I know you guys have been waiting and waiting for us to re-stock our foam, and I am so sorry for that.

Most of you have been SO understanding about the situation, but we've also had a few people who have been pretty upset. And I totally understand (especially since we have so many custom pieces that can't be found anywhere else).

So, I wanted to share with you the story about what's been going on so that at least you know what's happening.

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I've been trying to get a foam shipment here since February. Our shipping company kept slating us for a container on a cargo ship, and then we kept getting pushed back. Things were already an absolute mess due to Covid, and then of course the Suez Canal blockage in March added to an already dire situation.

We realized a couple of months ago after getting pushed back again, that getting a container was not going to happen any time soon. So I made the difficult decision to have our 200 giant boxes of foam sent by UPS instead.

I say 'difficult' not only because of the extreme cost difference....

.. but UPS wouldn't even accept our giant boxes, so our manufacturer had to re-box all 200 boxes into many more smaller boxes. (It's almost laughable at this point, right? lol)

But the good news is that all these hundreds and hundreds of boxes of foam are now making their way to us and we are expecting them to begin arriving at any time.

Unfortunately, I don't think the situation will end here. First of all, I am not sure what condition our foam will be in because of the way it's arriving. Instead of being packed safe and sound in a nice sturdy steel container, I'm picturing our poor boxes being thrown around, smashed, and crushed as they make their way to us. I hope that won't be the case, but I can only imagine what they are going through right now! (We might end up with a lot of 'Scratch n' Dent' foam to list! lol)

And, we also need much of this foam for kits, so I will be reserving a large amount of it when it arrives. I call my foam reserve, the 'Foam Quarantine'! Severe punishments here in the OG Shop for anyone who touches my Foam Quarantine! (I'm just kidding... sort of.

Whatever foam we do start listing in our shop, we will likely have to set limits per person for a little while.

I DO already have another batch of foam in the works, and have put us back in the queue for another container, and I hope this time things will go more smoothly, but it's so hard to know right now with the worldwide supply chain situation we find ourselves in.

I just wanted you to know though, that I am doing my absolute best to get our foam here and that as soon as I know any more, you will know, too.

By the way, we do have lots of great Ball Marking videos and printable templates so you can mark your own foam. You can find those HERE.

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10 Comments

  1. LaRae Peacock on August 13, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    Thank You for the update, Staci Ann! I’m glad you are getting some foa available for us soon. And I’m sorry you are having such a hard time getting it. I hope your next order will be a better experience. You are so easy to work with, I have been okay waiting for the order to come in. Your videos on marking the foam have made it so easy to keep up. I had placed an order for Snowman foam just before this all happened, so I am keeping up with my snowman gifts for my kids and grandkids. Thank You for making this craft such a wonderful experience!

    • Janelle - Ornament Girl Support on August 13, 2021 at 7:25 pm

      LaRae, oh my goodness your comment has made our day! You’re so sweet. Thank you for your kind words. I have passed them along to Staci and the team! And happy ornamenting your snowmen gifts! Janelle

  2. Diane Eaton on August 13, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    Thank you so much for the update on the foam. I did have quite a few balls left from my days of doing Temari. They will soon be running out. I am sorry for the way the shipping has become a problem, you are in good company when you think of all the cars that can’t be sold without a simple “chip”. I appreciate what you’ve done to work around the problem. I make 3 sets of each ball as Christmas presents for my daughter and daughter-in -law so they can be displayed year round. You ladies work very hard and I really have been amazed by all the designs you have created. Keep up the great job and just know you are appreciated by many.

    • Janelle - Ornament Girl Support on August 14, 2021 at 11:25 am

      Diane, thank you so much for your sweet, kind, and understanding words. It means the world to us to have your support and understanding. Happy ornamenting! And have a great weekend. Janelle

  3. Lenore D DeLitizia on August 14, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    Hi Staci. My son works for UPS here in North Carolina. He said you could have shipped via freight, if you haven’t already. Also, he’s curious as to the size of the giant boxes. He might be able to give you some information to save you money going forward.

    Thanks for the update. Luckily I had ordered 30 before this fiasco.

    Good luck going forward.

    • Janelle - Ornament Girl Support on August 16, 2021 at 10:46 am

      Lenore, you’re SO kind to leave this comment and offer your help. Thank you so much for thinking of us in this way. We did shop freight. I will find out the size of the boxes and get back with you as soon as I can. Thanks again! Janelle

  4. Patti Cypull on August 17, 2021 at 11:44 am

    Thank you for the update! I can not imagine the stress & frustration you all are feeling. I just keep an eye out for the scratch & dent sale. Plus marking the balls are not difficult with the templates you have given us! What did people do before you had the marked ball? Stay safe & healthy…
    Keep calm and Ornament On :0)

    • Janelle - Ornament Girl Support on August 17, 2021 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words and understanding, Patti.

  5. Pam on August 22, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    I have been with you almost since the beginning and at that time all foam balls were unmarked. I was there when you found a way to get the marked ones and was thrilled. Unmarked ones are not the easiest ones to do especially since I am left handed with mirror image and almost do all things backwards. Having said all this, you and your precious company never created the chaos that CoVid has caused or the political situations that impaired world trade. As an old lady I am very grateful that under lockdown and quarantine I had marked and unmarked foam to use. My ornaments are essential to my mental health. It is my greatest hope that the majority of your customers were OK with waiting and/or marking their foam. Those customers who supported you whole heartedly and offered to help are very special.

    You story is unique and every time I work on an ornament I think of what you’ve overcome to be where you now are. What’s a little delay, just a bump in the road. Keep on moving forward !

    • Janelle - Ornament Girl Support on August 22, 2021 at 8:49 pm

      Oh Pam, you’re so kind, thank you so much for these sweet and encouraging words. They mean the world to Staci and the entire team and we’re so grateful for you! And so happy you had a stash of foam to get you through the lockdowns etc. Thanks again! Have a great day. Janelle

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