Lindy Brown
Every issue of Paper Crafts magazine is stuffed full of some of the most amazing paper crafted projects. Once we choose which projects we are going to publish, designers from all over send in their projects so we can photograph them. Once the process of writing, editing, and designing the magazine is completed, we’re left with hundreds of projects that need to be returned (with complimentary issues of the magazine) to the designers.
When I was first given the assignment to return the projects from the March/April issue, I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. I thought wrong. (Sounds eerily similar to how I reacted to the writing assignment, doesn’t it? Maybe from now on I should start overestimating the amount of effort things require…) It wasn’t that the work was particularly difficult, it was just rather time consuming.
I completely take over the break room when I do returns. Because we have so many talented designers who have multiple projects in an issue, I will first sort through all of the projects and arrange them in piles according to designer. This makes it easier when stuffing envelopes, because that way I don’t have to shuffle through bins and folders in order to find a particular designer. These piles of projects are spread all over the break room tables.
Maybe one of these piles of projects belongs to you!
- In addition to returning your projects, we also throw in some paper craft goodies from the product cart.
Then, once I have the projects organized, I will stuff envelopes or package boxes, depending on the size and amount of projects in one package. Cards are by far the easiest. I can fit quite a few cards in one envelope, and that means I don’t have to go searching through the warehouse looking for the right sized box.
From piles of projects to piles of envelopes and boxes, this is the joy of returns!
The first time I did returns, it took me a full eight-hour shift. It was a good thing I had my handy-dandy orange iPod. Music made returns go a lot faster. Music makes a lot of things go faster. I often listen to instrumental music while I work on my writing assignments. (I’m actually listening to “The Village” soundtrack as I write this.)
Who knew that working at Paper Crafts magazine would require so much manual labor? But it just goes to show how much work goes into putting out this publication. The staff puts in an incredible amount of time and effort, but it is all worth it.
Your Paper Crafts intern,
Lindy
P.S. Brandy wanted me to announce the winners of her Maximize Your Stamps + MORE FREEBIES!! post from last week. After a whopping 507 comments, the two lucky winners are #25 (Carol, March 19, 10:07 a.m.) and #171 (Tammy Reagan, March 19, 4:00 p.m.). Congratulations, ladies! We’ll be contacting you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments and played along. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s big announcement on who won the amazing prize package from Kelly’s Freebie Friday – The Big One! post. (BTW, we’re still accepting comments until midnight tonight (MST), so keep them coming!)
You Go Girl – great work and thanks for sharing the pics!!!
Congratulations to Carol and Tammy!!
Lindy, I’ve often wondered how many people take care of returns. You have spent 8 hours working on them? Wow! That’s a lot of labor for the magazine! You know what though? It’s totally worth it! Paper Crafts is an amazing magazine, and it’s always a pleasure to get a new issue!! You are a returning dynamo though!! Impressive!! And Lindy, I love your red hair!!
Great job! Congrats to the winners!
Now I would love to be the winner of the BIG one.
wow, i’d wondered who did this job which looks quite daunting, but you do it so well
kudos to you… also, CONGRATS ladies!!
Congrats to the lucky winners!
I happen to be the recipient of one of those wonderful envelopes so lovingly prepared – today in fact! imagine my delight when my card that was published in the May/June PaperCrafts came back to me along with a few complimentary issues! Thank you so VERY VERY VERY much for all of your hard work and dedication to the task!
you made my day special all over again! 
I’m sure I speak for a lot of people when I say how much I enjoy looking “behind the scenes” at Paper Crafts magazine! Whether it’s the necessary tedium of preparing projects for return, or a special blow-out (like those incredible birthday parties!), it’s just fascinating for us to see what our PC favorites do from day to day!
Thanks, Lindy, for another interesting piece that lets us, vicariously, be interns at Paper Crafts!
I can imagine the amount of work you guys put in. It must be exciting to work there. Thanks for sharing this behind the scene photo, it’s interesting to see a part of your work routine.
Congratulations to the winners!
Thanks for all your hard work!!!We all appreciate getting our projects back, and those fun free issues!! It was really neat to see the behind-the-scenes peek! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad that a gal so organized is in charge of getting our beloved projects back to us. You Rawk girl! And thanks for the look into the back room and the running and goings-on of our favorite publication.
I don’t know how you keep all that stuff organized! Cudzo to you!
Congrats to all the winners!
As both a reader and a submitter, I , for one, really appreciate all the work you do Lindy! Thank you!
(-: Heidi
OMG! Listen. I would really like to help you cleaning and make some room in there so how about just taking a box and throw the product cart stuff inside and send it to me? he he… I am drooling over here. You’re job is the best!
congrats to the winners!!!
I love your mag Im always buying it I cant wait for a new one One day I hope to be in it Thats my dream congrat to the ladys who won already .I hope Im the next winner Thank you for the chace to win Sarah Ketchum