I’ve finished packaging a painting to mail and took it to the post office Tuesday. Swan Sunset was inspired by a beautiful photograph taken by my friend Nancy Drews. When she saw my post about finishing the painting, she said “I want to buy it!” I can’t think of a better home for it.

Framing the painting

First, I framed the painting in a simple floater frame and prepared it for hanging. I asked Nancy what the skyline was in the piece, since I knew it wasn’t the Toronto skyline from the islands. It’s the Etobicoke skyline, taken from the beach in the west end of Toronto. I think that skyline has gotten a lot taller than it was when I lived near there!

Adding corner protectors

Next, I added cardboard corner protectors. My framer at The Inside Cut kindly gave me a supply of these. They help to prevent the wooden corners of the frame from being damaged in transit. This simple frame itself is not from the local framer, but ordered from The CanvasPlace. I’ve been ordering floater frames from them for some years. The quality is good and they’re very economical since you have to buy a “set” of them, which helps in protecting them during shipping.

Bubble wrapping the painting

The next step was to wrap it in recycled bubble wrap. I’m one of those people who saves this stuff and reuses it as often as I can. I’d prefer to not use plastic at all. But, I don’t purchase any bubble wrap. I only reuse wrap I’ve received from purchases or had donated by friends. When I have to buy wrapping material, I purchase brown paper wrapping.

Boxing up the painting

This white paper packaging is reused too. We found it in a box of old electronic equipment that we were recycling. The box had been down in our basement storage for years. Clearly, some mice had enjoyed safely snacking on seeds within the box too. We’ve had an interesting mouse “war” going on here this year… but, that’s for another time.

Wrapping the package

Next, more reused paper packaging is nestled around the painting on all sides to cushion it as it rides through the postal service system. I tried to get enough paper in there to firmly hold the painting in place.

Wrapping the package

After the box was closed, I covered it with more white paper. Then, I added packaging tape to seal all the edges. I measured and weighed the box next.

Ready for mailing

Steev printed out the shipping label, postage paid, so I’d just have to drop it off quickly at the post office. He also added some found art. These short clips were from a box a Chinese tea set came in. Our kids gave it to us one Christmas and I thought the clips were so hilarious they were worth saving. More recycled stuff! Happy travels Swan Sunset. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new home.