Upon Return of Work - Always Open the Box IMMEDIATELY
July 19, 2012
Upon return of your art or craft from an exhibition, open the box or crate immediately or within a few days at the most.
CHECK CONTENTS against the Inventory List or Shipping Receipt. Make sure everything that was placed in the box has returned from the venue.
Tina Pint from Jeweler's Mutual Insurance specifically addresses this concern in her lecture Safe Shipping of Jewelry. Small high-value items can be removed from a single box fairly easily and the box reclosed, thus her caution for double or even triple boxing.
Brigitte Martin also describes a similar concern in her upcoming lecture "If Shipping Goes Wrong" when a crate arrived broken in the truck with parts from a sculpture strewn around the truck bed. A great reason to double-box smaller elements inside the crate.
CHECK FOR DAMAGE
It is important to check that the art or craft has survived shipping and is "O.K." against the Condition Report.
IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS, DOCUMENT THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX IMMEDIATELY with a camera or your phone camera. Photo documentation is essential if you expect to file an insurance claim.
If you ever need to make an insurance claim, the Professional Guidelines has a document Claims for Damaged Work.
This document gives you step-by-step instructions about how to make a successful claim for damaged work with the responsible organization, their insurance company, or the shipping company.
Claims for Damaged Work: Artist Checklist itemizes a list of tasks that should be followed to make a successful insurance claim.
The tasks are listed chronologically. Remember that the insurer will always look for reasons to deny or approve your claim - your verbal statement is not enough.
When it comes to shipping, you must establish that your packing was more than adequate to protect your work during shipping.
You must prove your case with as much evidence as possible or your claim may be denied.
Tips for Safe Shipping of Jewelry
PLAN PACKING for SHIPPING Art & Craft
Shipping Planning vs. Shit* Happening
Shipping Boxes for Art of Craft Should Include Instructions
PACKING YOUR WORK FOR EXHIBITIONS
(tip sheet)
Shipping Comparisons: Shipping Cost & Insurance with Common Carriers
Compare USPS to Fed Ex: Outrageous Difference
Condition Report from the Professional Guidelines
Claims for Damaged Work from the Professional Guidelines
DAMN! Damaged boxes! Claims for Damaged Work.
Preservation, Conservation - Design for Repair
Prestige, Value and Identity Bracelets by Harriete Estel Berman
Photo Credit: Philip Cohen
There are several presentations ranging from shipping jewelry from precious materials to large sculptures. There is also a great cost comparison with three different size boxes and different insurance values. Stay tuned.
This post was updated on April 10, 2022, to provide current links.