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Post by MichyM on Apr 24, 2022 21:04:38 GMT
To protect 3-D cards in the mail, it was suggested I look into the thin packing foam (Staples/Office depot), I assume like THIS. It seems like it would work really well, but that is the smallest quantity I can find after looking at both sites, and it still seems like more than I'd use up in a reasonable amount of time. Do you use something like this? Or a sheet of cardstock? Or something else to protect the card - and the envelope from getting pierced by the 3-D element(s). Second question. I've managed to collect a good number of ink pads already (sigh). Probably 15 Distress Oxide pads. A good number of Versa, and a bunch of small dewdrop shapes and small squares as well as a few more random, full-sized pads. Right now they live in fridge bins. But they are a pain to sort through. I don't really have drawer space for them. Am considering those cubby type, wall mount holders for the larger pads but dang. They're $$$. Watched the JM video (from 2013) about how she stores hers. How do you store yours? Thanks so much! |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449 
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 24, 2022 21:22:08 GMT
For thick cards, I stamp the lower left corner below the address on my envelope with a “Non-machinable” self-inking stamp that was recommended by another refupea (I got it from Amazon and chose the option with red ink). Non-machinable stamp with red inkI don’t use any special packing material. I also use the yellow butterfly post office stamp, which is for non-machinable items. It costs a little more, but it has worked well most ot the time. You need to specify “non-machinable stamp” at the post office when buying the stamps. Even then, make sure it has the yellow butterfly. The time before last, the postal worker gave me two ounce stamps, but they aren’t enough for a non-machinable item. I stack a lot of my inkpads on a shelf or in a drawer. The small ones are in a plastic shoebox. I don’t have room for fancy storage, and I’d rather spend the money on crafting supplies like stamps and dies than on storage. |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,069
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Post by pinklady on Apr 24, 2022 21:36:49 GMT
I was too cheep to buy those cubbie ink pad holders so my dad and I made 3 of them. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure it was cheaper with the material cost and time. However, I still have enough material leftover to make at least 2 more. But I had fun hanging out in the garage with my dad. I highly recommend this kind of storage it’s so much easier to find a pad than searching thru a box or drawer. For my ink cubes, I store them in shallow document holders. I got mine at Daiso for $1.50. They are similar to these: www.amazon.com/Transparent-Protector-Organizers-Collections-Container/dp/B06XWCXMYB |
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Post by CardBoxer on Apr 24, 2022 22:26:28 GMT
The link is for foam I bought in 2018 for $6.19. I liked that it was perforated so no messing with big rolls. It isn’t available now but if you like the idea the same or similar product may be available elsewhere. Hello broken supply chain. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XPBWTS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1I can’t tell you how many cards arrive with loose gems and sequins in the envelope, including some with cardstock inserts. Whether from not enough adhesive or rubbing I can’t always tell, but cards get beat up every step of the way. Because patterned paper is softer (not the right word) I’ve occasionally used that too. I have and recommend Organize More's ink pad holders that can be hung or stand, and that they’re white - helps me assess inked labels. After buying the first one or two the company changed the size a bit but was kind enough to make the older version for me. They’re a small family business. Inks are in roygbiv order regardless of company with a few exceptions, like Oxides. Some ink pads stack nicely, like Versafine Clair. And of course cubes take up much less space - mine are in lidless stacking very shallow boxes that unfortunately aren’t sold in the U.S. anymore. I don’t like dividers for cubes - too fiddly for stubby fingers, but some like them. And hinged boxes are a no since when open they take up twice the space. |
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Post by CardBoxer on Apr 24, 2022 22:36:11 GMT
I was too cheep to buy those cubbie ink pad holders so my dad and I made 3 of them. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure it was cheaper with the material cost and time. However, I still have enough material leftover to make at least 2 more. But I had fun hanging out in the garage with my dad. I highly recommend this kind of storage it’s so much easier to find a pad than searching thru a box or drawer. For my ink cubes, I store them in shallow document holders. I got mine at Daiso for $1.50. They are similar to these: www.amazon.com/Transparent-Protector-Organizers-Collections-Container/dp/B06XWCXMYBNeat idea. I sure wish we had Daiso. When ordering something from them once, a dozen was the minimum and shipping was high. Plus their system messed up the transaction three times in a row. They were quite apologetic but I had to check everything with my credit card bank. ETA Are these like your document holders? (It looks like you possibly can order less than a case but may need 10 items in the cart. Or a dozen - contradictory language but they’re good at answering questions.) daisous.com/products/4549131883589 |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,069
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Post by pinklady on Apr 24, 2022 23:01:22 GMT
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Post by CardBoxer on Apr 24, 2022 23:15:18 GMT
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,643
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Apr 25, 2022 0:04:10 GMT
