P O T T E R Y: p a c k i n g + s h i p p i n g

As an artist, I'm always concerned about the delivery of my work to its final destination. After all, I put my heart and soul into creating it and want my clients to be happy with their investment. 

When I first started shipping pottery, I did some research and tried different ways to ship my pieces. This involved double boxing them which was quite expensive. When I started working in wholesale, one of my clients was put off by the cost of shipping and told me how she shipped her fragile pieces. Since then, I've stopped shipping everything in two boxes, but still use my fair share of bubble wrap and newsprint. 

I have a large order of plates going out today and thought I would share my process:

wrapping the plate

I prefer to use the large bubble wrap and order it and my boxes from Uline. 

the wrapped plate

all twelve plates wrapped

I am currently waiting for my large boxes to be delivered this morning and it's throwing off my day a bit. So I may end up packaging these guys up in two 12 x 12 inch boxes instead of one 
18 x 18 inch box. But for the sake of this post, I'll go ahead and demonstrate how I pack my boxes. I like to use new corrugated boxes and newsprint or recycled packing material.

first layer of newsprint

 I line the bottom layer with crumpled newsprint and then place the first item in the center. 

first piece 

I surround the piece with the newsprint so that the edges of the pottery aren't touching the sides of the box or another piece of pottery. Don't pack too snug. There should be a little room for shock absorption in the event the box is dropped. 

protected with newsprint

 I always include a handwritten thank you to all my clients and enclose a business card. Lately I've been making my cards. I think its a nice added touch. 

handmade thank you with a business card

almost finished

If you're a potter, how do you ship? I'm always open to new and improved ways to do business better! 

Hope you enjoyed this lengthy post on shipping pottery and a little insight how I sell my work. 

Have a wonderful weekend! ~ samos

One Day Left: #seemetakeover

Ghost Horse t shirt

Ripple of H2O t shirt

Today is the last day to vote for me and my work in the #seemetakeover creative project. What is it? 

The first 500 people to earn 1,000 points by July 11th will have their name and work take over the entire 25-story-tall billboard!  I'm already in the running. I need 384 more points for the Ghost Horse and 179 more points for Ripple of H2O!!!

Points are made off of sold t shirts, postcards, and "likes" of your work for that particular work that you are trying to get seen. If you have the time or the funds to support me, I would be filled with joy just knowing you have my back! You can click HERE for the Ghost Horse and HERE  for Ripple of H2O. If you are having any problems with supporting me, PLEASE don't hesitate to drop me an email, tweet me or message me on Facebook and I will be more than happy to either walk you through the process. 

Painting a Horse

I'll Always Be with You
© samos 2013

As an artist, one of the tricks to a good piece of work is knowing when to put your tools down and calling it "finished". I know I can always find something I want to fix or make look better. So in my reality, a work is hardly ever done. Here are a few images of my latest painting called I'll Be with You Always...

© samos 2013

© samos 2013

© samos 2013

 Can you see all the changes?

i used to sell diamonds

Is it just me or is it hard to sell something you've poured your heart & soul into?

I used to sell diamonds, so selling anything should be easy for me. But when it comes to selling something that is a part of who you are, we're talking black and white. I suppose I can pretend that my work is like any other product out there for anyone and everyone, but the reality of it is, it's just not. There are certain individuals who like and appreciate abstract art or funky, bright pieces of pottery. The trick is in finding those unique few. And once you've found them, then you have to let them know in a very nonchalant way that you exist and they can't live without your newest painting...Now that I'm understanding this new found reality, I can now make a plan on how to move forward.

Picasso Sings the Blues

TAC in Highland Park, Illinois is having an event....Picasso Sings the Blues.

Artists from around the world have been invited to participate. Albums and lps and have been painted, constructed, melted and built into small pieces of furniture.All proceeds are going to an art scholarship.

April 25, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. The Art Center (TAC)
Highland Park, IL


http://www.theartcenterhp.org/

Breezy, a Bear, and a Movie

Breezy is my newest painting. It's been quite awhile since I've been in the art room. I was inspired by all the beautiful leaves changing this month. Last weekend while I was on a family outing I saw so many colors! Oh, and of course my new IKEA catalog gave me a boost too!




