May 072009
 
Pack With Care

Pack With Care. photo courtesy of urbanshoregirl

Have you ever gone to the trouble of picking out a wonderful gift, only to have break, crack or get ruined during shipping? It’s a terrible feeling, especially if the item is rare or old. Here are a few packing suggestions for shipping your fragile and delicate gifts.

Have the Right Materials

Recycling what you have around the house, like old newspapers or tissue paper is great, but make sure you are using the right materials. Visit your local office supply store to find low-cost packing supplies like bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts and stretch film.

Wrap Items Separately

If you are sending several breakable items, like for instance a set of glasses, make sure each one is packed individually. This will prevent items from bumping each other during their journey.

Let the Box Float

Once you securely package your delicate item in a box, pack that box in another box. Make sure your first box is “floating” on a layer of packing peanuts or other soft material. This method allows the exterior box take the brunt of the beating from shipping, while your item inside the interior box stays safe.

Use Lots of Tape

When securing the seams of your box, use a double layer of tape. This is especially important if your items are heavy because you don’t want your box to rip open during shipping.

Test it Out

Once you’ve packaged up your items, give the box a shake. If you hear rattling that is not a good sign. That means items are hitting each other inside and your box needs to be repackaged. If you’re items don’t seem to move, then you are good to go.

Announce What’s Inside

I don’t mean telling everyone you’ve got a high-priced piece of china inside. What I mean is writing “Fragile” on all sides of the box. This will let everyone handling your package know to treat it with care.

May 052009
 

As kids we all liked comic books but as adults who really needs or cares fore spandex-clad muscle-heads with identity problems? I’m convinced that comic books have never really gone out of style; it’s the packaging that’s wrong. To that end let me tell you there are some great graphic novels on the market that no grown-up should be without! I’m talking about illustrated stories that are every bit as hard-hitting and character-driven as the most popular bestseller! Don’t believe me? Check out the following list and then run, don’t walk to your nearest (on-line) bookstore:

Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman

maus

Maus: A Survivor's Tale

It’s entirely possible that no one really understood the concept of a graphic novel until Maus: A Survivor’s Tale hit the best-seller lists. This riveting graphic novel took an incredible thirteen years to complete and recounts the struggle of Art Spiegelman’s father and his survival of the Holocaust as a Polish Jew – drawing largely on his recollections of the ordeal. Germans and Jews are depicted as cats and mice with other animals thrown in for good measure. The book also follows Spiegelman’s troubled relationship with his father and the way the effects of war reverberate through generations of a family. In 1992, Maus: A Survivor’s Tale won a Pulitzer Prize Special Award. The rest – as they say – is history. Maus has been studied by scholars and students a like. Anyone who thinks comics are just for kids will have a different perspective after reading this tale.

To the Heart of the Storm by Will Eisner

Perhaps best known as the creator of The Spirit, Will Eisner was equally known as the “father” of the graphic novel. To the Heart of the Storm(1991) is a compelling, award-winning autobiographical novel about a young man who recalls his life while riding a troop train during World War II. Widely regarded by critics and fans alike as Will Eisner’s finest autobiographical work and showcasing his mastery of storytelling, art and dialogue, To the Heart of the Storm makes for powerful reading.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Kim Dietch

A visually beautiful, intricate yet powerful narrative, by one of today’s most creative and imaginative illustrators. The Boulevard of Broken Dreams takes us to New York City in 1933. The setting: the Fontaine Talking Fables animation studio, where alcoholic animator Teddy Mishkin is hard at work on the latest cartoon short for Waldo the Cat, the “star” of Fontaine’s stable of animated characters. Asks the audience what is “sane” and where does sane/insane draw the line?

Batman? Forget about him! These graphic novels and many more are available from Pantheon Books, a subsidiary of Random House Books or Amazon.com.

Check ‘em out and remember, it doesn’t really matter WHAT you read…as long as you READ!

May 052009
 

This Mother’s Day, give the gift of the Domestic Diva herself, Martha Stewart.  If your mother (or anyone else you know) is a fan of Martha Stewart, gift them one of the many products she sells or endorses, and it is sure to be a guaranteed hit.  Here are a few ideas to help you out:

Magazine Subscription

The best way to give your mother the most up-to-date Martha Stewart crafts and ideas is with her magazine, Martha Stewart Living. 

It’s an easy way to gift your mother and best of all, the year long subscription is a monthly reminder that you were thoughtful.

Martha Stewart’s Living Magazine costs approx. $28 (12 issues).

 

Books

Martha Stewart Bestseller BookThere is a vast array of books from the domestic diva to choose from. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, gardening, weddings, and even organizing, the choices seem endless.

How to choose?  Use Amazon’s Martha Stewart Store, to navigate and pick the best book for your mother.  The fastest way to shop is by listing the bestsellers.

 

Martha Stewart Flowers

Martha Stewart’s own personal collection of vases, planters, and bowls provided the inspiration for the collection’s quintessential vase forms. Produced in ceramic, metal, and glass, these specially designed vases create lovely floral arrangements.

After the flowers are gone, she’ll have a keepsake vase, and she’ll always be ready when a gift of fresh flowers arrives.

Send flowers designed by Martha Stewart!

Martha Stewart Crafts

Martha Stewart Crafts

Martha Stewart Crafts

Martha Stewart Crafts has all you need for crafting projects.  Available online or at your local Michael’s, Martha Stewart Crafts has everything you need for scrapbooking, wrapping, and entertainment & holiday crafting needs. 

Kits are available and make great gifts for the beginning crafter or an excellent Mother’s Day gift.

 

 

The Martha Stewart Collection

Martha Stewart Ebony Lacquer Table Lamp

The Martha Stewart Collection is a product line of over 2,ooo items available on Amazon or at Macy’s.  Of the many things Martha Stewart has endorsed, Martha Stewart has personally overviewed this product line and it has been a huge success. 

The Martha Stewart Collection ranges from kitchen to bed & bath products, all with the simplistic and practical design Martha Stewart has preached and practiced in her TV shows, books, and in her real life.

macys.com

 

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