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Shipping Bronze Sculptures – Here’s how it’s done

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Shipping bronze sculptures that are of extreme value can be very difficult. The first thing that you need to take care of is insurance. You have got the choice between basic limited liability and full value protection.

The former is known as the standard form of insurance. The insurance of the item is calculated according to per pound of the sculpture’s weight and does not cover its full value. The latter option comes at a price. The sculpture is appraised and its exact value is written in the contract. This insurance type has a high premium because in case it gets damaged or lost, the owner either gets the money for repairs or replacement or is compensated in cash

How to Pack a Bronze Sculpture for Shipping

Now that we have covered the most important step, let’s move on and discuss how to pack the bronze sculpture safely:

Depending on how heavy and big the sculpture is you can either pack it in a wooden crate or a cardboard box. While the former is a much better option, it is expensive too. Let’s have a look at how to pack it in a cardboard box:

Inner Packaging

  • Pick out a cardboard box that is a tight fit for the sculpture
  • Wrap the sculpture in bubble wrap and secure all open areas with heavy duty tape
  • Cover the bubble wrapped sculpture in a blanket
  • Place a wood plank at the bottom of the box (this will prevent the corners from bending and damaging the sharp ends of the sculpture)
  • Fill plastic bags with packing peanuts and place it at the bottom of the box (the plastic bags will keep the packing peanuts from creating a mess)
  • Place the plastic bags on every sharp edge to create a cushion
  • Slide the sculpture inside the box and make sure it’s a snug fit

Outer Packaging

To protect the sculpture from getting cracked, create an outer layer of packaging.

  • Find a slightly bigger box than the one you just packed
  • Slide in the packed box in the second box and fit packing peanut plastic bags on the sides
  • Throw in a few packets of calcium chloride (drying agent) to prevent the sculpture from getting damaged due to water
  • Secure the box with a heavy duty tape
  • Stick a paper on the box and indicate with arrows how it should be carried

Note: If you’re using a wooden crate for packaging, use stainless steel bolts instead of nails to close the crate. This will prevent the rust from seeping into the crate, in case water is splashed on it.

Since most heavy packages are shipped by sea, it is better to take a few precautions such as packets of drying agent and securing the box with another box. It might be a lot of work but it will give you the assurance that your sculpture will arrive safely and unharmed at your destination.

Shipping Art Successfully – Here’s how it’s done

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Shipping art such as paintings is equally difficult as shipping delicate antique items. Say, your paintings have been finally accepted to be showcased in an art gallery but the exhibition is in Paris. You now need to pack your paintings individually, so that they don’t rub against each other and get damaged.

As a struggling artist, it can be hard to bear the cost of packaging. The cost of shipping any kind of artwork depends on its weight, which means you cannot wrap the painting in layers of wraps and boxes or you will be paying extra.

Depending on how you want the art delivered, there are two types of packaging you can do: One for shipping art that is ‘ready to hang’ and the other where you remove the stretcher bars and roll the painting into a tube.

Shipping ‘Ready to Hang’ Art

Paintings that are ready to hang and have glass over them must be double wrapped to protect the glass from breaking. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Customize a cardboard sheet into a wrapped box according to the size of the painting
  • Place the painting on the sheet and use a cutter to make light cuts along the edges of the painting
  • Wrap the painting in plastic and secure the ends at the back
  • To protect the glass, use masking tape that is specially made for holding the painting’s glass together in case of an accidental breakage (if the glass breaks, the shards will stick to the tape and prevent the painting from getting scratched)
  • Place the painting on the sheet and mold the cardboard sheet into a box
  • Secure the corners with heavy duty tape
  • Wrap the painting with bubble wrap
  • Finally, slide this bubble-wrapped painting into the cardboard box

Shipping Rolled Art

Here are the supplies that you will need to pack your art:

  • Bubble wrap
  • Glassine
  • Box cutter and scissors
  • Artist tape
  • PVC or cardboard tube

Note: When choosing a tube for your art, make sure that it is at least 4 inches taller than your painting’s height. As for when the painting is rolled, the tube needs to be 6 inches wider than your artwork’s rolled width. This is because when the painting is rolled, the diameter of the paper is doubled.

Step #1

Lay down the glassine sheets on a surface and spread your painting on it. If the painting is on paper, then the art should be facing up, towards you and if the painting is on fabric, it should be face down on the glassine sheet. Create a thick layer by placing at least two to three sheets with the painting.

Step #2

Align the glassine sheets and start rolling the painting. Remember, the first roll should be the glassine sheet and not the painting. This will prevent the edges from rolling in themselves and tearing.

Step #3

Secure the middle of the roll with artist tape.

Step #4

Place the roll on the bubble wrap and leave a few inches from both ends. Gently roll the bubble paper and secure that too with artist tape.

Step #5

Fold the bubble wrap from the ends and create a cushion for the edges.

Step #6

Slide the roll into the tube and close the top. Wrap this entire tube with tape and label the package.

