Tag: Larger

How To Use A LeagueSafe Promo Code To Save On Your Next Purchase
by David Burgess on 0

How To Use A LeagueSafe Promo Code To Save On Your Next Purchase

If you’re ever looking for a great deal on a product, you can always use a LeagueSafe promo code. LeagueSafe is a website that partners with a variety of retailers, such as Macy’s, Sears, and J.C. Penney, to offer exclusive discounts on items.

When it comes to order at LeagueSafe, it costs a huge amount. But with LeagueSafe promo code, the costs can be reduced at a larger scale. With the coupon codes, you can save yourself a significant amount of money. So, before make an order, look around for coupon codes. For instance, you can find discount coupons at Couponvario.com. It is a trustworthy website where you can find valid coupon codes.

When you sign up for a LeagueSafe account, you’ll be given a code to use when you make your purchase. This code can be used anywhere on LeagueSafe, and it can be used multiple times. So, if you’re at a store and want to get a discount on a shirt, for example, you can use the code multiple times.

Once you’ve nabbed a code, you can use it at the checkout. When you insert the code, you’ll be asked to enter your credit card information. After that, you’ll be able to save a bunch of money on your purchase.

Of course, it’s important to be sure that you’re using the code correctly. If you don’t enter your credit card information correctly, you’ll have to pay the full price of the product and not get the discount. So, make sure to enter your information correctly when you’re trying to use a LeagueSafe promo code.

And finally, be sure to check out LeagueSafe’s website for more information on the code and how to use it. You’ll be sure to save plenty of money with a code like this!

There are a few different ways to save money when shopping online. One way is to use a promo code. A promo code is a code that you can use to get a discount on your next purchase. There are many different promo codes, so be sure to check out the website that you are shopping with to find the code that works best for you. Another way to save money is to shop in bulk. By shopping in bulk, you can save on your entire purchase. When you shop in bulk, you also get a discount on your shipping. So, if you are looking to save money on your next purchase, be sure to shop in bulk!

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20 Ecommerce Website Templates That Are Perfect For Small Businesses
by David Burgess on 0

20 Ecommerce Website Templates That Are Perfect For Small Businesses

There are a variety of ecommerce website templates that are perfect for small businesses. Some of these templates include the Shopify ecommerce website template, the Magento ecommerce website template, and the Shopify cart website template. Each of these templates has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to choose the right one for your business.

The Shopify ecommerce website template is great for small businesses that want to start an online store. It is easy to use and provides a variety of features, such as a checkout process and a sales page. The only downside is that it is not very popular, so it may not be a popular choice for larger businesses.

The Magento ecommerce website template is a great choice for small businesses that want to create an online store. It is easy to use and provides a variety of features, such as a checkout process and a sales page. The only downside is that it is not very popular, so it may not be a popular choice for larger businesses.

The Shopify cart website template is a great choice for small businesses that want to create a checkout process and a sales page on their website. It is easy to use and provides a variety of features, such as a checkout process and a sales page. The only downside is that it is not very popular, so it may not be a popular choice for larger businesses.

If you’re starting a small business, one of the most important things you can do is choose an ecommerce website template. There are a lot of great templates out there, and you can find them all at different prices. However, we’ve gathered 20 of the best templates that are perfect for small businesses. They’re all affordable, have plenty of features, and are designed to help you grow your business. So, what are you waiting for? Start building your business today with one of these templates!

When it comes to starting your own ecommerce website, there are a few things that you need to think about. First, you need a website template. There are a ton of them out there, and which one is the best for you depends on your business and your needs.

Next, you need to decide what you want your website to look like. There are a ton of different templates out there, and you need to find one that is perfect for your business and your needs.

Finally, you need to decide how you want to set up your website. There are a lot of different ways to do this, and you need to find one that is best for your business.

If you have any questions about 20 ecommerce website templates, or anything else related to starting your own business, please feel free to reach out to us. We would be more than happy to help you get started.

There are a lot of ecommerce website templates out there. But which one is the right fit for your business? Let’s take a look at 20 different templates that might be perfect for your small business.

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How To Draw A Cat Step By Step Realistic
by David Burgess on 0

How To Draw A Cat Step By Step Realistic

Cats are one of the most popular subjects for drawing, and with good reason! They’re cute, they’re cuddly, and they’re just plain fun to draw. But if you’ve never drawn a cat before, they can also be pretty tricky. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide on how to draw a cat.

With just a few simple shapes and some careful shading, you’ll be drawing cats like a pro in no time! So grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s get started.

Step 1: Draw a Circle for the Head

To start off your cat drawing, use a pencil to lightly draw a circle. This will be the basic shape for the cat’s head.

