This morning my husband picked up some Lion’s mane mushrooms at a local farmers’ market.  I love these things.  They are really tasty.  They also have a lovely texture.  Much like a child, I must touch things.  And these mushrooms are just lovely to touch. They almost feel like fabric.

lion's mane mushrooms

It’s really fun to cut them up too.  Just because they don’t slice the way a crimini mushroom does (or an enoki, or oyster, or white mushroom).  They’re much different than the normal mushrooms to which I’m accustomed and I love to work with them.  They are so lovely (and expensive) that we just saute them with a little olive oil and a little garlic (and maybe a bit of salt and pepper) and leave them be.  It’s really funny because growing up, you couldn’t make me touch a mushroom.  Now I’m going out of my way for stuff like these lion’s mane mushrooms.

This is why spellcheck is NOT the answer

This evening I ended up at Borders (my absolute favorite bookstore, I really hope they can get on better financial ground.  buying books online is cheaper, but nothing can compare to getting to walk around my local Borders with a cup of coffee from their cafe picking out interesting looking books) and saw this flyer on the community bulletin board.

Why wouldn’t you spend an extra minute on this?  Wasn’t anyone around who could identify the misspelling? For God’s sake, there are only TWO WORDS  at the top and one is misspelled! How embarrassing.

I love this next thing.  No, it’s not the creepy bear.  I’ll get to the creepy bear next. At Urban Outfitters (which is a ridiculous store.  seriously, I can buy much better clothes – better made, better looking – at H&M and pay much less money), I saw what is possibly one of the most frivolous, hilarious things.  A bubble calendar.  It’s a calendar with a bubble on each day (like bubble wrap bubble).  I told Thing 1 and her friend and they both said that they would end up popping each bubble the first time they touched it.  I disagree, I think they’d pop a couple, get bored, and never touch it again.  Here’s a picture of the package in case you’re interested.

Also, in case you’re looking for black, sequined hot pants, H&M is the place for you.  It’s ok.  You can buy them.  I don’t judge.

bubble calendar from Urban Outfitter

Now, the creepy bear.  Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (which has very yummy chocolate covered apples that my husband never buys me because he doesn’t understand the appeal of chocolate covered fruit) had the creepiest bear out front.  It is this big stuffed bear. Well, here.  Look at it.

Creepy Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Bear

See, it’s creepy.  I made Thing 1 sit next to it for the picture (but I cropped her out).  Thing 2 wouldn’t even sit next to this thing.  It is way creepy.  Hell, I wouldn’t sit next to it.

Joel McHale, splicing together the Oprah-Sarah Palin interview with the Oprah-Jenna Jameson interview is brilliant.  I need to rewind it and watch again.  It took a second to figure out that it was a spliced interview.

Today was the tree lighting at a local shopping center.  There was a choir, a guy making balloon animals, a bunch of local dignitaries, and marines.  Marines in their dress blues.  They can really make a girl swoon.  Thing 1 was totally annoyed that I was checking them out.  Not half as annoyed as she was to find out that a guy from her high school hit on me (and sent me his phone number) via MySpace, but annoyed all the same.  It’s all good that I’m hip enough to steal my clothes, but when I ‘m youthful enough to attract the attention of guys her age then it’s not good at all.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on random things.  Hope you’re having as much fun as I am…… but I doubt it.

Bubble wrap

Hahaha, så utrolig genialt. En egen side for å “poppe” bobleplast. Ny hobby eller?

Anyone who has ever had a package delivered with bubble wrap knows how irresistible it is to not pop them all before throwing it away (or reuse it- fyi which is the right thing to do).

But if you’re the kind of person who uses materials for other than what they’re meant for, and you can resist popping all the bubbles in bubble warp in one sitting, check this calendar out!

Bubble Calendar

Totally wicked idea- I originally found it at Urban Outfitters and if it were not for the outrageous price (around $25) I would have 3- one for my office, one for home, and one for . . . popping them all right when i open the box!

