Create a padded envelope from a brown paper bag.
The United States Postal Service processes 584 million pieces of mail each day according to their official website. Shipping containers need to be sized appropriately and sturdy enough to withstand handling, but that doesn't mean they need to be boring. Add fun and flair to your mail by embellishing packages or using innovative containers. Think outside the pre-packaged shipping box for a variety of mailing options.
Padded Envelopes
Create padded envelopes using brown paper grocery bags and plastic bags. Cut a grocery bag on the seams so it lays flat. Remove the bottom panel of the bag. Fold the bag in half, so it resembles a pouch. Fold the bag so one of the longer sides of the bag is skewed -- one half of the bag is folded longer than the other, creating a flap with which to close the envelope. Sew the sides of the bag with a sewing machine or use tape to secure them. Line the interior of the envelope with crinkled up plastic bags for padding. Place your item in another plastic bag for security against moisture. Fold the flap over and stitch or tape the envelope shut.
Recycled Boxes
Cardboard boxes used to house food or other items can be recycled into shipping containers. Choose boxes without stains or marks, if the box housed food, make sure the food was secured in a separate bag inside the box. To reuse boxes as shipping containers, cover the boxes with brown craft paper to obscure the logos and use as you would a pre-purchased shipping box. Add a waterproof liner by taping a plastic grocery bag to the interior of the box. Add a whimsical lining to the box by carefully pulling the box apart at the seams and gluing decorative scrap booking paper to the interior and re-assembling the box with glue. Create padding by adding crinkled plastic grocery bags, newspaper or sealed plastic bags of popcorn.
Media Mailers
Use thin cardboard from milk cartons or juice containers to create media mailers for CDs and DVDs. Rinse the inside of the container if it housed juice or milk. Cut the top and bottom edge of the carton so you're left with a square or rectangular-shaped box about an inch larger on all sides than the media you wish to mail. Leave the folds that form the walls of the container intact. Press the milk or juice container until forms a flat square. Place the disk inside the mailer. Encase the disk in a flat jewel case for extra protection. Seal the open sides of the container with clear packing tape or use a sewing machine to create a secure seam.
Tags: plastic bags, brown paper, Create padded, crinkled plastic, grocery bags