I’m worried about shipping—how do you pack a fragile craft sculpture to prevent breakage?

I totally get the worry—shipping a fragile sculpture is nerve-wracking, but I’ve done it dozens of times without a single break. Let me walk you through my tried-and-true packing method step by step, using materials you can find around the house or at a shipping store.

First, clean your sculpture gently with a soft cloth to remove any dust—surface grit can scratch during movement. Then, wrap the entire piece in a layer of soft acid-free tissue paper. This prevents scratches from the next layers. After that, take a roll of large-bubble bubble wrap. I use at least three layers of bubble wrap, securing each layer tightly with packing tape, but never stick tape directly onto the sculpture—always tape the wrap itself.

For protruding parts like arms or antlers, I create “cushion cuffs” by cutting foam tubing or rolling extra bubble wrap into tubular shapes and wrapping those areas separately before the full-body wrap. This distributes pressure away from thin points. Once the sculpture is fully wrapped, I place it inside a snug cardboard box that leaves no more than an inch of space on any side, filling that gap with crumpled kraft paper or foam peanuts.

Now for the secret trick: double-boxing. I put that inner box inside a larger outer box, and fill the 2–3 inch gap between them with more foam peanuts, crumpled newspaper, or recycled bubble wrap. This second layer absorbs jolts from bumps in transit. Seal both boxes with strong packing tape, and label the outer box as “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP” in multiple spots.

I always shake the finished box gently—if I hear or feel any movement inside, I add more cushioning until it’s silent and solid. For insurance, I take photos of the packing process and the sculpture’s condition before shipping. Most carriers allow up to $100–200 of automatic coverage; for high-value pieces, buy extra insurance.

So breathe easy. With double-boxing, layered wrap, and careful cushioning, your sculpture will travel like a VIP. Feel free to ask if you’re packing something with a weird shape—I’ve got hacks for that too.