Packing for shows

[ct4mom]

I'm trying to get ready for my shows and was wondering how everybody packs the items. Last year I did small boxes but a lot to carry. I was thinking bins but may be pretty heavy. What do the show people use?

[Kev]

When I did a show, I used bins with a layer of bubble wrap between the pieces.

[Lou Ann]

I use a combination of things... the majority of my pieces are in the larger clear plastic covered totes (they are at least 12" tall), my ornaments and small items are in display baskets that fit inside an under the bed size clear plastic tote and my fan lamps and bases are in a large filing size clear plastic covered tote.

I also store my stuff by category -- all panels, all crosses, all hearts (if they have bevels they are heavier than all glass pieces of the same size and this needs to be taken into consideration for balance) and then I balance it out with the rest of my suncatchers. I also have a couple of tall baskets that I put smaller suncatchers in that also serve as dividers to keep the pieces in an upright position in the tote. This makes it easy to pull things out that I might sell here at home as well as it makes set up easier because I can go right to whatever items it is that I am wanting to set out (I tend to group things on my table as well).

hope this helps

LA

just saw what Kev posted while I was typing and I want to say NONE of my pieces are laying flat, they are all standing in the position they would hang from a window

[Kev]

The stuff I took at that time was all fused items, so flat was OK.

[Anne]

I pack like LA - in bins. Mostly I use the small shoe size bins inside larger ones like the ones that go under the bed.  I bought mine at Target - 4 of the shoe size ones fit in the longer ones. I sort by style as in crosses, angels, dragonflies, butterfies etc.  I often take more than I need and don't display it all, so by sorting stock it's much easier to find something when someone invariably asks if you have it in a different color. By the size of the shoe box bin you can tell what size of pieces I'm making.  Everything is individually put into a sandwich bag which keeps pieces from getting scratched and/or tangled. I have a larger bin that we take along for baskets, electrical etc and I ususally have enough room in there for any bigger pieces I want to include and I use bubble wrap around them.  The system works for us but it depends on what sized pieces you make I guess.

[Lou Ann]

Everything is individually put into a sandwich bag which keeps pieces from getting scratched and/or tangled.

forgot to mention, I have everything in bubblewrap bags with most of the bags folded over (depends on the size of the piece) to provide extra padding between the pieces

[Malinda]

I wrap each piece in bubble wrap and stand up in a larger clear plastic bin then some things I have wrapped and store flat in a shallow wooden box (like angels or holly leaves size stuff). Don't pack things too tight either.

[ct4mom]

Thanks Guys, went to my MIL and she had a plastic box with hanging files that we bought her for her bills ,but she dosent use it.(has her own system) and I brought home and it works perfectly for the funky flowers. I think I may get one more
I like the Idea of the sandwich bags and would like the bubble bags but havent seen them anywhere, where do you get them LA?

[Amber]

When I was tote shopping I kept in mind size vs weight and bought only ones I could carry if they were stuffed with a bunch of heavy stuff ;0).


My favorite purchase was a 3 in 1 handy truck/trolley that was a perfect size to tuck under a 6 foot table and still have bins stored on top for quick access. It can switch around quick and easy into different configurations, including an extension, so the versatility is awesome when trying to maneuver from folded six foot table and card tables, to bins and boxes.

[Lou Ann]

I like the Idea of the sandwich bags and would like the bubble bags but havent seen them anywhere, where do you get them LA?

I get the bags at Uline (http://www.uline.com/BL_7602/Open-End-Bubble-Bags) -- there is a cost factor but I find it well worth it and these are a lot quicker to package items when customers are waiting at the booth. I have 3 different sizes.

Like Amber, I made sure I can carry all of my totes when they are fully packed (I store them on the second floor so I have the stair issue as well) and I also bought the ones with the locking covers (nothing worse than the cover shifting as your trying to lift the heavier ones)

[ct4mom]

Thanks this gives me an idea of what to keep in mind when shopping for the bins and thanks Amber I never thought of one of those carts. I believe my son has one may borrow it to see how I will like it. I usually have help but if there is a show I dont I want to make it easy on me. The boxes were  a pain.

[annabelle]

I store my stock in plastic bins, as well.  The little stuff is placed in smaller plastic boxes with rags between the layers.  I use cloth rags to pad all my stuff....I do hand etching on things like mugs and glass ware, so store them in old socks, and put them in a tall plactic bin.  I have a 15 passenger diesel van.   We took all the seats out except in front, and all of my show stuff lives in it.  Works for me.  annabelle

[Kev]

Great idea about the socks.