Glass art is exactly what it sounds like, artistic pieces that are either partially or even completely made of glass. This can include things like jewelry, stained glass, mirrors, custom ornaments, windows, figurines, pretty much anything that can be forged in glass. Glass art pieces enhance the décor of any home or business, providing a touch of elegance and class, and in many cases can be had without a great expenditure of money.
A cross-country move can be exciting, but as with any moving project, the moving of glass pieces of any sort requires proper planning and specialized care. One moving company joked that they could pack a 20 piece China set in 10 minutes…less if you did not mind having a 40 piece set. But you get the picture, moving glass, over the short or long haul, can be difficult. We will explore how you can do it safely and efficiently.
First Things First
Before loading up your glass art pieces, make sure to have all of your packing supplies ready and accounted for. Whether you are dealing with complex artwork or just your garden variety glassware, the basics are pretty much the same. What you will need are:
- Saturday moving boxes. Avoid the standard cardboard box and spring for the more specialized moving boxes designed for just such materials as glass.
- Dish barrel boxes. These are corrugated, very sturdy containers designed for fragile items like dishes and china, but can be used for glass art pieces as well.
- Soft packing paper and bubble wrap. Make sure the packing paper is soft to avoid any scuffs or other damage to your glass pieces.
- Permanent marker and packing tape. You will want to seal up your glass art pieces and make sure the boxes are properly labeled for when you arrive at your new location.
- Clothing items such as shirts and socks. If you run low on packaging supplies, you can use items of clothing to wrap glass pieces in, effectively killing two birds with one stone.
Prepping The Boxes
Before even addressing the glass, make sure that the boxes are prepared, as this will provide a secure foundation for all of your glass pieces and reduce the risk of damage during transport.
You will need to tape the bottom of the box, using several layers. Not much is more disappointing than moving a box full of glass art pieces only to have the bottom quite literally fall out. Apply the packing tape straight across as well as in a cross pattern, covering the seams where the flaps meet, as this will provide extra strength.
You will also want to add a cushioning layer of packing paper. In case the box is jolted, or worse, dropped, there is at least something there to protect the pieces inside. Crumpled paper will help absorb the shock of any impact.
You want to have easy access to your boxes. Leave one flap unsealed until you have packed everything away, as this allows you to check and make sure everything is accounted for as well as adding or removing items as the need arises.
Make Things A Priority
As you gather all your pieces together, take particular note of any and all fragile or delicate or valuable items. This might include antique items, sentimental items, glass art, stemware, etc. Put these pieces aside and give them extra attention when packing.
Preparing The Glass Art Pieces
How the items are wrapped can often mean the difference between a broken piece and an intact one, and we recommend starting with a flat surface and creating several levels of protection in play. You will want to wrap each piece in packing paper, making sure there are no exposed areas, and then carefully layer more paper on top of that. Secure the paper around the glass piece using packing tape. If you want to go all in, use bubble wrap for a final layer around the piece. While it may not survive a fall from several feet, a properly wrapped glass art piece would be able to withstand some jostling, unexpected movement, or sudden contact with another solid surface.
If you are not convinced that your glass art pieces are sufficiently protected, simply double up on the wrapping. There is no hard and fast rule for how far you can take it. Double wrapping provides extra protection from impacts on the delicate pressure points found in many glass items.
Testing It Out
If you want to see how well you did, take one of your wrapped glass art pieces, and gently shake it in your hand. You should not hear any movement from inside, it should feel secure with nothing shifting around inside.
Boxing It Up
As you begin to pack up your glass art pieces, after you have placed packing paper or bubble wrap on the bottom of the box, gently place the piece in the box. Start with your largest and heaviest items, as this will add stability to the box and balance everything out. Once a piece is in, use more packing paper or bubble wrap to insulate it from the next piece that will be added. You want to fill and layer until the box is full. Make sure not to overpack, as doing so can also result in breakage of some of the pieces.
If you are still unsure how secure your items are, consider double boxing. Again, whatever is needed. You cannot unbreak glass.
Once everything has been packed up, take the time to mark all boxes “fragile” on all sides. Also make sure to note “This Side Up.” Doing so will make sure whoever is handling the box knows there are delicate items contained within.
Summary
Moving glass art pieces is not much different from moving any other items, but an extra level of attention and protection is required, simply due to the delicate nature and the monetary value of glass art pieces. Always take into consideration the rigorous nature of transporting items to a new location, particularly if that location is a long distance away. Make plans to stop and check on the pieces every so often. If a box has shifted in transit, make sure it is securely fastened down again before continuing on.
By utilizing the proper techniques and supplies, there is no reason that you should not be able to safely move your cherished glass art pieces anywhere in the country.
