January 25, 2011

Designing and Environment

Does that look like a heart to you? Didn't think so.

Not necessarily together. Or maybe a little bit.

I've been trying out an idea I had for Valentine's mitts. I hate it. It's totally not working. So I'm trying to decide if I want to rework the idea I have, or scrap it completely and go for an entirely different one.

Having a business that involves merchandise brings up the issue of packaging. I've been doing a lot research lately as to how I want to package my items, and it's given me a lot of things to think about.

My original packaging involved a nice, sturdy, candy box and tissue. And while I love that package, it's been very difficult to find a box that would really fit my items without having to squish them up a bit. It also meant shipping costs a bit more because the box adds weight.

It also got me thinking - I hate when we get toys for the kids that have more packaging than toy. So why would I promote something that I dislike so much.

While I'm not a big "Save the Planet" nut - I get irritated with the commercial, "buy our stuff" aspect of it - I do think about what we're leaving for our children and I do believe that we've been given the task of taking care of the planet while we're on it.

So while I'm sure that nice candy box would biodegrade eventually, or some of my customers would reuse it for their own purposes, I think I'll be switching to a tissue and ribbon only approach. It's cheaper for me, since I don't have to buy the fancy boxes, and cheaper for my customers as they won't have to pay as much in shipping.

Just some thoughts I've had lately. The poll on the right sidebar will be up for awhile still, if you'd like to put your two cents in.

Happy Tuesday,
Meg

3 comments:

Allison said...

Hi there!

I've been gone all day, and just got home. I appreciate your reasoning here! And in our consumer culture I would have to say that simplicity is as a breath of fresh air! Plus, your beautiful handknit items are the simple life embodied, and such a wrapping would only increase their value in my mind. :)

Kessie said...

I'd go for the simple wrapping, myself. At least you don't have to worry about it getting broken or crushed in the mail. You could even squish stuff into the fedex flat rate envelope if you had to. :-)

I see the heart! Pity it's not working out, because that's a lovely color. I've always loved magenta. :-)

Cindy said...

Looks like a heart to me!

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