But $25 for plain white paper and bubble wrap? I dunno . . . could they at least incorporate some photos?

However, if your one to justify expense for art, let us know how you like it.

This is another pretty pointless app. All you do is pop bubble wrap. If your waiting for something and have a few minutes to spare on a boring and not so fun game, then this is the app for you!

(yeah, short review)

Using packing equipment that is perfectly designed for the purpose of moving house is the best type to use.

Not only has the boxes been perfectly designed to stay in perfect condition whilst transporting your goods but the tape is also of good condition if your boxes happen to fall or break open under pressured circumstances. This tape also usually comes in different a colour which is excellent when trying to find your different possessions and you could even have a different colour for each room in your house. Small, medium and large are the range of sizes home removal boxes are provided in, meaning that instead of cramming all your lovely possessions into a tiny unstable frame you should really invest in large removal boxes in which you can feel the spaces with secure supportive surroundings such as foam or bubble wrap etc.

Remember when filling the removal van with your belongings, be sure to start at the bottom with the heaviest boxes and work your way up to the lightest on top this will ensure that the heavy items are kept in place and nothing of importance or weak items will get squished at the bottom of the pile. When you start your packing remember to collect as many newspapers or magazines as you can, it’s even worth asking friends and family for anything they may have too. These are an incredibly cheap and recyclable way to keep your items and safe and well packed.

A good tip is to layer up your boxes with the newspaper or magazine paper and then in almost a sandwich fashion layer up your items and finally finish with a layer on the top before securing your box tightly. However be sure not to tightly pack any clean items of clothing or any other items as they may be stained by the newspaper or if the box or paper gets wet on the journey it may ruin whatever it has touched in the box.

Remember to avoid putting items in the moving boxes that are all heavy together in a box. This will cause problems not just for you but also the removal company when trying to lift it into the van/lorry. It is crucial to a stress move if time and space has been taken into consideration. Make sure you are well prepared before the big day and it will stop any frantic panic if something is misplaced or things do not go to plan.

The author knows a lot about removal boxes, moving boxes and boxes for moving.

The first part of October was winter-like; the second part was lovely… if you like rain. We had the wettest month in history – a week and a half ago – and the rain kept coming.

This past weekend was dry and sunny and lovely and I was finally able to get a little work done in the yard. I mulched the front yard on Saturday and most of the back yard on Sunday. Even with as wet as it had been, the leaves were dry enough to mulch pretty well.

Laundry One of the issues of a wet October has been drying my laundry. It has been difficult, but I have managed so far (doing several loads on those days when it is dry enough to line-dry clothes). For those of you across the globe who have never had a dryer, this is probably pretty common. It has been a little difficult for me. I spent my entire life with the luxury of a dryer at my immediate disposal, and making due without it has been a good lesson.

Insulating I have been doing a bunch of reading on how others have decreased their carbon foot print while investing just a small amount of money. Here are a few new ones on me that make sense:

1. If you have single-pane windows, use a spray bottle to create moisture on the window and place bubble wrap over the window to create an additional barrier. This will let light in, however, it does distort the view (and there are a few windows where I find this a real plus). You can put it up, and pull it down if company comes over – whereas the plastic that one normally puts over the windows is pretty much there for the entire winter (and I’m not a fan of the way it looks if entertaining). I had some bubble wrap sitting around and have used it on a few windows so far. I have also seen rolls of it at the dollar stores.
2. Door extenders. I have a storm door that is shorter than the door frame (it was this way when I bought it) and every year I stuff a towel in that area during the winter and step over it every time I use the door. I found a two piece door extender that expands front to back to different widths of doors, and was extra wide. I cut it to size, but was unable to get the screws (provided) to go into the metal storm door. I covered the inside piece of the this hard plastic extender – the part that goes against the door – with liquid nails, attached it to the door and let the door sit open for a day. I now have a very tight seal with that door, and I don’t have the bright white outside piece (that didn’t provide any insulating factor) up against my newly painted dark green door. It works very well. I love liquid nails!
3. Caulking the floor. I live on a slab (no basement) and in my sunroom I have noticed that there is a slight gap between the floor and one of the walls. I took some silicone caulk and caulked over it. I recently tore out baseboard heaters that hadn’t worked since I bought the house 10 years ago, and did not see these gaps until the baseboards were pulled. Who knows how long those gaps had been there to let in insects (ants especially appeared from no where) and cold air. No more.
4. Something as simple as finding all the heating vents and making sure they are not covered by some piece of furniture, sounds like a “duh” – but I found two vents that had been covered up almost since the day I moved in over a decade ago.

