Lois Ruben Aronow on mon 1 jan 07
Packing and shipping is a skill that, like pottery, is learned over time,
and through trial and error. I also feel one's packing skills tell a great
deal about you to your customers. Presenting yourself professionally in
packing is one of the many ways to earn and maintain a customer's
confidence. My business relies on relationships and re-orders. Yes, stuff
still break sometimes, it is now the exception rather than the rule. I tend
to experience breakage around the holidays, when the entire planet seems to
be shipping.
I give big kudos to Lynn Goodman, with whom I shared a studio. She gave me
tremendous guidance, and she rarely has anything broken in transit. She
showed me how to shake down a box to see how much the peanuts settle, and
how to double box properly, among other things. (yes, there is a "right"
way). I also have been selling through Guild.com for quite some time. They
have guidelines each artist must follow, as each individual represents their
company.
Regardless, I had a lot of breakage in my early shipping experiences. The
"skill" part I mentioned comes from figuring out how to pack inside the
parameters laid out for you by the shipping company. For example, how to
wrap and lay your mugs so the handles don't break. How heavy is "too
heavy". Placement of items inside the box is like putting a puzzle
together. It's no different than the great thought one takes in loading
their kiln. Loading the kiln correctly and efficiently takes time, practice
and loss - so does packing a box. Don't kid yourself that the work is done
after it comes out of the kiln. The work is only done once the customer
receives it in safe condition. When stuff breaks, you have more work to do.
Lois Ruben Aronow Ceramics
232 Third Street - # B202A
Brooklyn, NY 11215
p: 917..561..2854
f: 718..246.0819
www.loisaronow.com
www.craftsofthedamned.blogspot.com
Patrick Cross on mon 1 jan 07
I've been waiting for someone to bring this subject up again because I had a
quirky idea I thought might be of use. What if for certain items a standard
5 gallon plastic bucket w/lid was used as the shipping container. I think
it would take quite a bit for the shipping industry (USPS, UPS, DHL FedEx
etc.) to destroy one in transit.
You could go as far as having some made up with your pottery's logo and
address printed on them if you think shipping your pottery in something with
SHEET ROCK on the outside of it low brow. And once the bucket has served
it's initial purpose...getting the pottery there safely...the recipient has
them self a useful bucket rather than a cardboard box to get rid of...(and
continued advertising for you).
Patrick Cross (cone10soda)
On 1/1/07, Lois Ruben Aronow wrote:
>
> Packing and shipping is a skill that, like pottery, is learned over time,
> and through trial and error. I also feel one's packing skills tell a
> great
> deal about you to your customers. Presenting yourself professionally in
> packing is one of the many ways to earn and maintain a customer's
> confidence. My business relies on relationships and re-orders. Yes,
> stuff
> still break sometimes, it is now the exception rather than the rule. I
> tend
> to experience breakage around the holidays, when the entire planet seems
> to
> be shipping.
>
> I give big kudos to Lynn Goodman, with whom I shared a studio. She gave
> me
> tremendous guidance, and she rarely has anything broken in transit. She
> showed me how to shake down a box to see how much the peanuts settle, and
> how to double box properly, among other things. (yes, there is a "right"
> way). I also have been selling through Guild.com for quite some time.
> They
> have guidelines each artist must follow, as each individual represents
> their
> company.
>
> Regardless, I had a lot of breakage in my early shipping experiences. The
> "skill" part I mentioned comes from figuring out how to pack inside the
> parameters laid out for you by the shipping company. For example, how to
> wrap and lay your mugs so the handles don't break. How heavy is "too
> heavy". Placement of items inside the box is like putting a puzzle
> together. It's no different than the great thought one takes in loading
> their kiln. Loading the kiln correctly and efficiently takes time,
> practice
> and loss - so does packing a box. Don't kid yourself that the work is
> done
> after it comes out of the kiln. The work is only done once the customer
> receives it in safe condition. When stuff breaks, you have more work to
> do.
>
>
>
> Lois Ruben Aronow Ceramics
> 232 Third Street - # B202A
>
> Brooklyn, NY 11215
>
>
>
> p: 917..561..2854
> f: 718..246.0819
>
>
>
> www.loisaronow.com
> www.craftsofthedamned.blogspot.com
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
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>
L. P. Skeen on mon 1 jan 07
I think that's a great idea. When I order palm and coconut oils for
making soap, the company just slaps some packing tape around the rim of
the lid (in case of leaks, which has never happened), puts a label on
the lid and off it goes to me! :) Dunno if the USPS would take one, but
I know UPS will.
L
Patrick Cross wrote:
> I've been waiting for someone to bring this subject up again because I
> had a
> quirky idea I thought might be of use. What if for certain items a
> standard
> 5 gallon plastic bucket w/lid was used as the shipping container. I
> think
> it would take quite a bit for the shipping industry (USPS, UPS, DHL FedEx
> etc.) to destroy one in transit.
