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packing pots for shows

updated thu 6 jun 02

 

Rikki Gill on sun 2 jun 02


Hi Dave, When I did shows I used flat cardboard squares, about 10x10"and
packed plates and some bowls back to back, with a divider betweentop edges.
Larger bowls I stacked, a small piece of newspaper at the bottom to protect
the inside of one, from the foot of the next smaller bowl. You could just
cut small squares of thin plastic for the same effect. Items like cups,I
placed the lower level upside down, standing on its top edge, reversed the
one above so they too were back to back, in a wine box with six or so
divisions. Much faster. Never had anything break that way, and I packed
and unpacked more times than I care to remember. You can buy the dividers
in some paper goods places. Good luck, Rikki Gill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Dahlquist"
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 5:10 PM
Subject: Packing pots for shows


Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a fair?
Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put them in
plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an hour just to
pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is approaching two hours.
I'm considering just putting a loose layer of tumble stacked pots down and
then cramming bubble wrap on top of each layer until the box is full. But I
don't know. I thought I would run it by the list and see if there aren't any
other brilliant ideas out there for a quicker method.
Dave
Wilsonville, Or.

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Dave Dahlquist on sun 2 jun 02


Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a =
fair? Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put =
them in plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an =
hour just to pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is =
approaching two hours. I'm considering just putting a loose layer of =
tumble stacked pots down and then cramming bubble wrap on top of each =
layer until the box is full. But I don't know. I thought I would run it =
by the list and see if there aren't any other brilliant ideas out there =
for a quicker method.=20
Dave
Wilsonville, Or.

Geoff Walker on mon 3 jun 02


Dave,

If you have lots of pots, say, mug size, then by far and away the best
packaging is strawberry boxes. These are the flattish boxes punnets of
strawberries arrive at the markets in. Here (Australia), each of these boxes
will hold 20 punnets separated by strips of interlocking cardboard
partitions. I suppose they are available in the U.S.

As an added tip, they make excellent packing when moving house as almost
everything in a pantry or bathroom will pack into them requiring no wrapping
at all. In addition, the packed boxes (we don't use the ones with lids on
them) can be stacked one on top of the other. Here at the pottery we store
all the small bisques stuff in them too, sometimes piling them 20 high.

Larger pots require different solutions of course.

Geoff.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a fair?
Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put them in
plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an hour just to
pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is approaching two hours.
I'm considering just putting a loose layer of tumble stacked pots down and
then cramming bubble wrap on top of each layer until the box is full. But I
don't know. I thought I would run it by the list and see if there aren't any
other brilliant ideas out there for a quicker method.
Dave
Wilsonville, Or.

____________________________________________________________________________
__
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You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

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melpots@pclink.com.

Cantello Studios on mon 3 jun 02


We just got back from a show and I talked to another potter and she uses old
towels and sweatshirts. She does a lot of tiles and sews bags from 2
dishtowels and slides them in. For vases she uses the arms and legs of
sweatshirts and pants. Just slides them over the form and they stretch when
needed. I haven't tried it yet but works for her for years. I will be
combing the closet soon for sweats and am going to give it a try. For
packing your pots we use half plastic bins and the other apple boxes. For
large pots I found the floral/ garden dept has lots of sizes. Very strong
and fold up well for storage. I get mine from "Walmart" garden center and a
large grocery floral dept. Just ask for them or they will get baled to
recycle. You do have to go early in the morning by 8:00 am.



Tracy - the other half of Cantello Studios

william schran on mon 3 jun 02


Dave - Packing properly is simply part of the process. It's easy to
throw your work into the tub when you're tired after a long day (or
days) of dealing with the public. It's also good way of breaking
things and kicking yourself in the butt later for being so lazy and
careless.
You could try simply "weaving" the bubble wrap in/around the work
instead of wrapping each piece individually. Trick is to get a tight
fit so the work doesn't bang around during transport.
Bill

clay.music on mon 3 jun 02


Having been a florist in earlier years, I know the cardboard boxes that =
floral vaseware comes in are great for packing pots. These boxes comes =
in a variety of sizes and all have sturdy dividers. Just ask your local =
florist to save you a few boxes. Tell them you want the dividers too. =
I've even picked up some vase sales from this. Everybody wins.

