Because of their unique beauty and the level of skills required to create them, hand-blown glass items are highly collectible and could get absurdly expensive. Every hand-blown vase, Champagne flute or decorative figurine is intricately hand made using traditional methods and age-old craftsmanship that cannot be replicated by any machine. This explains why these items can get very expensive.
Aside from being high-value products, hand-blown items are also very fragile which makes shipping them a bit tricky. Each item must be properly packaged to ensure that it will not end up in a shattered mess when it reaches its destination. Here are some important tips on how to ship blown glass items properly:
When shipping handblown glass items with hollow bodies such as vases, bowls, and glasses, fill the insides with bubble wrap, crumpled paper or packing peanuts to prevent it from collapsing on itself during shipping. Avoid using newspaper as the ink can stain the glass.
Wrap each item tightly in at least 3 layers of bubble wrap. Use tape to secure the wrap, making sure that no tape adhesive is in contact with the glass. The adhesive might be difficult to remove from the glass and affect the finish.
Use an appropriately-sized and sturdy shipping box, not too big nor too small. It should accommodate the item and provide extra space for packing materials: about 2 inches of space all around the object.
Line the bottom of the box with 2 inches of packing peanuts. Do not use shredded or crumpled newspaper as this might not provide optimum cushion and padding for the item.
Place the item in the center of the box so it will receive the best equal amount of peanut cushioning. Fill the remaining spaces around the item with more packing peanuts.
It should be well and tightly-packed to create a solid package with no chance of movement. There should be absolutely no shifting when the package is closed and shaken. Seal the package with packing tape.
Double boxing might not be necessary if the package is packed well. However, double packing might be a good idea especially when shipping a high-value piece since it is a claim requirement.
If using the double-boxing method, the outer box must be about 2 inches larger than the inner box, and spaces between the boxes must also be filled with packing peanuts. Close and seal the package with packing tape.
Address the box and attach labels such as “Handle With Care,” and take to a reliable shipping company.