[BCMA] Ordering equipment for museum class

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hello Cara,
I have attached a worksheet from a box making workshop I put together for the Kelowna Museums, hopefully it is helpful. If you want box making worksheets I have some I can share as well, but they can all be found on line.

  *   For making storage trays/ boxes: is corrugated polymer/plastic sheet or acid-free paperboard better?
     *   Depends on the size of the object. for smaller objects I use E-Flute board (from Carr Mclean) as it is easier to make small boxes out of. I find I can get a tidier box out of that material. For bigger/ heavier objects I use Coroplast. It is a good material and it also water resistant, a big plus if water damage is ever a possibility. I get coroplast from Opus, our local art supply store.
  *   For padding/cushioning: is ethafoam/polyethylene foam a good choice?
     *   yes Ethafoam is great to use it is easy to cut and you can hot glue bits together if you need to. we buy ours from Carr Mclean
     *   depending on your object/situation, you can also use polyester stuffing from Fabricland wrapped in muslin fabric (also from Fabricland) or Tyvek.
  *   For wrapping objects: polyethylene (PE) foam sheeting and Tyvek?
     *   I would be more inclined to use acid free tissue to wrap objects
     *   Polyethylene sheeting you can buy from a hardware store, you can buy Tyvek there too but usually it has a name brand logo on it. We get ours Tyvek from Carr Mclean.
     *   I’m not sure I would use either of these to wrap objects, but they work great for dust covers. Poly sheeting is great because you can use a heat sealer on it and make form fitting dust covers for larger objects. I would use poly sheeting if there was a risk of splashing as it will offer more protection and you can see through it.
     *   I would use Tyvek to wrap an ethafoam mounts if the cuts were really rough or your object was fragile and prone to snagging (like a beaded leather piece)
  *   For handling: what type of gloves do you recommend that I have the students wear?
     *   I think Nitrile gloves are the best, you can use the same ones they use in the chemistry department. I found cotton gloves too cumbersome. CCI has a note on gloves that goes over all the pros and cons.
Finally, where is the best place to purchase these materials?

-          We buy most things from Carr Mclean

-          Art supply stores carry a surprising amount of conservation grade materials, sometimes the same brands that Carr Mclean has. if they don’t have it in stock but maybe willing to bring it in for you. I found their prices tend to be a bit better than Carr Mclean and if you can pick it up you don’t have to pay for shipping.

-          I have heard some museums buy Black Synergy 2LB Foam from Norseman for exhibits. I have not used it yet but it’s on my to do list.

hope this helps! good luck with the program development

Thank you / way̓ limləmt,
Nikki Bose


[N Bose 2019 email signature]

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