There you go! Your artwork successfully rolled and packed, and on its way to your exhibition. Bon voyage, art!

Best Way to Care for Wood Furniture

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The undying grace of the classic wooden furniture only cultivates through the test of time if it remains untarnished. For most of us, furniture means mere props in the house — the efficient utilization of space to derive a particular function from it: sitting, lying, eating. While that may be true, the aesthetic appeal of the furniture can fade away in due time if you don’t care for your wood furniture properly. This article will educate you on all that you need to know to care for your wood furniture properly.

Dusting

Dusting is a vital part of wood furniture maintenance. There are plenty of airborne debris and particulate matter that can deposit onto your wood furniture and accumulate there in a filmy layer that can scratch the surface of the furniture. Feather dusters are great for dust removal from delicate surfaces like art, picture frames, lamp shades and other fragile items. Lamb’s wool duster is an even more effective dusting tool since dust adheres to this cleaning tool and reaches those hard to reach spots as well.

Cleaning

One of the most common mistakes home keepers make when cleaning wood furniture is using all-purpose cleaning sprays on them. Never use all-purpose cleaning sprays on your wooden furniture unless it has a plastic coating on it. When you come across stick spots or stains, a solution of warm water and the mild dish should do the trick. If you need to reach hard to reach areas, just use a toothbrush. After applying the solution, wipe the dirt off with paper towels until you’ve cleaned out the dirt. Make sure you dry off any remaining moisture with paper towels.

Renewing your old wood furniture with tea

Here’s a trick that can make your age-old wood furniture that has decades of accumulated polish on its surface. Get a hold of two tea bags and drop them in boiling water. Let the tea cool down, then dampen a soft cloth into the tea and wash the wood with it. The tannic acid in the tea will do wonders for the wood and your wooden furniture will observably shine when you’re done.

Getting rid of water stains

Despite you having reiterated uncountable times not to set beverages down on the wooden table without using coasters, a diverted mind and a negligent guest is all it takes for a stubborn water ring to be left behind where they can or cup was unabashedly set down. However, such a case isn’t irreversible. You can remove water rings by applying some non-gel toothpaste on the spot and rubbing it in with a soft cloth until the stain is removed. If that doesn’t work and the stain seems more difficult than you might have thought, just mix equal parts of toothpaste and baking soda together. Then apply the mixture with a soft cloth. After the stain has been lifted, just wipe the toothpaste off with a clean cloth and be sure to dry the area thoroughly

Best Way to Care for Valuable Antiques

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Valuable antiques require a little… ok a lot TLC. You genuinely feel your heartbreaking when you see a crack on your precious antique, isn’t so? Cleaning antique glass or ceramics is relatively easy. However, when you are talking about repairs, the process is rather more involved.

Here’s how to take care when handling valuable antiques:

Handle With Care

Accidental breakage is one of the biggest risk factors involved with antique glass and ceramic. This usually occurs when you hold it from the wrong angle. Follow these steps when you are packing antiques:

Make sure that your hands are dry and clean before handling unglazed ceramics or glass (greasy fingerprints often leave indelible marks on the surface).

Avoid wearing cotton gloves, as they often make your grip less secure.

Always pick the antique from its strongest part.

Avoid picking any antique by the handle.

Make sure that loose parts like covers or lids are secure before picking the antique up.

Pay attention to previous cracks and handle accordingly.

Protecting From External Environment

Antiques are extremely vulnerable to the external environment. Bright light, sunlight, variable temperatures or humidity rarely affects antiques but if you have always stored them in a special box, it is better to take precaution when moving. Water and bright light can stain, weaken and discolor the adhesive used.

If your valuable antiques are displayed on a shelf or in a cabinet, then make sure that the base is stable. A small vibration can tip the antique over and make it fall off the narrow edge. One of the best ways to makes sure that the antique does not break is to protect it with chamois leather pads. Place the antique in a clear glass box and create a support with the pads, so that the glass absorbs the impact first.

Protecting Glassware

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when moving antique glass objects is that they try to wrap it in large sheets of bubble wrap. Yes, bubble wrap is a great protector of valuable antiques but too much protection can create trouble while unwrapping, which can cause damage.

You know the drill – get a cardboard box, fill it with packing peanuts, wrap the antique in tissue paper and then a single covering of bubble wrap, place the antique inside the box and finally add more packing peanuts to fill all the empty spaces.

What we strongly recommend is using “Glassine”. This plastic wrap is quite different from the one that you usually use to pack valuables. It’s a smooth paper, which is water, grease and air resistant. The last thing that is left now is the corners. Corners are vulnerable to nicks and scratches and are the first part to get damaged. For this, get corner protectors like Styrofoam and after securing them, wrap the antique in bubble wrap. That’s about it!

Taking care of valuable antique is not that hard of a job. All you need to make sure is they are regularly polished so that they don’t lose their luster. Whether you are planning on creating a display for the antique or shipping it, follow these tips and your valuable antique will be just fine.

