How did you place your order? Whatever way you placed the order, is the way that you should contact them. If it was a good email address a short time ago, and suddenly went bad, then contact your credit card issuer, and have them do a reversal of funds.
I know that for a couple of years, the owner wasn't doing any nameplate work, however, recently, he has returned to production. The only thing that I could think of, and this is only speculation on my part, is that he was ill and took time off, and he had a sudden relapse. Having dealt with him in the past, I know that he is an honest and reliable person, however, sometimes circumstances occur suddenly, that takes that reliability away from a person, and it is beyond their control.