As with everything else about this new site, the Gift Certificates work like REAL GIFT CERTIFICATES! If the only thing you purchase when you stop by to shop is Gift Certificates, you won't be charged shipping. If you purchase them as part of a regular order, you will be charged shipping.
I'll email the code as well as whatever you'd like to say to your recipient. Whenever they come to shop they can checkout and type in the code at checkout. Any balance they have will be carried on the same code. If they are short, they'll need to make up the difference with their credit card.
If you forget the code email me I can help you. If you want to refill it rather than re-purchase another one, I can help you with that as well.