How to Ship Fragile Crafts

• Use the batting to wrap the item. Wrap every inch in small strips of batting and secure with desk tape. As an example, in the case of my fairies, I use it to wrap everywhere. I wrap each arm, each leg, body and head in small individual strips of batting securing each strip with desk tape. I even put batting between the wings to keep them from moving. Then wrap the entire item in one large piece of batting, making sure it covers top and bottom of item and secure. When done you should have what looks like a batting ‘ball’.

• Then wrap this ‘ball’ in medium or large bubble wrap and secure with desk tape. I use bubble wrap with medium or large bubbles because they seem to protect better. The times I used the small bubble wrap, my little ones arrived with a crack or even a broke arm or leg. Since using the medium or large they have arrived at their new home in one, unbroken piece. Place this ball in the box that fits it the best packing more batting, more bubble wrap and pouring styrofoam peanuts in the box covering all sides of item. Close and tape the box with shipping tape.

• Take the next size up box and pour some peanuts and wad small sheets of bubble wrap in the bottom. Set the smaller box with your item in the center of this box. Pour peanuts and stuff a few wadded sheets of bubble wrap around and on top of the smaller box. Don’t skimp on the peanuts. These little miracles of styrofoam are life savers for clay items. Close the box and tape securely with shipping tape. At this point you can put this box in a bigger box and fill with peanuts and wadded bubble wrap if you like. I have done this a couple of times if my fairies or mermaids had extended arms or tiny items within the sculpture but mostly I use just the two boxes.

• All the supplies for this can be found at shipping stores but the most reasonably priced can be found at WalMart. They sell large rolls of bubble wrap and batting and large bags of peanuts. They also sell boxes in different sizes that fit very well inside each other. But actually you can save all that if you just remember not to throw away any boxes, peanuts or bubble wrap when you get a package in the mail. I have garbage bags full of bubble wrap and peanuts all gathered from packages I have received at home. Also, ask your family and friends to keep any they get for you. It’s surprising how much you can gather if everyone knows you need it.

• I have also found that shipping it USPS Priority mail is the best way to ship. The times I used UPS and FedEx the box was damaged. Luckily the fairy inside was not but it seemed to get a lot of rough handling. With Priority mail the box was never damaged. You can get free USPS Priority Mail box tape and labels by going to www.usps.com and requesting them or you can get them at the post office. Just use the tape on the top and bottom of the outside box, fill out the shipping label and take it to the post office. Most times it is cheaper than UPS and FedEx. Some insurance is free but if you want more it is not expensive and you can track it on the internet so you know when it is delivered. If you don’t want to have to take it to the post office you can even print out the label with the postage, extra insurance and tracking from their web site. Then you can tape it to the box and let your mail man pick it up from your house.

• This seems like a lot of packing to do for something, but remember you put your talent and your heart into making and selling this item and getting it to its new home in one piece also reflects on you.