Shipping pottery and other clay items isn’t the most environmentally friendly endeavor. Bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts are both used, along with double boxing items. It’s sort of the bane of my existence - a necessary evil.
With that in mind, I scour my neighborhood when walking my dogs for packing material and who knows what else I might be able to reuse. My neighbors must think I’m nuts! Last week one of them happened upon me leaning into one of the dumpsters, my behind in the air, dogs loosely held in one hand in the alley behind my house reaching for some perfectly clean bubble wrap that had been thrown away. Plastic gold is what I call it! I think I need to put a flyer out to all my neighbors reminding them that I collect and recycle bubble wrap and styro-foam peanuts.
It makes sense to reuse that stuff and I really hate buying it. Meanwhile I was gifted with a healthy supply of packing peanuts and bubble wrap from a dear friend of mine! She told me she had some packing materials for me, but when I saw the boxes and boxes sitting outside of my garage, I felt like I had won the packing material lotto. Thank you!!
Yeah, sometimes it’s the little things in life,
~Cynthia
I did happen upon this link that I’ve bookmarked in the event styro-foam peanuts are ever outlawed.
P.S. I’ve been playing around with my banner, let me know what you think!
Tags: bubble wrap, dumpster diving, packing peanuts, Shipping Ceramics
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I TOTALLY relate. I’m not a collector or hoarder but you should see the packing material I have squirreled away. Everything gets reused at least twice so even though the materials aren’t environmentally friendly at least they’re not going into a landfill … yet.
I can definitely relate! We used to sell handmade santas and these can ONLY be shipped in popcorn. Fortunately, I hit a goldmine at the shipping department at work - they would save them up for me in big green garbage bags. I’d suggest checking around some local companies (I worked in an office building - with a shipping department) A few arrangements with some of these places will save you a lot of dumpster diving! This reminded me of an episode of Fraser. His neighbour catches him diving into a garbage bin (to retrieve a can to put into recycling). However, neighbour gets the wrong impression - thinking he’s hit skid row. Very funny.
P.S. I came across your website via Kiva - we are fellow lenders. I think it’s a great model for helping others.
I collect and hoard and re-use everything. I always tell my customers, don’t be upset if your box your art comes in is ugly, the work will be fine and it’s green shipping. Mate Man’s old job used to triple shred all there documents and he could bring home huge bags of confetti paper for packing. It worked great, but was a little heavy. BTW LOVE your new boxes, so great, you are going to sell out!
I hear ya! I am constantly re-using that stuff, too!
Same here, I never throw those styrofoam peanuts away and I save them in a big bag to reuse. I think your neighbors should be thankful Cyn because you are helping the local enviroment by saving them from the dump. I remember reading a while back that styrofoam takes very long to decompose.
Awe I thought you DID WIN the Lotto…oh well just as good LOL. The Banner is cute and better, I am struggling with a change as well but I haven’t attempted it yet. Something to think about..I’ve been told to use what I am known for in my banner….hummmmm
Mary
Andrea, there’s nothing worse than running out of packing material and spending 25$ on a dinky roll of bubble wrap!
Glad to meet you, Andrea from Kiva! I’m excited about being able to loan a ton of money with the organization.
Thanks Heather (on the selling out and boxes)! Funny thing, is I don’t really want to sell out…weird huh?
You’re lucky your work isn’t quite as heavy and fragile, LB - though I’m sure you have other considerations when shipping work.
Styrofoam is pretty evil, Lynette! I wish I could pin point the neighbor who was doing all the online shopping and direct them to my house!
I’m not sure I love the banner, Mary - but I’m going to live with it for a week before making up my mind. Hubby and daughter like it better - but maybe I need a better catch phrase along the lines of “pottery blooms here”
I really enjoyed your blog and I love ceramics. You’re very funny. A friend and I used to sell my paintings and her stoneware pottery out on the streets of L.A. during our hippy days. Some of my best memories.
Your new banner is cute and friendly, but have you thought about doing a design made out of clay-then applying your title over it? That would be say it all.
Come visit me.
Vikki North
Cynthia
Try your local stained-glass shop for the bubble wrap. The glass usually arrives packed in wads of it and popcorn too. One of the biggest “gripes” of a friend of myne up in Coeur d’Alene was that she didn’t know how to get rid of the stuff !!!
Bet it’s the same in the Denver area.
Hugs
Chae
Hi Vikki! I’m still playing with my banner. I guess I’m looking for a clean contemporary look - the fun continues.
Brilliant Chae! There was one just around the corner from me, but it relocated. I should find out where they went.