Digging my way out from a pile of orders, I thought I had better remember to update with regards to the shipping cut off times. Yes, as always, in the mad lead up to the holiday season, the postal agencies everywhere get swarmed with packages. Which basically means that orders might take just that longer to ship out. So… if you have your eye on something for that special someone (or even as a gift to yourself for being nice this year), do grab it fast. It’d arrive nicely wrapped and ready to go under the tree.

To ensure arrival in time for Christmas… International customers, please order by 26 Nov. Local / SG customers, by 17 Dec. This will allow time for me to craft your items and wrap them, and for the postal agencies to send them off. We all know that they don’t have Santa’s overnight shipping times!

In other news, we just sent out our first mailer… in a very very long while. I finally signed myself up for an email list client and it has been nothing short of amazing. Yes, I have apparently been living in a black hole / under a stone but heck, there’s no turning back now. I love the efficiency of it and that I can actually track what is going on. Hah. Makes me feel like my email is making some waves.

So anyway, the mailer’s out. For those on the list, be sure to open it. Act fast coz it is only good till month’s end. The rest of you, what are you waiting for? Head on down to the shop and register. We are prepping November’s mailer as we speak. Drop us an email, leave us a comment. What would you like to see included?

And to always be sure to be in the loop of our latest happenings, follow us on Twitter (there’s something wrong with the twitter feed widget on the blog, technology!), like us on Facebook, keep tab of our Etsy store’s RSS feeds and if you like a(n almost) daily dose of inspiration, subscribe to our blog too.

And that’s a wrap. Virtually… now back to the real life wrapping of orders…

Shipping with Sparkle Thots means a couple of things. It means making sure your items are suitably packed in ziplocks and carefully placed in bubble lined envelopes before being sent off for shipping. It also means checking (somewhat paranoid) that the name and address written is correct. On both the slip and the mailer.

Then it means lugging Jayden off to the post office to queue till we get to the counter.

Almost done… Settle the administrative issues then… this is the important part. To you anyway.

Locally (Singapore), your package will arrive within 2-3 working days. Typically Singpost offers next day turnaround but they just would like added time in case things goof up. Internationally, the times vary depending on location. But expect an additional 2 days added to your standard due to the tracking process.

What it means practically for you and me, is the added assurance for you that I actually posted the package (aha!) and not kept both the item and the money, and for me, the assurance that you receive it. If in the event the package goes missing, we can call the corresponding postal services involved and get their attention.

How is it possible? The magical tracking number! It requires that some physical human being is around to receive your item. If not, a little delivery notice is slipped under your door. In the unfortunate event that no postman knocks or no notice is found, arm yourself with the tracking number (also known as RA No.), and call the post office.

Sometimes by some fluke the postman did not drop the note or it got misplaced or goodness knows what happened.

When you call the post office, you can do one of several things. Redirect for collection at another post office more convenient to you, have them resend another day or pick it up directly from the post office.

If you are overseas, and your package has not arrived within reasonable time frame, call the post office! I have learnt through some nail biting experience that while we (my dear customers and I) are waiting patiently for the package, the postal agency and decided to sit on it. Maybe put it in some box that they admire everyday. I don’t know.

So a friendly call to remind them that you actually want the mail delivered gets it into your hands. Weird but true.

Important Websites to Note

• to track the package
• to transfer the package to be picked up at another post office
• to arrange for redelivery
• list of Post Offices (opens a pdf file)

But of course, if all this is too much information, and you are in Singapore, come on down to the fair today! Toodles! I am off to the fair already.