Our Featured Customer for December is Cork's Kettle Corn. We spoke with David Cork about his dynamic kettle corn company and how he uses custom packaging to fit his needs.

Tell us a little about your company: 

Cork's Kettle Corn has been around since 2004 and is a family run business in Statesboro, Georgia.  We started small with one kettle at our local farmers market and expanded to share the joy of popcorn in South Georgia. In 2014 we built a small commercial kitchen at our home and went through the licensing process. Within a few months we had repeat business and our customers began spreading the word about our kettle corn to friends and family outside the area. We realized the internet would be a great way to introduce the product nationwide

Image from Cork's Kettle Corn Instagram

What makes your product unique? 

We make it one small batch at a time with four simple ingredients.  Sometimes less in more!

Image from Cork's Kettle Corn Instagram

How do you package your products and what ClearBags® products do you use? 

 We package our products one bag at a time by hand and use the gusseted Stand Up Zipper Pouches.

Where do you sell your product? 

We still sell it each week at our local farmers market and we have a small network of stores that we sell to through distribution.  We also have our website that we market our products.

How long have you been working with ClearBags and how does ClearBags help you succeed? 

We have been working with Clear Bags since February 2016 and it has brought our product to a whole new level with a professional look that I am proud to take to the marketplace.

What one piece of packaging advice would you give to other business owners? 

Since this was my first experience with a custom printed bag, I recommend that you work closely with your ClearBags rep and your artist to get all the details worked out.

How can people connect with you?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corkskettlecorn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CorksCorn
Website: http://www.corkskettlecorn.com

Whether you are on the Naughty or Nice list yourself, shopping for your loved ones can be stressful and take the fun out of giving. We came up with 12 examples of holiday gifting ideas to ease the strain, while still being thoughtful and merry!

Day 1: Metallic Heat Seal Bags! These bags are new in stock and are ideal for your homemade treats. Add a bow, stickers or labels to personalize it.

Day 2: Greeting cards! Snail mail is always delightful to receive amid bills & flyers. We love these holiday card sets ModaPaperDesigns put together!

Day 3: Homemade sugar scrub! Super straightforward and customizable to make with a base of oil, sugar and essential oils of your choice. Package in a jar or bag with some ribbon and a cute tag! These scrubs are also easy to make in bulk for those who are frugal and need gifts for several people.

Day 4: Personalized cookies! December is basically a month long marathon of treats, and personalized cookies is a great way to make yours memorable! Semisweetmike has us swooning over these cookies that are the perfect combo of sweet and creative!

Day 5: Handmade Charms. Donuts are good all year round, but these charms from Tinyshinybakery would be sweet as a holiday gift!

Day 6: Cold weather = time for some cute socks! Pair with some nail polish and lotion and you have yourself a very, merry holiday gift!

Day 7: NeonYolkShop makes our hearts skip a beat with these festive sprinkle mix minis! Who could pass up such a delicious gift?!

Day 8: Gift tags! Step up your gifting game with unique tags! Check out our Pinterest board  for a collection of our favorite printable tags!

Day 9: Hot Chocolate Reindeer Cones. A perfect gift for neighbors, teachers and coworkers. Grab a cone bag, layer hot cocoa mix and marshmallows, close with a ribbon/bow/pipe cleaners, add some googly eyes and a red nose and DONE!

Day 10: Buy bulk envelopes. Don't like the generic envelopes that come with your holiday cards? Then these luxe foil envelopes are your answer! An upgrade that doesn't cost a whole lot (50 for less than 8 bucks!!)

Day 11: Shop small! Isn't stimulating the economy the greatest gift of all? We love finding small businesses that completely wow us with their products!  Megbyhand is an exceptional example of shopping small to get beautiful, handcrafted jewelry that will delight the 'Nice' ones on your list!

Day 12: The final day! We have this -extremely well tested- theory that you can stick just about anything in a cute box and that will make the gift 10x as cute. Yes, it's true. Small box, big box, any kind of box. Look how cute these bath bombs are in a little box!