Sara O'Neill
Geometrix Clay Designs=20
Durham, NC 27703

claybair on mon 3 jun 02


The last show I did with 80 potters I watched one production potter cram
stacks of bowls and various other pots in boxes without so much as paper.
He tore down in no time while I was laboriously doing the bubble wrap thing.
I think the issues here are....
do the pieces stack well, are there delicate parts that could be broken off
or chipped, do you drive home on unpaved rutted roads with sink holes, does
you car have good shock absorbers and can you afford to lose pieces.
I wouldn't mind shaving some time off my set up and tear down so I await the
responses.

Gayle Bair- the most pressing problem of the day is getting these damn
hummingbird feeders to stop dripping.
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Dave Dahlquist
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 5:11 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Packing pots for shows


Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a fair?
Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put them in
plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an hour just to
pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is approaching two hours.
I'm considering just putting a loose layer of tumble stacked pots down and
then cramming bubble wrap on top of each layer until the box is full. But I
don't know. I thought I would run it by the list and see if there aren't any
other brilliant ideas out there for a quicker method.
Dave
Wilsonville, Or.

claybair on mon 3 jun 02


They may work great but have you looked at the cost issue. The last time I
went down the diaper isle I was astounded at the cost.

Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
Of Ilene Mahler



Didn't someone say they put them in Pampers pull-ups and it works great I'll
have to try it for my next show..Ilene

Kay Howard on mon 3 jun 02


Hi--all the suggestions are good--I have found that as long as pots =
don't bang against each other, even minimal padding will suffice. Pack =
firmly. Except as someone mentioned if you have real fragile pieces or =
stuff uhat breaks off easily. One source of great packaging is carpet =
padding that we get from a local furniture store-Phil went dumpster =
diving after the installers brought in their scraps. The price was =
right! Good luck and travel safely to all those shows. Kay

Kay Howard (Grass Lake,MI leaf lady. Packing for Flint Fine Art Show =
this week-end. Think sun!)
Capricorn Clay
capclay@modempool.com

Ann Geiger on mon 3 jun 02


Wouldn't used ones be cheap?

Annie Geiger

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of claybair
Sent: June 03, 2002 4:38 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Packing pots for shows


They may work great but have you looked at the cost issue. The last time I
went down the diaper isle I was astounded at the cost.

Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

have to try it for my next show..Ilene

____________________________________________________________________________
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Tommy Humphries on mon 3 jun 02


I think the question is one of stability...pack the pots so that they do not
shift, or bounce or rattle and you should have no problems. I watched a
show not long back about the lightbulb industry. The plant where the bulbs
are assembled is across town from where the glass part is made. The glass
bulbs are packed into crates, each holding 1000+ pieces with no packing
whatsoever. The bulbs are a nice strong shape, and the crates allow no
excess space for movement, so there is very little breakage.

If I were to pack boxes for going to or from a show, I don't think I would
be too anal about the packing as long as the glazes were all good and hard.
Some glazes, such as some of the crystal glazes can be quite soft, and need
some wrapping.

Shipping on the other hand, where you have no control over the boxes is
another matter!

Tommy


----- Original Message -----
From: "claybair"
To:
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: Packing pots for shows


> The last show I did with 80 potters I watched one production potter cram
> stacks of bowls and various other pots in boxes without so much as paper.
> He tore down in no time while I was laboriously doing the bubble wrap
thing.
> I think the issues here are....
> do the pieces stack well, are there delicate parts that could be broken
off
> or chipped, do you drive home on unpaved rutted roads with sink holes,
does
> you car have good shock absorbers and can you afford to lose pieces.
> I wouldn't mind shaving some time off my set up and tear down so I await
the
> responses.
>
> Gayle Bair- the most pressing problem of the day is getting these damn
> hummingbird feeders to stop dripping.
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> http://claybair.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
> Behalf Of Dave Dahlquist
> Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 5:11 PM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Packing pots for shows
>
>
> Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a fair?
> Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put them in
> plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an hour just
to
> pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is approaching two
hours.
> I'm considering just putting a loose layer of tumble stacked pots down and
> then cramming bubble wrap on top of each layer until the box is full. But
I
> don't know. I thought I would run it by the list and see if there aren't
any
> other brilliant ideas out there for a quicker method.
> Dave
> Wilsonville, Or.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>

claybair on mon 3 jun 02


See..... that's why I stay on Clayart.
Damn fine ideas! Why didn't I think of that!
Just a few questions..... do you put your pots in them or turn the diaper
inside out. Do I clean off the pots with baby wipes? Will the used diapers
affect the glazes?
Our glaze gurus will have to add a diaper test to the list glaze leaching
tests.

