If you need to edit or cancel your order before it has shipped, send me an email at shoppicnicpalace@gmail.com or use the contact form. I'll get that sorted for you right away!

Once your order is delivered, you have a 30 day window in which you can return it for a full refund.

Additionally, if you need your item repared or resized, I've got your back. Just shoot me an email, and I'll fix it up for you, free of charge (you just pay for shipping).

And hey, accidents happen. I hope you love your Picnic Palace purchase so much that you want to wear it every day (and night) and never take it off! So I won't judge if you got too rowdy at your last picnic and your crown ended up in the punch bowl. I'm here to help you get your crown (or other accessory) back in tip-top shape, so don't hesitate to reach out.

I try my best to use entirely recycled, repurposed, or vintage materials when I make my costumes. I've ransacked my family members' fabric stashes, cut up clothes I no longer wear, and reclaimed bed sheets and tablecloths that, apart from a few small stains that made them unusable in the home, were still perfectly good textiles.

I also love to look through my local thrift stores for material. After I've washed, folded, and stored away my findings from the linens section, you would never be able to tell they weren't bundles of brand new fabric.

Because they come from so far and wide, I don't always know the exact fibre content of the textiles I use. I tend to be drawn towards natural materials like cotton, silk, linen, and wool, but I don't turn my nose up at a beautiful vintage polyester. After all, the biggest harm with using synthetic fabrics is the risk of shedding microplastics into the water supply while they're being washed, and my crowns aren't exactly going through a spin cycle.

That being said, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to a particular fabric, send me an email or a message on Instagram, and I'll do my best to let you know which pieces are safe for you!

Clowns and court jesters have long held a fascination for queer people. Perhaps it's the way they have a special pass to play with gender and bend the rules of social norms. Or maybe it's the way they use humor and spectacle to subvert expectations and challenge the status quo. Whatever the reason, it's clear that the clown aesthetic has a powerful pull for many queer individuals.

But among the rest of society, clowns have a bit of an image problem. Thanks to horror movies and creepy clown sightings, a lot of people view clowns with a sense of suspicion and fear. It's not hard to see how this same revulsion mirrors the vitriol directed towards trans people, whose existence challenges traditional notions of gender and identity. Now that's not to say that if Pennywise scares you, you're an enemy to queer people, but... he was kind of serving in those shorts.

By reclaiming the clown aesthetic, queer and trans people are able to take back some power and agency in a world that can often be hostile and unwelcoming. The bright colors, wild patterns, and exaggerated features of clowns and court jesters allow you to embrace your own unique identities and express yourself in ways that are bold, brave, and unapologetic.

This is a theme that can be seen in the art of drag as well. Drag performers use over-the-top makeup, hair, and costumes to create a persona that's larger than life. In doing so, they're able to explore different facets of their own identities and push back against the limitations that society places on them. There's a certain power that comes with putting on a costume. It's not that you're hiding yourself, it's more like you're becoming a more real version of yourself, just for that one night.

So while some may view clowns and court jesters as retro entertainment for kids or even as something to be feared, for many queer and trans people, they represent a way to celebrate your differences and find empowerment in the face of adversity. As the community continues to fight for their rights and their place in society, it's important to remember the power of humor and spectacle to create change and inspire hope. After all, sometimes the best way to challenge the system is by simply refusing to take it seriously.

What, alliteration isn't enough to make a brand name anymore?

My exact reasoning for choosing it is lost to the haze of early pandemic brain. I like that it represents high and low culture. I like that it nods to royalty. And mostly, I think it sounds super cute :)

Sometimes! I know that some of you have very specific visions, and I love collaborating with you to come up with custom designs. The best ways to make sure you know when there's an upcoming commission slot available are to follow me on Instagram (@picnicpalace) and subscribe to my email newsletter (there's a form at the bottom of this page). Keep in mind that custom orders are a bit more expensive than my usual ready-made items to account for the time spent in the sketch phase. We'll take our time going back and forth, conceptualizing your idea until we land on the perfect design!

Sure! If you do, please tag me on Instagram or email me a picture, so I can see what you made! All I ask is that you not sell your creations, but making them for gifts and personal projects is more than okay.