View Larger Image Today, we'll help you let your friends know they are truly appreciated by showing you how to send them a gift from the heart that will actually make it there in one piece.

August 6, 2007

Send a Friend a Pot (or two!) Today in Celebration of Friendship Day

by Ceramic Arts Daily | Read Comments (0)

International Friendship Day was celebrated around the globe yesterday, Sunday, August 5, as a day to recognize your friends and their contribution to your life—a day to celebrate love and friendship. Initially declared a holiday in honor of friends in America by the United States Congress in 1935, International Friendship Day is now celebrated the world over on the first Sunday in August. Friends come in many shapes, sizes and guises: school friends, work colleagues, siblings, partners, parents, pets and neighbors. Acknowledging your friends today (and every day!) helps to bring peace and positivity to the globe, and makes Friendship Day a wonderful reason to celebrate. So, today we'll help you make the most of your celebration by showing you how to let your friends know they are truly appreciated!

Celebration Ideas
Need some suggestions on how to celebrate Friendship Day and show your friends they are special? Below are some suggestions to help you show that you care:

• Write a nice card for your friend, telling them how much you appreciate their friendship.
• Buy or make them a small present, like flowers, chocolates, a cake, or batch of cookies--anything that catches your imagination!
• Hug someone, preferably your friend!
• Make a point to call every one of your friends on Friendship Day to let them know you care.
• Make your friend a mixed CD of all the songs that define your friendship (or ones that you just happen to mutually like!)
• Call all those old friends you haven't spoken to in ages. Remember the Girl Scout motto: "Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold!"
• Plan a special day with your best friend or friendship group. A picnic is always a fun idea, and great for all ages.
• If you're all busy during the day, plan to go out to dinner with your friends. Dress up in your finest and have a fun night that's different from the norm.
• Make some new friends by becoming a doer of RAOK—Random Acts of Kindness.
• Grab a camera or visit a photo machine and take some photos of you and your friends enjoying yourselves!
• Send your friend a piece of pottery you've created. Read on to learn how to pack your handcrafted creation to make sure it gets to your friend in one piece.

Properly Packing Pots for Shipment
by Dee Schaad
When shipping work, it’s important to be very careful when packing the items to be shipped. I’ve shipped my own work for many years, and have been on the receiving end for work delivered to our university gallery many times. I’m frequently amazed at the poor packaging of fragile pieces and at the surprise artists express when informed that their carefully made items arrived broken. And while most artists do their own packing, having work packed by the shipper is no guarantee.

Most packers have little training, and may not be aware of the issues involved with packing ceramics. To this I can attest from personal experience. Once (and only once) when I was in a hurry, I had my work packed by the shipper. Needless to say, it arrived broken. I watched the worker pack the piece and was suspicious but said nothing. Fortunately, it was insured and I had a similar piece to replace it, but it was a valuable lesson.

The Rules for Packing
Packing properly is not difficult and there are only a few rules:
1. Don’t be a cheapskate—make sure you have appropriate packing materials, foam peanuts, bubble pack, the correct box size, etc.
2. Boxes should be big enough to allow space for packing material around the work.
3. Always pack a box in a box. It’s critical that the pieces be completely immobile and separated from other objects and any crushing force that may come from the outside of the second box.

Supplies
I get my boxes from two sources. There are several businesses in Indianapolis where I live that sell used boxes and new packing materials of all types. Used boxes are very inexpensive and I can usually purchase just the right size. I never look for boxes at liquor stores or other such places because they’re seldom sturdy or the appropriate size. I buy bubble pack in a big roll and peanuts by the cubic yard in large enough quantities to be practical. If you buy in small, prepackaged amounts, you will probably pay too much. My second source is a business close to where I live that sells new shipping materials. They have a catalog and packing materials that will amaze you. I like to keep my packing simple so I use pretty basic stuff. Check the Yellow Pages under “Packaging Materials” and “Boxes-Corrugated and Fiber.”

Oddities
Sometimes work can be oddly shaped, exceptionally large or extremely fragile. This can result in the need to be extra careful while packing. Just make sure all the pieces are rendered immobile, that plenty of separation is provided, and that, above all, the boxes you use are the appropriate size for the work. If large enough boxes are not available, you may need to construct (or have constructed for you) shipping crates. If you wish to be extra cautious, you may want to contact a shipper that specializes in shipping art work. It will be expensive, but safe delivery is the likely result.

Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Your Artwork to a Friend of Yours
About the Author
Dee Schaad is professor of art and chair of the department of art and design at the University of Indianapolis. For comments or questions, he can be reached at dschaad@uindy.edu.