Thread: Ostrich fans, how do you travel with them?

Good afternoon all!

I am trying to figure out the best way of transporting my fans and was hoping someone here would be able to suggest an idea!

My fans are 5 foot long and folkd up to about 2/3 of that because of the way I made them..

I need to be able to trasport them safely but no idea what I should use!!!

Help is appreciated Thank you

WARNING

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 60 days. information contained in it may no longer be current

While shopping on ebay for fans i came across one lady who said she shipped her fans in cardboard poster tubes. Im assuming these are the same kinda tubes you post artwork in. Perhaps have a look at those? They should be available in the post office. I dont know if they will have one thats five feet long bit its worth a try.

If you cant find one i'd DIY it. Try making a tube out of thick cardboard, the kind you'd find sturdy cardboard boxes ar made off and be sure to wrap the staves in a ridiculous amount of bubble wrap. I usually wrap a stocking over my small fans to keep the feathers from coming off. I dont know how you'd seal the ends of the tube though. Perhaps with a lid of some sort like from a plastic jar and then securing the lid gaffa tape?

I dont think this would be a permanent solution as it would only take you one way before the cardboard gets weakened by all the wear and tear. Perhaps if you could strenghten the structure it could work. I would suggest looking online to find a large enough poster tube though. I'm sure there would be SOMETHING. After all, people do seem to ship fans from place to place quite a lot, there has to be a safe way to do it.

Hope i helped in some tiny way .

Iskra V

not sure if you're on Facebook at all but if you look for a lovely lady called Darkteaser I seem to recall she makes bags to transport fans in

I am sure that you could DIY it like Iskra surggested. But I would go smile at the man in your local carpet shop as the carpets come on massive cardboard tubes which are very robust. I am not sure what you would do for the ends.

Sparkles
Ruby
xx

Hi honey
if its on a train or car I bought an art tube. Very hard plastic and a wide one as my fans are huge with lights. That works for me. By air I have to put them in my bag so it means getting a very long suitcase. I tie them with ribbon as tight as they will go then wrap them in a bin bag and try and pack soft things around them.
Good luck
Hugs
Diva x

Like yours, because of the way they are made, they don't close fullly, so won't fit into tubes!! Mine live in the boot of my car... and I carry them as they are. I know people who put them in those big art portfolio case thingys though, if that's any use?

xx

The tube I got is very wide but I had to order it rather than get it from a normal art shop.
Hugs
Diva x

me and OH had some professional pictures taken i while back and the largest one came in this hugmongus posh card bag, my fans i made myself and dontclost at all and they fit quite nicely in there, before i had the bad i transported them in bin bags lol and held them by there handles

Hi, i'm glad someone starting this thread as I've been having the same problem with my fans, appart from my fans don't fold up! It's a nightmare!

If anyone has got any tips on which is the best way to store them, please let me know! I'm worried the feathers will get droopy and loose shape if I store them the wrong way. Is it best to hang them upside down do you think?

Crystal x x x

Crystal - I usually hang mine upside down on the wall when I am not using them.

Thank you ladies for the advice.

I spoke to the hubby last night and he thinks he may have a good idea on how to make something to carry them in. So I will let his creative mind see what he can come up with! (I just love having a hubby who loves what I am doing and actually helps with routines! and props!)