After traveling across the state in two days, I picked up a movie at the Redbox, (my new favorite video stop) and selected Definitely, Maybe, not knowing a thing about it. Once I made it home, I checked my messages, returned phone calls, brought in a load of wood and started a fire...Ahhh. Now it's time for a good movie and a cup of tea.

Oh! I almost forgot! On my way home over the Black Canyon, I saw a black bear today! I was so excited since I've never seen one in Colorado. He had crossed the highway and was headed down into the trees. He was too quick to get a picture, but at least I have the memory.

Lost in Translation

As I look back on what I've been doing or should I say, the lack there of lately, I am beginning to feel like I'm finally catching up with myself. Moving away has been good to me. I am finding time to do the things I like to do, but never made time for. Funny how nature brings you back to reality.

I have been throwing quite a bit lately. I have turned the breezeway into a pottery studio. And since D has created quite the workshop in our enormous garage and needed my workbench, he made me a new one for the studio. And it is already filled with pots, a plaster, glazes, tools, etc. Oh, and I found out I really can throw. I just need to use more clay if I want bigger pots! Hmmm.

Books I've been reading:

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Practical Potter by Josie Warshaw

Among Wild Horses by Lynne Pomeranz

PoPeez

Ever feel so overwhelmed by everything going on in your life, that you just can't help but do nothing about it? That's where I'm at right now. Between buying a house, packing, moving, the stress of loan operators, underwriters, buying a car, and my studio all packed up, I wouldn't be surprised if I get another gray hair! Oh well, that's life, right? So instead of getting up to do my morning yoga and start packing again, I decided to make a new piece of art.

Two days ago I witnessed one of my poppies blooming. It was the neatest experience to watch this plant bloom into a beautiful flower! Since then, I've been taking a ton of pictures with my new camera and then of course playing with them on the computer. I wish I could just leave an image alone, but I always find myself playing with it until it is something very different. Must be the artist in me.

Well, I should really find something else to procrastinate the move...

Divine

I finished the orange paintings yesterday! YaY!!! They are now listed on my online galleries and etsy shop.

http://www.samos.boundlessgallery.com/

http://www.hometownartgallery.com/

Naranja Nu Grass

I wasn't really planning on a new series, but it seems to be going in that direction. Naranja Nu Grass plays off of White Grass. It's a little more landscapish than I'd like. I am not much for painting landscapes, but...last fall when I was teaching at an elementary school, we created leave paintings over contour drawings of weeds. I remember having so much fun with this project and thought I would bring a little classroom to the canvas, or board, in this case. =)

Fire and Acid

Language of the Heart

I thought I would make a little video of my new paintings that are at Planet Earth for the Language of the Heart Show. It comes down this Saturday, so if you're around check it out while you can! It's a great show! =)

sick of being sick...

i hate to admit it, but i forgot i had this blog. and the funny thing is, i actually liked this blog better than the other one i started. but it's hard enough to keep one up, let alone two. i guess i'm not as dedicated as most of the bloggers we read about these days. So...i'll try and give a quick update. the last few months have come and gone very quickly. and it looks like my last post was in november!
since then, i have acquired a commission of two paintings and one photograph. the paintings were to be similiar to a past commission of a man and woman that i painted last year. the photograph, was that of a new image i call madelinevintage.
this was request was made the first week of january and was to be delivered by january 26th. the date then changed to february 9th. all in all, the paintings and photograph are delivered and we're moving on. =)

i also had several sales from both galleries and etsy! so far this year i have sold five paintings and one photograph! that is alot for me. and i couldn't be happier. =)

i am also in the process of making two new sculptures. they're at the foundry now, but i should be able to pick them up tomorrow and finish them. i'm very excited to get them done and hopefully enter them in two upcoming exhibits. one is the show in boulder city, the other in loveland.

oh, and the lastest paintings were done for the Language of the Heart Show at Planet Earth, this month.

reflect