I’m a beginner - where do I start?
The best place to start is by watching our beginners guide to dot mandala painting video - demonstrating the basics of this beautiful art. It’s really not too difficult when you know how.
Where else can I buy your products?
Happy Dotting Company has stores on both Amazon and Etsy.
Amazon USA https://www.amazon.com/happydottingcompany
How do I make the stones or other items from molds?
Please see our video demonstrating the process and how fun and easy it is!
What casting powder do I use in the molds?
What casting powder you use depends on where you live and what you have available. We don’t sell casting powders - they are best bought locally because they’re heavy and not economical to post.
Many casting plasters work well. I like using Ultracal 30 (highest strength gypsum powder - it is harder, heavier and better for painting than most other casting powders) - available online or in casting/modelling supply shops in most parts of the world. See mix guide available to download on this page. Unfortunately, in some places it can be hard to get or expensive. See alternatives below -
In USA / Canada alternatives include Perfect Cast, Rapid Set Mortar mix from Home Depot, Dental Stone powder, Hydrocal powders.
In the UK - Crystacal R or Herculite 2 casting plaster.
In Australia and NZ - Gyprock Casting Plaster from Bunnings. See mix guide available to download on this page.
To see casting process - see our video page or visit our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/c/happydottingcompany
For best results, please follow the mixing ratios suggested on the powder that you use.
What sizes are the art stones when out of their mold and what mixing quantities do I use for each?
Please see the PDF download available in our resources section on this site.
What paint do you recommend?
In a nutshell - we recommend Fluid Acrylics. A consistency like unwhipped cream is ideal. E.g. Decoart Americana range, Jo Sonja Matte Fluid Acrylics, Golden Fluid Acrylics. Thicker paints can be thinned with a little water or paint mediums. See our video on paints for Dotting.
Is it ok to sell blank art stones and tea light holders from Happy Dotting Company molds?
If you use Happy Dotting Company molds to make blank art stones to sell to others - we ask that you acknowledge our design by letting the recipients know that they were made with Happy Dotting Company molds.
We love that artists sell completed fully painted art stones - and we support this by promoting artists on our Instagram and FB page so please tag us.
Do you sell pre-made blank art stones and tea light holders?
Our molds are not designed to produce commercial quantities of art stones - so we don’t normally sell ready-made stones. The castings are heavy and often expensive to post. It’s fun and economical for you to make them yourself from our molds. Please see our youtube clip demonstrating how.
Do you sell wholesale or bulk discount supplies?
Yes we do, although we have minimum order quantities. Please get in contact with details of your business including location and products you’re interested in.
How long before my order arrives in the USA?
We have a dispatch point in Ohio, so usually orders take less than a week to arrive. That said, some items in our shop are only available to send from our Australian HQ so orders can take up to two weeks to arrive via USPS - always tracked, always guaranteed. Please contact us if this is a concern.
How long before my order arrives in Australia?
Our HQ is in Brisbane, Australia. Orders usually take less than a week to arrive. Express post is an option.
How long before my order arrives? To Canada, UK, Europe and other Countries. (USA and Australia see above)
Parcels usually arrive within 2 weeks while in some parts of Europe or South Africa it may take up to 4 weeks. All the parcels we send include tracking. Delivery is guaranteed (conditions apply).
If in Australia where can more DecoArt Americana range colours be sourced?
Trish at www.wildwoodartsupplies.au has the full range of DecoArt American paints.
What do I do if my order hasn’t arrived?
1. Firstly track your parcel via your national postal service website using the tracking number issued when your order was dispatched. E.g. if you are in Canada track at Canada Post website. If you are in USA track at USPS website.
We send all parcels with Australia post (except USA buyers), and they in turn use the national postal service of the country where delivering, therefore enter the same tracking number into your national postage service website for further information. Sometimes it can be sitting at the post office waiting for collection! If no luck please continue-
2. Establish that there’s been a reasonable amount of time since dispatching - shipping times can vary depending on where the parcel is being delivered and peak postal periods. It can take one week before a parcel is trackable.
3. It is important to check if the correct address (including any apartment number etc) was given when placing the order. If the wrong address was given and the item has been dispatched then sadly there is nothing we can do – we will contact you when the item is returned to us.
4. If you’ve gone through the above process with no luck then please contact us so we can help.