Step 2: Draw Two Triangles for the Ears

Next, add two small triangles on top of the circle for the cat’s ears. Make sure they’re symmetrical, and that the point of each triangle lines up with the edge of the circle.

Step 3: Draw a Rectangle for the Body

Now draw a rectangle under the circle. This will be the cat’s body.

Step 4: Draw Four Legs

On each side of the rectangle, draw two small rectangles for the cat’s legs. Again, make sure they’re symmetrical.

Step 5: Draw a Tail

Finally, add a small triangle at the end of the rectangle for the cat’s tail.

Step 6: Erase the Lines You Don’t Need

Now that you have all the basic shapes in place, you can start erasing the lines you don’t need. Start with the circle and the rectangles, and then move on to the triangles.

Step 7: Draw the Eyes

Next, add the eyes. For each eye, draw a small circle within a larger circle. Then add a tiny circle in the middle of each eye for the pupil.

Step 8: Draw the Nose and Mouth

Add a small triangle for the nose, and a curved line for the mouth. Then add some whiskers with a few short, straight lines.

Step 9: Draw the Ears

Give your cat’s ears some detail by drawing a curved line along the edge of each triangle.

Step 10: Draw the Fur

To make your cat look extra fluffy, add some curved lines to indicate the fur. Start with the head and work your way down the body.

Step 11: Add the Final Details

For the final touches, add some small circles for the cat’s toes, and some stripes to the tail. Then erase any remaining pencil lines, and your cat drawing is complete!

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The Pros And Cons Of SLR Digital Cameras
by David Burgess on 0

The Pros And Cons Of SLR Digital Cameras

Digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) are one of the most popular types of cameras on the market. They are loved by professional photographers and serious amateurs for their image quality, versatility, and control. But DSLRs are not the perfect cameras for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons of DSLRs to help you decide if one is right for you.

Pros of DSLR Cameras

Image Quality: DSLRs produce some of the best images of any type of camera. This is because they have large image sensors that allow for more light and detail to be captured. DSLRs also have powerful image processors that produce high-quality images.

Versatility: DSLRs are versatile cameras that can be used for a variety of photography genres, including landscape, portrait, sports, and wildlife. They also have a wide range of lens options that allow you to further customize your photography.

Control: DSLRs give you a lot of control over your images. With manual controls, you can adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to get the perfect shot. You can also shoot in RAW format, which gives you even more control over your images in post-processing.

Cons of DSLR Cameras

Size and Weight: DSLRs are larger and heavier than other types of cameras, which can be a drawback if you want a compact camera that you can easily carry around with you.

Cost: DSLRs are more expensive than other types of cameras, which can be a barrier for some people.

Learning Curve: DSLRs can be complex cameras to use, and they require a bit of a learning curve to get the most out of them.

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of DSLR cameras, you can decide if one is right for you. If you need a high-quality camera with a lot of control and versatility, a DSLR may be the perfect choice. But if you want a smaller and less expensive camera, you may want to consider another type of camera.

Some feel that the large sensor and interchangeable lenses give them an edge over compact cameras, while others find the smaller size and cheaper price of the latter more appealing. So, which is better?

SLR cameras have a few advantages over their compact cousins. Firstly, their large sensors allow for better image quality, as they can capture more light and detail. Secondly, the interchangeable lenses give you much more flexibility in terms of the types of shots you can take. Finally, the SLR’s through-the-lens viewfinder gives you a more accurate representation of what your final image will look like.

On the downside, SLRs are generally more expensive than compacts, and their larger size can be a bit of a burden when you’re trying to take candid shots or be discreet. They also have a tendency to produce more blurred images, as the mirror inside the camera can cause the image to shake.

So, which is the better type of camera? It really depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality, then an SLR is the way to go. But if you’re worried about cost or portability, then a compact might be a better choice.

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The Heyday Of 35mm Photography
by David Burgess on 0

The Heyday Of 35mm Photography

35mm photography was once the standard format for film cameras. It was popular for many years because it offered a good balance between picture quality and portability. Many professional photographers still prefer to use 35mm cameras, even though digital cameras have become more popular in recent years.

35mm film is a strips of negatives that are 35mm wide. Each frame is 24mm x 36mm. Most 35mm cameras use 135 film, which is wound around a spool inside the camera. 135 film is also known as 35mm film.

When 35mm photography was first introduced, it was a big improvement over the larger format films that were being used at the time. The smaller size made it much easier to carry a camera around and to take pictures in tight spaces. The picture quality was also very good.

35mm photography remained popular for many years, but it has slowly been replaced by digital photography in recent years. Digital cameras offer many advantages over film cameras, such as the ability to take an infinite number of pictures, instant feedback, and easy editing and sharing of photos.

