly engaged in illegal and/or deeply immoral activities. Zoophiles, pedophiles, groups advocating for violence/hatred and the like are unwelcome here.
  • Attempts to drag me into political/social commentary, or general drama. "Sir, this is a Dildo Depot."
  • A case or question has been resolved, but the person keeps pressing for a different resolution, particularly one that goes against policy. This is considered harassment; any repeated, unsolicited contact that is hostile or inappropriate can get you banned.
  • Someone is stealing designs from myself or other makers, or has extremely questionable ethics and practices.
  • An individual or a mob of people is attempting to pressure me into something, and/or is being hostile. There is no case in which you should be hostile with me, even if you disagree with my policies or don't find a solution to be "perfect".
  • You are a minor. If this is applicable, you shouldn't even be on this page. Stop putting adults (and yourself) at risk by invading our spaces. And no, bans on minors will not be lifted when they are of legal age. If you don't respect the rules now and are willing to put others at risk for your own satisfaction, I don't expect you will have any more respect later.
  • If you'll excuse my language, "s#%^-stirring". I can tell when someone is "just asking questions" with the intent to start drama. If I decline to answer these bait questions and you start making accusations about me, a person you do not actually know, then refer to previous entry about "general drama". Expect legal action as well as a ban if you sling libel.
  • Someone's sending me creepy messages, nudes, unsolicited business offers, requests for free product etc.
  • Chargebacks. These are a last resort, to be used ONLY against a true scammer. Against anyone else, it's theft, and can do major damage to a business.
  • Customer does not abide by the TOS and/or repeatedly submits complaints for issues that fall under the category of Unreasonable Expectations for a Handmade Product.
  • Someone is buying my toys for the explicit purpose of resale, copying, and/or "scalping".
  • Exploitative customer behavior, such as conjuring "problems" with toys in hopes of receiving freebies or unwarranted refunds.

 

Things I Do Not Ban For:

  • Being moderately annoyed. Or even considerably annoyed.
  • My feelings being hurt. Yes, of course it would hurt if you said a pour or design of mine is ugly. But that's an opinion and isn't libelous —whereas making claims about something being unsafe, malicious, etc can be, if it is not provably and objectively true— so it's not inherently ban-worthy unless you are bombarding my feed or e-mail with hurtful statements just to be a bully.
  • Someone having opinions, tastes, or political positions I don't like. As long as it isn't illegal, calling for violence, or libelous, I don't care about your personal opinions as long as they stay on your own page and aren't slathered on my media posts.
  • Hearsay ("So-and-So Told You to Ban Me/Lied About Me!"). I issue bans at my own discretion, based on evidence I have collected personally. Nobody orders me around or convinces me to ban people.
  • Fair criticism of my practices/work. This is a slippery slope, though. It's easy for "criticism" to become an attack that can do damage to a business' reputation—whether mine or someone else's—and if this line is crossed, it can become ban-worthy. Don't hide behind "it's just criticism!" if you get called out for wild speculation that can hurt any business.

Will you teach me how to make toys/how to replicate one of your techniques?

I don't like to discourage the pursuit of knowledge, nor do I like to come off as abrasive or gatekeeping, but there are many reasons I cannot do this, and the main one is that I don't have the time.

The other is that typically, the people asking have minimal or no relationship with myself, and asking someone for this type of information, apropos of nothing, is like marching up to the local Mom and Pop restaurant to demand their secret family recipe. It shouldn't be surprising if most makers share my feelings, and for that reason, I do not recommend asking strangers to divulge information at no benefit to themselves. It's an unusually friendly community, but that doesn't mean anyone is obligated to help a would-be competitor.

The resources are out there already; plenty of makers have put enough information out publicly that you should not need to risk anyone's ire by soliciting information they might not be comfortable giving.

You can learn practically everything you need to know from the same place you'll be buying your silicone (don't be afraid to ask their customer service, they're familiar with this industry and can suggest materials that work for your situation). Conveniently, they also have everything you would need to begin molding and casting, including pigments designed specifically for silicone.