I make my own envelopes using the WRMK envelope board and thick, double-sided patterned paper. If I'm concerned something might poke through I put a small piece of a thick, clear packing tape over the "bump" on the outside of the envelope. For ink pads I use the 60 standard ink organizer from Organize More. I think you had mentioned you won't buy from SB.com, but for anyone else looking, they have a tall, skinny ink pad organizer that may work for smaller spaces as they are stackable. |
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Post by riversong1963 on Apr 25, 2022 11:27:53 GMT
This is what I bought too. I cut them into quarters and then trim as necessary. |
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Post by CardBoxer on Apr 25, 2022 12:15:43 GMT
I make my own envelopes using the WRMK envelope board and thick, double-sided patterned paper. If I'm concerned something might poke through I put a small piece of a thick, clear packing tape over the "bump" on the outside of the envelope. For ink pads I use the 60 standard ink organizer from Organize More. I think you had mentioned you won't buy from SB.com, but for anyone else looking, they have a tall, skinny ink pad organizer that may work for smaller spaces as they are stackable. Good idea about poking through. Gems/sequins coming off the card had been the issue for some cardmakers. It was even happening to a skilled, experienced card maker I knew from another forum. She sent me a test cards using different types and amounts of glue. Not that the test was perfect because one card could have had a rougher journey than another. |
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,955
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Apr 25, 2022 13:29:07 GMT
I got a cassette organizer from Amazon. Bigger stamp pads won't fit , but I mainly use it for my distress oxides and some random ink pads like hero arts, versafine, versamark. Kingdom LW100 5 x 20 100 Capacity Cassette Rack or Stamp Pad Rack Unfinished Wood for Easy Sorting and Organizing of Cassette Tapes, Stamp Pads and More! www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4EEEIL/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_7ATPER13E8ZWKN46ZT95For mailing cards, sometimes I use a 5×7 envelop instead the a2 size for more room and a cardstock panel front of the card. |
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Post by kmage on Apr 25, 2022 13:34:49 GMT
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Post by babylou on Apr 25, 2022 14:25:14 GMT
I know that the cost is higher, but if you just wanted a few pieces of the foam, you can buy them in card size from Taylored Expressions. Some of the other stamp/card companies may sell them too, although I've never looked. Like someone else said, I usually just put a piece of tape, or washi tape, over where the gems are on the envelope. Paying extra postage for the hand stamping is a good idea too if you're concerned. Hopefully the people at your post office are nicer then mine though! LOL! They roll their eyes and act like I'm asking them to give up their vacation or something! It's frustrating and makes me not want to even go in there.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,069
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Post by pinklady on Apr 25, 2022 14:43:56 GMT
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Post by mayceesgranny on Apr 25, 2022 14:53:26 GMT
I have about 20 distress oxides I store in two Tim Holtz distress ink tins. I bought the tins on sale - they were around $10. I used my label maker to label the color so I can see them through the cover.
I have my mini distress inks in a plastic divided container from Sterilite. I'm thinking of moving them to a Tim Holtz tin for mini inks.
I have three different sets of QQ Chalk inks that are stored in their own hanging storage bags on the side of my rolling cart. These are getting dried up so Idk how much longer I will keep them, but I will keep the storage bags and reuse for something with similar shape.
Then I have some random inks from other manufacturers that are currently stacked in a drawer.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,507
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 25, 2022 15:18:44 GMT
I have an ink storage unit similar to the Organize More ones for Oxides and black full sized inks. I mostly have mini cubes and those are all in TH mini ink storage tins (12 of them!).
No ideas for you on the 3D cards. I put them in the envelope and cross my fingers. haha
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Post by CardBoxer on Apr 25, 2022 19:27:59 GMT
MichyM, one other thought since you mentioned 3D. A 3D card would need a padded envelope or even a card box. It would have thick or poofy embellishments and/or be constructed in a way to add depth even if closed. (That’s different than certain fancy fold cards that are flat when folded but when opened may pop up or expand.) So a card with a few layers and some gems or sequins would be a regular card - at least that’s my take from classes and forums and stuff. But others may define them differently.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 25, 2022 20:27:15 GMT
I bought the folded 12" perforated sheets of thin foam back when I started my card business ~5 years ago and I still have half of it left. I could send you some, at least enough for you to try for a while and see if it's worth getting more. It's a hassle to store in a small space but handy to have around.
TBH I avoid pokey stuff and especially sequins on my cards. I believe they rarely make it through the mail intact. I use the foam to protect 3d elements on cards that I sell and only occasionally use it for my own cards. I don't know how well most hold up because people are not usually going to tell you that all the sequins got smashed, they just appreciate the card, if you know what I mean.
But anyway, PM me your address and I'll pop some sheets in the mail for you to try.
My inks are just in my desk drawer so I'm no help there.
