Moving to a New Home? Take Good Care of Your Art Supplies

Guest Post by Writer Jessica Brody

If you’re an artist, you likely have a ton of supplies around your house. Depending on which mediums you like to use, you might have everything from tubes of oil paints to boxes of pastels to loose colored pencils rolling around in a desk drawer.

Normally, this isn’t a problem. It may seem like to chaos to non-artists, but you probably know where everything is. Many artists have the same issue.

But if you’re selling your home and facing a move soon, you might be wondering how to transport your supplies so that everything is safe and nothing gets lost.

With a little preparation, you can craft a solid plan to move all your art-related supplies with no problems. Here are a few of the best tips on how to do just that, brought to you by Kate Benzin Art.

Pare down

As with any move, the first step is to pare down your belongings. This is always hard for any artist because we tend to be attached to our supplies. But there’s a silver lining. You can make room for new things!

So go through and throw out any old or used-up paint tubes, paint brushes that have seen better days, and anything that doesn’t need to be saved.

If you come across supplies that you’ve never had the chance to use, ask yourself if you really need to keep them. You might be able to donate them online or to a local library or school.

Prepare

Any move, no matter how big or small, requires boxes, so prepare for the transition by starting to collect boxes of varying sizes.

Ask your local craft supply store if they have boxes in the back they’d be willing to part with. They probably have plenty of big boxes and even some small ones that might be perfect for loose items like paint brushes.

Make sure to have plenty of packing tape, bubble wrap, and newspaper on hand for keeping your supplies safe.

It’s also a good idea to inventory your items as you put them into boxes. Write down everything you put into a box on a piece of paper and tape it to the outside of the box. When you’re in your new home and looking for your favorite scissors or brayer, you’ll be able to find it without rummaging through each box.

Pack smart

When you’re busy getting ready for the move, you’ll probably have to pause your art making temporarily. In that case, many of your art supplies can be packed up well in advance of the actual move. You’ll need to make sure, though, that they’ll be in an environment that’s neither too hot nor too cold so they maintain their consistency.

You’ll also want to box up small, fragile items like pencils, brushes, charcoal, pastels, etc., in small boxes and wrapped in bubble wrap. They can then be placed into larger boxes for the move, but having them well cushioned is critical.

Don’t forget to explore online for the best moving companies near you to assist you in a successful move. Finding someone who will take as much care with your supplies as you do is a must. You can read through customer reviews and explore online ratings to connect with professionals who are up to the task.

Organize

If you have a large cabinet or shelving unit for your supplies, get it nice and neat and then take a photo to remind yourself of where everything should go after the move. Use plastic bins to keep like items together and get all your supplies organized perfectly.

Moving your studio or supplies isn’t an easy task, especially when it’s done in tandem with putting your home up for sale and moving all your household items. However, if you stay organized and prepare a plan, you’ll be able to tackle it with no problem.

This article is brought to you by Kate Benzin Art, creating original paintings in acrylic and mixed media. If you'd like a custom portrait of your pet, contact Kate at kate@katebenzinart.com!