>Ship It

>

Thanks so much for all of your comments regarding my beaded Yellow Submarine! Would you believe that took me 10 weeks to complete?? When it was finished, it felt like quite an accomplishment, so I took some well-deserved time to myself over the holiday weekend:)

I am also quite proud to see my new bead-painting hanging on my wall, but it is hanging where History Repeated was... Last week, I shipped that piece off to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to be exhibited in Dimensions 2008. I have shipped some of my smaller beaded pieces before, but this was the first time I had to ship a 24" x 30" painting. Since it's impossible to find a suitable box for fine art of this size, I took my painting to my local UPS store. They double-box the artwork to protect the canvas, which they surround in packing peanuts. The only thing they would not do was include a prepaid shipping label, so my work will be shipped back to me COD (cash on delivery). That is okay with the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, but I don't know how all other galleries would react.

And, speaking of that, I still have a few other things to ship. Here is a photo of the 3 bead-paintings I plan to ship to Side Show Studios in Sacramento, CA:

These pieces are much smaller, and they all fit in one box, which is great. I have used all bubble wrap, but I will also add some more cardboard on both top and bottom. You have to remember that people usually use knives to open boxes, so you have to take proper care when packing canvases.

At the same time, I have even smaller pieces to ship to the Dairy Barn Arts Center (as well as my beaded fire truck) for Bead International. (Yes, my to-do list is long...) So, I figured I'd get that ready to ship, as well. These pieces are bead-embroidered ACEOs, or artist trading cards. I plan to offer them for sale in the gallery shop just for fun. I have only made a handful of these. They are individually packaged in resealable plastic sleeves. I still have to add price stickers to each package, but other than that, they're pretty much ready to go. I will probably ship these smaller items via USPS.

I also have consignment agreements and inventory lists to fill out for each event. And, I have to remember to include an artist statement, as well as a pile of business cards to promote my website...

Very soon, most of my pieces will have left me. .. :(