FAQ

Have a question, or want to know what to expect? We have answered the most common questions below. If you didn't find what you were looking for, feel free to use the form at the bottom of this page to reach out.

How to Order

The Bamboo Closet functions by hosting small batch, inventory releases called “Shop Updates” or “Drops”. I announce a specific date and time for releases/shop updates on Instagram, Email List, and Silk Sneak Peek channel chat. Most products tend to sell out quickly, within the first hour, if not minutes of shop opening. If there is a specific item that you have your heart set on, I recommend setting an alarm and checking in with the shop right at opening.

Tips for a Smooth and Easy Checkout Experience

Set a reminder: Add an alarm 5 minutes before shop opening so you’re ready to log in.
Shop via my links: Use the Etsy link in my website or Instagram bio/stories, this helps me save on seller fees. This gives your money to the Artist and not big Corps like Etsy.
Log in early: Make sure you’re signed into your Etsy account, and please only purchase from one account per release.
Update info ahead of time: Double-check your shipping + payment details before the sale.
Edge Shape Add-On: If purchasing this listing after your initial fan order, message me on Etsy with your fan’s color and length within 72 hours of purchase.
Order changes: For adjustments or add-ons, message me on Etsy only (not email or Instagram) within 72 hours of purchase.
New here? Visit my FAQ + Shop Policy page to learn more about products and how the shop works.
Worldwide shipping available: Please include your phone number.
All sales are final: Orders cannot be canceled, exchanged, or returned, please read all listing titles carefully.

The best ways to stay in the loop about upcoming releases and other exciting announcements are:

Follow and set up notifications for my instagram posts @thebamboocloset and @thesilktemple

Join my Bamboo Closet instagram channel chat ‘Silk Sneak Peek” for the creation process behind the scenes, interactive polls, product previews, and shop update announcements. (chat link found in IG bio)

Sign up for The Bamboo Closet and The Silk Temple emails to be the first to know about upcoming announcements, first look product previews, exclusive discount codes and secret drop access, and flowarts learning opportunities.

I love collaborating with performance artists on stage shows, choreographed video projects, and more. Generally these Special Orders are reserved for group production projects, but am open to hearing your vision if only a single product is needed and there will be high quality footage available to me or large audience exposure opportunities. Past Special Order collaborations include:

Professional dance troupes
Residency performance shows or tours
Choreographed performance productions
Large scale Festival Costume and Performance Curators
Retreats
Musician performance tours
Music video productions
Movement Art Installations

If you have a vision involving Silk Fans, Silk Props, or Silk Fabric, please fill out a Project Special Order Request form. I’d love to help bring your dream to life!

Please note: Project requests are subject to approval based on availability, project scope, budget, and timeline.

*For Special Order Projects, I often ask for copies of professional footage and media if available to add to my art portfolio. All applicable tags and professional credits will be applied to media. I am a huge fan of collaborative posts on social media. I sincerely appreciate my artwork being credited whenever applicable and I will always credit artists I collaborate with.

If you sent a message on Etsy, please allow up to 6 business days for a message response; at times we are not always glued to our phone or able to check on messages immediately. If the Shop is in ‘Vacation mode’ we are away from the shop and unavailable to answer messages until the shop reopens. Your patience is appreciated.

We do not answer messages where the answer can be found on my website or if the information is linked to your order. This takes too much time away from creating and working our magic.

If you sent a message on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok: It is likely that I will not see or respond to your message as I receive thousands of messages on these platforms. I do my best to periodically go through messages and respond as much as I can, though I do not always have the bandwidth to do so. The best way to get in touch with me currently is Etsy via message or my Project Special Request Form.

Product Information and Pricing

All products are entirely handmade with the utmost care and intention. Every single piece of multicolor silk is personally hand dyed and infused with magic by Whitney. With every purchase you are receiving a little snippet of her heart, soul, and time. We import custom handmade bamboo staves made just for The Bamboo Closet and we then hand cut, dye, sew, and glue the fabric to the bamboo fan staves.

We import all poles for our wing and streamer products

Due to high demand, we have our solid black/solid color silk custom dyed in large batches just for The Bamboo Closet. We still hand cut, sew and assemble solid black/solid color silks entirely in house.

