Sourcing materials;
I've sourced some 3.5mm grey box card for constructing the packaging with. It is obviously very stiff which is ideal, but also it has the correct colouring and feel about it. The card is ever so slightly textured and really looks like concrete itself, so it will fit perfectly. Of course, I intend to cover the box, but the base will be visible from the inside once either the sample or look book is removed, so it is still an intergral part of the overall design.

After trying to source blocks or 'trays' of foam a moment of inspiration from someone else helped me out a great deal. She said to look at spare inlays for camera cases and, true enough, you can buy 'diced foam' inlays. These blocks come pre-scored in a grid format, so you can pick out the shapes necessary for your needs, which is ideal.

I was on the phone in a flash to try and find a store that had them in stock. This was more complicated than I first thought it would be and I found only one retailer who had it in stock. I had some poor employee go down to the basement with a tape measure to tell me the exact measurements of all 3 sizes that they had.

Delivery;
Hurrah! When I returned from doing some show things this afternoon, the fabric I ordered had come through. It looks better than I remembered it being, perhaps because I'd been getting nervous while waiting for it to arrive. The reverse of the fabric is actually quite appealing, so, depending on the colour choice of the concrete samples, the fabric could be used either way. Having said that, I much preffer the black side as it reflects the essence Concrete Blond product so well.

Rather amusingly though I must have come across a bit feminine in John Lewis' when I was ordering the roll, as it was delivered to a 'Mrs. Nicholson'.