Ingredients: 
• 1 Mango (be sure it's a nice ripe one -- red and yellow and orange in color -- slightly tender to the touch, like a peach) 
• 1 red onion
•  frozen corn
• 1 medium jalapeno
• cilantro
• a couple ripe tomatoes (depends on how tomato-y you like your salsa)

Directions:
1. Peel and dice your mango. This can be a little tricky if you've never done it before. After peeling mine I sliced it up like an apple avoiding the core of the mango. It has really tough fibers running through most of the center... you don't want those in your salsa.

2. Dice enough red onion to make about 1/4 of a cup. Like with all of the ingredients if you like more or less of something in your salsa you can adjust the measurements.

3. Add 1/2 cup of frozen corn. It keeps the salsa nice and cool if you are eating it right away. You could also roast some corn and add that instead of frozen... yummy!

4. Dice your tomatoes. I like to slice mine then remove the seeds, then dice it. I am NOT a fan of seeds in my salsa.

5. Add 1/2 tsp of cilantro. You can use fresh, or freeze dried. I personally used the freeze dried. It is easy to store, easy to measure out and use, and we don't go through enough cilantro to buy the bunch from the grocery store.

6. Dice your jalapeno. I can't stress this enough, but ALWAYS WEAR FOOD SAFE GLOVES WHEN CUTTING A JALAPENO. I learned my lesson. Once was all it took. Several years ago I sliced a jalapeno ungloved (not a word, I know), washed my hands thoroughly, and later in the day rubbed my eye. Ya... it wasn't fun! So, from now on I wear gloves and I always slice it last!


7. Mix everything up and enjoy. I find that it tastes even better after being in the fridge overnight. All of the flavors marry together and it is sheer perfection.

     • Tear Proof Mailers: These come is varied sizes so be sure to take into account the size of items that you are most likely to be shipping. I generally choose envelopes that are slightly larger than my items and sometimes longer. Then they can accommodate a better range of products and you can always fold down the envelope as you seal for a more snug fit.

• Flat Rate USPS Shipping Envelopes/Boxes: If you are shipping small things that tend to weigh a lot… these are absolutely the way to go! They come in different sizes and have different postage amounts. The ones most commonly used are the small flat rate envelopes and boxes. They are $5.25 to ship and you can fill them with as much as you can. They cannot weight more than 4 lbs if you ship them internationally. You can also order them for free on the USPS website and your mail carrier will deliver them to you free of charge. I tend to order 50-100 at a time. It can take a couple of weeks for them to arrive so be sure to plan accordingly. **The regular (letter size) flat rate envelopes are available at your local Post Office as well. However, if you are looking for the larger (legal size) flat rate envelopes they are available ONLY through the USPS website.  

Once you have your products packaged you can address them and head out to the Post Office …. OR … you can print your own postage from home. Amazing, right? You used to only be able to print postage on the USPS website… and even then you COULD NOT print shipping for packages being sent via first class. Then you could print shipping directly from Paypal. That was great, except for the customers that didn’t purchase with Paypal.

 The great thing about selling on Etsy is that they now offer the option of printing your postage directly from them. What does that mean? Well, for starters you get a slightly better shipping rate. All packages also come with free tracking numbers. The postage cost is added to your Etsy bill making it easy to keep track of shipping costs. You can view the tracking numbers, order numbers, and the cost of shipping all in one place and easily click on the receipt number to view the order. Talk about easy, peasy!!

 If you choose to print your own postage you need to invest in a postage scale. I used rewards money from Staples {that I got for recycling ink cartridges} to purchase mine a couple years ago. I don’t need anything fancy. My scale only weighs up to 5 lbs which is plenty for me.


If you plan on shipping heavy items be sure to invest in a scale that will meet your needs.

Depending on the volume of orders you are shipping you can also purchase a postage label printer. Etsy has hooked up with DYMO to offer a printer at a discounted rate. BUT, you have to purchase the refill label paper rolls, and to me that's just an added expense. Instead, I opt to print them at home using my regular printer and simply cut them out and tape them on my packages. It's easy, cheap, and I don't have to find space in my office for the label printer. ♥

PLUS, you can go to the USPS website and schedule a pick up at your house by your mail carrier. Really. You click on a couple things, choose a date for your packages to be picked up, and as long as you have at least one Priority Mail item you can have your mail carrier pick it up at your door, at your mailbox, on your porch, or directly from you. When you request the pick up, the website give you pick up options to choose from. It is so easy! There is no need to even go to the Post Office! For me, with three little ones at home, that's a definite bonus!!

As I have said in previous posts from this series, presentation IS everything. You want to make your customers feel special. That's what keeps them coming back. Packaging is one piece of that puzzle. Once a customer places their order you are responsible for filling that order on time, and in a fashion that they will feel like it's Christmas when they receive your package in the mail. You know how it is... you've probably received packages that made you feel all warm and fuzzy and those that just didn't. Which place are you more likely to give repeat business to, or to recommend to your friends!?!

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about shipping supplies or postage. I'm not an expert, but I am definitely here to help!


Check out the other posts from this series: 
• Etsy Seller Series: Getting Started 
• Etsy Seller Series: Setting Up Shop Part 1 (Your Public Profile) 
• Etsy Seller Series: Setting Up Shop Part 2 (Info and Appearance)
• Etsy Seller Series: Payment Options

For example:
Monday - Reading Day:
Go to the library and read some new stories. Create our own story books.
Tuesday - Water Day:
Play outside water games or visit the local park with a splash pad.
Wednesday - Math Day:
Play math games and do puzzles. Try new recipes (measuring everything of course).
Thursday - Science Day:
 Do fun science experiments, learn about animals, take a road trip to the zoo, go bird or bug watching, etc.
Friday - Fun Day:
(not that the others aren't fun!!) A day for play dates, video games, amusement parks, etc.