Sometimes, the deepest evil is the explosion of  guffaw that spills out over the edge of good taste.  You crave desperately to take back your sin but the hour for redemption is passed.  Character is what you are inside the giggle.  In celebration of International Animation Day, P3 offers this litmus test of depravity.  We dare you not to laugh.  If you do, join us in the Weird Ward.  Huge thanks to MetcalfLovesYou for the great work and the inspiration.  If you are easily offended, don’t follow the link, just go get more coffee and remain mundane.  P3joe  (This short film contains graphic plastic violence, sexual innuendo and language routinely used by teenagers)

This afternoon I temporarily mended my parsimonious ways and shared a bit of my packing materials.

the thing  is, you can’t expect people to not do you wrong no matter how much love you show them. there’s no such thing as training yourself to not get hurt, you still get hurt anyway. caring is part of being human and it does come with consequences and so i deal.

photo:sotreadsoftly.typepad.com

feeling something even if it’s not good is better than not feeling anything at all.

You know you are sort-of doomed when you start to like Thursdays… because it leans towards the end of the week- even when it requires you wear those uncomfortable women’s shoes… even when you know you will still have one more day of the week to get through….

I have started to like Thursdays…. it is full of promises of a Friday. I’m waiting for tomorrow- its Thursday tomorrow.

Simpol, originally uploaded by Ronald Suello™.

I am waiting for December, too. Even when I know that the Christmas break does not start till the end of that month, even when life is not going as I had expected it to… because if it did- I would have been in a land where it is not summer in December- a place that was my home once, a place that I miss sometimes. Yea, it’s still alright- not perfect, no- but nothing really ever is.

I’m also waiting for my trip this weekend- but I’m sad to leave the kitten behind.

It’s his birthday today; I wonder what can I do for him today that would tell him how happy I am that he is part of my world? Don’t say birthday parties, those would be more for me than him…. I wonder what can I do that would make him happy? Get back home earlier than usual, perhaps? Yea, may be.

I’m glad I have things to wait for. Today is not going too well; but I am happy I have things to look forward to- a kitten waiting for me at home, a Thursday, a trip to the hills, a Christmas break…. I’m glad that even when things are not perfect- I have not ‘lost’ it.

Life is silly- because even though it’s not perfect, it’s enchanting…. even when it does not go as you’d have liked it to, it is full of fresh surprises wrapped in a bubble wrap… and if not anything else- hey- let’s play with those bubble wraps until there is not a single bubble to ‘plop’!

THAT is when you give up- when the bubble wrap is flat- and NOT a second before that.

on this messy drama about relatives:

i feel sorry that it has come to this, that a relationship i value has fallen apart, that a person i owe a huge part of my life to despises me – i feel sorry that she chose to deal with what i have told her the way she did. we cope the best way we know how, the only way we know how. i don’t feel sorry for what i said because i meant it.

so i brace myself because in the future i might get betrayed by these same people i am helping.  if in case this happens, i would look back to this and remind myself to not feel hatred or resentment. i did this not because i expected them to value me. i did it because if i were in that situation, i would want someone to fight for me. i would want someone to do everything in his/her power to make sure i get to at least try to make it in this life.  everyone deserves a chance.

photo from thefabledneedle.blogspot.com

sometimes life puts something in your plate that would require you to think and act like a grown-up and you’d be surprised by how well you respond it.