Despite the popularity of digital photography, many professional photographers still prefer to use 35mm cameras. This is because 35mm cameras often produce better quality pictures than digital cameras. The larger size of the negative also allows for more detail to be captured.

If you are interested in learning more about 35mm photography, there are many great resources available. There are also many websites that sell used 35mm cameras and film.

35mm photography was once the standard for taking high-quality photos. But as digital cameras have become more advanced, 35mm cameras have become less popular. Nevertheless, there are still many photographers who prefer to use 35mm cameras, and there are some good reasons for this.

One reason 35mm cameras are still popular is that they produce very high-quality images. Digital cameras have come a long way, but they still can’t match the image quality of 35mm film. If you want the absolute best image quality, 35mm is still the way to go.

Another reason to use a 35mm camera is that they’re very versatile. You can find 35mm cameras that are designed for all sorts of photography, from landscapes to portraits to action shots. No matter what kind of photos you want to take, there’s a 35mm camera that can do it.

Finally, 35mm cameras are just plain fun to use. They’re a lot more analog than digital cameras, and there’s something satisfying about loading a roll of film and taking photos the old-fashioned way. If you’re looking for a more hands-on photography experience, 35mm cameras are the way to go.

So if you’re a photographer who’s looking for the best image quality, versatility, or just a more fun photography experience, consider using a 35mm camera.

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Toshiba Camileo S30 Review
by Leland Richardson on 0

Toshiba Camileo S30 Review

Toshiba’s Camileo S30 camcorder records 1080p HD video in the H.264 format to SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The $179 camcorder features a 3-inch touch screen display and 8-megapixel still photo capture. Full specs for the Camileo S30 can be found here.

Toshiba Camileo S30 at a Glance

The Good: Slim design, good features for the price

The Bad: Touch screen can be unresponsive

Video Quality

The Toshiba Camileo S30 records 1920 x 1080p video in the H.264 format via an 8-megapixel CMOS sensor. It has additional options to record at 720p at 30 frames per second (fps) or at 60fps for capturing fast-moving subjects.

The video quality is definitely passable for a budget camcorder. You’ll notice a bit of over-exposure in bright sun and high contrast areas, but otherwise the S30 holds its own with other low-cost models on the market.

The S30 does offer a video light, which isn’t typically found on models at this price point. It’s useful for closeups but doesn’t have much power beyond that. Plus, it’s placed almost directly where your finger wraps around the camcorder, so you’ll have to be careful to nudge your finger down before activating the light.

In addition to movies, the Toshiba S30 can snap 8-megapixel still photos. However, most of the shots I snapped suffered from a good deal of blur, even when holding the camcorder steady.

Toshiba S30 Optics

The S30 does not offer an optical zoom but there is a 16x digital zoom. However, like all digital zooms, the quality degrades as you use it, so it’s better to avoid it all together. There’s also digital image stabilization, although it’s ineffective for the stills and only marginally useful on the video.

Design

The S30 is one of the few upright camcorders left in the market. At .75 inches, it’s slimmer than a pocket camcorder and has a larger, swing-out LCD display (3-inches) not found on pocket models.

However, it’s a bit larger than some of the smaller models on the market – at 2.3 x 4.3 x .75 -inches. Nevertheless, it’s quite portable.

The controls of the S30 are clustered on the slender body of the camcorder, although they are responsive. At the top is a large shutter button, followed by a lever for the zoom and controls for menu and the video light. Flip open the display and you’ll find large buttons for power (opening and closing the LCD also powers on and off the camcorder), switching between photo and video mode and web button for uploading videos from the camcorder to the Internet when it’s connected to a computer.

Feature Set

The Toshiba S30 has a nice set of features for a camcorder at the price. There’s a motion detect mode, which will begin recording when the camcorder sees motion. There’s also a slow motion option, which will record lower quality video at slower speeds (good for capturing baseball swings to view on the computer but not great for viewing on the big screen). A pre-record function will start recording a few seconds of video before you actually press the shutter, to help you catch all of the action. Finally, a time-lapse feature will capture short bursts of video over pre-set intervals so you can capture change over time.

Menu & Display

The nice thing about the Camileo S30 is its large, 3-inch display. It’s a touch-screen so most of the camera’s features are accessibly through there. Unfortunately, while the menu icons are large enough, the display isn’t all that responsive, nor well executed. Each icon needs a double tap to enter a specific function and sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether you’ve turned something on or off. There are enough features on the S30 that you’ll need to scroll down on the screen with a flick of your finger, but it often takes several flicks to get there.

On the plus side, once you press an icon once a text description of what it is will pop up on the display, but the process of navigating around the menu is more clumsy and time-consuming than it should be.

