So, since it's come up, I ought to say, they way I think I need to work right now is to take the amount in coin that is currently equivalent to the dollar amounts I already had on the work. This is my first venture into taking bitcoin as payment, and at least in the near term it's what i'm comfortable with.
In addition I fully understand why there would be trepidation about sending coins for a physical item that must be shipped, especially from someone without a history in fulfilling bitcoin transactions. I'd use an escrow in that situation if I'm the buyer, and have every expectation that anyone who wants to buy from me would do the same.
Cheers :-)
Definitely insist on escrow and publicise it. Instills huge confidence in potential buyers of your work.