Our top tips on packaging series continues with helpful hints on reusing your bubble wrap packaging.

3 reasons to reuse your bubble wrap

1)   As pressure on the environment and the need for the nation to economise grows, it’s now critical to conserve and reuse packaging.

2)   Reusing packaging is the best form of recycling, because it doesn’t require further use of energy, either in converting or transporting the packaging prior to use. It simply extends the life of your packaging.

3)   Thinking ahead to how your customer receives their delivery, reducing unnecessary packaging and making it easy for the customer to reuse their bubble wrap could have a positive impact on your environmental credentials

“As a specialist packaging supplies  

company we believe we have a duty to encourage Customers to give greater thought to the packaging they buy and make better use of the packaging materials they retain.”

How to reuse your bubble wrap

Bubble wrap packaging is the ideal, lightweight packing solution for smaller items. Hundreds of small air bubbles form a protective cushion that protects from shock and abrasion.

Small bubblewrap is extensively used in industry as general packaging, interleaving or void fill and is also used in the home for mail order parcels, packing boxes and moving house.

BioDegradable bubble wrap rolls are now available and this can help to eliminate land fill and litter issues surrounding plastic packaging. However, we should all still aim to reuse bubble wrap a number of times, before it is finally disposed of or recycled. Here’s how:

• When you use bubble wrap packaging, think about the next user and make it easier for them to unravel, flatten and use again
• Avoid excessive use of packaging tape that will prevent the customer from being able to snip the tape and flatten the bubble packaging. Masking or other peelable tape could be used instead of standard polypropylene packing tape
• As you unwrap your item, try to avoid popping the bubbles, as this reduces the cushioning effect
• Keep spare bubble wrap away from dust and moisture, so it can continue to be used as clean protective packaging
• If your bubble wrap becomes stuck together or torn, or is an odd shape, then simply scrunch it up to provide void fill and provide packaging protection within boxes
• Substitute bubble wrap with recycled paper as void fill within boxes where possible, perhaps using waste paper from the office shredder

If you’re looking to dispose of bubble wrap, try and avoid sending it to landfill. Use plastic recycling schemes where available, but check whether polythene packaging or bubble wrap is permitted. Alternatively, you can pass on your bubble wrap, perhaps to your local school or college for an art project, or via an online auction site or local paper for people moving house.

For more information about bubble wrap rolls, biodegradable bubble wrap packaging or to buy cheap bubble wrap online, why not visit the Davpack online packaging superstore, or call 01332 821 200 and speak to one of our packaging experts…….we can even give you tips on reusing or saving on packaging materials.

As every bored office worker knows, there are few greater – or more mysterious – satisfactions in life than the joy of popping all the bubbles in a sheet of bubble wrap. And now Japan has been swept by a craze for an electronic toy that recreates the simple thrill of squeezing the air-filled plastic packaging material.

“Eternal Poppety-Pop” is a keyring sized game that allows users to pop plastic bubbles, which are replenished immediately and endlessly. Since its release at the end of last year, two million of the toys have been sold in a country in which bubble wrap popping is regarded not merely as a diversion from boredom but as an antidote to stress.

The toy takes its place alongside a range of products including scented bubble wrap, star and heart-shaped bubble wrap and high-pressure bubble wrap specially engineered to make an extremely loud pop when its bubbles are burst.

Many of these innovations are the inspiration of the Poppety-Pop Culture Laboratory, the world’s first, and so far only, bubble wrap think-tank. Eternal Poppety-Pop costs 819 yen (£4) and consists of a small pad of ten simulated bubbles powered by a tiny battery. On being squeezed, a cunningly simulated popping sound issues from a hidden speaker. Persistent poppers are rewarded every hundred squeezes with a randomly generated sound – either a klaxon, a sensual female moan, or a raspberry of flatulence.