Gayle Bair- a bald eagle flew past our living room window today..... freaked
my husband out...... very exciting!
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
Ann Geiger
Subject: Re: Packing pots for shows


Wouldn't used ones be cheap?

Annie Geiger

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of claybair
Sent: June 03, 2002 4:38 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Packing pots for shows


They may work great but have you looked at the cost issue. The last time I
went down the diaper isle I was astounded at the cost.

Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

have to try it for my next show..Ilene

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

KLeSueur@AOL.COM on tue 4 jun 02


I pack most of my pots in banana boxes. They have cardboard dividers similar
to those in liquer boxes. I just drop the pots into the slots. I make two
sizes of trays. For these I use dividers made from 1/2" blue insulating
foam. For my longer trays these go into the box lengthwise. For bread trays
they fit horizonally. If I have pots of an irregular size I put them in the
box and weave carpet foam around them. I also use milk crates. With these I
place a piece of carpet foam in the bottom and put foam between each piece.

I carry my work in a 5x8 trailer and never have breakage. The boxes fix
three across very tightly so nothing moves. The center row of boxes is for
the first day of the show. Remove them and you have an aisle for getting at
backup stock.

Kathi LeSueur

Ilene Mahler on tue 4 jun 02


Didn't someone say they put them in Pampers pull-ups and it works great I'll
have to try it for my next show..Ilene
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Dahlquist
To:
Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 8:10 PM
Subject: Packing pots for shows


Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a fair?
Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put them in
plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an hour just to
pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is approaching two hours.
I'm considering just putting a loose layer of tumble stacked pots down and
then cramming bubble wrap on top of each layer until the box is full. But I
don't know. I thought I would run it by the list and see if there aren't any
other brilliant ideas out there for a quicker method.
Dave
Wilsonville, Or.

____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org

You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/

Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

Kim Peterson on tue 4 jun 02


Just finished a show in Las Cruces NM.. I live in Denver area. I simply wrap
each piece in newsprint. The same as a mover would do. I pack them in boxes
which are used for shipping copy paper. Relatively sturdy and stable. For
extra reinforcement, I run packing tape once around the box. Using the same
sized boxes, I can stack them up to 6 high without cruching anything. Great
for using a 2-wheel dolly.
A good friend of mine uses remnents of carpet pading. Fairly cheap and not a
one broken so far!! She needs larger boxes for most of her pieces, so hand
carrying is required.
Kim


>From: claybair
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Packing pots for shows
>Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 12:15:08 -0700
>
>The last show I did with 80 potters I watched one production potter cram
>stacks of bowls and various other pots in boxes without so much as paper.
>He tore down in no time while I was laboriously doing the bubble wrap
>thing.
>I think the issues here are....
>do the pieces stack well, are there delicate parts that could be broken off
>or chipped, do you drive home on unpaved rutted roads with sink holes, does
>you car have good shock absorbers and can you afford to lose pieces.
>I wouldn't mind shaving some time off my set up and tear down so I await
>the
>responses.
>
>Gayle Bair- the most pressing problem of the day is getting these damn
>hummingbird feeders to stop dripping.
>Bainbridge Island, WA
>http://claybair.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
>Behalf Of Dave Dahlquist
>Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2002 5:11 PM
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Packing pots for shows
>
>
>Does anyone have a good suggestion for quickly packing pots after a fair?
>Currently I wrap each individual piece in bubble wrap, and put them in
>plastic lidded storage containers. Seems like it takes about an hour just
>to
>pack pots away after market. Total tear down time is approaching two hours.
>I'm considering just putting a loose layer of tumble stacked pots down and
>then cramming bubble wrap on top of each layer until the box is full. But I
>don't know. I thought I would run it by the list and see if there aren't
>any
>other brilliant ideas out there for a quicker method.
>Dave
>Wilsonville, Or.
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.




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Michele Williams on wed 5 jun 02


Annie Geiger wrote about using diapers for packing:


> Wouldn't used ones be cheap?


I kinda sorta think it would be theft-proof, too!

Michele Williams