Memory

The S30 records to SDHC and SDXC memory cards (up to 64GB) which provides ample storage for your video-taking needs. It contains 128MB of internal memory, which is enough for about a minute of HD footage, so a card is a must.

Toshiba Camileo S30: Bottom Line

If you’re in the market for a good budget camcorder, the Toshiba Camileo S30 is a nice choice. Unlike some of its pocket camcorder competitors, it has a larger, swing-out display, which makes it easier to frame your videos. The menu interface needs improvement, and you shouldn’t be expecting ultra-high quality high def recording, but the S30 makes up for it with a nice feature set and a slender, portable design.

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Packing And Shipping Art
by David Burgess on 0

Packing And Shipping Art

How To Pack & Ship Art

As an artist you will have to embrace shipping as a necessary part of your business in order to increase sales potential Many artists with whom I’ve spoken are afraid of shipping. Having a wonderful one of a kind piece of artwork destroyed in transit is a is something every artist loses sleep over. I know I do and I have been shipping my artwork all over the US and occasionally out of it form many years..

As a gallery owner I do a lot of shipping. They key to get your artwork from you to it’s future home is all in the packing. A well packaged item should arrive in mint condition provided something truly unpredictable doesn’t happen with the carrier. I have never had something arrive damaged and need to be replaced. However I’ve had plenty of things arrive at my gallery in a shambles because the original owner just stuck it in a box and handed it over, trusting the carrier to not toss it around like a sack of potatoes.

What You’ll Find On This Page
* Packing & shipping informations regarding using tubes, envelopes and boxes.
* Shipping Supply Companies
* How To Make Your Own Shipping Boxes
* Where To Find Free Recycled Supplies

Common Carriers In The US For Shipping Artwork

Shipping Companies For Your Artwork
Packing and Shipping Supplies I have an order or preference for shipping which is basically relevant to how much they charge to move my package. So my favorite carrier company which is Speedee, just also happens to be the cheapest. But they also make requesting a package pickup, the easiest and they offer services like 24 hour delivery at no extra fee. The downside to them is they only cover part of the country. They deliver to only 6 six states in the Midwest.

So here’s a list of all the carrier companies I do business with regularly, complete with links and what I like about each.

USPS United States Postal Service
usps.com
I actually use the post office for most of my smaller shipping needs. Priority costs are reasonable enough as long as the overall dimension (circumference completely around the width of the package) does not exceed 108″. Once you get past that size the cost go up exponentially and it is in your best interest and pocket book to to find another carrier. And if you want to track a package shipped with USPS click here.

FedEx Federal Express
fedex.com
This has become my second national carrier of choice. I used to do everything with UPS but they had a serious rate increase a year or so back and most days FedEx is about 30% cheaper than UPS when shipping the same package. I almost always check both carriers to see who’ll do the job for the least amount of money. And If you want to track a package via FedEx click here

UPS United Parcel Service
ups.com
This is usually my last choice in carriers these days though I have shipped literally hundreds of packages with UPS and other than them being the most expensive most days, I was very happy with their service. And if you want to track a package with UPS

Speedee Delivery Shipping Carrier

Companies For Shipping Your Artwork

And here’s a little known but excellent carrier for the Midwest
Speedee
speedee.com
I love these guys and ship everything I can with them. They are cheap and they are good. Exactly the combination I like The only downside is they only cover a few states. Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Parts of Nebraska and Illinois. And if you want to Track a package via Speedee click here

But if you live in this little circle of heaven these are just the guys to move your art and do it well.

Specific Benefits To Using Speedee
* They don’t have any extra fees for home delivery
* I’ve yet to ship a package so large as to incur oversize fees (both FedEx and UPS will charge me extra for the same size that Speedee handles.)
* They will pick up at any location for just $10. And trust me you save far more than that by using with them.)
* The almost invariably deliver within 24 hours again at no extra cost.,

A Story About Carrier Rates To Illustrate My Point
I had three large boxes that needed to go to Rapid City SD from my home town in Iowa. I first took them to UPS. The cost was $94 for all three. I checked out FedEx and it was around $70. I then called Speedee as I hadn’t shipped with them before this. All 3 packages to Rapid City by the next day for $32 and that included the $10 pick up charge from my gallery. Yup been a loyal fan ever since.

Shipping With Mailing Envelopes

Using Mailing Envelopes For Small Shrinkwrapped Artwork or Prints

Shipping artwork using mailing envelopes Shipping small prints either with or without matting is a fairly simple affair. In the above photo I’m using a USPS Priority mailing envelope which is made of a durable yet flexible material. I like these because of the size, which is 11×14. I mat many of my small collectible prints to fit this standard framing size so the envelope is the perfect fit. These come with the price set of usually around $5, so if you have a smaller print (say something that fits in a 9×12 envelope) that doesn’t need to go priority mail you can use your own envelope and save a little money. I tend to do that with ebay sales or sales of that nature. Generally just regular first class is about $2 to give you a comparison.

