Jenn Baumeister on fri 27 jul 12
I am getting to the point that I am getting a higher level of production an=
d now need to start doing more shows/markets..up to now I have managed to k=
eep it quite local...not really needing to pack properly. I am looking for =
tips on how to pack. I bought some nice see through plastic bins. Tried som=
e organic fillers but they are to dirty. I am also running out of studio sh=
elf space..How sort and keep it user friendly.
Tips please..
Thank you,
Jen Baumeister
Maple Leaf Studio Pottery
http://mapleleafpottery.ca
Dale Neese on sat 28 jul 12
Years ago I decided to upgrade my show packing materials from newspaper and
liquor boxes to 18 gallon Rubbermaid Totes and bubble wrap. Bubble wrap was
scavenged from Pier 1 stores. They were tossing it in the dumpster.
Recycling trends have almost taken a free packing product away. Now I
purchase bubble wrap in rolls from a packing supply house that I use over
and over, cutting different sized squares for different pottery sizes.
Newspaper was so dirty and not much cushion at all. Liquor boxes melted in
the rain and wouldn't stack evenly inside one another when empty. Rubbermai=
d
totes last year after year.
I have half of a two car garage lined with shelves that take the Rubbermaid
totes, plus all my other show display items. Slide the empty totes in with
extra bubble wrap upside down to see that they are empty. Totes with
finished ware is put in upright. Sticky notes on the sides let me know what
is packed in each tote.
When it's time to load the truck for a sale, back it up to the garage and
whip out the totes, tent, display and make a clean get away.
Dale Tex
"across the Alley from The Alamo"
Helotes, Texas USA
www.daleneese.com
Robert Harris on sat 28 jul 12
Line the bottom of your plastic bins with the cheap 1-2" foam mattresses
from Walmart. I believe you can buy a twin for about $10 which gives enough
for 4 or 5 plastic bins (depending on the size of your bins of course!)
I tend to wrap everything properly in bubble wrap (I get it in bulk from
U-line), which I reuse many times, and keep in place with large rubber
bands. It does take a fair bit of time, but when I am going to a show
several hours away it's worth it.
Robert
On Fri, Jul 27, 2012 at 11:19 PM, Jenn Baumeister
wrote:
> I am getting to the point that I am getting a higher level of production
> and now need to start doing more shows/markets..up to now I have managed =
to
> keep it quite local...not really needing to pack properly. I am looking f=
or
> tips on how to pack. I bought some nice see through plastic bins. Tried
> some organic fillers but they are to dirty. I am also running out of stud=
io
> shelf space..How sort and keep it user friendly.
>
> Tips please..
>
> Thank you,
> Jen Baumeister
>
> Maple Leaf Studio Pottery
> http://mapleleafpottery.ca
>
--
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Robin Wolf on sun 29 jul 12
I use totes with locking lids, and bubble wrap. I buy the bubble wrap at
Budget Box in OKC, costs $25 for 1ft wide x 250 ft long. Tear the whole
spool into 6' long pieces, since that seems to be the most optimum length
for the work that I make. I leave each piece of bubble folded in half, and
wrap each piece of pottery individually. When I unwrap at the shows, it is
very efficient to just unwrap and refold each piece, and put back into the
empty totes. I also have 3' long pieces that I use for smaller works, and
handle it the same with leaving it folded in half when I wrap. When I
unwrap, I always keep the long pieces separated fro the short pieces. Make=
s
re-packig MUCH easier. Don't have to sift through totes of wrap looking fo=
r
the right sized piece. Easier to have too large of a piece right at hand,
instead of piece-mealing odd sized pieces.
I always take several extra pieces of bubble wrap with me to the shows, jus=
t
in case I have a customer that is concerned about carrying a piece around
the show and I can super wrap it. Better than re-packing at the end of a
show and not having enough bubble wrap to safely wrap the pottery.
One broken mug pays for an entire roll of bubble wrap. Don't scrimp on the
packing materials and totes. Think of the value of the work that you are
transporting. Makes the packing wrap cheap-cheap-cheap!
My best transportation tool is a "COSCO" dolly that I bought at Lowes, abou=
t
$150. Aluminum, so it is light, convertible to an angled 4 wheeler, flat 4
wheeler, or standard 2 wheel dolly. Extra large deck area, deep enough not
to worry about the totes falling off.
Last year I invested in a Wells Cargo 5'x8' trailer, have figured out how t=
o
fit a full 10x10 booth and tent in the trailer so I don't have to unload it=
.
5 sets of shelves - 3' wide by 18" deep - they are on casters to roll on
and off, with each shelf having storage behind sliding doors on the bottom,
and each display shelf is pre-lit. Roll them in to the show and plug them
in. Made sure that the shelves are spaced far enough apart to handle
holding the totes. Each shelving unit can hold 2 totes on each shelf.
During show season, I don't unload the trailer. Leave everything in their
spot, that way nothing gets left at the studio.
I use one brand/size/type of tote, red for work, blue totes for lights, and
display items. That makes it easy to know what to take in first to get the
booth set up. The tent and lights are all done before the shelves and
pottery go in, lessens the chance of breaking any work.
Think about the progression of setting up your display. Do the mechanical
things first, get the tall things done before you unpack a single piece.
The sound of a display shelf full of your best work crashing onto a hard
floor can make even a good day really bad. I always have a rug on the
floor, just might save one piece. Overstock.com will have nice rugs, 6x9
was $75, and free shipping.
Robin Wolf
Robin Wolf Pottery
Kingfisher, OK
www.robinwolfpottery.com
Robin Wolf on tue 31 jul 12
Congrats on the big pieces getting packed well! Just FYI - the farm stores
have some great water troughs - either pvc or metal - they come short - lon=
g
- deep shallow - line with foam and attach a lid. Reasonably priced too.
And reusable as garden containers or water garden ponds when you get tired
of banging your head on that brick wall!
Robin Wolf
Robin Wolf Pottery
Kingfisher, OK
www.robinwolfpottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Snail Scott [mailto:claywork@flying-snail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 8:27 AM
To: Robin Wolf
Subject: Re: Packing for Markets/shows
"but I pulled an all-nighter finishing a
couple of eight- and nine-foot crates. ... I love
doing larger work, but right now, I think, "Calligraphy!
why didn't I stick with calligraphy? or miniatures? or
postcard watercolors? or...pottery? ;-)
Delivering work like that is like hitting your head against
a brick wall - 'cause it feels so good when you're finished! "
-Snail
Robin Wolf on tue 31 jul 12
Kathi,
Thank you! I love the idea of having not to wrap - I too have a "method to
the madness of packing", and the foam dividers could work VERY well. Will
give it some thought on what would be the best layout, and a try in the nea=
r
future.
And as for the Wells Cargo Trailer - could not recommend any trailer any
higher. Pulls like a dream, great lights, has torsion support for a better
ride. Invested in large graphics for each side, so it is a rolling
billboard, street sign, and theft deterrent!
Robin Wolf
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