This afternoon I mailed off the tapestry that was selected for the American Tapestry Biennial 10.
The shipping box I packed it in is the one from Uline that I mentioned a few posts back. It's quite sturdy and I hope it will live up to its reputation as a box suitable for art work shipping.
Here's the way the things came together:
There are three layers of foam in the box; the top and bottom layers have this egg-crate like configuration.
The middle layer is of foam that's cut to make a window within which the tapestry lays.
I covered the face of the tapestry with a sheet of muslin. My name is on all part of the shipping materials, including this cloth.
The 1/2" foam core board lays on top of the fabric covered tapestry. I have a diagram on the board to remind about how it's to be repacked when this show is over.
I wrapped the tapestry in a sheet of plastic and then placed back into the foam window.
The box has plastic lining on both lid and bottom.
And here it is, sealed up and ready to take to the post office. I placed a sheet inside which had these photos as a reminder to those who'll be repacking and shipping the work to the next venue in Kent, Ohio. From there it will travel to Omaha, Nebraska and then be returned to me next April.
I'm wishing this tapestry well on its travels--and the same good wishes go to the work of the other artists who have tapestries in ATB10.
I went to gather what I needed to pack and ship mine off today, but the shipping stores were all out of Art boxes! They said they'd all 'had a run' on art shipping lately, so I had to get different boxes, which doesn't make me happy. Hope that means art is selling! (Though it probably just reflects exhibit season and under-stocking.)
ReplyDeleteWell that looks awesome! Best packing job ever.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I hope your boxes work out fine. I don't have a good place to get flat boxes here in Dahlonega. The UPS store has all sizes but mostly they're cube-like. The Walmart and Home Depot have the kind for moving--again, not the configuration I wanted. So my husband, who's shipped from his collection to exhibits using Uline boxes in the past, suggested I order from them. We found the type I'd need for several shippings and, even though a more expensive solution that I'm used to using, I decided to order it. I called and it was there the next day! Of course, one of the Uline warehouses is near Atlanta so it only had to come about 60 miles.
ReplyDeleteThe shipping aspect of doing shows is one more layer of the things to think about, isn't it. I guess sometimes people think that artists who choose to try to show work just do that by finishing the art work ... well, as you very well know, most of the time the chance to exhibit is dependent on so many factors. And then, once the opportunity is there, costs are involved for the artist most of the time. Framing has its own levels of costs, depending on how the work is being presented. Packaging, shipping and insurance costs add up.
The creation of the work is one part of the whole! The more pleasant part, in my opinion.
Rebecca, thanks! I hope it gets the job done and the work to all three venues and then back to me next year, safely and soundly.
ReplyDeleteHi All. I have never used ULine for packing materials but have purchased shelving and floor mats from them and they have always been super helpful, timely, and provided exactly what they advertise. I am a fan. And in terms of packing materials, they have almost every conceivable configuration!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post on shipping Tommye. I sent mine with UPS in one of their boxes but it seems if I bought a box I could reuse it several times. I think I will look into it if I do it again. As you say, finishing the tapestry is just one part of that process.
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