>
Ingeborg on mon 1 jan 07
"Patrick Cross said"
I've been waiting for someone to bring this subject up again because I had a
> quirky idea I thought might be of use. What if for certain items a
> standard
> 5 gallon plastic bucket w/lid was used as the shipping container
Not so quirky Patrick. The last time I bought some plaster I thought about
ordering it from my supplier. It comes in bags and of course you never know
how fresh it is, if the bag gets torn in transit etc. Either way I have to
have it shipped in so shipping cost is a mute point, albeit large expense.
I went on line and bought some from USG and it came via ups in 5 gallon
plastic containers sealed tight. Now of course plaster is not fragile like
pots but your idea is something to think about.
Happy New Year to all.
Ingeborg
3058 Stringfellow Road
P.O. Box 510
Saint James City, FL 33956
http://www.thepottersworkshop.com
Jeanne on mon 1 jan 07
Just to let you know, I have received 5 gal bucket of stuff via USPS.
Don't know what the weight limit is, tho.
Jeanne
L. P. Skeen wrote:
> I think that's a great idea. When I order palm and coconut oils for
> making soap, the company just slaps some packing tape around the rim of
> the lid (in case of leaks, which has never happened), puts a label on
> the lid and off it goes to me! :) Dunno if the USPS would take one, but
> I know UPS will.
>
> L
>
> Patrick Cross wrote:
>> I've been waiting for someone to bring this subject up again because I
>> had a
>> quirky idea I thought might be of use. What if for certain items a
>> standard
>> 5 gallon plastic bucket w/lid was used as the shipping container. I
>> think
>> it would take quite a bit for the shipping industry (USPS, UPS, DHL
>> FedEx
>> etc.) to destroy one in transit.
>>
Hank Murrow on tue 2 jan 07
On Jan 2, 2007, at 3:46 PM, Russel Fouts wrote:
> Has anyone tried the products from Sealed Air? They have two that
> sound great.
>
> Instapak Quick::
>
> http://www.sealedair.com/eu/en/products/protective/instapak/quick/
> quick.html
>
> Instapak Quick is a small business version of their Instapak
> solution. Very secure, very light and not too expensive until you buy
> the special heater which would cost me about 350 euros ($450
> dollars). I had heard that you could heat the packets up in a
> microwave but the rep said no. Anyone have any experience?
Dear Russel;
When packing my large(24" square, 3/8" thin) tiles for shipping to
Vancouver BC, the packing company made double weight cardboard boxes
and used foaming bags (not sure of the brand, but the method was
identical) like Instapak Quick. two bags were 'started' in the bottom
of the box, the tile laid sown on them, two more were activated on top
of the first tile, the second tile laid down, and a final two activated
and laid on top of the second tile, and the box closed. They made it to
Vancouver safely, and I was able to use the same bags/box for the
return trip in my car. Piece of cake at customs.
Cheers, Hank
www.murrow.biz/hank
Russel Fouts on wed 3 jan 07
Has anyone tried the products from Sealed Air? They have two that sound great.
Instapak Quick::
http://www.sealedair.com/eu/en/products/protective/instapak/quick/quick.html
Instapak Quick is a small business version of their Instapak
solution. Very secure, very light and not too expensive until you buy
the special heater which would cost me about 350 euros ($450
dollars). I had heard that you could heat the packets up in a
microwave but the rep said no. Anyone have any experience?
Korrvu Packaging:
http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/korrvu/korrvu.html
The Korrvu looks like the best, it holds the piece suspended between
two stretched sheets of plastic. it looks secure and would be very
light. The biggest trouble is that according to the rep, the smallest
order is 700 pieces (of one size).
Both methods are reusable.
Russel
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
Http://www.mypots.com
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Marc Ward on mon 8 jan 07
The idea of a 5 gallon bucket has merit as a shipping container. We ship
mortars in 5 gallon buckets. What hasn't been mentioned is that UPS charges
an additional $6 over the shipping and insurance charges for an item that is
not enclosed in cardboard. An additional 6 bucks, plus the constantly rising
shipping charges, may be prohibitive for a small container.
Marc Ward
www.wardburner.com
Lois Ruben Aronow on mon 8 jan 07
The other thing that hasn't been mentioned is that UPS will NOT insure ware
that has been shipped in a bucket. They have very specific guidelines on
how to ship your work, double boxing, wrapping, etc. They will not cover
insurance claims if the work has been packed any other way.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Marc Ward
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 3:14 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: My last word on packing and shipping
The idea of a 5 gallon bucket has merit as a shipping container. We ship
mortars in 5 gallon buckets. What hasn't been mentioned is that UPS charges
an additional $6 over the shipping and insurance charges for an item that is
not enclosed in cardboard. An additional 6 bucks, plus the constantly rising
shipping charges, may be prohibitive for a small container.
Marc Ward
www.wardburner.com
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