I think Analise has the best suggestion. We routinely bring back fragile items in checked luggage on our international trips, but I am very, very good at improvising packing and, even so, we still have a fairly predictable breakage rate (I'm also very good with superglue). If you're in the U.S., it's definitely worth your while to take an hour or so to visit your friendly local Mailboxes Etc., Fedex/Kinkos, or something similar.