Blog - Cotton & Flax

Erin Dollar

Wrapping Up an Order

Have I ever shown you how I package up my online orders? With the holiday season approaching, I’ve been looking for simple ways to make sure my items arrive at their destination safely, but also retain a special quality that will make you feel like you’re opening a gift. Obviously packaging things safely and securely is my number one concern (no one likes to receive a damaged item), but I also want my customers to enjoy the process of unwrapping their new item.

I’ve been guilty of leaving gift buying to the last minute, which is why I offer lots of different options for shipping. If you need something in a rush, just send me a message on Etsy, and I’ll get you upgraded to Priority Mail or Express Mail (and I can often send your items out just a few hours after you buy!)

There’s nothing worse than receiving something in the mail, and then having to discard a million packing peanuts, or those weird plastic air packets. I strive to use beautiful recyclable or reusable materials, and to be conscientious in how much material I am using to ship an item. I love to offer free gift wrapping to my customers, too! Upon request, I generally wrap all of my items in 100% recycled tissue paper, and then secure it with a patterned sticker (my own design!), a cute piece of washi tape, or cotton twine (see the first photo above). I can also include a thank you note, which is also made from recycled paper and decorated with my original designs.

Gift Wrapping with Cotton & Flax

The holiday season is fast approaching, and I have been searching for ways to personalize my holiday gifts this year. This week, I’ll be featuring five posts about how to make your gifts look pretty and polished, and sure to bring a smile to your loved one’s face.

First, did you know that Cotton & Flax offers free gift wrapping both online, and in person (at Unique LA, Renegade LA and SF)? Well, it’s true! I am always happy to wrap up gifts with a little tissue paper and beautiful ribbon or cotton twine, and I’ll even include a handwritten note so you can send items directly to the intended recipient. I’ll be posting photos of standard Cotton & Flax gift wrap tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Unique LA Holiday Gift Show is this weekend!

I’m excited to be participating in Unique LA’s holiday gift show here in Los Angeles this weekend! The holiday market runs Dec. 1 + 2, from 10am to 6pm each day. There will be hundreds of vendors selling their wares, all of which are made in America. There’s a $10 cover, but lots of free snacks and drinks, and fun free activities, including a photobooth!
I’ll be there selling all my handmade home goods, as well as a couple new items which will be sold exclusively at Unique LA! I’d be so delighted to meet any of my blog readers, so if you live in LA, please stop by and say hello!

Gift Guide for the Baker

My sister is the big baker in the family. I’ll make cookies or banana bread from time to time, but that’s nothing compared to what my sister can whip up. I love picking out gifts for her, so I’ve put together another gift guide, based on some things I think any baking aficionado would love to add to their kitchen.

1. Cupcake liners from Sweetest Elle (they come in tons of colors)
2. Yum recipe cards from Egg Press
3. Handmade maple measuring spoons from Schoolhouse Electric
4. Brushstroke Tea Towel from Cotton & Flax

Snail Mail Saturday – British Mail Posters

The holiday season is finally here, which means I’m stocking up on mailing supplies and rereading the USPS shipping requirements for holiday mail. I think these British mail posters are perfect for this time of year, I found them through the British Postal Museum and Archive on Flickr. The one on the left makes me smile in particular, because twine wrapped packages are pretty much a relic here in the US. The poster on the left is from 1937, and was used to suggest good mailing practices for British post. The poster on the right is from 1957, and I love how it seems to mirror the other illustration, despite being designed twenty years later. Wouldn’t it be cool to see more artist commissioned posters for US Mail?

Print of the Week – Serigraphs by Corita Kent

As we enter the holiday season, I think it’s a fitting time to share the work of one of my favorite artists and printmakers, Corita Kent. Kent was a key figure in establishing screenprinting, or serigraphy, as a fine art medium during the 60’s and 70’s. Kent’s work is filled with messages of peace and love, and reflects her commitment to social justice. I find her work to be very moving, and the messages behind her work are as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.

One of my favorite prints of hers is the above left image, which features the quote: “But there is only one thing that has power completely, and that is love.”

In case you’re curious, Printeresting talked about Corita Kent in 2008, and it’s still worth the read.