FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

how do I order?Order on our secure encrypted site using your Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards, or pay with Paypal- which can accept American Express as well.

do you charge sales tax? Sales tax is only charged for orders shipped within Washington State: 9.5% as required by applicable laws.

how quickly will my order ship? Usually, your order will ship within 1 business day via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. You will be sent a tracking number in a seperate email from USPS after your order has shipped. Shipping is FREE to anywhere in the United States.

do you accept international orders? Yes! All prices are in US Dollars and will be calculated according to the current exchange rate in accordance to your credit card. USPS Priority International shipping is $15. Import duties, VAT, and customs fees are the responsibility of the customer.

how will my order be packaged? Your bag will be wrapped in tissue and shipped in an eco-friendly box that has been certified by Cradle to Cradle.

can I ship a bag as a gift? Yes! During checkout, use the gift recipient's address as the shipping address. I'll wrap it in pretty tissue and include a gift reciept and a message of your choice. Just let us know!

Can I purchase a gift certificate? Yes! Gift Certificates are purchased just like any other item in our store. Once purchased the value of the Gift Certificate will be added to your own personal Gift Certificate Account. You may then send the gift certificate via email to the recipient. Just let us know. More info on how gift certificates can be found here.

what if a bag says 'sold out'? All of my designs are subject to availability; and although some styles are part of my permanent collection, I also enjoy making many limited-edition designs. This allows me to limit the quantity of products offered; and it makes sure that your bag is unique to you. If you see something you simply cannot live without, please email me and I'll see what I can do for you!

do you accept custom orders? Yes, I am happy to offer customization: use your special fabric, extra pockets, longer straps, wipe-clean baby bag linings and laptop sleeves - you name it! (Allow up to 2 weeks for customization.) Just get in touch! (You can see examples of custom bags on my blog.

what is your return and exchange policy?
Exchanges are happily accepted within 14 days of receipt. Please contact us for return authorization. Returned bags must have been purchased directly from Crystalyn Kae accessories (see below) and be returned in original packaging, with tags still attached, in unused condition. Return shipping to Crystalyn Kae is the responsibility of the customer. If your return is accepted, you will be issued a store credit, or a trade value towards a new bag, less shipping & handling charges. We reserve the right to refuse a return for any reason.

Since Crystalyn Kae bags can be purchased in retail locations nationwide and online, all items must be returned to the retailer or website from which the product was originally purchased. Upon receipt of the item, a refund or exchange will be given, depending on the individual retailer's policy. Sorry, we cannot accept returns from other retailers.

are your bags made in the USA?
Yes! Every single one is created from start to finish, right here in Seattle, Washington. I wouldn't have it any other way.

are your bags eco-friendly, locally produced or sustainable?
It is my goal to make beautiful, well-crafted handbags, totes and clutches that will last for years. All of my designs are sustainably created right here in Seattle USA, to keep the quality high and our carbon footprint low. I feel that it is important to seek out the best materials available with the least impact on the earth, whenever possible. I use an ever-improving alchemy of washable synthetic fabrics, USA manufactured textiles and eco-friendly components in each bag I make, with emphasis on vintage fabrics, cradle to cradle textiles, reclaimed leather or vegetable-tanned leather.

are all of your bags vegan?
No, a few bags on my site are crafted of new, vegetable-tanned or recycled leather.

If you prefer to purchase only animal-free handbags, we offer this dedicated section of the site, or look for this vegan handbag icon in any item's description.

what is glazed fabric?
Many of the bags on my site are crafted of glazed fabric, which is created by coating upholstery-grade fabric with a colored glaze. Just before it cures, the surface is embossed with a patterned roller. Glazed fabric is water-resistant and incredibly easy to care for, and contains no animal hide - making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Our bags are lead-free.

how do I care for my glazed fabric bag?
Since day-to-day life is messy, it's okay to give your bag a bath every now and then. You can wash your bag in the washing machine on gentle cycle, tied inside a pillow case. Hang it to dry. (Please do not put your bag in the dryer or use dry-cleaning.) For less dirty bags, you can spot clean with any household multi-purpose cleaner. Use shoe polish to freshen the sheen on your bag, and any scuff marks can often be removed by applying a bit of rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab.



I had an ink pen explode inside my purse, how do I remove ink stains from the lining of my bag?
I have had some success using Folex - which you can find at most grocery store & drug store cleaning supply aisles. Intended for carpets, it is non-toxic and it is the most effective product I've found that can removing ink from the ultrasuede linings. Just follow the directions on the bottle. (Spray and blot.) Then when you've gotten as much ink out as you can, throw the bag in the washing machine (directions above) to get the remaining cleaner out. Hang dry.


are your bags sturdy?
Absolutely! I design bags for beauty and functionality, using an industrial sewing machines. Zipper seams are triple-reinforced, and the entire bag is sewn with 45 lb. strength thread. My bags are so sturdy you can throw them in the washing machine! (directions above)

do you offer a guarantee?

Yes, Crystalyn Kae guarantees workmanship for the life of the bag, and in the rare case that something goes wrong, we will repair your bag for free, within the first year. We are always happy to replace/repair hardware for the life of your bag. After one year from purchase, repairs due to normal wear and tear, overstuffing, etc will be charged a small price, usually $35 - 50.

The fine print:Crystalyn Kae does not accept responsibility for goods that have been damaged or mishandled during shipment. No returns for repair will be accepted without pre-authorization. All shipping charges related to the repairs will be the responsibility of the customer. Guarantee does not include cases of normal wear and tear, abuse or misuse - accidental or otherwise - natural disasters, excessive sun exposure or extreme heat, improper handling, storage, nor alterations, modifications or repairs by customer or third parties. We cannot be held responsible for personal property damage or injury as a result of use of our products.

which handbags can be used as a baby bag?
I offer 3 styles of bags that work great as a baby bag: the Charleston Large Topstitched Hobo, the Troubadour Tote and the Soirée Drawstring. I can even add additional pockets for bottles, wipes, etc. for an additional charge. Please contact me for a price quote.

which handbag can be used as a laptop bag?
The bag that will perfectly fit a laptop and paperwork is the Métier Square Tote. I would also recommend the Soirée Drawstring and the Troubadour Tote, as they feature foam-padded bottoms.

do you offer wholesale pricing to established boutiques and retailers?
Yes, we offer our bags to select stores, and we'd love to hear from you! Please send us an email with your reseller ID #, boutique name, website address, store address, and phone number using this contact form, and we will respond within 1 business day.

If you have any questions regarding our ordering or shipping policies, please call 206.285.9377 (weekdays only) or contact us via this form.