We want to share some irresistible ways you can show off your bling. We know your passion is creating beautiful jewelry. Packaging is probably the last thing you want to worry about. But these simple ideas can help you make a lasting impression.

Packaging is like a blank canvas. You can start with something simple. Add a few extra touches and accents and voilà! You have a package that is bursting with personality. This special attention to your packaging can make the difference in getting a one-time customer and repeat business.

Whether you sell jewelry online or at the local craft fair, we have some packaging ideas from our customers that will help you organize your products, display them beautifully, and create gift-ready memories.

We have organized them into those primarily selling in bulk/online, those looking to sell into retail, and those that want to do gift-ready packaging.

Ok, here we go...

Selling in Bulk/Online

To Get and Stay Organized

Jewelry making often involved managing many small pieces – beads, wiring, hooks, charms. So many jewels and so little time…

Plastic bags can help you organize materials and your finished pieces. They can also serve as a take-home bag for your customers or used for shipping. Who knew that these little plastic bags could be so useful?

Two great options for jewelry makers are either zipper bags or flap seal bags. “What’s so great about them, they’re just bags?” …you might say. Well, for starters they’re resealable. That’s right. You can open them and seal many, many times.

Most zipper bags used in bulk jewelry packaging are made of polyethylene (PE) material. This thinner, flexible plastic works well for packaging bulk, lightweight items. Flap seal bags are made from a type of polypropylene (PP) and are more clear than PE bags. Flap seal bags also feature a self-adhesive on the flap and you can adjust the length of the bag to fit a specific piece of jewelry.

There is no limit to what you can put in these bags. You can store your long-length necklaces, charms, posts, chains, wire, cord, and the tiniest of beads. These bags come in all shapes and sizes. And, the best thing? These bags are clear so you can see what you’re organizing. No need to second-guess what’s in the bag.

The clear visibility of these bags makes it easier to organize materials and products for your customers.

For Your Customers

They’re just plastic, but these cute, little bags can make a memorable take-home package for your customers. If you like to display your jewelry in the open-air, these bags are especially useful.

Once a customer has decided on a piece, you can easily slip this product into one of these bags. We have also seen our customers double bag their jewelry to separate and protect charms or featured settings from the chain. The inner “charm bag” is smaller and fits into the outer bag that serves as a protective shell for the entire piece. This prevents silver or gold from tarnishing, and adds further protection during shipping.

Try adding a little extra note or material to help your customer feel like a pampered guest.

Selling into Retail

There is something about dangling, sparkling objects that people can’t resist, which is why hanging packaging works so well for the retail setting. We have seen customers use bags, pouches, and boxes when it comes to hanging packaging. and can be used for bulk supplies or finished pieces.

Hanging Zippers

Nothing is worse than spilled beads all over the floor, right? Hanging Zipper Bags are easy to manage. They vary in thickness, material, and style. Hanging Zipper Bags come in PE and PP (that’s polyethylene and polypropylene for those that need a quick refresher). These are thin, flexible plastic bags that come with a hang hole to allow you to showcase your jewelry on point of purchase displays. You can get the hang hole in a round or euro style, so choose what looks best with your product and works with your retailers.

Like the bulk PE zippers, the PE Hanging Bags get the job done, but PP bags offer far more clarity. Use PP if you plan to include a card with a graphic on it. It is clearer and will let that show through. PE is good to save a few cents and works well with graphics on the outside of the packaging. It really comes down to your budget and packaging style. Both are reasonably priced.

Hanging Top Bags with Adhesive Flaps

This style of bag is optimal for jewelry packaging because it is crystal clear, the clearest in the industry. It also has reinforced, laminated seams to prevent tearing and loads from the top or bottom. Get a top-loading bag so your tiny beads won’t spill out as they might with a bottom-loading bag. A resealable adhesive strip comes on the bag flap, great if you want customers to only use some of your product at a given time (e.g., beads) or if you want them to be able to handle the product before buying. Even though these bags are lightweight, these bags are strong enough for weighty pieces such as brooches and large-size stones.