 “Behind the popularity of bubble wrap is people’s natural urge to pop bubbles when they see them, like the desire to sit down when they see a chair,” said a representative of Kawakami Industries, the biggest manufacturer of bubble wrap in Japan, which developed the toy with Bandai. The Japanese word for the product is puchi puchi, an onomatopoeic term for the sound of popping bubbles.

Kawakami Industries also sells small pads of real bubble wrap for personal popping, and calendars that – like an Advent calendar – reveal a single plastic bubble for every day of the month. “Puchi puchi is cute, even though it’s an industrial material,” Ayaka Sugiyama, head of Kawakami Industries’ Poppety-Pop Culture Laboratory, told the Nikkei newspaper recently. “Even when we cannot talk to people because of language barriers, once we hand out puchi puchi sheets, they all smile and start popping. So the sheets not only fill gaps in product packaging but also between people.”

The laboratory has released a CD of bubble wrap songs (lyric sample: “Miracle puchi, squeezy puchi, everlasting wonder puchi”) and has designated August 8 as Bubble Wrap Day on the ground that the Japanese for 8/8 sounds vaguely like puchi puchi.

Conscious of the fickleness of popular taste, however, Bandai is already looking ahead to the next craze. Later this month it will launch Eternal Eda Mame – a toy that re-creates the equally delightful fidgety pleasure of squeezing edible eda mame soy beans out of a simulated pod.

Bubble wrap is a transparent plastic material used for packing fragile and breakable things. It is a plastic sheet with regularly spaced bubbles. These bubbles are actually air filled hemispheres which are spaced at regular intervals and  provide a cushioning to the items packed and prevent them from breaking. Bubble wrap comes in different size bubbles (from 6mm to over 25mm), widths and lengths as well as anti static bubble wrap for packaging electronic goods.

 Bubble Wrap was invented by two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, in 1957. Like many innovations, it was accidental: The two were trying to create a textured plastic wallpaper with paper backing that could be easily cleaned. The term is a registered trademark of the Sealed Air Corporation (US) which was founded in 1960 by those inventors, and should theoretically only be used for products of that company. However, due to the popularity of the brand, the trademark has been genericized.

 There is now even a toy out designed to mimic the sound and feel of bubble wrap. Released in September 2007 the Japanese key chain toy is called Mugen puchipuchis which means infinite puti puti. Air bubbles on double-layered silicon rubber and a built-in speaker simulate the experience of popping bubble wrap and if this wasn’t addictive enough, every 100 pops this keychain emits a random sounds such as a doorbell, a dog barking, “sexy voice” or the passing of gas.

 Bubble wrap is ideal for ebay sellers as the light weight nature of bubble wrap reduces shipping costs.

Kevin Thomas works for Davpack, a uk packaging supplier. Their friendly staff are waiting to help you choose the right packaging for your business. www.davpack.co.uk

We all have to move at some point in our lives. It may be because we got a new place or a new job. Regardless of the reason, the moving process is complicated enough without having the right moving supplies available. Among the most important packing supplies we present to you the following items: moving tape (along with a professional dispenser) and bubble wrap. Many more will be presented in this article and you will have the opportunity to understand how useful they really are.

Moving supplies can make the entire moving process easier, allowing you to complete all necessary steps faster and without putting too much effort into it. Moving tape comes in different dimensions, being often recommended by professional movers as a must have item. When it comes to packing supplies, there is nothing more important than tape. You need a product that is made of top-quality materials, guaranteeing perfect sealing for cardboard boxes and not only. If there is special tape out there designed for packing, then you should not hesitate to purchase it in the quantity you need.

The best way to use moving tape is through a professional dispenser. This item is indeed very useful as it makes the application of tape a genuine pleasure. As for the other moving supplies that you can find over the Internet, you should definitely think about purchasing some bubble wrap. Perfect for protecting fragile items, bubble wrap is a popular choice when it comes to packing supplies. If you have something unique, such as something that has been in the family for generations, then you ought to wrap it in at least one layer of bubble wrap. This way you can be certain that it won’t break and that it will arrive to the destination of your choice safely.

