Carrier Bags

[Katianne]

I am doing a few craft fairs in March and need to buy some carrier bags to put my mosaics in. The mirrors are quite heavy so I need something sturdy. They also need to be quite large, as one mirror measures 38x38cm. Cheap would be good too! Can anyone make any suggestions?

[swirlyarts]

Try Makro - it's a cash and carry but you do have to be a member. If you are a business then you will be able to join - they certainly do brown paper carrier bags and I know they do plastic carrier bags but I'm not sure how good they are.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

My Usual Answer...

EBAY!

I got paper carriers, the posh ones with handles, from eBay. And quite cheap too. Some sellers offer free p&p. I think nice bags say a lot about the seller.

I bought white ones and brown ones, and then put stickers printed on my pc printer on the sides for free advertising. If someone's going to carry the bag about, others can at least see what they've got and where they bought it!

You might also think about padding anything that's fragile, and ebay is great for bubblewrap etc! A great place for free bubblewrap is in the friut boxes of your local supermarket........this is great recycling and the supermarkets are usually only too pleased to see the back of the stuff, as they get charged for the waste they throw out. And, paper carrier bags are also recyclable!


Jules

[swirlyarts]

I get all my bubble wrap from the fruit boxes at the supermarket too!! Nice smell of bananas will accompany your items!

[wabbit]

EBAY!

I bought white ones and brown ones, and then put stickers printed on my pc printer on the sides for free advertising. If someone's going to carry the bag about, others can at least see what they've got and where they bought it!

Jules

Obviously not good if you item is fragile and / or heavy but I bought clear carrier bags fom Ebay for this reason, then your product is on show long after it has left your stall.

I have also heard of people getting friends who are visiting the craft fair to wander round with their product in a clear bag for advertising too

[swirlyarts]

I have also heard of people getting friends who are visiting the craft fair to wander round with their product in a clear bag for advertising too

Now thats a good idea!!

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Paper Carriers

Sorry, I should have made myself a little clearer.

The paper carriers have handles and are surprisingly robust. They can take quite a weight with the reinforced bottoms too - think how much chinese takeaway you can get in a small one! They come in a huge variety of sizes to suit most needs.

As with all bags, whether plastic or paper, fragile things need to be wrapped - which is why I mentioned free bubblewrap.....

I also print out cards or small folded leaflets to pop into a customer's bags, more free advertising.

Apologies

Jules

[Katianne]

Thanks!

Thanks for all your suggestions. I like the idea of both clear carrier bags and paper and have already been looking at ebay! I am also raiding the supermarket tonight for the bubblewrap.

[handmadeheaven.biz]

http://www.kal-supplies.co.uk

try this supplier. lovely blokes, great prices, really helpful & SUPER quick! i put an order in around 3pm and it arrived the next morning!! i bought their brown paper bags in small and large, along with other things & have been really impressed.

[wabbit]

Sorry, I should have made myself a little clearer.
Apologies
Jules

No actually it is me *insert embarassed smilie* I meant if your product is heavy or fragile then the clear bags that I was suggesting wouldn't work, I just read my post and it makes little sense, so sorry.

I quoted your post because you were talking about promotion and so was I.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

No Worries..

I bet it was me. Been under the weather, some toerag swapped my tonsils for footballs.....so not really on the uptake this week!

Clear plastic bags for something like photography or paintings would be so cool though......but you'd need to stick in a leaflet or some such, maybe to face outwards on the other side? for other potential buyers to see where the picture or whatever came from.

I like the idea of clear bags for my stitched things like aprons, book bags and pillows.....you get to see everything and no breakages! Cool!

Good Idea Wabbit!


Jules

[wabbit]

I bet it was me. Been under the weather, some toerag swapped my tonsils for footballs....


Jules

Ouchy! Hope you are feeling better now

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Much Better!

I've now given up the tonsilitis monoply, and passed it on to my youngest! Generous to a fault, that's me!

He's got his fruity flavoured antibiotic stuff, and he's tucked up on the sofa enjoying a day off school, don't think he'll be going Monday either! At least he's quiet....poor soul!

Jules

[just_mai]

Try the carrierbagshop.co.uk, they do reasonably priced carrier bags.

[Bowed Over]

I have to agree with most replies here. Ebay has been the best for me. I was banging my head off a brick wall looking for carrier bags. If you went to the manufacturer you would need to pay for thousands of bags (no good for me). On Ebay you can pay for 100 or so and some have fee P&P. You can also visit the sellers shops. Pretty bags make a difference.