No one wants a crumpled necklace sitting at the bottom of a bag. To fix that, you can insert a card with notches so the necklace hangs nicely in the front of the card. Secure the remainder of the necklace inside of a smaller plastic bag and tape it the back of the card. This way the dangling chains won’t get tangled or bunched at the bottom of the bag.

Hanging Vinyl Pouches

Vinyl pouches are uniquely thick and intended to be puncture resistant for heavy, pointy objects. The vinyl material feels smooth to the touch and provides a soft quality, making these pouches a great choice for light earring backings, posts, hooks, charms, and more weighty jewels and stones.

Hanging Clamshell Boxes

Not digging the bags? How about a box? Hanging clamshell boxes give you another option for puncture-proof packaging you can hang from your shelves. Although these boxes aren’t exactly shaped like clams, they do resemble clams in how they function. They have two halves that are joined together by a hinge. When these halves meet, they close together tightly, giving you a secure, air-padded container.

When you have sharp-edged jewelry that might otherwise tear your bags, these puncture-proof boxes will do the trick.

They are made from thick 12 mil, durable PVC plastic. These boxes feel solid in your hands. The tight closure prevents anything from slipping through and protects your product. Your customers will find it easy to access materials. Sharp hooks, posts, charms, beads and heavier stones look stunning in these boxes.

Hanging Pillow Boxes

It’s true! These cute boxes are shaped like pillows.

These boxes are made from 12 mil PVC, so they are durable and crystal clear for showing off materials, necklaces, and assorted beads. Because these boxes are rounded and sturdy, they work well for bulkier, larger beads. For a more elegant, refined feel, you can find these in a frosted finish. They are also available in a side hanging version so you can present your jewelry horizontally, which might be just what your need for necklaces or pendants. You can also insert cards for earrings, pendants, and charms, or wrap a necklace around a card with notches to hold the items in place. Dangling pillow boxes are pretty hard to resist!

Selling Gift-Ready

Who doesn’t love receiving jewelry as a gift? Jewelry helps celebrate that special anniversary or birthday. A gift-ready package can make life’s special moments all the more memorable. This ready-for-action package can be an enticing purchase for your customers.

Boxes in unique shapes and textures offer a cut above the normal, routine packaging. All of the below ideas ship and store flat to save you a little cash, and can be decorated with ribbons and bows as convenient. That being said, these unique packages are practically ready as gifts and don’t require much to decorate.

Instagram: @megbyhand

Pillow Boxes – Clear and Kraft

Pillow Boxes look just as elegant lying flat as they do hanging from your shelves, and make memorable gift packages. Because of their slightly rounded, arched shape, these boxes work well for rings and necklaces with thicker stones and beads. These boxes come in small enough sizes for single rings. We’ve seen many customers display necklaces by wrapping them around cardstock before being placed inside the box.


Because of their unique shape, these pillow boxes already stand out. Simple bows or twine may be all you need to create a memorable gift pillow box. Try adding fabric, cut-outs, twine or ribbon to the Kraft version for a homemade feel. You don’t have to spend a lot of money and, in fact, you can simply reuse materials you already have. The important thing is to give your customers a unique package that they can’t get anywhere else.

Kraft Paper Window Boxes

Window boxes frame your jewelry pieces like works of art. This Kraft version offers another option for eco-friendly packaging. They make an attractive display for necklaces, charms, bracelets and pendants. The brown material gives this box a natural, organic look. Natural stones and beads look amazing in these boxes.

A ribbon, bow, or twine makes this package gift-ready. You can also provide a colorful, natural accent with stamped design, cutouts, or herbs. These are simple, but effective ideas that work great on a limited budget.

