TIPS
BOXING FOR POSTAL SHIPMENT
If you plan to sell your glass, it must be packed with extreme care to avoid damage during transit. We are losing so many clowns via auction sites due to poor packaging methods. Below is the method I use to pack my glass.
- BUBBLE WRAP. Plenty of good quality bubble wrap must be used. Depending on the size of your item, you will need to wrap it around a few times to achieve a good thickness on all areas of the glass. You should not be able to feel any area of the glass through the bubble wrap. Secure the bubble wrap with tape.
- FIND A SUITABLE BOX. This is one of the main causes of glass breakages. The box must be a suitable size for the clown you are sending. You must always leave a good few inches between the object and the box walls. The box must also be sturdy. Boxes that have been reused a few times will have lost their strength and will easily dent during the transit process. If a seller is only quoting a couple of £'s for postage, the likelihood is you won't get your item in one piece. Always offer what you consider to be the going rate.
- STYROFOAM FILLER is most definitely my preferred packaging product. Put a good layer (generally about a 1/3 of the box) at the bottom and place your bubble wrapped clown on top. Add further filler until the top of the box is reached. Let it fall freely around your object and make sure you fill the box to the brim. Your clown must not move around once sealed. I never ever use scrumpled up newspaper. This of course does make your overall packaging costs more expensive especially if you are sending a large box but better that than having your customer open up their new purchase only to find it in pieces - which unfortunately happens more times than you can imagine :(
- THE CHECK AND SHAKE TEST. Close the box and gently shake the box. Your clown should not move at all. If you hear movement then you must add more filler. You must also be careful not to overpack as this could put stress on the glass.
- SEAL THE BOX. Use a decent heavy duty tape to seal the box. When you have closed the box put a good layer of tape around the entire middle width and middle length of the box giving it further strength. Any lose ends should be removed or re-stuck to ensure they are not caught or pulled during transit.
- DOUBLE BOX IF REQUIRED. I personally do not use the double boxing method. If an item is boxed well enough in the first place it should not need double boxing no matter where it is going. That's not to say you shouldn't request it though! Double boxing will help an item if it hasn't been made secure enough in the first box - and let's face it, there are some dodgy packers out there! I have still received clowns that were smashed during transit even when they were double boxed. If however you feel better using the double boxing method then make sure the 2nd box is at least 2 inches wider on all sides of the box. Use your filler again, then "check and shake"!
- ADDRESS. Label clearly and ensure you put your address on the side of the box in case it is returned for any reason.
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USE YOUR COMMON SENSE. Your box will be thrown every which way before it finally reaches its destination. GLASS DOES SMASH!!!
ESTIMATED POSTAGE COSTS FOR UK SELLERS ONLY
N.B. All postage prices given here are based on an average box weighing 1.5kg (approximately an 8 - 10 inch clown)
Posting within the UK (Mainland)
Expect to pay/charge approximately £5.00 for first class postage.
International Postage Guide from the UK
AUSTRALIA: £17.87
US: 17.87
EUROPE: £10.10
If you know the weight of your box once packed, visit the Royal Mail's price finder for an accurate cost.
Contrary to popular belief, Royal Mail will NOT insure glass for damage. Any insurance you buy covers loss only.
CLEANING METHODS
- Always wash your pieces one at a time and if you are washing your clown in the sink make sure you put something soft at the bottom like an old towel or perhaps some folded over bubble wrap. The latter does float however so if you are using it be ultra careful! Watch out for the tap spout too. If you can move it out of the way then do so. If you've got a large plastic bowl then use that instead. It's far safer!
- Never put your clown under freezing cold or boiling hot water. Use cool or luke warm water only. A quick change in glass termperature could cause weakness in the glass.
- Many clowns and indeed other ornaments are often stained with heavy nicotine (eeuuwww!). Warm soapy water (washing up liquid will do) and a small toothbrush will usually do the trick and have your clown back to its former glory in no time. 9 times out of 10 there is no need for a stronger type of detergent but if you've got some real stubborn stains try using a liquid biological detergent. Go slowly and gently and remember to rinse well. Dry off with a clean dry cloth.
- Small cotton buds are good for those hard to reach areas and if they are too big try using an orthodontic brush (sometimes known as a proxabrush) as pictured below. These will fit through the smallest of areas. If you are using one of these go slowly to avoid any scratches.
TIPS FROM A GLASS COLLECTOR ABOUT VISITING VENICE & MURANO
Anyone thinking of going should be prepared for a host of scams and tricks played by the glass sellers out there. He are some of them:
You've found a piece of glass you want in a factory or shop and you're having a close look at it. If the seller starts going on about a reduction in the price before you ask, this usually means the piece is chipped, cracked or repaired. A sudden price reduction gets the customer excited, so much so that they forget to inspect the piece correctly.
You're looking at a range of beautiful Murano clowns on the display. Once again the sales assistant comes over and tells you what a great price he is selling them for. Suddenly you realise that part of the design around the legs of the clown has painted coloured swirls, similar to the colours of the internal glass. This means the seller has painted his clowns to cover all of the cracks on his damaged clowns.
There are no bargains to be had on glass factory tours. If anything you'll find the prices inflated by as much as four times.
70% of the glass you see will be from China. Only buy from dealers/factories who are using the 'Vetro Artisico Murano' system and labels. Not all genuine Murano glass carries this marking system. For example Pino Signoretto and Mario Badioli are not part of the 'Vetro Artistico Murano' scheme , but unless you're experienced and very familiar with glass artists styles and techniques then stick to the system.
Remember that if you leave it to the seller to post you the item them you might not get the actual piece you saw in the shop. Better to carry it back with you if you can. There are plenty of horror stories about not getting the item you saw in the factory.
Sticking to the very well known factories such as Formia etc is a good idea.
ALWAYS ASSUME THAT THE PIECE YOU WANT TO BUY HAS A FAULT. ONLY PURCHASE ONCE YOU ARE 100% SATISFIED
Paying with credit card doesn't just makes sure you will not get a discount. If you wave cash at the seller you'll save loads.
I try and visit Venice in the low season around November time each year staying in a 3/4 star hotel located near St Marks Square. Usually a two night stay with flight from London Gatwick costs around £140 to £180, with Easy Jet. I find booking with Travel Republic on the net offers a wide choice of hotels.
