Member Facebook

▼

Saturday, December 22, 2012

and here we are -

mary jane dodd


i can only speak for myself here, but i am guessing that many of you make gifts for your loved ones, for teachers, for friends or loved ones to give as gifts themselves, etc... 

and your gifts for giving? well, they get left until late in the game -

so here we are... 

i just wanted to talk a bit about how i package - it has taken me awhile to find what sings for me, but i did... 

i used to package in old jeans - the ones i couldn't donate... i still use the denim, but not for this... 

i love yogi tea - and once i noticed the inside of the box (immediately) i knew it was what i wanted to use...

open the flaps on each side and cut along the top of the back

now open it up and turn it over
gorgeous, right? how can this not be reused?

trim the box - make little tabs at the top of the long side 
(there is actually already one there, you just have 
to peel off the extra) and trim the flaps

save your cuttings! i use them for earring cards

you know the filler that comes in gift baskets? save it!
a little goes a long way and it makes a great cushion

fold in your tabs, then the sides one over the other and
viola!
get yourself some beautiful silk straw or sari ribbon
(this is the only new thing i use for these and mine comes
from lisa jurist

my thanks to the shop assistant who tirelessly watches 
day after day and keeps me on task


these are beautiful highlighted with some colored pencil - but there usually isn't time - i like to think that maybe the person receiving it will feel like they got a grown up coloring page!

and there are wonderful tags on the bags with beautiful sayings - i often tape one to the outside of a shipping envelope... 

enjoy this weekend - 
in the midst of rushing about (which i hope you don't have to do a lot of) take some breaths, treat yourself to a nice coffee or tea... 
(my favorite blend is one bag of yogi rejuvenation, one bag anti-oxidant, a bit of sugar in the raw and silk french vanilla creamer in one of these tea bowls - it is a nightly ritual i treasure.)

and if you can, shop local or fair trade - 

be well - 


at

12 comments:

  1. Erin KeaneDecember 22, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    Pretty! I upcycle tea boxes into little notebooks and never thought about using the insides of the Yogi tea boxes, they certainly are lovely :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AliceDecember 22, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    I love it when businesses think of the customer experience by making even the inside of the box pretty. I don't use this kind of tea, but I have been cutting apart patterned tissue boxes since the beginning of summer (allergy season) and will be using them for earring cards.

    Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Libellula Jewelry™December 22, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    That's a lovely packaging idea! I have a friend who cuts those up to make business cards. She prints stickers with her info and affixes them over the outside, side of the box.

    I wish everyone a lovely remainder of their holiday season and a healthy, safe 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Spirited EarthDecember 22, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    great idea for recycling..the Yogi tea box is too beautiful to toss.
    and yes this weekend is devoted to finishing up handmade gifts..that is one thing I've never liked about being a crafts person during holiday time,too much business first..and little time to really enjoy yourself..that's something i mean to change for next year..ohoh..a possible new years resolution..i am in serious denial this year is close to an end..
    Happy Holidays to you and your family

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kathleen Lange KlikDecember 22, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    I had no idea the inside of their boxes were so lovely! If I ever buy that brand I will definitely turn it inside out and up-cycle it! Thanks for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JulieDecember 22, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    Thank you for the idea. I'll have to keep my Yogi boxes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Artisan Beads PlusDecember 22, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    Now THAT is incredibly creative! I am not one for packaging, but have wished that I could be more creative in that arena. I guess I always feel like I'm wasting paper. I love the idea of recycling with something such as you have.

    MaryAnn

    ReplyDelete
  8. JenniferDecember 22, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    I just saw this post...after receiving the earrings and being totally in awe of your use of a tea box. You've got me wanting to rush out and buy Yogi tea.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mystic IndigoDecember 22, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    What an intriguing idea!! So beautiful too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. LindaDecember 23, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    Your packaging idea is so awesome. I've never heard of this tea, but now I must try some!

    ReplyDelete
  11. SandraDecember 23, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    omg! I use that tea and I never noticed the inside of the box. I must be in la la land.

    ReplyDelete
  12. supere67December 25, 2012 at 10:30 AM

    LOVE your shop assistant. They do like to be involved in everything, don't they? These ideas for reusing/recycling/upcycling are fantastic! And I love Bill's little tea bowls - so pretty!

    ReplyDelete