Ceramics vary so much that there are few hard rules. One thing I would NOT
suggest is wrapping them up in bubble wrap. Anytime you pick something up
and cannot see what you are grabbing you increase the risk of breaking it
accidentally, especially with dishes that have handles or other 3D bits and
pieces. It is far too easy to pull or push on it too hard. You wold also
have to open it up to identify it or look at it

If they are in boxes, you do not have to have them covered completely in
extra layers that cause more harm than good. For things like teacups or
bowls I prefer to nest them in tissue (made into a birds nest shape) so
that you can see them and it is still loose enough that you do not have to
grab by the rim. Clinking against each other, or being squeezed or pulled
too hard by someones fingers are the two main ways I have seen things get
broken.

The sheet ethafoam you can get cheaper from Uline or another shipping
supplier. It makes a great cushion between plates as long a there is no
risk of high temperatures. and at the bottom of a box to give vibration
mitigation.

Feel free to contact me off list with questions.

-Elizabeth Walton



On Sun, Jan 22, 2012 at 3:23 PM, Kathie Gow <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi listers! We will be taking down two displays of ceramics (mostly china
> from the 19th and 1st half of the 20th centuries) and storing them in boxes
> in an off-site storage room where they may remain for half a dozen (or
> more) years.****
>
> ** **
>
> We are a very frugal New England historical society with many needs for
> archival supplies – especially to re-house paper and textile artifacts,
> which seem more at risk – so don’t want to spend more than necessary here.
> Should we purchase padding/separators such as a roll of polyethylene foam
> (Gaylord, for instance, sells a 12” wide, 1/8” thick, 550’-long roll of
> polyethylene foam for $65) – or would the items still be safely protected
> by re-using bubble wrap and/or  the plastic air pouches used for packing,
> of which we have a ready supply? And though I imagine flatter boxes would
> be better, we have a lot of acid-free square “banker’s boxes with lids that
> seem like they would do the trick.****
>
> ** **
>
> Any frugal conservators out there who can advise on this? Thank you!****
>
> ** **
>
> --Kathie****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Kathie Gow****
>
> ** **
>
> Oral History Producer****
>
> http://www.wordspicturesstories.com****
>
> ** **
>
> Curator, Hatfield Historical Museum****
>
> http://hatfieldhistory.weebly.com****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
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