Instagram: @tinyshinybakery

Clear Boxes

Clear Boxes are like a mini display case for your jewelry pieces. These boxes are softer and less rigid than acrylic boxes. They can be easily assembled by folding along creases that shape them into place. Because they are made with clear, PVC material, these boxes enhance colors and details.

They come in a variety of sizes and work for just about any kind of jewelry. Some customers use insert colorful cards as a shelf to prop up their pieces. Accent with a ribbon or bow.

Glassine Envelopes

We love the non-traditional, high-end look of glassine envelopes. These are suitable for lighter pieces like rings, earrings, and chained necklaces. Gold and silver pieces look especially impressive in these frosted and translucent envelopes. Unlike plastic bags, Glassine Envelopes do have adhesive to keep them closed. So, while these may not be suitable for shipping, they offer a classy and unexpected way to package gifts.


We hope you can try some of these ideas that we have seen our customers using.

Just remember, packaging doesn’t need to cost a lot to be effective and memorable, and it certainly shouldn’t be a chore to figure out! A few extra touches are all you need to personalize your packaging and keep your customers coming back.

Whether you are organizing products, readying them for retail or giving them as gifts, these ideas offer you lots of choices you can explore for your business.

It’s that final push through the end of the year, that busy rush through the retail season. We, the ClearBags family, would like to pause for a moment and say thank your for your business. We have served more customers than every before, and it is because of your support that we can continue to bring high quality packaging and exemplary customer service to this industry. For this we are very grateful and would like to wish you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.

Read the thank you letter from our CEO here.

Also, check out our December promotion: 10% off all mats, backing, holiday gussets, and select accessories.

December Promotion

You can’t just get the sale by clicking on the link! You need a promo code! Sign up below to get it.


Promotion ends December 31, 2016. Discounts only apply to stock items; they do not apply to clearance or custom products. Promo codes cannot be combined.

Where you can find us in November (upcoming trade shows)

Things are quiet around here for December—No Tradeshows for the month. January is very busy, so watch for us at these tradeshows the first part of 2017:

• Nov 6-9 – Sun-Wed – Pack Expo, Booth #2340 – Chicago, IL
• Jan 8 - 10 – Sun - Tue – Imaging USA, Booth #1028 – San Antonio, TX 
• Jan 10 - 12 – Tue - Thu – PPAI Expo, Booth #3061 – Las Vegas, NV (Mandalay) 
• Jan 21 - 23 – Sat - Mon – CHA Creativation, Booth #842 – Phoenix, AZ
• Jan 22 - 24 – Sun - Tue – Winter Fancy Food, Booth #618 – San Francisco, CA 
• Jan 23 - 25 – Mon - Wed – WCAF, Booth #140 – Las Vegas, NV (Paris) 
• Jan 28 - 29 – Sat - Sun – Indo Expo, Denver, CO 
• Jan 31 - Feb 1 – Tue - Wed – Seed to Sale, Booth #507 – Denver, CO 

In case you missed them

Stock packaging doesn’t have to be plain jane. We have DIY ideas to help you channel your inner designer guru. Check out these eight ideas to prevent boring bag and box syndrome.

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Featured Customer: Olivia Macaron

Learn from Ana Claudia about her fantastic pastry company and what she uses to package her delectable macarons.

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Holiday DIY: Christmas Cookie Gift Boxes

With December finally here, we wanted to share one of our favorite gift ideas. Christmas Cookie Boxes! Make these thoughtful, homemade treats to take to neighbors or sell in your shop.

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**The Fine Print:

Discounts only apply to stock items; they do not apply to clearance or custom products. Promo codes cannot be combined. This promo includes the following items: Pre-cut Mats (all), Backing Board (all), Holiday Printed Gussets (G3CTR, G3ORN, G3CCN, G3HNK, G3SNM, G4CTR, G4ORN, G4CCN, G4HNK, G4SNM, G5CTR, G5ORN, G5CCN, G5HNK, G5SNM only), Ribbon (all), and Pre-Tied Bows (all).