Yearly Archives: 2015

You’ve packed up almost all of your belongings for your upcoming move, but you don’t know how to transport valuable artwork. Paintings and framed can add stress to your packing list. Mishaps occur during moves, and the risk of transporting valuables makes it difficult to guarantee the flawless protection you need for artwork.

However, when you take these simple steps to pack artwork carefully, you can ensure your home’s art will arrive at your new place in the best shape possible.

Hire Professionals or Do It Yourself?

Most moving companies provide packing services for customers like you. Many companies have special procedures for packing fragile artwork, mirrors, and antiques. If you choose the right moving team, you have nothing to worry about. You can trust that they have experience packing valuables and that they ensure your artwork makes it to your new home safely.

However, some people still prefer to pack their artwork themselves. You may save you money in the long run if you don’t have to pay for moving services. When you know you carefully hand-wrapped each piece yourself, you have a different peace of mind

If you do decide to pack your artwork yourself, use these tips from the professionals to get your valuables into your new home safe and sound.

What Do You Need?

To prepare your sentimental items and artwork for transportation, you’ll need to purchase the right packing supplies. Take a look at our list for suggested items, including:

• Moving boxes slightly larger than the artwork. You might even invest in picture boxes, adjustable moving boxes made specifically for transporting artwork.
• Cardboard tubes for any unframed canvases, paintings, or posters. You can buy these at packing stores, the post office, or online. You can also stop by your local craft or hobby store and ask if they have any extra tubes lying around.
• Bubble wrap or corner protectors for wrapping the artwork.
• Packing paper to cushion the artwork inside the moving boxes.
• Flat sheets of cardboard to lay over the framed paintings. These should be just larger than the painting itself.
• Masking tape or blue painter’s tape to protect glass.
• Packing tape to close the moving boxes.
• Permanent markers to label your containers.

How Should You Pack Your Artwork?

1. First, make a list of all the artwork you intend to pack. An inventory will help you keep track of the artwork and estimate its value in case of an emergency. Depending on the value, you may consider insuring the artwork against the move.
2. Lay the artwork out on a flat surface.
3. As a precaution, use either masking tape or blue painter’s tape to mark a large X across the glass of the artwork. Should the glass break, the tape will keep it from shattering and damaging the artwork beneath and the other items in the box.

For artwork not covered by glass, place a sheet of packing paper over the painting. Do not use printed newspaper, because it will leave ink marks on the painting.

1. Place a sheet of cardboard over the glass or painting. The sheet should be slightly larger than the painting.
2. Put protectors on the corners of the frame or canvas. Then wrap the entire frame in bubble wrap and tape it down to secure the bubble wrap from shifting.
3. Crunch up packing paper and place at the bottom of the moving box. Place pieces of artwork vertically in the box, not lying down on top of each other, and place crumpled packing paper on each side.
4. Repeat steps one through six with each piece of artwork. You can pack multiple pieces of wrapped artwork in the same box as long as you place a cushion of crumpled packing paper between each one.
5. Close the box up with packing tape and label it as “Fragile.” List pieces of artwork on the side of the box to help you locate specific pieces once you are in your new home.

Follow these steps and you won’t have to worry about breakage or damage to your artwork. You can expect that each piece will arrive ready to be hung in your new home.

Tagged in: Art work, DIY, moving, packing

All the mental and financial stress associated with moving can make the process painful. But despite the anxiety, you find yourself excited. Whether you’re getting a new job, starting married life, or retiring after years of hard work, moving opens new and intriguing doors.

In the midst of the excitement and packing your belongings – have you stopped to consider how to adjust to a change in weather? Of course, if you plan to move only a couple hours away, you have no need to fear. But what about moving across the country or even across the world?

You want to acclimate as easily as you can to new, unfamiliar, or extreme climates. If a mild or static climate is familiar to you, prepare to experience all four seasons in full force. Read the following list of tips and tricks on how to adjust to moving from a hotter climate to a colder climate and vice versa.

From Hot to Cold

1. Gear Up

Do you plan to move from the absurdly perfect temperatures of Southern California to the frigid Midwest? You might find a shocking change emotionally and physically.

