What we pack our treasures in

Here's a secret to share from the antique dealers' world. We wrap our treasures not in newsprint, getting our fingers dirty and necessitating multiple uses of baby wipes, or, if we're lucky, soap and water; we have a secret weapon.

They're reusable, waterproof, absorbent, soft, and inexpensive. You'll never guess what they are...

Puppy training pads.

They allow us to pack up a show in the rain without having to worry about drying everything off first, because they're absorbent. They've got a waterproof underside so you don't have to worry about everything getting soggy and falling apart. The absorbent material is very soft and cushioning so it's perfect for fragile porcelain and glass objects. You can buy an enormous package of 200 12" x 24" inch pads for about $20 and they'll last for years. They don't shred or disintegrate - bad for landfills, but great for durability.

And that's the Tip Of The Day.