As you can probably imagine by now, there is no better place to search for moving supplies than on the Internet. The prices are genuinely affordable and the packing supplies offered quite diverse. You have moving tape to seal boxes, bubble wrap for the protection of your belongings and packing paper for fragile items as well. Packing paper resembles the one used for the making of newspapers, the only difference being that there is no ink on it. You can use it to wrap expensive and fragile possessions, benefitting from the best possible cushioning and knowing that your china is safe.

Last but not least, you should not forget to order some mattress covers. These moving supplies are often chosen by people who want to protect their mattresses during transportation but also by those who are interested in extended storage. Just think about how useful such packing supplies can be, allowing for increased protection against dust or possible staining. In fact, all of the moving supplies mentioned here have a specific purpose and you can certainly take advantage of the cheap prices presented online!

Welcome to your number one source for moving supplies. Whether you want moving tape, bubble wrap  or packing paper, we have everything you need. Come to use for packing supplies and you will definitely not regret it!

We live in a time in which we really need to be concentrating on taking care of our environment. This is because the world is becoming more populated and the junk that we create and throw away is piling up. When it piles up, it compromises the soils that grow our food and animal habitats. In other words, the junk that we throw out into our world is changing the face of the earth in a bad way. Of the items that cause great harm to the environment are packing materials.

One of the main packing materials that are used in shipping boxes all around the world is Styrofoam. That Styrofoam is not good for the environment. It doesn’t degrade. It is true that there have been biodegradable packing peanuts created, but one very affordable packing material is biodegradable bubble wrap.

About biodegradable bubble wrap

Biodegradable bubble wrap is different from regular bubble wrap in that there are degradable plastic additives that are blended into the plastic. This means that there are no toxic residues that are left behind after the bubble wrap oxidizes and after it degrades. In other words, it is completely safe for the environment.

And just like any kind of bubble wrap, you can buy rolls of it in various quantities and lengths. You can also buy your desired thickness. Since some items you ship are more sensitive than others, you definitely want to make sure that your items are protected with the right thickness.

So just because your bubble wrap is biodegradable doesn’t mean that you have to give up any of the protection you need for your items. Some individuals feel that anything that is environmentally friendly is not constructed as well as it should be. They think that they are spending money on something that has been severely compromised, but that is not the case. Don’t let this misconception keep you from purchasing biodegradable bubble wrap or any other biodegradable packing materials.

Where to acquire biodegradable bubble wrap

There are online stores that offer you biodegradable bubble wrap and other biodegradable packing supplies. You should also be able to go to your shipping supplies store and ask them for biodegradable packing supplies. More and more stores are offering these supplies to individuals who are environmentally conscious. Hopefully, biodegradable bubble wrap and other packing materials will be the standard in the shipping industry.

The benefits

You’ve been able to see some of the benefits so far, but here are some more for you:

• You do not have to pay a large price for biodegradable bubble wrap.

• The items that you are shipping will be protected just as well as they would be if you were using the kind of bubble wrap that is not good for the environment.

• You can buy different quantities, based on your needs.

• Biodegradable bubble wrap is easy to find and it is getting easier. All you have to do is look on the Internet or ask your local shipping supplies store. You may also be able to ask your local shipping supplies store if they can order it for you if they don’t have it. Actually, they may begin to carry it if they get enough requests.

• The ultimate goal is achieved with biodegradable bubble wrap, which is protecting the environment. You are doing a great thing for yourself, your children, and their children.

In the end, you’ll feel very good about what you are doing for the environment. You’ll also find that the items you are shipping will be quite protected and that the myths about biodegradable shipping products can’t be believed.

Moving boxes and shipping supplies now stocking Biodegradable Bubble Wrap to protect your fragile items and save the environment.