When you make a move like this, avoid the temptation of buying all your coats, gloves, shoes, and scarves at a beach shop or an outdoor mall. Sure, you might find some stylish jackets, but you probably won’t find what you really need. Instead, wait until after you move to buy warm and cozy clothing.

2. Prep Your Car and Your Driving Skills

One of the most drastic changes to take into account is winter weather’s effect on your car. You may drive in icy rain or whitewashed snowfall, so remember to drive extra carefully. Consider investing in snow tires or even snow chains in case snow and ice cover the roads.

When you move from a warmer area, you might not realize that mornings sometimes require you to scrape ice off your windshield and windows. Plan ahead so you avoid late days at work. In the worst case scenario, your vehicle might get stuck in bad conditions. Remember that you may need to walk or use public transportation during severe winter storms.

From Cold to Hot

3. It’s All About Air Conditioning

If you live in a seasonally mild or consistently cold area, you’ve probably never relied on air conditioning. But if your big move takes you to somewhere like Arizona, get ready to value an AC unit more than ever before. A cool home really acts as an oasis amid scorching heat.

All kinds of AC systems exist-central, split system, window, wall, portable, and more. Find out what approach works best for your new home, and don’t wait to get it installed, especially if your move occurs during the summer. And in order to cut down on potentially costly energy bills, use your home’s natural ventilation to your advantage by opening windows during the nighttime.

4. Eat and Drink Well

You might not think food and water have anything to do with hot temperatures. However, you can adjust more quickly to heat depending on what you do or do not consume. Most importantly, you want to drink plenty of water at consistent intervals. Dehydration presents a threat if you have an active or busy day with temperatures in the 90s or 100s.

Stay away from hot drinks like coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. Consuming hot beverages will amplify your body’s internal temperature. Avoid eating anything too spicy as well. You may need to wait on that mouthwatering chili burrito until a cooler evening.

With these simple tips, you can prepare to brave mild or even extreme weather changes in the next chapter of your life. Remember to apply this advice to make your adjustment less jarring and more comfortable.

Tagged in: Being Prepared, Climate, Weather

When you move to a new home, you try to pack and travel efficiently. But even smart moving practices can have a negative environmental impact. From non-degradable packing materials to toxic gases emitted during transit, a move has potential for a large carbon footprint.

Use the following steps during each stage of your move to make the process more sustainable.

During Preparation

Adopt these sustainable practices as you prepare for the big day.

1. Clean with Natural Solvents

When you move, you have to leave your old home clean for your landlord or the next owners. Cleaning products emit toxic chemicals, including phosphorous, nitrogen, and ammonia. Green cleaning solvents reduce the pollution your move-out cleaning causes.

2. Pack with Sustainable Containers

Use sustainable containers as you pack to reduce the waste of your trip. Either use recyclable cardboard boxes or reusable plastic crates.

3. Reduce Your Load

As you organize your belongings, separate items you can sell or donate. The heavier you have to pack your moving truck, the more effort and fuel the truck must use.

En Route

The way you move holds as much importance as how you pack and settle into your new home. Use these strategies to keep your move green.

1. Choose a Direct Route

Plan your driving route and follow your plan. Drivers who follow a set route save money on gas and rental truck time. Additionally, these movers produce less carbon monoxide while on their drives.

2. Consider Transporting Your Car

If you plan to drive a moving truck or van, transport your everyday car via rail. On average, a train is four times more efficient than a truck. Combine a planned route and a railway car shipment to produce as few greenhouse gases as possible.

3. Partner with an Eco-conscious Mover

To ensure you take as many green steps as possible, work with an eco-conscious mover. Look for a mover who uses sustainable business practices in addition to offering green moving options. These companies are more likely to practice safe transportation, disposal, and production. Contact a local Wheaton agent for more information about planning an eco-friendly move.

After Arrival

Once you reach your new home, immediately implement eco-conscious practices like setting your thermostat and using natural light. While you unpack, use these steps as well.

