Loving Wilwarin's packaging

This is how I package orders and gifts. Until a few months ago I used to ship every item in a cute organza bag (like the one in the picture), but nowadays I'll only leave that option for those clients who prefer it. I like the simplicity and daintiness of organza bags, but on the other hand, I am truly in love with these natural kraft pillow gift boxes! For each order, they are decorated with paper graphics I created myself on Photoshop from scratch, combining light, grungy beige with a beautiful and rare periwinkle tone. This color is so tender and pretty, even though it gives me headaches everytime it's time to print new cards and papers, because most printers seem not to be able to recognize it... and I usually get dark purple instead! Sure it is a real love-hate relationship between me and periwikle. ;)

From the various parts of running a small business such as mine, I sure like the packaging one above most. I love encaising a little bit of me along with my pieces. That is why I always package orders with most tenderness and care.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! It's another bee-busy one for me although. *sad face*

Future "Studio" & International Orders

Despite of being on vacation at the moment, I have to admit that it has been a little tricky to keep all my plans and certain obligations in perfect organization. So today I thought I should write a bit about my most recent experiences with Wilwarin Designs and what I have been planning for the next weeks.

My most ambitious project at the moment is to create a workspace (or a "studio" - it sounds cooler!) here at my home, open to all my local customers. I am currently putting almost my entire efforts (excluding for "obligations" of life, of course) in this small corner, to make it as comfy and cute as possible. There have been some obstacles, such as the fact that I've been working on this all by myself, or my half empty pocket, hehe. But grain by grain, the hen fills her belly, right? =) Between treating a ceiling and walls affected by dampness and remodeling a few old furniture pieces, this trip has been far from over now...

One of the pieces of furniture I have remodeled - the desk I shall start working on. =) Painted in aqua blue and with white patina for a more Shabby Chicm aged look. The pictures I took can't capture the real beauty of its new look!

Another thing which has been occupying lots of my time - and that makes me VERY happy... - is international orders. When I threw myself into the world of jewelry and crafting, exporting was far from being my main goal. At this point, I can say that it is, on the other hand and fortunately, one of the most important and time consuming parts of my small business. During the last few months I have met great people all over the Web, willing to teach me or even learn with me and, most of all, who trust me and in my (small) name, despite the distance... My Etsy Shop is one of my greatest passions, and I'll always keep on working on it whenever I can, so as to make it more friendly and inviting to fans of jewelry and crafting. Every time I ship one of my pieces to another corner of the world, it's like sending a piece of me to that place. How to describe this feeling?! =)

One of my Bird's Nest rings in the hand of Lisa, a north American customer. Thanks again Lisa for the picture!

One of my bookmarks featured at Lilyshop's homepage.

In the beggining of this week, I've had 3 Etsy orders in less than 48 hours, and one of the items sold in less than six hours. That's two personal records in a row! It is a wonder, to watch our own work maturing in such a way!

My three latest international orders, ready to be shipped in my brand new customized pillow gift boxes!

Over the last few months, I have worked to bring a little of myself into the world. As a result, I've seen my own little world growing. And none of this would have been possible if not for all of you, my dear friends, customers and followers. So today I take a little of my time to thank you all who have supported and trusted me. Wilwarin Designs has been a wonderful journey for me, like a seed that germinated to bloom. And therefore, I hope to make my passion grow even more, so I can keep on materializing my affection into my jewelry pieces - and thus bringing them to reality as food to your own fantasies!

Thank you so much! x

"Presentation is Everything"

The sun shines so brightly outside! The weather would have been wonderful around here if it wasn't for the strong, cold northren wind. It bugs me so much. But in the meanwhile - and hoping to be able to go outside later for a soothing sunbath - I've been working on many new features and items.

One of my greatest priorities right now is to develop a better and careful packing style. As international orders increase (and everyday I give thanks to that!), fondness and presentation are everything. Until today, most of my orders have been shipped in a white tissue paper wrapped organza bag, which I always tie with a friendly lavender bow. I'd also finish the paper wrap with one of my custom stickers resembling a wax seal (with a W). 

One of my Tree of Life necklaces inside a white organza bag, ready to be gifted (no shipping).

An order ready to be shipped internationally, wrapped in white tissue paper and finished with my custom 'seal', along with a 'Thank you' card.

Organza bags are pretty and really easy to find at local craftstores. But there were also a couple of times I shipped rings in these petit lilac paper card boxes I found for sale at one of my usual spots. Sadly, however, I can never find bigger boxes around here.

Despite of affectionate, I feel there is something about organza bags that simply doesn't work for me. I don't know if it is because of their fineness but sometimes I tend to also enfold the wrapped bag in bubble plastic - before I place it inside a BUBBLE wrap envelope for shipping. On the other hand, I find the little gift boxes much more secure and presentable (and also much easier to wrap and prepare for shipping). This is why I am in the proccess of changing all my packaging from organza bags to gift boxing.

Since PLAIN recycled paper gift boxes are so rare and hard to find in my country, I've decided to take a step ahead and start ordering them, at least for now. I have found this wonderful Etsy store, PaperAndPresent, which is all about packing and presentation. These are the pillow boxes and the tissue paper I've ordered, all made of kraft paper:

The pillow boxes, in small and medium size. They come flat but are extremely convenient and easy to fold.

Kraft tissue paper, 100% recycled.

So this is today's sneak peek, but I have many other plans and surprises to be revealed in due course!

Wishing a wonderful week *