From Bulgaria with Darkness: How We Ship Art

Every Mila Treasures Atelier order begins its journey in Bulgaria and ends at a doorstep somewhere in the world. That's potentially thousands of miles, customs checkpoints, and days of transit for pieces that are, by nature, fragile and one-of-a-kind. Here's how we make sure your piece arrives exactly as it left the workshop.

Why Shipping Handmade Art Is Different

A printed canvas in a standard frame can survive rough handling — it's flat, uniform, and replaceable. Our pieces are none of those things. An églomisé mirror has glass that can crack. A trinket box has sculpted polymer clay elements that can snap. A framed art piece has 3D resin sculptures protruding from the surface. Each piece requires custom protection.

The Packing Process

Layer 1 — Soft Wrap. Each piece is first wrapped in acid-free tissue paper. This protects the painted patina finishes — standard bubble wrap can leave impressions on metallic and acrylic surfaces.

Layer 2 — Sculpted Element Protection. Any protruding 3D elements — roses, figures, dragon wings — are individually cushioned with soft foam padding secured with tissue. This is the most time-consuming step and the most important.

Layer 3 — Rigid Shell. The wrapped piece goes into a fitted inner box with foam inserts cut to match its exact shape. Not generic packing peanuts — actual contoured padding.

Layer 4 — Outer Box. The inner box is placed inside a larger shipping box with shock-absorbing fill between the two layers. This double-box method is the industry standard for shipping art and antiques.

Customs and Delivery

We ship worldwide through Etsy's Global shipping network. Each piece is declared as handmade decorative art, with photos and descriptions included for customs clearance. Delivery times vary by destination — typically 5-14 business days for international orders.

Every shipment includes tracking, and we photograph each piece before packing so there's never a question about condition at departure.

Our Track Record

Handmade means irreplaceable. If something arrives damaged despite our precautions, we work with the buyer immediately to resolve it — whether that means repair guidance, partial refund, or in some cases, creating a new piece. But our packing protocol has been refined through many shipments, and damage is extremely rare.

There's something satisfying about tracking a gothic dragon box as it travels from Sofia to someone's shelf in Portland or London. The craft is ancient; the logistics are not.