How do you ship your items?

[StarfallsAtDusk]

How does everyone ship their items? Do you like to use jewelry boxes or sheer bags? Bubble Wrap? Currently I use gift boxes but I think a bubble envelope might be safe enough to put a charm or ornament in with just a sheer organza bag.

[ChrisOsCreations]

i wouldn't recommend a plain bubble envelope cause your item might break
i use bubble envelopes and boxes for jewels and extra bubbles + bubble envelopes for buttons
i made the mistake once to sent a pair of earrings without box and there was a crackle when my friend received it....and it was a domestic order , imagine what would happen to international ones...

[Meeri]

So far, I've used bubble wrap and ordinary envelope and recently, bubble envelopes. I have shipped domestic and international and so far, they've arrived safe and sound.
I try to think of enviroment and the customer, try to find the balance between those. Rather not send much extra wrappings, papers etc...

[ChrisOsCreations]

flat pedants or earrings can be sent only with bubble envelope
but when something isn't flat it's more delicate so if they apply extra pressure (how many envelopes there are every day?) it might breaks
you don't want an unsatisfied customer or extra worries :-)

[CurioCabinette]

I'm curious about people that make creatures, with small limbs sticking out or other attachments. The current ones I sell arent that delicate (I put it in a box that will not break from pressure, then in a bubble mailer)

But I'm thinking about making all clay creatures but I worry if the clay isnt just.. a really basic shape, but like a thin animal with 4 skinny legs or something, how in the world do people send those through the mail? I'd be afraid wrapping it with bubble wrap, the wrap might get squished and snap the clay.

Putting it in a box, it will still slide/rattle in the box and maybe break.

I'm so lost as to how people ship these Im thinking about buying random polymer creatures from other sellers just to see how they ship it lol. I just dont think bubble wrap would work for thin clay bits that protrude.

[Former_Member]

Depending on what the item is going to be used for (like if it's a keychain or small sculpture) I will reinforce the limbs with metal pins to make them more durable. Most of my items are very small, so if they are fragile, I put them in kraft, cotton-filled boxes. If not, in an organza or decorative paper bag. If it is a bit bigger item, I will wrap it in bubble wrap, put it in a bit larger box, and put that in a bubble mailer with paper padding. I ship everything in bubble mailers and wrap many in extra bubble wrap if it's not in a box. And I write Fragile on everything, even if it's really not, because I've had gift boxes smashed in the mail by careless postal workers. I hate how they just toss your packages into a box like it's nothing.
And I always put a hand-written "Thank You!" on the back of the package with a sticker. Customers seem to really respond to those extra touches.

[CurioCabinette]

Thanks, so cotton really works? I forgot I have wrapped items in cotton before just didnt know if it was good enough for shipping.

[linsart]

Hi Annette, I mail my delicate pieces with a cardboard backing before wrapping them in bubble wrap. Each item is in a cello bag to protect the paint, then I use bubble mailers. I have shipped nationally and internationally and have had no breakage problems thus far. Hope this helps !
Linda
linsart

[Former_Member]

My items are pretty large so I use boxes + bubble wrap + packing paper in a very precise configuration... I actually took a couple cake toppers that didn't turn out quite right, packed them in different ways and then dropped them off my two story roof. I figured that was a pretty good way to test how well they would do in the mail!!

[Former_Member]

Lol, now that's really testing it! @Annette, sometimes items still slide around in the cotton-filled boxes, so I'll put them in a little cello bag first, then put them in the box, and they seem to stay put just fine.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for making this discussion, it's been so helpful. I am also thinking about buying things from other sellers to get an idea of how they package them! I usually wrap my clay things individually in bubble wrap and secure with tape, then put them in a bag in a bubble mailer... but I'm always looking for new ways to try.

[ClayTree]

I make my own boxes so I can get the right size easily. I don't like the idea of mailing in an envelope, so I make my boxes under 2cm thick so I still pay the same for shipping (maybe a few cents more, I'm not sure - but it's still inexpensive!) I use large cardboard boxes, cereal boxes and a glue gun. I cut everything to size and make a seriously sturdy little box that actually doesn't look too bad! Go Green!!

I also wrap my items in soft paper, tie them with a ribbon, attach a thank you note with my shop name and usually a flat pillow box in case it's a gift. Yes, people love those little extras, I know I do!

All of my items are very small, so shipping is pretty easy for me. I can image it must me more difficult with larger items.

[Creatureshire]

I struggled with the packaging issue for some time, and I came up with my own solution. I've designed a sort of a fabric pillow with filling which folds in half, and it's perfect for my earrings and brooches. However, it does take time to sew them, since I am doing them by myself.
Then I just get this package inside a bubble wrap envelope.

