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Packaging Specialties Stores

Last weekend I visited the Packaging Specialties Store here in Seattle in search of some crepe paper. I had gotten lots of suggestions on places to buy crepe in Seattle (thanks!) but this one was on my side of town. I was blown away by the store, it was like finding the hiding place of all those things I had to search so hard for when I was living in San Francisco — ribbons, tins, papers, boxes, all in one place. I was a bit overwhelmed with how much they had, and how many varieties of everything.

Here is what I wrote down in my notebook: Midori ribbons (must be the whole line), tissue and crepe, fake flowers, paint cans of many sizes, soup cups (for packaging candy), Altoid sized tins, round tins, lip balm tins, paper lanterns (square!), blank stationary, boxes of all sizes and shapes, Envirosax, craft paper in colors, gift bags of all sizes and colors, bindi tins and boxes, colored twill, silk ribbon, beautiful papers, variety of gift tags, Cath Kidson books, oil cloth, Chinese take out boxes in colors and sizes and frosted plastic, glassine, cookie bags, coffee bags, clear tubes with lids, lunch box, favors, large rick rack, bridal goods, magazines, favor boxes. They had posy boxes, people, many many kinds! That is special. Everything appealed to me, there was little hint of country twee or “Party Store” garishness. The website doesn’t do justice to just how complete their offerings are.

By comparison I went to a Paper Zone store directly afterwards and the variety of packaging goods was boring by comparison (I realize that Paper Zone is more for those who scrapbook and make stationary). So, if you’re hoping to find a certain type of packaging for your homemade bath crystals or cookies I can recommend a trip to the Packaging Specialties Store down in Georgetown, there is also a location in Redmond.

· comments [9] · 02-25-2008 · categories:seattle · shopping ·

9 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Daphne // Feb 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    Yay! I had a feeling you were about to find a personal mecca — I woulda recommended it but many did so before me. My only comment was to protect your budget & wallet before entering. It’s such a tiny store but just excellent.

  • 2 Sally // Feb 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm

    I need one of those down here in Portland! I’ll have to be sure to go there next time I’m in Seattle. Thanks for the list of stuff, now I’ll be prepared.

  • 3 Eliza // Feb 25, 2008 at 2:27 pm

    I’ll never forget the first time I wandered into Packaging Specialties. My first thought was “how come there’s a place this awesome and nobody ever told me about it?!” My second thought was that there was more fun stuff in there than I could ever get a chance to experiment with.

  • 4 nazilam // Feb 25, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    I cleaned up on Midori ribbon at last years Greens Galore sale that the Arboretum Foundation runs. I’ll remind you next year.

    My fourth grade teacher runs PS – its a very small world. I cannot go into the place without spending tons of cash, but I need those cellophane bags by the 100s. Really!

    nm

  • 5 Alyson // Feb 25, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    I Love Packaging Specialties! I usually don’t get all wound up about making pretty packages, but that store makes it easy for someone with 10 thumbs to create a masterpiece. Whenever I finish a shawl that I am giving away – I run to the Bellevue PS to put together a matching wrapped box, tissue and ribbon emsemble. The box just makes the gift perfect!

  • 6 Jackie // Feb 25, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    My mom suggested the one in Redmond to me when I needed bags for hand made soap. (At the time I lived in Renton, I now live in South Park.) I recently stopped in the Redmond one. One of the sales people was talking about their Seattle location. I was beside myself when she said their Seattle location was in Georgetown!!! 5 minutes away.
    One of my personal faves is their wine boxes, to me they look better than wine bags. And only $1.75ish.
    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • 7 Erin // Feb 26, 2008 at 11:25 am

    Yes, please. The tie comparison is perfect.

  • 8 Seattlejo // Feb 26, 2008 at 12:55 pm

    You are a bad bad influence. I’m going to have to go down there now.

  • 9 Patia // Feb 26, 2008 at 9:57 pm

    Cool, I bookmarked it for my next trip to Seattle.

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