If you are new to silk fans we recommend 36 inch or 50 inch Standard size fans for beginners. These lengths are long enough to be elegant and flowy, but not so long that the silks and staves are overwhelming and tangly.

However, we do believe that Silk Fans of all sizes are approachable for all skill levels. Longer veils and larger staves will require bigger movements and may be more limiting in small spaces or for very short people.

Whitney does her very best to make each pair of silks as similar to the listing photos and standardized designs as possible, however since every piece is hand-dyed and hand-assembled, no two are ever exactly the same. Gradient ratios can vary depending on veil length and dye batch, and because all colors are custom blended and individually dipped, slight variations between batches and sets are part of what makes each piece unique. Please also note that colors may appear differently depending on your screen and its settings.
Each fan is assembled by hand, and veil length may vary from the listing title by about +/- 1.5 inches. The photos shown in listings are examples of the colorway you’ll receive, but your set may be a different size or length than what is pictured. Color tones and ratios may shift slightly from batch to batch.
Because we value reducing waste and honor the handmade nature of this art form, some items may include very small imperfections, such as tiny weave inconsistencies, minor dye freckles, small glue marks near the staves, or bamboo staves that are not perfectly straight. These details are not noticeable while in motion and will not affect the quality, functionality, or durability of your silks. Occasionally, small concentrated dye freckles appear during the dyeing process. These too disappear in motion, but if an imperfection is ever significant, a “DISCOUNT” will be noted in the listing. I invite you to see these little details as unique “kisses” that make your fan set truly one of a kind.

Shipping and Returns

We generally ship out orders 5-14 business days after Shop Updates. This allows us to process as many orders as possible at once, making it more efficient for us. The Bamboo Closet is run entirely by a small team of three women in a small home studio work space and this method works the best for us given our limited space and production rhythm. On average we process over 100 items per shipment processing period, your patience is appreciated!

Please do not message us for tracking or shipment updates. This information can be found linked to your order.

This varies depending on the package value and the country you reside in. I have no way of knowing if you will be charged a customs fee or how much the fee will be. Customers are responsible for paying all customs fees.

If an order is returned due to unpaid customs, you may either: Repurchase a shipping label for reshipment, or receive a 50% refund (minus shipping costs).

If you need your order by a certain date or rush processing, please leave details in a checkout note, send a follow up message and purchase the “Rush My Order” listing. We highly recommend upgrading your shipping to priority or express depending on your timeline needs.

*Rush Processing may not always be realistic or available based on your situation. We will always do our best to accommodate, but it is subject to availability and whether or not the timeline is realistic.

Product Care

We currently go back and forth between offering two different rivet types based based on customer feedback: Screw Rivets and Hammer in Rivets.

If your fan has the screw type rivet: Periodically check the screw rivet cap & tighten/loosen as necessary. If left unchecked, the cap may become unscrewed and fall out. You can dab a dot of glue and tighten to permanently secure the rivet cap.

Hammer in rivets may feel like the staves are loose, though they are very securely fastened. If the rivets are installed too tightly it makes it difficult to open and close the fan. As long as the rivet is intact, the fan is ok.

Tips and Tutorials

The Bamboo Closet is currently curating a new ritual movement learning space called The Silk Temple. Follow The Silk Temple on Instagram (@thesilktemple) to stay in the know about new offerings as they are launched.

Sign up for email updates to be the first to know about program launches and online/in person workshops!

Below are some links to free tutorials from The Bamboo Closet and some of the TBC Ambassador team:

How to open/hold your silk fans:

https://www.instagram.com/thebamboocloset/reel/B-5qLM3hJUj/

https://www.instagram.com/elementsofflow/p/C9nPulivFdJ/

How to get in and out of poi/flag grip with Silk Fans:

https://www.instagram.com/thebamboocloset/reel/B_GB0pRHgug/

Windmill with Silk Fans:

https://www.instagram.com/the_sass_dragon/reel/DAmFKErP_pP/

How to wash your silks:

Part 1: https://www.instagram.com/thebamboocloset/reel/B_YCkbGHWZS/

Part 2: https://www.instagram.com/thebamboocloset/reel/B_bYgTSHbFs/