#postal services at the holidays)

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

primarily obsessional OCD is so fun

[ambiguouslady42]

Loid Forger Mood Board

[nightatthemuseum]

ive been at work 4 hours and have only had 9 customers this is crazy

[snorkmaidengaming]

noelle would probably listen to the postal service

[guhhhhhhhhhhh]

I am going to make it thru this week even if it kills me I am GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS WEEK REALLY IM going to make it through this week

[hairtusk]

if all of my packages don't arrive simultaneously tomorrow + the landlord texts me to let me know my other packages are at the office i'm going to scream until my guts come out of my mouth

[danikatze]

hi! just wanted to say as someone who really likes your art (and has been dealing with burnout myself), im glad to hear you're getting some time off soon! I hope you're able to rest as much as you need to and are able to take care of yourself. I know from experience that it really sucks to get to the point in burnout where you're unable to even do art for fun, so im glad it seems like you're able to tackle it before it gets to that point

dunno if I really have a point to this other than, like, solidarity? lmao. its just nice to sees artists taking care of themselves

Oh, thanks so much 🥹 Currently I'm not really able to draw for fun, yeah, which really sucks.. I hasn't been this bad in years. I think trying to print old stuff will be fine though, and hopefully by that time I can draw again as well hahah.

I'm very lucky that the graphic studio I work at is closed the last two weeks of the year. Dunno if I would have taken that time off myself.

Maybe I would have though, because the last two (and a half) months have been kind of crazy. I've had to be present on weekends a lot for teaching workshops and exhibition openings and other events, and while my regular work days tend to be rather quiet, I've been teaching and assisting on those days a lot more than usual as well. And besides that we've had a lot of stress because an important (and expensive and difficult to replace) piece of equipment decided to break just when it was needed most - a lot of things have been going wrong/taking a lot more effort than necessary because of it.

It's been a lot. It's also been fun, but I'm super introverted and I didn't have much alone time that I could use for recharging.

Anyway, thanks again for the kind words, anon 💖You take care of yourself too!

[ithacanradio]

devastated. I just spent 25 euros to get back in Turin but they decided i don't have to do the final three days of work. now i gotta spend another 25 to leave and for what? my violets already died anyway

[nightingalejune]

Hey, it's just about holiday season, so consider this a PSA from a USPS worker.

I know shipping your Christmas gifts in wrapping paper sounds appealing and would be so cute and wholesome, but wrapping paper is not sturdy. The mailing process is not kind. Half of that paper is going to be ripped off by the time it arrives at its destination.

Worst case scenario, the shipping label rips off and we can't deliver your item.

[thatmightyheart]

just a psa, i'll be closing shop on 11th DEC midnight GMT, so if you were interested in anything please go ahead and place your order before then!

i'll be trying to ship orders out more frequently to help speed things up ^^)b

shop has been updated with all the new in-stock items, including the p5 glow-in-the-dark charms and shukita standees! :)

find everything 💚 here! 💚

thank you as always for your support! ( • ̀ω•́ )✧

[kaleuh]

Day 41: When was the last time you wrote a letter? To whom?

Oh! It was just a few months ago, actually! I asked The Mailman if he ever gets handwritten letters, and he said no, and I thought since he's always delivering everyone else's that he should get one too!!

I actually took a picture of it before I sent it out—I have special Homestar Runner (Teen Girl Squad) letter writing paper :o) I put it in a gold-embroidered envelope and sealed it with Dandelion perfume.

THE CONTENT IS FOR THE BOY'S EYES ONLY!! BUT you're allowed to see this:

I've been meaning to write him more but we just hang out so gosh darn much that I forget to write!!

[abrightandbrittlegrin]

my therapist PHYSICALLY MAILED his 'please treat this kid for adhd he's got it bad' letter to my doctor and my doctor still hasn't contacted me about it?? scream

[himegureisu]

The Gift

Summary: Out of nowhere, your husband receives a gift from you.

A/N: This came to me last night after thinking of what type of mail people receive. Here's one I hope you enjoy.

------------------------------

The Owl Postal Service in Hogwarts was, if not, consistent in their delivery time.

This time being, the hour after breakfast started for everyone to ensure that no disruptions, except important missives, were to be received during class hours.

Your tawny barn owl sailed through the Great Hall, over the heads of students and staff, and landed on the High Table in front of its’ intended recipient, your husband, their dark and grumpy Potions Professor, Severus Snape.

It was uncommon for the Potions’ Professor to receive anything but Potions’ ingredients, his usual Potions’ Journal subscription, or official mail either from the Ministry or the Order so the package, a neatly wrapped gift in royal green paper, silver ribbon, and a tag attached, accompanied by a letter in your distinct handwriting was bound to attract attention.

“Is there a special occasion?” the Headmaster’s eyes twinkled upon the sight of the young Potions’ Master quite confused,

“No,” Severus answered, “Not that I know of,”

His thoughts a mile a minute through his brain, slowly, internally panicking. His eyes locked at the present in front of him. Did he forget YOUR birthday? God no, you’d thoroughly celebrated every time the day came around. Did he forget his birthday? Did he forget an anniversary? Did he forget a muggle holiday that you loved to celebrate? No, so what was this doing here?

“It’s wrapped beautifully,” Minerva remarked, from across Dumbledore, “Will you open it?”

He does. First, the letter.

“Sev,” your voice echoed through his brain, “I know you’re probably trying to think of any reason why I would send a gift to you on a normal day.”

You know him far too well.

“Just stop. Do I need a reason to send a gift to the one I love when I feel like it?” a soft smile slowly formed on his lips as he read that line, his colleagues’ interest piqued at the change, “It’s from our holiday and other events, I hope you like it. I know I did. I love you, I’ll see you when I get home,”

Your letter was swiftly tucked in his robes after then taking the package from your owl. Severus proffered a treat for them, and they happily ate before it perched itself on his shoulder. His hands gently tugged on the silver to unwrap the gift.