Shipping Furniture: Here’s How You Can Do It Right

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When moving to another country, one of the most expensive tasks is to move furniture to your new residence. You need to choose the right service to ensure that your belongings are moved in a safe and secure way. You do not want to lose your valuable possessions due to inefficient handling. Due to the ever-increasing competition in the shipping industry, you can find a quality service at affordable rates. Here are the major factors you need to consider in order to find the right moving company.

Choose Wisely:

Don’t choose a moving company in a hassle. Take your time to go through the details of different moving companies. Keep your budget in mind and look for suitable moving options within your budget. A thorough research may take longer, but it’ll help you grab the best deal in town.

Ask for recommendations from family members and friends. Look for other families that have recently moved near your new residence and ask them about shipping services they have used. Also, look for customer reviews online. First-hand information about a shipping service will assist you in acquiring quality services and keep your worries at bay.

Get in touch with the company to negotiate their rates. Opt for a company where the staff is polite and courteous. Professional workers willingly answer the queries of their customers. However, if they are not interested in addressing your concerns, they may not be able to ship your freight in an efficient manner. Look for other options instead of going for non-professional services.

Consider Shipping Costs:

The cost of moving mainly depends upon the weight and volume of freight. You’ll have to pay a higher amount if you want to move loads of luggage. The prices of moving companies also differ in the quality of service. You can opt for shared shipping services if there isn’t much freight. This will help you cut down the costs of shipping.

Another way of saving costs is to pack your furniture on your own. The services of professionals are usually a bit expensive. However, they will efficiently pack your belongings to keep it safe from potential damages. It is recommended to hire professional services for long-term benefits.

Look for any hidden costs. Discuss the rates with the company before finalizing the deal. Don’t forget to ask about discounts. Also, read the contract thoroughly before signing it.

Shipping Schedule:

Discuss the delivery schedule of your household items with the moving company in advance. What happens if delivery is delayed for a few days due to weather conditions or a delay in the clearance of freight at ports? Plan your schedule accordingly. Keep your plans flexible so that you don’t have to worry about your freight after you’ve moved to a new country.

Get Insurance:

Ensure your freight before shipping it over to another country. You can claim insurance if the shipping company breaks or loses your furniture and other household equipment. Although professionals can efficiently handle your goods, mistakes are inevitable. Instead of regretting later, take some precautionary measures to reduce the risks.

Shipping China Dishes: A Guide to Ensure Your Valuables Remain Damage-Free

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Packing china isn’t only time consuming, but also a very intensive process. It is time-consuming because each item has to be packed separately and intensive because even the slightest of thud or drop can cause a crack in the beautiful masterpiece. A dinner set with at least 60 pieces will surely get anyone to stress.

But there is no need to worry about the process of shipping and packing doesn’t have to be this hard. To ensure that nothing is damaged or worse, broken during the move, each item must be packed with care. How; this article will tell.

Start with a Clean Space

Before we begin, it is important to know that china is delicate when compared with glass or melamine sets. So when thinking about packing them, always begin with a clean workspace that is free of clutter. The best place is to lay each piece on the floor, get all the essential packing equipment together and then begin. A clean space will help you keep a track of all the pieces to be packed and also eliminate the risk of a fall.

Choose the right box

Next up, choose the right box to be shipped. A box that can easily hold up to 5 kg of weight will be ideal to start working with. One may feel tempted to work with a large carton but experts suggest otherwise. Unless it has been labeled, the chances of a large carton finding its place at the base of other smaller cartons are high. We wouldn’t want that, knowing that too much pressure can cause a crack.

Wrap Each Item Separately

When it comes to wrapping, start by wrapping each item separately also goes for any lids, saucer plates, and bowls. Wrap each item in multiple layers of newspaper or bubble wrap. If your china is white, avoid newspaper as the ink may rub off against it. You can, however, add layers of newspaper once you have covered the surface with bubble wrap. There is only one rule when packing china – be as generous as you can with the wrapping sheets, tape and/or bubble wrap.

Fill voids with packing peanuts

Packing peanuts or scrunched up paper is the best way to ensure that any void spaces between the items are filled up. The poor filling may cause the dishes to crash into or rub against each other. It will also prevent any unwanted shifting or items inside the box. Packing peanuts, foam or scrunched up newspaper must be filled in both bottom and top of the box so that everything inside remains in its place. If you notice any movement or cluttering in the box, it is a sign that more padding is needed as there are some spaces in between the dishes that touch each other.

Pack It Up Nice And Send Off To Be Shipped

Lastly, tape the carton generously. Even when it already comes with a lid or shutting mechanism going overboard with the tape will ensure the contents inside stay damage-proof. Additional layers of tape will ensure it remains packed and doesn’t accidentally open during the move.

Label it (optional)

Indentation is also an important but an optional step. With so many cardboard boxes, the one containing your precious chinaware may find its place at the bottom of the pile. Even when you have layered each item with care, risking its safety with additional pressure and weight on it may cause a crack which is why always label the carton. When labeled, the movers will know where to place it best and prevent any unwanted damage throughout the move.