1. Choose Green Furnishings and Paint

As you move in, maintain a green presence. If you need to repaint before decorating, choose eco-friendly paint. Once you finish, return the cans to your home renovation store. The store will use any leftover paint and recycle the empty cans.

If you need to add any furnishings to your belongings, look for secondhand pieces. Secondhand shops reduce the waste in local land fills.

2. Recycle Your Packing Materials

Whether you use crumpled newspaper or biodegradable packing peanuts, recycle your packing materials. If you purchased foam, bubble wrap, or cardboard boxes, list them online for other moving families to use.

3. Unpack Smart

As you bring in your belongings, close the door between each person. If the weather allows, avoid turning on the heater or air conditioner until after you bring inside everything. This reduces the amount of energy you use on your first day in your new home.

During the moving process, consult with your transport company. The staff members can identify other ways to reduce your move’s environmental impact. Address your concerns about sustainability with the crew who helps you. When the movers know your priorities, they can better perform their job.

As you complete each stage of your move, look for areas where you can reduce material and energy use, use sustainable alternative options, and make responsible disposal easier. Use the 9 tips in this blog to start.

Tagged in: Environmentally Friendly, Green Move, Recycle, Sutainable Moving

As an aspiring artist or a long-time professional painter, you take great care to ensure each piece looks its best. You deliberate over tempera or oil paints. You thoughtfully choose between fan, angle, or rigger brushes. And you painstakingly select your references so each pose, angle, and shadow comes out the way you envisioned.

When you finally finish the last brush stroke, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment over a job well done. Even if you sell most of your pieces, you likely hang on to a few of your favorites for your personal collection. Your most recent work, for example, might hang in your living room for all your guests to see. Or maybe your first portrait still sits in the corner of your bedroom.

Naturally, you want to preserve your paintings so they last for generations. So what can you do to ensure your gallery survives your next move?

Consider Your Art’s Value

Your art likely carries a great deal of personal value, but how much is it worth from an economic standpoint? If your paintings represent a large portion of your income, you may wish to have an appraiser estimate their value.

Some of the most reliable appraisal organizations include:

On a budget? You can also choose online appraisals such as Mutual Art and Value My Stuff.

Once you know your painting’s value, you can determine whether a specific piece (or pieces) require additional insurance to cover them during transit. For highly priced items, you may wish to ship your art separately from the rest of your household goods through a specialized service. You can also talk to your moving company about their packing policies for fine art. Local Wheaton agents offer a variety of materials for purchase should you choose to pack yourself.

Tips to Pack Unframed Paintings

Unframed paintings require a delicate touch. The oils in your hands could easily attract dirt and smudge your artwork. To protect your painting while your prepare it, wear white cotton photography gloves, and then follow these steps.

1. Wrap the painting in acid-free tissue paper. Do not use newspaper, as the inks can rub off onto your art. Parchment paper also has rough etches which can pit, scratch, and etch delicate pieces, so avoid it whenever possible.
2. To secure the tissue paper, place acid-free photo and document tape on the corners. Only tape the tissue paper, not the painting itself.
3. Mount your wrapped painting to a piece of sturdy cardboard with tape, and cover the other side with cardboard. You may use multiple layers on both sides for extra protection and use tape to keep everything together.
4. Place the painting in a mirror box.

Once you finish, mark the box as fragile and inform your movers about the art to ensure they store it appropriately.

Tips to Pack Framed Paintings

Although framed paintings have a little more protection than unframed paintings, they can still suffer damage. If not packaged correctly, the canvas can stretch and shift in its frame, or the glass may shatter and tear the art underneath. Use these tips for framed artwork.

1. As with unframed paintings, wrap the frame in acid-free tissue paper.
2. Cover the art in bubble wrap. Make sure the corners have adequate coverage; they tend to absorb the most bumps during a move.
3. Place a layer of cardboard on both sides of the bubble wrap, and secure them with tape.
4. Insert the artwork into a mirror box or crate that fits the piece. Fill in any gaps with tissue paper to prevent shifting.
5. Mark the box fragile.

And don’t forget to let your movers know that your pieces require careful handling. With these techniques, your art should arrive in pristine, exhibition-worthy condition.

Tagged in: Art work, moving