His initials and yours, on the cover of a leather-bound enchanted photo album.

On the first page of your story, the title page, if the album was a muggle document, was a candid photo from your most recent vacation. Your arms wrapped around his. His figure was behind yours in a hug. Your faces were engulfed in laughter after a guide failed to land a joke against him.

“Oh,” Severus whispered, Your gift was amazing. How did he get so lucky to deserve you?

“That’s a rare sight,” Filius said, by his right, “Severus smiling and speechless,”

“She’s beautiful, Severus,” Albus complimented,

“We look forward to meeting her,” Minerva said,

Their words fell on deaf ears.

Beneath the photo album, in a frame, there was another photo of the both of you from afar. This moment was captured by a charmed camera that you didn’t even know was there until after it happened. In the wilds of Wizarding Britain, on your first date, underneath the stars, he’d kissed the back of your hand, admitted his affections, and asked if he could kiss you. To which you shyly agreed, and received the sweetest kiss you’d ever experienced.

This he could place on his desk. The others were not up for public consumption.

“If you’ll excuse me, Professors, I must send a response,”

[shinonart]

CELEBRATION SALE FROM NOV 1st TO NOV 30th!

To celebrate becoming a full-time artist I decided to host a sale on Etsy! Everything except my original paintings and digital downloads is 25% off the whole month.

I have also added a few new items to the shop, go check them out!

SHIPPING When ordering multiple items and/or adding international tracking the shipping costs may accumulate weirdly due to how Etsy calculates the costs. If you end up with an abnormally large shipping cost feel free to:

contact me on Etsy (makes things a lot easier to have all correspondence in once place)

include your phone number in the message field when placing an order and write "Please review the shipping costs"

This way I can check if I can find a cheaper deal with another courier and refund any excess postages to you. I use the Finnish postal service by default. but other couriers require a phone number which is something Etsy doesn't collect automatically, hence the problem. The phone number is for the courier's use only.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

If you are ordering holiday gifts please do so as early as possible. I cannot guarantee that orders placed in the end of November can make it before the holidays. International shipping is a nightmare this time of the year and shipping times may be up to 1-2 weeks longer than usual.

If you want to make sure your gift arrives on time (especially outside of Europe):

order early

choose tracked shipping

or message me on Etsy so I can try to find a faster/cheaper alternative

Thank you!

[masseffectholidaycheer]

**ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL OF THIS GIFT EXCHANGE*

GREETINGS, VERMIN. THE HOLIDAY HARVEST SEASON IS UPON US ONCE MORE.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY before filling out the survey.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Surveys will be collected until December 06, 2024.

Match emails will be sent out by December 10, 2024.

Gifts may be given between January 15, 2025 and January 31, 2025.

Anyone making/sending a physical gift must provide proof of postage by January 15, 2025.

*Postal services are often somewhat hampered by distance, weather, strikes, etc. If you’re receiving a physical gift, it may be delayed.

But worry not—everyone gets a gift. Minion Keeper is VERY good at this job! They have a sacred spreadsheet, which they keep in the tiny sacred backpack. (Nothing gets past the sacred spreadsheet. Not even Shepard.)

Read the rules. We’ve made some changes/clarifications this year.

FILL OUT THE SURVEY! (Enjoy Holiday Harbinger’s sense of humor. Truly, the gift that keeps on giving.)

**Follow @masseffectholidaycheer for the duration of the exchange. This is where we communicate. It’s also where you can enjoy all the gifts people make.**

Spread the news! The more the merrier! Otherwise, Holiday Harbinger will never collect enough organic paste to make a Tumblr Reaper.

Join in the fun before the Harvest takes you all.

If you have questions you’d like answered, please send Holiday Harbinger an email at holidayharbinger@gmail.com.

JANUARY JUBILATION CANNOT BE STOPPED

[archie-sunshine]

International Shipping Emergency Comms

So folks, I don't like to post like this or be a bother or anything, but i have been confounded and befuddled and frankly robbed.

When i initially opened orders for my body pillows, I was planning on shipping through canada post, for which the going shipping rate was 20 dollars. I figured through both my earnings from the merch and the shipping rate, I would be readily able to pay that amount of money.

AND THEN THE POSTAL SERVICE WENT ON STRIKE.

And so because we make lemons out of lemonade, I thought 'alright. on their website it says shipping to the US is 22 dollars, thats a bit more but it's fine, for international orders it'll be a LOT more pricey, but it should be alright :D'

AND THEN, AFTER DOUBLE CHECKING AND CONFIRMING THE PRICE ONLINE, I WENT TO THE STORE TODAY AND THE PRICE HAD DOUBLED.

Sadly, I had to cut into my savings to pay, which isn't a big deal, but i'm definitely hurting for it since its the holidays, and as well, because of the spending cap on my debit card, I was only able to put through the first 9 orders.

I know that currently the people have decided that I can do two or three commissions on each stream, and I'm a man of my word, so that will remain unchanged, but I do need a little help raising money to ship the last few packages without leaving me destitute.

AND SO.

I am introducing my new emergency commissions.

FOR SEVEN DOLLARS I WILL NOW BADLY DRAW A CHARACTER OF YOUR CHOICE. IM ACCEPTING 20 SLOTS OF THIS TYPE.

(I've also opened the orders for tomorrow night's 3 on stream commissions, 2 sketch single slots, and 2 sketch comic slots)

again, I can pay for the difference if i absolutely need to, but any commissions will help me tremendously to get everyone's stuff sent on time!

TLDR: canada post is still on strike, ups doubled the shipping price that I promised everyone, and my commissions are now EMERGENCY OPEN.