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A New Peanut Strategy

12/26/2017

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This is not the first time I've written about my hatred of packing peanuts. I hate them a little less now, thanks to a new approach. A fellow potter from the Ceramic Arts Network Community Forum named Rae Reich suggested putting the peanuts into plastic bags first, so they don't go flying everywhere when the package is unpacked by the customer. This is one of my biggest gripes about peanuts: I hate receiving boxes packed with peanuts, because of the way they go flying. Therefore I cringe knowing that I'm putting my customers through the same experience. 

This year for my annual online sale (the only time of year when I am willing to ship pots), I bought my usual bags of peanuts, along with a box of thin, clear plastic bags. And a pack of twist ties. 

Here is one the pots I shipped, a small teapot with a stainless steel handle.
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The handle is fairly rigid, but just in case I stuffed a roll of cardboard into its negative space.
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The pot and its lid were wrapped separately in 1/16" thick foam sheets (available at Uline.com). I like using white paper tape (available at art supply stores) because it sticks well but also peels off easily. 
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I filled a plastic bag with peanuts, enough to fill half of the shipping carton. I made a depression in the middle to cradle the pot.
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The teapot body and lid were placed side by side in the depression. One more piece of foam was folded and placed between them.
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I placed another plastic bag on top of the pots, and filled it with peanuts. I borrowed a tool from my garden shed. 
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I shoved the peanuts down the sides of the pots, trying to fill in all the empty spaces. I kept adding peanuts until they formed a mound over the top edge of the box.
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The second bag was closed with a twist tie, then the box tops were squeezed shut. The closed box should be slightly dome shaped. The entire contents of the box should be under pressure. 
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​Travel safely, pots! 
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I shipped out all of the orders two weeks ago, and have not had one report of damage. Hooray! It's a small sample size, but so far I am much happier with this. At first it took me a lot of extra time to pack a box, as I figured out how to work with the bags. By the end I was packing about as fast I did before with loose peanuts. There were two boxes that I unpacked and repacked. After thinking about it, I decided I hadn't filled in all the corners as well as I could have. They were a cinch to unpack, due to the bagged peanuts. I hope the customers experienced the same thing. 
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Online Sale 2017

12/10/2017

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​I can't express how grateful I am for all the people who trekked out into the snow to attend my Open Studio this weekend. My pottery business would not exist without people like you <3

The remaining pots are available for sale in my online store, which opens at 10am ET today, December 11, 2017. The store will remain open through December 31 or until the pots are sold out. 

goodelephant.bigcartel.com

Wishing you all a warm and happy holiday season!
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New Pots for the Open Studio 2017

12/7/2017

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If you are coming out to my 11th Annual Open Studio this weekend, here are some new designs you will see.

Whiskey Sippers. Or Tea Cups if you prefer. Covered in textures designed to feel good in your hand. Each holds about 8 oz. $32 each.
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Small Pitchers, for cream or maple syrup. I'm still experimenting with various hand styles. $30 each. (Edit: Small Pitchers are now sold out)
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Some of you have seen versions of these at my fall shows. Large white vases, simple modern forms, covered in deep grooves. Prices range from $80 to $100. If this was Olympic gymnastics, I'd get extra difficulty points for the vertical grooves.
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If you are one of my online school students, you will recognize these as projects from the Core Skills Series. They are now glazed and ready for sale! Prices range from $24 to $70.
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Good Elephant Pottery's 11th Annual Open Studio 
Saturday and Sunday, December 9-10
10am to 5pm both days
Hope to see you this weekend! For those of you who can't make it, remaining pots will go on sale in my Online Store on Monday morning. Stay tuned for more information.
​
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    author

    Mea Rhee (mee-uh ree),
    ​the potter behind
    ​Good Elephant Pottery


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    ​Festival of the Arts
     
    State College, PA

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