Shipping With Mailing Envelopes

Using Mailer Envelopes:
* Have print mounted to stiff backer board and shrinkwrapped or put in a protective sleeve. This is not only to prevent moisture damage but also protect the print while being handled.

* Apply a piece of cardboard or backer board over the face of the artwork,* Slip into envelope with invoice.

* Be sure to either write “Do Not Bend!” or apply labels to that effect. You might think that a postmaster would never attempt to bend a stiff envelope but I have had them do so despite the extra cardboard and labels.

Protecting Your Artwork With Sleeves or Shrinkwrapping

Packing Materials And Supplies

Having your artwork covered with either shrinkwrap or a protective sleeve is always a good idea whether your shipping them or not. Once protected your art is now easily handled without fear of damage dents, creases, scratches and dirty hands. Also when in transit a shrinkwrap or sleeve may keep moisture from doing any damage.

These clear envelopes are a great idea for do-it-yourself kind of shrinkwrapping. They come in a variety off sizes and are pretty cost effective, especially if you’re buying in bulk quantities.

My Favorite Supplier Of Protective Sleeves & Envelopes
One of my favorite supplier s for the is www.clearbags.com They have a staggering array of sizes as well as all sorts of packaging and marketing solutions for artists and craftsman. If you have a large variety of sizes to your product line these guys are a great company. I’ve been getting my supplies from them for many years and have always been happy with both the products and the service.

Padded Envelopes and Bubble Envelopes

Packing and Shipping Supplies & Materials
I don’t use these a whole lot because I tend to ship most of my items priority postal so I just use their envelopes. However these have that add little extra cushioning which is always great for mailing your artwork. Despite this you must still be sure to have some sort of cardboard covering on both from and back of your artwork to protect it during transit.

Rugged Mailers

Packing and Shipping Supplies & Materials
Rugged Mailers are also a really good alternative and they come in a nice assortment of sizes. Be aware that they can still get bent but it’s a rarity. Never hurts to add a little extra support of cardboard if there’s room, to these as well.

Packing Larger Shrinkwrapped Artwork or Prints Flat

Once again how much effort you put into packing your larger prints will depend mostly on how badly you want it to arrive at it’s destination in mint condition. If your mailing a one of a kind item that can’t be replaced or even an item that is costly to you to replace go, do the extra effort necessary to ensure it’s chances of arriving safely.

For a print in most cases it is sufficient to just have several layers of cardboard on both top and bottom. Cut these pieces at least 2″ larger than the size of the object being shipped. This is minimally what you’ll want to do to ship a larger shrinkwrapped print flat. This amount of packing will allow for minor denting of the cardboard both on the corners and on the face of the cardboard. It also makes bending pretty much impossible.

The Steps For Mailing Artwork Flat Are:
* Make sure the artwork is sealed in shrinkwrap or a protective sleeve.
* I then slip this in an additional bag with the invoice (on the back side of the backer-board, not on the face of the artwork) tucked in with it.
* Cut a piece of foam or thin bubble wrap to size of the object being shipped. I prefer the foam but bubble wrap will work as well.
* Cut at least 4 pieces of cardboard 2″ larger than object being shipped. Tap lightly to hold everything in place.
* Slip into an additional box frame for extra support.

Now if it’s an important piece of work I may slip a sheet of two of mat board in with the cardboard. Mat board is incredibly dense (unlike cardboard) so it is better at deflecting dents and stabs.

Using Mailing Tubes For Packing Artwork

How To Pack Artwork Using Tubes.
packing and shipping art using mailing tubes *Note: The art print featured in this photo is by Marion Gunderson Arts and was used with permission.

Whenever possible using tubes is my preferred method of shipping prints.
Most of the time I send my medium sized prints (say paper size) flat and in shrinkwrap as this not only makes for a nicer presentation when the customers opens the box, it also helps keep the art in mint condition until either being gifted or framed. But for prints ranging in larger sizes I send in a tube. It’s fast and nearly effortless. 5 minutes time is about all it usually takes.

What You’ll Need To Mail In A Tube
* The Mailing Tube (obviously)
* Plastic bag. (for packing option listed at the bottom)
* Sheet of paper slightly larger than the artwork being shipped. Usually a 1″ allowance all the way around is adequate and cut to fit the tube.

Using Heavy Duty Mailing Tube

The First thing to do is to roll up the print.
Lay your print in the center of you sheet of paper and roll them up together simultaneously. Slip this into the tube. DO NOT tape the paper roll. Just slip into the tube and allow it to expand to fit tightly inside the tube.