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Post by CardBoxer on Apr 25, 2022 22:05:57 GMT
I bought the folded 12" perforated sheets of thin foam back when I started my card business ~5 years ago and I still have half of it left. I could send you some, at least enough for you to try for a while and see if it's worth getting more. It's a hassle to store in a small space but handy to have around. TBH I avoid pokey stuff and especially sequins on my cards. I believe they rarely make it through the mail intact. I use the foam to protect 3d elements on cards that I sell and only occasionally use it for my own cards. I don't know how well most hold up because people are not usually going to tell you that all the sequins got smashed, they just appreciate the card, if you know what I mean. But anyway, PM me your address and I'll pop some sheets in the mail for you to try. My inks are just in my desk drawer so I'm no help there. Sequins have never been broken or smashed in cards I’ve received - they’ve just fallen off. It’s usually obvious where they were so I’ve glued them back on. |
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Post by MichyM on Apr 25, 2022 22:39:32 GMT
Girls, only a few replies in so far, but want you to know that I honestly appreciate that I can come here with any newbie question, however inane it may be, and you are always so helpful. Thank you! ETA: ok, made it through and clicked on all the links, thank you ALL again  Looks like I'm going to need to just pony up and buy a wall rack for inks. I'm going to sit on it a while longer, but I think the Organize More ones will be it. Now to decide on size. I love that the cassette tape holders work too, but I'd like something that fits all pads without question. Sure do like the cassette tape holder pricing more though! I just googled and we do have a Daiso store in our International District. I'll have to ask a friend or two to meet me down there for lunch or dinner and pop by to see if I can find something like that shallow document box. Ideally though I'm going to try and find something similar without a clamshell lid. Wish me luck! scrapnnana, thank you so much for the info about non-machinable stamp and postage stamp. This seems like a good way to go for a card that I am questionable about. I'm going to send out a couple of cards I made a week or so ago with fussy die cut birds and foliage. I'd love for them to make it intact! joblackford , you are so sweet to offer to send me some of the packing foam, thank you. Honestly though, it's more costly than it's worth for you to do that! I'll go ahead and buy from Amazon. Maybe a local friend can use some of it for something  |
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Post by MichyM on Apr 26, 2022 0:13:23 GMT
So pinklady 's post reminded me that I have 6 of THESE 4X6 PHOTOSTORAGE CASES sitting empty in a corner of a closet. They are stackable, but the clasp wasn't secure enough for what I thought I'd put inside them. They are going to be great storage (for now at least) for my cubes! I think I paid $5 for the set of 6 (they were super cheap and I just couldn't pass them up), but can't recall where. Anyhow, in a 5x7 would be even better, if someone is looking for something a little smaller than the case from Daiso. |
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,012
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on May 6, 2022 5:06:01 GMT
Late to the game in answering here, but I store my TH ink pads in a Sterilite 3-drawer plastic chest that sits on my bookshelf. Distress oxides stacked in rows one drawer, distress ink minis in another along with a few lesser-used random ink pads. The 3rd drawer has my ink blending tools and embossing powders. I don't know if that would work for you, but I didn't see it among the suggested options so thought I'd throw it out there.
I have my cat's eyes and other most-used stamping ink pads in a fabric bin (similar to a fridge bin size) along with my acrylic stamp blocks. I don't have a ton of cat's eyes so it works for me to store them that way since it allows me to keep them right next to my workspace for easy access. I use the cat's eyes a LOT for inking edges and I like having my basic black/clear/neutral embossing ink pads nearby along with the acrylic blocks.
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Post by cbet on May 6, 2022 14:47:41 GMT
Also late to the post, but I have started storing my full-size inkpads in these Artbin Satchels from Joann: www.joann.com/artbin-super-satchel-clear-with-rose-gold/17456237.htmlThey are frequently on sale for around $10; I make dividers from folded posterboard to keep the inks stacked separately. One of these will fit ALL of the distress or oxide inks with room to spare (in 4 stacks); regular size inkpads fit 3 across. I have all the Simon Hurley inks in one and it is less than 1/2 full. I like these because I can store them upright on a shelf and can see what is in them without having to open the case; I can grab the case I need and work out of that and put it away when I'm done and if I decide I'd rather use something else in the future, I still have the cases which work for storing LOTS of different things. The 12x12 Iris cases work, too, but these are more sturdy, just a tiny bit larger and I like the handles on them. |
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Post by cmpeter on May 7, 2022 23:33:13 GMT
I keep my ink cubes in these thinner Iris cases. Thin Iris project cases - AmazonThey stack and don't take up much space. I label the front (I have one full of Gina K cubes and one for Pink Fresh). I did buy a pack of 10 and use them for card projects I'm working on. My Distress Oxides are in a 12x 12 Iris case. It's thicker, so I have to stack them (generally I do a stack of three in one color family) - but one case holds all my Oxides. I don't have many rectangular ink pads, but the ones I do are in a skinny drawer in a dresser in my closet. I don't have wall space or want to hang a stamp organizer on my walls. I prefer to keep things more hidden. |
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