I've received seeds from trades in all the methods & styles mentioned above. They all appear to be successful and allow seedaholics to choose the method that works best for them. Plastic baggies - I've found what works best for me are the smaller 2" x 3" zip-envelopes, also available at Walmart if you hit it when they're in stock, 100 @ $1.00. If I see them late in the season, I buy multiple packages. I use sticky labels, also available from Walmart, that can be printed from my computer. I include botanical name, common name, cultivar name, USDA hardiness zone, height, light & moisture requirements, bloom time & color along with any extra pertinent plant or growing information. If there's room, I'll include year harvested in brackets. Before mailing, I Google the seed name and do a little research so the information on the label is current, however I sometimes wonder if that information changes as time goes by. Mailing seeds - I use bubble mailers of different sizes but usually the smaller 5" x 7" size. Bubble mailers I receive get torn apart/cut up or reused as is if they're not too travel-damaged. For single trades I'll tape the seed envelope to a piece of recycled bubble envelope and tuck it inside a standard envelope with "PLEASE DO NOT MACHINE - SEEDS" on the front in the lower left-hand corner. After 2 years of sending seeds via mail in this way, I've not heard of anyone receiving crushed seeds. When harvesting seeds over the course of the season, I set them in paper bowls or spread them on paper platters that are placed on shelf units inside the garage to dry. This also allows any crawlies that may have taken up residence inside the seedpods to depart the premises of their own free will. Once thoroughly dry, seeds are stored in small plastic salad dressing cups with clear, snap-on lids I'm able to buy from the cafeteria where I work. They last from year to year and are re-used. Generally I try to not have seeds leftover from year to year despite evidence that they remain viable for many years. This thread is a good idea and hopefully we'll hear from plenty of folks with other ideas/methods for seed preservation and sharing.

DH doesn't want to sour the relationship, however, on the other hand does not agree payment in full at this time is suitable either. He has decided to give them maybe 15% (50% of the remaining balance). Breezy_2 - the ordering of doors is done by them, not us. apparently they had some kind of family emergency which took them away for about a week. Understandably so, this pushed back the order. We have no problem with this and have never indicated we did. The only thing that may be our fault is not being up the architect's a$$ for the engineering for the mitered window because he dragged his feet. However, once again, inspection can't be done until all windows and doors are installed. So at this point the fact that the window has not been approved has not been a problem. It will only be a problem if doors are installed before we have that window approved and installed. We don't forsee this.

Robin, I am so sorry about your Dad and Julian, hope they are both better. Sounds like you have not had a very good day. When I tore into my package the first thing I saw was the colander, it is beautiful and will sit on my counter until needed and I will use it. You couldn't know how many times I have thought about ordering the ramekins, those are just perfect gifts for me! I love the microplane, just makes the one I bought look like, well what it is, a hand held grater. You know how much I will use the ladle, I am really excited about it, how handy and canning season is getting close! I said I would let DH claim the strawberry jam, well it is already almost gone, it is so good. I don't make strawberry jam, strawberries don't grow to well here. Vermont Maple grade B syrup, if you haven't tried it then you don't know what you are missing. I don't think I have ever tasted anything like it. I thought I had bought Vermont maple syrup, but it didn't taste anything like this. It is wonderful, I think I could drink it out of the can. Thank you again, Robin!

OKAY. PAY ATTENTION! Everyone in North America should stay home today and watch for a big brown truck. My swap box is in its destination city -- or small town -- or suburb -- or rural location -- or whatever. After seeing some of the contents of the other boxes, I am wishing I could suck it back and be a bit more creative. This is my first swap. I'm still learning! Anyway, I'm excited. I hope s/he likes it. Pam