The paper serves a couple of functions
* First he keeps the print from sliding back and forth in the tube and potentially denting the print.
* Second most folks really don’t think about how clean their hands are when opening up a package. By having a bit of the paper surround it helps keep the print clear when being removed from the tube.

Be Sure To Include An Invoice Or Address On the Inside Of The Tube
It’s always recommended to have the destination included on the inside of any package you are shipping just in case it gets torn open and become separated from the original shipping contained.

Apply Label And Tape Shut
I always tape my tube ends securely no matter how snugly I think they are sealed.

Using A Reinforced Carriers Light Weight Tube
I have used USPS Priority Mail tubes (as is) for hundreds transit jobs and never had a problem. But then there was this one time that it arrived to the purchaser completely trashed and flattened. It’s rare but it does happen. So if you’re shipping something that’s not easily replaced either use your own heavy duty tube or modify the carrier’s tube.

Since Wild Faces Gallery is also a giclee publishing house we have plenty of extra heavy duty tubes from our rolls of paper. They are of course no end-caps so they are kinda useless as shipping tubes on their own. However they are exactly the extra durability I need when using one of the carriers triangular tubes. So the steps are pretty much the same as above.

The First thing to do is to roll up the print.
Lay your print in the center of you sheet of paper and roll them up together simultaneously. Slip this into the tube. DO NOT tape the paper roll. Just slip into the tube and allow it to expand to fit tightly inside the tube.

Affix Mailing address or label to the outside of the inner stabilizing tube

Slip tube into plastic bag
This has to do with common carrier cardboard triangular tube are made of a light weight cardboard. Occasionally a postal delivery person may leave the tube outside of someone’s home. The bag is just that little bit of extra insurance that if it rains, the print will arrive in perfect condition. And yes this has happened to me.

Slip tube into carrier triangular shipping tube And tape the ends shut.

Packing Framed Artwork

Packing and Shipping Framed Artwork

A Few Things To Consider
I have shipped large framed items from one end of the country to the other and have yet had anything arrive broken. That being said the amount of work involved in shipping a large framed piece of work is substantial and as an artist you must figure out whether the cost of packing materials coupled with the amount of time involved is the worth the “net” value on what you’re earning with framing charge. You may find it is much easier to simply sell only unframed items.

Since we have a full service frame shop in out gallery our net on framing is pretty good so we do ship framed prints and on rare occasion framed originals.

Note: Whenever shipping framed originals I replace the Conservation Clear glass that all my artwork is framed in, with a conservation grade picture framing acrylic. This won’t shatter (unless the shipper runs over it or something, and then you’ve got bigger worries) in transit. Broken glass inside a packing parcel will slice and shred as the box is handled.

Since Conservation grade framing acrylic is expensive you can also use just regular acrylic or plexiglass. Another less desirable option would be to put some sort of masking tape of film over the glazing so if it does happen to break the broken glass won’t be slipping around the box.

Steps For Packing Framed Artwork

Apply Cardboard Corners to the Frame This is sort of an optional step because if you’ve done your job correctly you won’t need them at all.

Wrap The Frame Artwork in copious amounts of bubble wrap How much depends on the kind of bubble wrap your using. If using large pocket bubble wrap you can use less, and the tiny bubble pocket bubble wrap you should use more of. I generally like a good 3″ inches of bubble wrap surround.

Wrap This In An Additional Layer of Either Flexible Foam Wrap Or Corrugated Cardboard Role I use the cardboard role primarily because it’s what I have on hand. The purpose is to add a firmer shell to the bubble wrap and create a tight package.

Write Address or Include it On The Package Once again it’s always wise to include the mailing address inside the package in case the contents ever get separated from the packing box. (Heaven forbid)

The Box Needs To Be Sufficiently Larger than The framed item Most shipping companies like to have a stabbing depth of a couple of inches so bear this in mind when packing. You should have a durable product that will hold your framed item in the center of the box. I often use styrofoam for this as it’s lightweight, stab resistant and cuts easily to fit my needs.

* Cut two sheets foam the size of your box
* Lay Foam Sheet In Bottom of Box
* Set wrapped framed artwork in center of box.
* Cut Strips to tightly fit between package and box wall. If you think it necessary tape in place so package won’t slip.
* Apply Other styrofoam sheet over top
* Put Lid On Box

Tape Shut and Add Mailing Label Packing is very easy to do but rather time consuming. Judge for yourself if it’s worth the effort.

Note: Many art exhibit require you to ship your artwork not only to them but then they need to use the containers and wrapping to return it back to you. And if it’s a traveling exhibition the packing materials need to be sturdy enough to be reused time and again. This often means you need to build a special wood crate. I won’t go into how to do this specifically since different galleries and shows have different requirements for this. Just be aware that simplicity and durability are what is required above all else for this kind of packaging.