Bubble wrap is a better stress-reliever than watching TV. To others, the bubble wrap is the most affordable sleeping cushion. If you really hate the sun you can use bubble wraps too.

Foil bubble wrap is different from the ordinary translucent bubble wrap. Foil bubble wrap isn’t a bit translucent. It actually totally blocks off the heat of the sun, so little or no light can enter your windows if you place it in them. So where can you use your foil bubble wrap? Foil bubble wraps are specifically used in attics and basements.

If you’re currently having duct problems in your house since the bubble wrap is made out of plastic, it can also be used as a “material” for duct insulation. If you definitely want to eliminate heat loss from your duct, “wrap” a bubble wrap in it.

You should take note, however, that bubble wraps used for duct insulation aren’t really the same as the ones you get with fragile appliances. If you want to use the bubble wrap to solve your duct problems, you need to buy a specific “Foil Bubble Insulation Duct Wrap” for it. With bubble wrap, you can do the “insulation job” yourself.

 Where to get bubble wraps?Bubble wrap suppliers are United Pan American INC. The company also distributes packaging tapes, stretch films, and other products used for packages. There are hundreds more that our site just can’t accommodate, so you can do the searching yourself. Don’t be afraid, it’ll be easy.

 For more information and tips On Bubble Wrap visit, http://bubblewrapinsulation.com

BUBBLE WRAP RING: Designer Rose Braunstein creates jewelry molds from bubble wrap. The stuff you used to wrap all your dishes during your last move. We were out with a friend over the weekend who was wearing one. And she was stopped again and again by strangers who were agog. “Is that, um, bubble wrap, but, like, silver?” Why yes. The everyday meets elegance.

BLACK TRUFFLE SEA SALT: You either do or you don’t eat eggs. We’re not talking about eggs mixed into cookies, or pasta, or what have you. Just your basic fried egg. Over easy. If you do, and you haven’t had truffle salt dusted across a slightly soft yolk yet, do so. We’ve been eyeing this little jar with the knowledge that we may, with its help, clear a full dozen by week’s end.

“NINOTCHKA”: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has been screening the great films of 1939 all summer long. This is a favorite from that period. It stars Greta Garbo, and she’s being funny. Funny! Not exactly screwball, but the entire romantic wooing bits give us a warm feeling above the ears. We probably need to own it.

I love making my own mailers! It adds a personal and stylish touch to all my orders and it’s helped me stand out in the marketplace. A few months ago, I decided to open a second shop for my mailers and since then I’ve done several large custom orders.

What have I learned from the experience? Making and selling mailers just doesn’t pay. As much as I love providing my mailers to others and knowing that they are out there and being recycled, the business has proven to be far too time consuming and barely profitable. So, after much consideration I’ve decided that it was time to share my secret mailer recipe with the world! The secret is out and from now on, it’s mailers for all!

How to Make Handmade Bubble Mailers by 27things

I make mailers in 2 sizes, 6″ x 9″ and 4″ x 6″. In reality, you can make them any size you like, for the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll be making a 6″ x 9″ mailer.

What You’ll Need

1. cardstock (one 7.5″ x 10.75″ sheet)
2. pretty paper (one 7.5″ x 10.75″ sheets)
3. rubber cement
4. bubble wrap (two 6″ x 9″ pieces)
5. art knife (X-Acto knif)
6. cutting mat
7. scissors
8. ruler
9. a scoring tool or an old ballpoint pen that is out of ink

Getting Started
Start by trimming everything to size. This includes your card stock, paper and bubble wrap.

The bubble wrap should be trimmed to the inside dimension of your mailer, in this case 6″ x 9″. The card stock will be cut to finished size of your mailer, including a 1″ flap, in this case 7.5″ x 10.75″. Your paper should be cut slightly larger than the finished mailer on the 3 sides that will be adhered to the card stock.

