Somehow you registered with GW and then got into the Australian forums, but you need the US ones as our seasons are the reverse.
Did you find the right one?
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/

I'm not sure what you mean by clippings, you would be lucky to strike plants this late in the season in America. If you mean you got seed pods, then as long as they were ripe when you got them, there should be no problem storing them inside somewhere.

Ripe pods of plants like chinese lantern dry brown and open like little umbrellas, lots of tiny segments in a circle containing brown or black seeds. For best viability they should have been allowed to ripen as long on the shrub, as possible.

Please tell us how you go when you sow them.... about next February? they are lovely plants.

Regards
Alison

Here is a link that might be useful: us forums