Earth Friendly Ideas For Packing Your Art

Recycling Products For Shipping Your Art
Packing & Shipping materials In this economy it forces people to rethink how they can better save money in areas where they won’t feel the pinch. Packaging your artwork is one of those areas. I pack and ship a fair amount of stuff, (about 100 good sized boxes a year) which could potentially be a huge expense in packing materials. Not to mention we’re all getting more Earth conscious and knowing that so much packing materials just wind up in the landfill after just one use. This strikes me a kind of appalling.

Anyone who has ever bought a role of bubble-wrap at your favorite business supply store knows that boxes, and bubble-wrap can add big costs to your bottom line if you do ship often. So I’m going to share a little free packing supply secret …well it’s not really a secret, it’s just no one ever asked me) Yup I get much of my packing and shipping stuffs free.

So I’m going to share a little free packing supply secret … (well it’s not really a secret, it’s just no one ever asked me.)I reuse much of the packing materials that I get in my gallery most of which comes in from my framing orders. But the bulk of my packing supplies comes from other sources. The absolute best place for excellent packing materials that are free? A furniture store.

At one time I had an artist friend who worked at a furniture store and when he was doing a delivery in my home town, he’d pull the truck around and drop off a truckload (literally) of huge sheets of bubble-wrap and flexible foam sheeting. Most furniture stores throw tons of it away and it just sits in our landfills. The furniture store he worked for was thrilled because that was a little less that they had to pay to get hauled to the landfill. And of course I was thrilled because it saved me fortunes (the savings of which I passed on to my customer.) And frankly, I have no way of buying huge sheets of wrap like that. (Picture blanket sized for wrapping up beds and couches. Lovely, glorious packing stuffs.)

Also, our local vet clinic is very green oriented. They get in heavy duty air packing pillows and sheets that from their delicate bottles of medicine they receive. Our small local vet clinic can usually supply me a 30 gallon garbage bag full of the stuff in a week. These tend to be smaller bits which work well for shipping smaller works or dimensional items.

So I guess the point of this is if you are looking to save a little money and are willing to be creative with who you approach, you may well save a substantial amount in your packing materials costs. Plus a little less goes in the landfill because it was recycled at least once. This way the landfills, the furniture store, my customers and I, all win.

Free Shipping Supplies Sent To Your Door

Free Materials & Supplies Available From The Common Carrier Companies
The big name shipping companies like UPS and USPS provide free boxes and envelops that will be delivered to your door … yes for free.

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Leopard Print Stencils for Walls, Nails, Cake, and More!
by David Burgess on 0

Leopard Print Stencils for Walls, Nails, Cake, and More!

What Would You Use a Leopard Print Stencil For?

What would you use a leopard print stencil for? There are so many uses to choose from! Whether you want to paint a whole wall with it, or add an accent picture, or do your nails, or make a leopard print cake, a stencil can help you out.

While you can draw the spots free hand, a stencil makes it so much more realistic. And you can find a leopard print stencil for not very much money!

This lens will cover some of the different uses you can put this stencil to, as well as give you some of the best places to find it online. Use the table of contents to hop down to the topic that interests you,or just browse to see what’s out there!

Leopard Print Stencils for Walls

Leopard print can make a great accent wall. You can also use a leopard print stencil for stripes, or you could make a big heart at the top of your bed or around your mirror. If you feel really wild and crazy, you can use it throughout the whole room! Here are a few leopard print stencils for walls that I found.

There are multiple thicknesses that you will note in the description. The thicker the stencil, the more sturdy it will be. However, it will not work as well on curved surfaces. There are also multiple sizes. Dimensions are in inches. The bigger stencils cover a much larger area, but they cost a lot more. I would only recommend them if you are doing an entire room. If you are just using leopard print as an accent, you can go with the smaller stencil. It will take you more time to finish the project, but it will cost you less money.

Leopard Print Decals

If you really want to save time and just accent a room, then these leopard print decals are for you. The first one is available in six different colors.

Leopard Print Stencils for Cakes

If you want to have a wild party, then you may want a leopard print stencil for your cake. This lets you easily add a leopard print design to either the sides or the top of the cake. It’s perfect for bachelorette parties, or birthday parties for the wild girl in your life.

But if you don’t want to add your own leopard print on the sides, you can accent the cake with leopard print in a few different ways. Here are three ideas.

Leopard Print Stencil for the Face and Body

Did you know you could use a leopard print stencil on your face or body as well? It makes face painting a lot easier. Or if you really want to be a leopard for Halloween, you can go all out and use the stencil. You can also use them with airbrushing or henna tattoos.

