Awesome idea! Looking for stickers tomorrow….:)

I make jewelry and have been told by others, even at the postoffice, not to indicate what is in the package since jewelry is one of the things that most often comes up missing before it gets to it’s recipient. I don’t put any indication of what is in my packages. It would be interesting to hear if anyone out there has had items stolen.
Herlyn Handworks

I make jewelry and have been told by others, even at the postoffice, not to indicate what is in the package since jewelry is one of the things that most often comes up missing before it gets to it’s recipient. I don’t put any indication of what is in my packages. It would be interesting to hear if anyone out there has had items stolen.
Herlyn Handworks

As someone who has worked for local postal service centers, I would recommend against this. Lynn is correct, jewelry is one of the most often “missing” items. As you would tend to ship out of the same locations and items would go through the same hubs, the chances are people who have noticed the stickers and looked them up would have a chance to simply remove the item from the line. Many etsy sellers use USPS which does not offer the same kind of tracking as say, UPS or FedEx, and packages do sometimes become lost, especially around the holidays. Also depending on WHERE you are shipping, there could be a greater chance of your product becoming lost if it is of value. By showing someone you make, say, $100+ dolls on your package you let them know that they have something worth stealing. Sadly while most people are kind and generous it only takes one person to much it up for everyone. As small business owners, and people who make one of a kind objects we can ill afford the losses.

sorry the 2nd to last line should have said “…MUCK it up for everyone”

Kat and Lynn — you both make great points about not disclosing the contents of a package. I, too, have been told by the postal service that – unfortunately – theft happens especially when someone sees the contents. (And sadly, even if someone just sees an Amazon.com box these days, they can “go missing” regardless of being able to tell what is inside.)

Putting your website on the outside of your packages is a great idea – otherwise major companies wouldn’t already be doing it. Jennifer – our writer of this post – primarily sells greeting cards in her shop, so theft isn’t an issue as it is with jewelry.

I agree to caution against identifying what the contents of the package are. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. That’s why we love getting feedback and comments on our blog posts: it benefits everyone.

I just started doing this..I also, make sure that my family and friends have a couple of my business cards, as they get comments about my work alot.

I just started doing this..I also, make sure that my family and friends have a couple of my business cards, as they get comments about my work alot.

I just started doing this..I also, make sure that my family and friends have a couple of my business cards, as they get comments about my work alot.

Good article – thanks! Someone below mentioned not putting “jewelry” on the package when sending it. What do you write on the customs sheet when sending jewelry it international? Thanks for your answers.

FANTASTIC tip Jennifer!!!! I’ve always had the HIDE A HEART logo on shipping labels but your tip has prompted me to add the tag line and etsy store address!!! Brilliant!

Another alternative idea is to have a stamp made with your website and tag line. Stamp all your outgoing mail (not packages) or you can use your printed stickers to do the same.

Thank you everyone for your comments. And “Thanks” Laura for your comment. My Etsy shop is a Card shop, so yes I do take pride in my work as it’s value, but my items may not be of the same cost of the jewelry that others offer. Sorry to hear that people may of stolen your packages. And yes I do understand that it has a higher rate of happening around the holidays. You all made very good points.

And thanks Susan, I have put them on outgoing bills as well.

Have a great day everyone!

I ship quilts to shows periodically, and most shows will tell you not to disclose what’s inside. Quilts, Inc., one of the biggest show producers around, tells you to mail your quilts to “Q. Inc” at the street address, so that it is less obvious. Items of value can and do get stolen. :-(

I have put insurance and delivery confirmation on some of my packages that are of a bigger quantity. By reading the comments regarding all of the theft that has taken place I would like to make that suggestion. It sickens me to think that people steal the mail, but it does happen.

Best of luck to everyone and your shops! And “Thank You” for checking out my post.

GENIUS!

This is one of the best tips I’ve seen in awhile. Thanks for the great idea.

[...] Jennifer shared a quick tip on a way to freely get your Etsy store name out there. [...]

Thanks!

Thank You!

Great tip! thanks.