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Tips For Shipping Pottery In Crate


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Hello everyone,

I have a show coming up in LA and am shipping freight using a crate.

Not having done this before, I'm doing my own research but wanted to get any input you may have.

 

The crate's a 48x48x48 dimension and I'm thinking to load the crate like this:

- Put 4 boxes inside the crate.

- Each box has 2 inch foam on either side, and each work is foam sheet wrapped, bubble wrapped, then peanuts in.

 

Does this sound right?

 

In terms of weight does anyone have some ballpark of what this may weigh? I'm thinking 700 lb including the crate (https://www.uline.com/BL_427/Standard-Wood-Crates?keywords=crate) ..

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Are you flying to show or driving-if it driving rent a van-its cheaper than the 2x freight bill.Put the boxes in that heck these may fit in a car.

No telling on weight as we do not know whats in the boxes??-U-line states the crate weight in chart

The packing sounds just fine unless they drive a fork thru the box wall?

It may be overkill that metal cornered crate and plywood.

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What Mark said. Driving your own work is much cheaper and safer.

 

You haven't been getting much responses to your questions about shipping crates because this is an extreme level option, very few people find it worthwhile.

 

You said you are doing NY NOW next year. That's a show where shipping your work/display makes sense, because the potential for sales is very high, and the expenses are already high. And you don't need to pack a full inventory for a trade show, you only need to pack samples. I remember only needing two boxes of pots for a trade show, compared to packing between 6 and 10 boxes for a retail show.

 

I would not ship my work for a Renegade show, or any show of that ilk.

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Plan on a hotel stop for a night then its a very easy drive.

If you are older like me than long drives are more brutal-if you are under 60 then they are easier.

Even with a hotel you will be way ahead on money over the freight bill.

As Mea said NY city makes sense-I do not think any show in LA does make sense to fright ship

I drove to shows in Az which was 21-24 hours for 25 years 3 times a year for most of that time . Spent one night each way.

Now I'm retired from that this year but 13 hours really is no issue especially with an overnite in hotel. You could camp on the cheap as well.

When it comes to shows you need to keep costs down so wise decisions on cost are best.

For me driving to a show where I made over 10k I did not mind a few hotels on the way.If the show is a new one or unknown then costs can really eat into profits.

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The furthest I've driven is 9 hours. I had some good audiobooks with me, and it was a piece of cake. I'm doing an 11 hour drive later this year. I think enjoying road trips is a neccesary character trait for art shows.

 

Not sure I would do 15 hours unless I knew it was a killer show. If I were you, and already committed to this show, I would drive. Only one way to find out your tolerance for long drives, and to define the area that you are willing to work.

 

I recommend The Girl WIth the Dragon Tattoo trilogy on audiobook. :-)

 

There must be good shows in the Portland area. And Seatlle and SF are much closer drives.

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Yes, you are being a wimp. :) Drive it over two days, or if you're feeling good then do it all in one day. Compared to the cost of shipping a large container and buying a plane ticket it will probably be cheaper. And you won't have to worry about your work. If you do use the crate, I would just pack things into plastic tubs and put those in the crate. Put some padding around them so they don't wobble around.

 

I did a show 11 hours away last year. Drove Friday, set up Friday night, did the show Saturday, drove Sunday and was home by dinner time.

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Thanks everyone! I'll do the driving then. I just did a 12 hour drive just 3 weeks ago so was burnt out on it. Adding 3 hours to that feels like crawling on hands and knees to the finish line.

 

@Mark - I'm 35 so still young and energetic I guess?

@GEP - Yup, there're a couple of shows in Portland too but mostly summer show.

 

Thanks again everyone!!

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I drove 20,ooo fair  miles a year for decades doing shows only -Pottery sales and shows means driving.Trucks trailers vans I have done it all from Denver to Tempe to Seattle to Park City. I loved it until I was 60-then its more like work.

I still Drive to a show thats 15 hours and one thats 13 hours and feel like they are pretty close by my standards.

I have  full on road warrior degree by age 40.

I do not need a map to get anywhere in the western US.

I started hitting the pavement in my 30's.

Drive carefully and enjoy the trip.

Those folks on the east coast are spoiled as everything is about 4-6 hours away tops. We out west have to 

drive much further. 

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I am about to start the return drive in a truck towing my van over 4 days. 100+ degrees on the day of loading and snow predicted in Denver the day I plan to pass through there. Will be happy to get this phase over. Flying back to Tx from Mt on Sat. and will drive again back with my husband and dogs.Trying not to do my that 10-11 hours days of driving but the days are longer and lighter now. Books on tape.drove a show to New York city from Montana and another to Frederick, Md. from Montana.It is more difficult with a decade or 2 added on.

 

Marcia

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Having just returned from a two-week holiday and a five-hour drive (152 miles) home, I felt I needed another holiday to recover.  

 

Maybe a five-hour drive (including driving around London) is different in the UK to the US.  Too many people driving too many cars.  

 

I'm in awe of the distances you guys will drive.

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chilly, there is a lot of space once people get out of the huge concentrations of people on the east and west coasts.  we have lots of land and a very good system of highways called interstates, the kind with limited access and at least 2 lanes in each direction and lots more in highly populated places.   your highways are similar except the fast lane is on the right.  and our car manufacturers have told us for over 70 years to get out and enjoy the road.

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