Leopard Print Stencils for Nails

How about leopard print stencils for nails? The only one I could find on Amazon was for airbrushing. You can, however, do leopard spots with a dotting tool and the right color paint. I’ve included a kit for making animal prints. You can also get leopard spot stickers.

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My favorite oil pastel sets from cheap to expensive
by David Burgess on

My favorite oil pastel sets from cheap to expensive

How to choose your oil pastel set for sketching and serious art work

Oil pastels are one of my favorite painting and drawing medium. Based on my personal experience I want give answers to the question: What is the best oil pastel set to buy or to start with? It depends on the purpose you want to use it for. If you are looking for a set to be given to children you might want to look for a water soluble and more harder oil pastel or wax crayon. Illustrators who mostly do not exhibit their work but store it after scan in a drawer away from light can use a cheaper quality if they prefer a certain brand or set at lower price.

For more ambitious wor the set shown on the image is a portrait set of oil pastels by Sennelier available on amazon.com might be better. It contains those colours best suitable for portrait work i.e. for skin and hair colours. Sennelier is a producer of highest quality oil pastels. Work created with their oil pastels is suitable for long term exposure under normal room daylight, which still contains some of the UV-light that causes colours with less and cheaper pigment load to fade over time.

A fairly good guideline for quality is the price of oil pastels. The competition in this field is very strong especially in the low segment. Therefore you can be sure that a more expensive quality will be the better quality: the sticks last longer, more vibrant colours and better light fastness along with some better properties in handling.

The second reliable criterion is the brand name. Choosing from long established renowned brands will make sure that you get a good quality. That does not say that an unknown brand is not good enough. I try unknown brands on a regular basis if they have colours that seem interesting to me and make a good addition to my sets.

What are the best oil pastels brands

best quality oil pastel brands ,some choices
Of course each artist has his/her own preferences. But when you investigate which brands are used by professional artists or have been used on really stunning art work you most probably will find the same brand names again and again. I do not want to put these brands in a ranking order, it is more about being on that list or not: Sennelier, Holbein, Caran d’Ache, GretaColor for highest qualities and Pentel, Sakura and van Gogh for more price worthy qualities. Most of these brands or companies are known for great colours also in other fields like oil painting or coloured pencil.

The expensive artist oil pastels typically cost around 1-2 $ per small stick, the less expensive ones are very well below 1$ per stick.

Holbein offers an expensive artist oil pastel grade and a less expensive studio quality. Sennelier is famous for their very creamy and pigment rich oil pastels in small and big stick, whereas Caran d’ Ache has developed a range of different grades between soft artist grade named “Neopastel” and less expensive and harder , even water soluble brands named “Neocolor”.

It is possible to use different qualities in the same work, for example a layer of harder pastels as under painting and softer qualities on top.

I have used Caran d’Ache Neocolor for the oil pastel study painting after John Constable’s sketch Dedham lock & mill

Which colours are critical in oil pastel sets ?

Critical colours are those colours that you use more often and in larger quantities than others! The second category of critical colours are those which tend to fade faster than others due to their nature.

1. Colors that you use regularly and which you need in larger quantities

What you need to know before you buy a set is whether colours that are used up can be replaced easily. Is it possible to get that greens you need in spring easily via online order or at your art dealer not to far away? That could limit your choice already quite a bit. Imagine you started a piece and you run out of a certain colour hue. If you need to continue with a different brand your work might not look as good as you wish. I usually need more often natural greens,ochre,all grays and browns, blues and white which are the main colours for landscape work.

2. Which colours are critical due to pigment.

What I have learned from my teachers is that certain colours in pastels as in other colors tend to fade quicker than others due to the nature of the available pigment for those colours. It is commended to use the best quality of colors if possible for work that contain delicate red and pink colour hues. The same applies for orange hues. Therefore artists who specialize on flower still life will pay particular attention to the light fastness of their oil pastels.

The Caran d’Ache oil pastel sets

48 and 96 color sets

Caran d’ Ache 48 color setThese are the sets that I own. The first one is the smaller 48 color set. The colors are ordered in 12 groups of four colors each. This order is very helpful to develop an intuitive understanding of colors and hues, their relations ships and mixing potential. As Plein air painter I appreciated the many shades of green in this selection.

Caran d’ Ache 96 color setThe 96 color set expands the range considerably. There are even two metallic colors, bronze and gold, which are nice to have for special purposes. The consists of two boxes which are stored on top of each other. Cpmpared to the 48 color set the range of greys is large. Also there are very nice hues of “beige”, which I consider warm greys I really appreciate for outdoor painting. In addition to that the range of browns and blues are much bigger.

Thanks for looking .. I hope you will have lots of fun with your new oil pastel set..

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