I like to allow for a decent seam around the edges and bottom of my mailers. A larger seams means that your mailer will be less likely to pop open when you fill it and/or during transport.

I Love Rubber Cement
Rubber cement is great in that it can be used for 2 types of adhesion: temporary and permanent. The best result for mailers is achieved using a cured bond. This means you apply the rubber cement to both surfaces and allow it to dry before joining.

1. Have your bubble wrap ready to the side of your work area.
2. Lay your card stock and patterned paper side by side and face down on your work area.
3. Line up the bottom edges of your sheets.
4. Apply a 2″ border around all 4 edges of your patterned paper, starting at the bottom, then the sides, saving the top edge for last.
5. Place one piece of bubble wrap, bubble side down and smooth side up, onto the wet sheet. Be sure make the top edge of the bubble wrap line up flush with the top edge of the paper.
6. Using your patterned paper as a guide, apply a 2″ border of rubber cement along the bottom edge and sides of your card stock. You don’t want to apply any glue in the area that will later be used as your flap. Apply a line of rubber cement across the top edge of your GLUED AREA and place the 2nd sheet of bubble wrap flush with this line.

Time for a break.
Take a breather and let the rubber cement dry completely.

Joining

1. Begin by making 2 small angled cuts on the bottom edge of the patterned paper. Cut from 1/4″ from the corner of the paper over the the corner of the bubble wrap, stopping slightly shy of the bubble. Repeat on the opposite corner. This will prevent the paper from buckling along the bottom edge.

2. lay the card stock bubble up and then gently lay the paper bubble down on top of it.
3. without applying any pressure to the glued edges, carefully line up the four corners of the bubble wrap.

4. Holding the sheets in place with your palms, use both pointer fingers to press the center of one edge of the paper onto the card stock edge. Join the rest of the edge by pressing down both fingers and moving them away from each other toward the corners.

Be sure that you don’t accidentally press down the corners of the bottom flap. You can use your scissors as a temporary barrier until you get the hang of it.

5. Repeat on the opposite side.
6. Repeat the above step on the bottom edge. Be sure to start in the middle!

Finishing up
Your mailer is almost done! Time to trim, burnish, score and fold!

1. Your edges will likely be crooked or have card stock or paper hanging over the edge. Trim the sides and bottoms to obtain an even edge of paper and card stock.

2. Use a ruler and a scoring tool (or inkless pen) to score a line along the flap about 1/8″ away from the opening of the mailer. This will make a nice clean fold.
3. Cut off the corners of the flap.

4. Using the rounded end of your art knife or pen, carefully rub along the 3 seams of the envelope. Gently run your tool along the edge of the bubble wrap to ensure all the paper is joined.

Enjoy!
Guess what? Your mailer is ready for mailing! I used strong double-sided tape to seal my flaps, but they can also be taped closed from the outside. Time to get mailing!

Post Your Pictures
Feel to post pictures of mailers you have created or received in my Secret Mailers Flickr Group!

In Conclusion
Of course, it is my pleasure to share the mysterious process involved in making my top secret mailers. In return, I ask that you do not reproduce my mailers for resale and that you enjoy using them for your business or personal mailing. Should you decide that my mailers are beyond the scope of your abilities but you’d still like to have some, they are available in small sets on Etsy. Happy crafting!

Online sales can be so much fun. I really enjoy the friendships that I have made. I enjoy shopping with my friends and they enjoy buying from me. It is a great experience when you get great feedback from a buyer. I especially love the feedback about how well I packaged the item.

As I was browsing around the internet looking for more bubble mailers, I came across an article that was just what I am looking for! I really would love to personalize my bubble mailers . This article by 27 things shows you how to make your own bubble mailers. It is really fun and simple to do.

You’ll have to invest in card stock, bubble wrap, and pretty paper, but I believe that it is well worth it to send out a pretty package and have a new customer return to your store to see what you have. If you are sending a package to a relative or friend, why not make your own bubble mailer and get your own rave reviews.