Anyone ever flown with craft supplies?
 

I wasn’t sure exactly where to post this question so I’ll hope this will do.
I’m going home to Australia (from NYC where I’ve lived 30years) for a 5 week vacation over the holidays. I want to take some of my “stuff” with me so I can do some crafting while there with my sisters and nieces. Aside from very short (a few days) visits when my mother and then my father passed away (in 2016 and 2017), I haven’t been home for vacation in 16 years.
My husband just passed away, so I’m hoping sharing my crafting with family will get me inspired again. I don’t have any family/children in NYC (although have many great friends, neighbors and my Church community), and I’m also disabled with a spinal injury, so crafting is very central to my life. My husband was very sick - really for the last decade - he was on Dialysis for the past 8 1/2 years - and our lives were deeply intertwined: these last few years I had little time for anything else but taking care of him. So now he has gone, and I will need to build my life back up again from almost zero.

Anyway - back to the question. I would like to take my cuttlebug, some dies and EF’s, stamps, inks, stencils, stencil paste and glitter. I’ll have these in a separate bag to my clothes (I’m allowed 2 bags, 23kg each) and will bundle the cuttlebug in a towel to protect it. I will check the bag with craft supplies. Has anyone traveled with their die cutting machine and craft supplies before? I’m worried about security x-raying the cuttlebug and thinking it’s something “bad” - or that there’ll be a problem with glitter pastes or something. What about alcohol inks? Will those little bottles explode with the changing pressure? Is this all too much to worry about and perhaps I should forget about taking all this stuff and just bring some knitting and my coloring books? I would like to bring these things to share, but also because my activity is limited by my disability so I’ll have some things to do. But I also don’t want to get overwhelmed with anxiety about this stuff, as I’m already pretty anxious to begin with.

Any advice from those with experience flying - especially internationally - with craft supplies will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
Stefany

I'm sorry for the loss of your husband (I can't even imagine!), but glad that you have a chance to reconnect with your family.

I haven't taken crafty stuff internationally, but I have flown with stuff. The Cuttlebug shouldn't be an issue and, since you're checking the bag, the liquid stuff (like alcohol inks) shouldn't be a problem, either. What I would DEFINITELY suggest is that anything that has mess-making potential (inks, adhesives, etc) be put into ziploc bags for extra security against the mess. If you can tuck the ziplocs into a rigid container of some kind (photo case, plastic shoe box) to protect them from damage, that might be a good idea, as well. Basically, I think that if you use a bit of common sense and don't over-think it, you should be fine.

Great idea about the hard plastic containers- thanks so much Sue.

I hate to say it, but there may be a problem with the Alcohol inks. I've seen on Amazon they won't ship from say US to Uk, as they cannot send them by aeroplane.Some reinkres too. I *think* it has something to do with the pressurisation. I'd strogly suggest for safetys sake you contact the airline with a list of what you want to take with you. Card & paper, dies & stamps woulddn't be a problem, but I know some liquids are.

And it may go without saying, but careful of gel pens. I brought a regular gel writing pen onto a flight once, which semi-exploded onto the new fleece jacket I was wearing when I took the cap off. Pressure.

This article may be helpful, and don’t count on a human to have definitive answers other than for straight forward items - like guns or shampoo. They’re confused too. Best when in doubt leave it out.

Traveling With Art Supplies - Artists Network

ETA: I was reading too fast; please accept my heartfelt condolences.

I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband. I hope the chance to spend some time with your family provides you with some comfort.

Shaz is right, the alcohol inks are a no-no I’m afraid. If something is solvent-based it’s classed as a fire risk and shouldn’t be carried on the plane. The other stuff you list sounds OK though, stencil paste is usually water-based and a manual die cutter should pose no issues. Assuming your ink pads are dye or pigment inks those should be fine too. A solvent-based pad like Stazon would probably slip through unnoticed but for peace of mind I would leave it out.

Perhaps one of your family could buy a couple of alcohol inks locally if you have projects you’d really like to do with them while you’re there?

Wishing you safe travels.

I am so sorry to read about your loss. I hope you have a wonderful time with your family in Aus. Alcohol markers, alcohol based inks cannot be taken on international flights. When I buy alcohol markers etc, from the USA, they have to be shipped by sea.


As Sue said, your Cuttlebug will be fine provided it is in checked luggage. A friend of mine recently travelled with a BigShot as hand luggage.....customs pulled it apart and returned it to her in 300 pieces! That didn't upset her as much as having 150 Copic markers confiscated and a substantial fine for carrying prohibited products on a plane.

I ordered Micron Pens and similar products from overseas once, two pens burst and damaged everything else in the package. I have also had reinkers evaporate by 50%. Send me a PM if your family live near Melbourne, I have HEAPS of stuff I can share with you and your welcome to borrow tools/Cuttlebug.

Dear Shaz, Beth, Joanna and Susie,
Thanks so much on your sound advice (condolences and well wishes) regarding my trip. I am a great frequenter of SCS and know you ladies are always so generous with your comments and time for those in need of assistance here. Yes I’ll definitely avoid any alcohol related craft supplies; and will check my CB to avoid security dismantling it! Susie - I’m a Sydney gal, but thank you for your sweet offer to “share”. Aside from spending time with my family, I’m really looking forward to escaping a good chunk of New York winter. Thank you all again for your help - happy holidays!
Stefany

Safe travels, Stefany, and I hope you post how your crafty flight went, and of course your trip.

Beth

Thank you Beth! Yes I’ll give a report when I return home in mid-January.

Stefany,

I have brought home to the US craft items bought in the UK (my MIL used to receive my UK ebay purchases and hold them for me). Mostly these were dies, stamps, and occasionally fancy cs or embellishments. On one occasion, I had several big whale tail punches, and they were in carry on luggage. With rather a lot of wood mounted stamps. Punches were at the bottom of the bag (naturally)- you begin to see where this is going? At every security check, they would see those punches on xray, not recognize what they were, and make me unpack them for inspection. Hint- they do NOT help you to repack, however nice the person is. My advice is to make sure anything that will show up on the xray is in checked baggage. Be aware that they will unwrap your Cuttlebug to see what it is, and not be as careful as you were in rewrapping it. I speak from long experience with bringing home British groceries. You should be OK with things in your checked luggage, but be aware it may not be packed quite as nicely as you had it.

I've traveled in the U.S. with my Sizzix Sidekick in my carry on luggage. They looked at my luggage long and hard at security before sending it through. I didn't have to unpack my bag, though.

I have lived in 5 different countries in the past 12 years.  I had a 3 bag/70 lb. bag allowance as did my husband twice a year for home leave.  Usually 3 of those 6 bags were filled with my crafting supplies (I headed a craft bazaar and card club).  I always packed liquids and stamp pads in zip lock bags and then plastic bins and put tape around bottle tops.  All were sent through checked luggage and I never had a problem with anything leaking of exploding or with any of the equipment/tools and customs.  My craft room looked like a Hobby Lobby store!