[StarfallsAtDusk]

I am using the kraft covered, cotton filled jewelry boxes (3"x2"x1"). Right now I have to pay $.85 for each one from my local craft store, and they're always out or the ones they have are damaged. Does anyone know a good place to buy mutiple boxes for a discount?

[SaraAmrhein]

Claytree what a FANTASTIC idea! I love the cereal boxes, they are always collecting in my hallway until recycling day and boxes are SO expensive. I think I'm going to give it a try at least for the smaller items.

[Former_Member]

I bought bulk boxes from Uline that were quite cheap, and work perfectly for my items (which are a bit larger). I am however having trouble making it even remotely pretty. I bubble wrap them quite well and once in the box, there's not a ton of room left for extras (I do always write a personalized thank you note)...

Has anyone used packing peanuts to fill empty space? Any clue if this would be better than extra bubble wrap?

[ejrbeads]

I sell a lot of poly and lampwork beads and jewellery from my own site. Beads are always packaged in bubble wrap and tissue and then into a bubble mailer. In 10+ years of selling my art beads this way around the world I' ve not had any breakages reported. But more delicate items would be boxed like earrings etc. Beads are pretty sturdy though. I think some people probably ask too much of polyclay with some of their designs. It doesnt need to only withstand shipping but also daily use if its something like beads or charms etc

[JanislaJewels]

Delicate items are safer if put in a box or wrapped with bubble wrap then put in a larger box surrounded with polystyrene granules so that they're "floating". They're very light so don't add much to the postage. I haven't had to do this with my jewellery as those items are flat and ok in a bag and bubble mailer, but I've sold very fragile things on ebay and packed them that way and never had any trouble. The inside box can be as pretty as you like and it's quite fun digging through the granules to find it!

[Former_Member]

as someon6e whp cried lots !! b5ecause i had alot of b5reakages when6 i first b5egan6 i learn6t the hard way lol !!
I use to wrap in6 loads ( loads ) of b5ub5b5le wrap an6d then6 in6 a b5ub5b5le en6velope ..... it was like pot luck whether the item made it !! i sold on6 facebook at the time an6d was so upset when6 i wall post came up statin6g " it's lovely b5ut its ear fell off " kin6d of thin6g :(
Sooooo.... I n6ow use b5ox's b5ought from eb5ay ( i b5uy ab5out b50 at a time which work out aroun6d 30p each )
Then6 i use lots of tissue paper , i wrap each item first makin6g sure as im wrappin6g im fillin6g in6den6tation6s ( such as gaps b5etween6 ears or legs ) so that less pressure is put on6 them .... then6 i wrap roun6d un6til its like a b5all ... then6 i squash the paper slightly in6 my han6ds to keep it there ..... then6 in6 the b5ottom of the b5ox i scrumffle some tissue paper , place it on6 top , then6 fill aroun6d it with scrummfled tissue paper ,,,, then6 fin6ally scrumfle tissue paper over the top . It is actually very easy . I n6ever use b5ub5b5le wrap an6ymore ... for polymer clay with arms ect i do n6ot reccomemen6d it ....
FOR those on a b5udget or who can6't fin6d cheap tissue paper .... use NEWSPAPER !!!! works the same ... ( if ur worried ab5out prin6t tran6sfer which shouldn6t happen6 then6 wrap in6 on6e layer od tissue paper ect first )
N^EVER sen6d an6 item if the b5ox shakes ..... shakes mean6s it can6 break !! dont over stuff the b5ox of packaging .... but do be generous .... once your box doesn't shake your fin6e.
I have made lots of custom pets which can be seen on my facebook ..... once on6e broke .... after hours of work !! i was so upset and spent many more hours making a replacement .... that was with envelopes of the bubble kin6d .
Please ign6ore the n6umb5ers .... my keyb5oards n6ot happy with me spillin6g tes on6 it :(

[Former_Member]

i thin6k i had about 10 breakages in my first two months of selling ....... i nearly quit alltogether it upset me that much .... the above way has never failed me though :D
Then6 there is also makin6g sure your clay is b5aked for lon6g en6ough ..... n6ot lon6g en6ough equals fragile .
Best tip ever i foun6d ..... you cant over cook polymer clay at the RIGHT temperature ( around 110 degree electric ) ... un6der cookin6g is much worse then6 over cookin6g ... leaves your item fragile an6d it b5ecomes more fragile in6 time ( almost slightly b5en6dy ) ... all my models are cooked for a lon6g time ...... between 30 to 1 hour on average ...
Try it with a scrap model if your worried ... make sure your cookers correct temp ... 110 for electric ... then leave ur model for an6 hour or more .... you will fin6d at the correct temp .. your model will be much stronger and of a more harder b5etter feel ... make sure u wait until its cooled down properly before handling properly tho !