I need a few trays to be able to take some sample jewelry with me
when I teach classes. The point is not to sell anything, just to show
samples.
A few months ago I bought some new trays and velvet inserts, some
plain, some with squares, you know, those little divided sections you
put each piece in.
Unfortunately I don’t have a good bag for the trays (I had one
picked out, it turned out to not be compatible with these trays) and
the jewelry keeps falling out of the trays. (obviously.)
I don’t want an obvious “salesman’s samples” bag.
My only thought at the moment is to try the trays with snap on lids.
Does anyone love their sample/travel arrangement? What’s the best
way to transport this stuff in style?
Important notes: I don’t want to spend much money on this and I
wouldn’t mind getting away from the long rectangular trays.
Thanks so much for your help.
Elaine
Elaine Luther
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
I need a few trays to be able to take some sample jewelry with me
when I teach classes. The point is not to sell anything, just to show
samples.
Hi Elaine,
You didn’t mention what size trays you have. What I’ve found helpful
for carrying around smaller cases are the soft-sided tote bags made
by the ArtBin company. They hold the standard clear plastic bins used
for crafts and beads.
I bought mine through Fire Mountain Gems, but I also know that Dick
Blick carries them.
I still find my full sized jewelry tray tote (salesman samples kind)
to be more useful. But, I’ll break out my smaller bag when needed.
Standard size trays won’t fit in the art bins, however. The nice
thing is the bags usually come with the clear plastic trays. You
might be able to cut jewelry pads or some other material to line them
with. If you don’t your jewelry will slide around (trust me on this
one). I always have to put wads of tissue paper to fill up the empty
space in the box, too, to help secure my jewelry.
One of the reasons I dislike using my Artbin setup is I don’t think
it looks very professional to pull my jewelry out of plastic bins
… but I haven’t tried putting pads in the bottom, either. I
usually use the bag mainly for ease of transportation. It sounds like
it might work for what you are needing it for.
Hope that helps you some.
All my best,
Tracy
Tracy’s Treasures
I used cassette tape carriers for many years. I could cut cardboard
dividers for large items, stone papers fit perfectly, and they had a
zipper top. If I remember right three or four of these fit into a
shoulder bag. I could carry the bag on airplanes, buses, and in the
car. It was easy to carry with me to lunch or the bathroom on a pit
stop. The only draw back was that if anyone knew you were carrying
valueables that way, you had already neatly packaged them for a quick
steal.
Do not ever put thousands of gemstones in gem jars in a suitcase.
One year I was going to Denver for the Merchandiser Mart show. I had
devised a suitcase that would fit all my stones in thier boxes neatly
together with only a little play in between the stone trays. Yes, 50
cups to a tray and about 20 trays. On the 12 hour trip to the show
I noticed that the suitcase was rocking each time I went around a
corner, passed a vehicle, or went over a bump. There could not be
anything wrong! After I got my show set up and checked into my hotel
I poured myself a cool one and sat down to make up my mind which
stones I was going to show tomorrow. You can imagine the look on my
face when I opened the suitcase to find jar lids falling out and
stones scattered. This is a mess you would never, ever want to
find.
Several years ago I bought hot wheel car display boxes in one of
the department stores that carry toys. The boxes have compartments
about 1.5 x 2 inches on both sides of the box. Both sides have
hinged lids with snap on latches. The plastic is clear. They have
handles. I strap several boxes together with bungie cords.
They have worked very well in transporting smaller items to the
shows I do.
Might I suggest Riker Mounts for the display of your samples. They
offer a cotton insert box with glass top , all pieces are held in
place by two or four pins which keep the product from moving around.
As for the bag check at www.silversupplies.com they have a wide
selection of “travel” cases made specifically for jewelry trays and
their contents. If you plan to be in Tucson for the G&M Show, stop
in to Starr Gems and check out their selection!
Good Luck,
Shawna Lobmiller
Patania’s Sterling Silver Originals
Tucson, AZ
Tackle boxes. Love 'em! They come in all sizes and shapes, with
and without carry cases, they LOOK like tackle boxes because that is
what they ARE! You can put cotton inside the little sections to
hold your pieces securely. Mine also fit in an overnight bag
nicely. When using the regular trays I find covering them with
tissue paper, then stacking them tightly in the overnight bag, and
being sure that I keep the bag right ways up helps minimize things
shifting - but it doesn’t prevent it entirely. I have debated
cutting foam pieces that would fit inside the trays - I think that
would hold things more securely. Just haven’t gotten around to
actually trying it yet.
I also use the standard rectangular trays for transporting my
jewelry, but they all have lids, which I think is essential. Then,
to keep the jewelry immobile (because it will move around, even
with the divided inserts), I cut pieces of bubble wrap to the size of
the trays and lay as many pieces as necessary over the jewelry (2-3
per tray usually). The bubble wrap adds no weight, of course; and
the only thing I need to watch out for is that earring posts aren’t
caught in the stuff when I lift it out.
As for carrying the trays … If it’s just a few, I’ll use a cloth
shopping bad (canvas with handles) so the contents aren’t obvious. A
canvas bag made to hold a computer will work just as well. If I’m
flying to a show and need several trays, I put them in my carry-on
bag, which is also anonymous in terms of its contents.
One of the reasons I dislike using my Artbin setup is I don't
think it looks very professional to pull my jewelry out of plastic
bins .... but I haven't tried putting pads in the bottom, either. I
usually use the bag mainly for ease of transportation. It sounds
like it might work for what you are needing it for.
One thing to remember is safety. A salesman’s sample bag or other
case bag just screams “MUG ME!!!”
When I travel, I try for as unapealing as possible. Ordinary duffel
bags or a small backpack is mostly what I use. I put everything in
clear bags for security screenings (private ones only) if I am going
though an airport and then put some clothes on top in case the bag
gets opened by accident in the open.
My experience with display trays is that everything moves. So I
found colored sheets of dense foam (9x12 and larger) which take up
little space, can fit into manilla envelopes (in groups like
earrings for one, charms for another,etc.) The foam can be pierced
with earrings and held in place with the earring back on the back of
the foam. Bracelets, necklaces are put into hole-puncher holes and
fastened behind the hole. These are light wieght and informal. Post
it notes and circular stickies can provide writing space. All these
colored sheets can be placed on a substantial, and more decorative
backdrop. (I used to teach art in elementary school…I hope that is
not too obvious.)
To this point I have only the standard travel case with the trays.
Here is something I tried earlier today while packing odd shaped
Christmas gifts.
I am beyond tired of the floating plastic popcorn so popular now to
cushion items, the shredded newspaper ditto. While sitting on the
floor surrounded by wrapping paper, tissue, etc., there was a
package of balloons. Well, I blew some up and nicely secured what I
was packaging.
This is not for small items, but think of mineral specimens, and
similar. I was surprised at how easy and effective it was. Now to
see the look on the face of the recipients.
A very wonderful Holiday to all, and let this New Year bring
understanding.
My jewelry teacher suggested artists’ palette boxes made of wood.
Take out what’s inside, put foam covered with velvet on the bottom
and lid. Jewelry is held in place when the box is closed and you
avoid having lots of small boxes to open and close. Makes set-up and
break down pretty fast.