As an added protection, laminating pouches are also available with UV-resistance to protect against color-fade.

If you use low quality photo paper for your digital prints, make sure to test a sample print in your laminator as smearing of photo may result.

Display

Careful planning of where you’ll hang your artwork should lengthen its lifespan considerably.

Humidity, extreme fluctuating temperatures, direct sunlight, bright light, heating vents and fireplaces can damage your previous art. Avoid contact with fluorescent lighting that emits harmful high-energy rays that can deteriorate artwork.

Hanging art on exterior walls may subject art to temperature fluctuations and dampness in climates where temperatures vary greatly with seasons. Avoid hanging artwork in kitchens or bathrooms for this same reason.

Attach small cork pieces to back of frame to prevent mold from forming, by allowing air to circulate behind your framed art.

Never use clip-on lights on frames. The area of artwork exposed to this 'hot spot' will cause drying and damage over time.

Canvas stretcher bars may expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. This may make canvas sag and/or crack paint. A professional can correct this problem and save artwork.

Cleaning

Dust frames regularly and inspect for signs of mold or insects. Make sure that all hangers and items used to secure frame are still in good condition.

Never use commercial products to clean your bare artwork. Use a feather duster to dislodge dust particles from surface. Cloth material may leave lint.

To clean picture glass that protects your artwork, never spray cleaner directly onto glass. Instead, spray your cleaning cloth and then wipe glass to avoid cleaner from running gown and seeping between glass and frame and damaging art. Avoid using a cleaner with ammonia.

Use a cleaner specifically designed for Plexiglas or similar materials such as acrylic, or use a soft damp cloth and spot clean gently to avoid scratching.

A professional may be needed to clean your artwork if you notice color changes and dullness from contact with smoke, whether it was from cigarettes, heavy use of candles, or if artwork was subject to smoke damage from a fire. See your professional if you notice any signs of mold or insects.

Special Care for different types of media

Acrylic Paintings

Not to be framed under glass, acrylics are fairly sturdy and can survive in various lighting conditions. Dusting surface lightly will prevent any build-up. Be careful when shipping acrylics in winter as extremely cold temperatures may cause cracking. You’ll have same problem when storing your acrylics in unheated attics, basements or sheds if you live in areas that experience very cold winters.

Oil Paintings

Also not for framing under glass as these have to 'breath'. Direct sunlight will fade oils over time. Choose its location with this in mind.

Make sure to dust frequently as build up may crack and peel paint. Never spray commercial cleaners on your painting. Should colors appear dull after awhile, you can have your painting varnished at your art store to renew colors and protect surface from possible cracking.

Transport your painting carefully wrapped in cardboard and protected with bubble wrap. Avoid leaving artwork too long in packaging as moisture may form and damage your painting.

Watercolors

Frame watercolors behind glass. Colors may fade if fragile watercolors are exposed to strong lighting conditions.

Oil Pastels and Chalk Pastels

Pastels are very delicate and must be handled with extreme care. Framing under glass as soon as possible is a necessity to protect easily damaged surface. Full sun can fade colors but they can survive strong light or indirect sunlight. Never touch surface of art or place anything on its surface to avoid smearing.

Charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, crayon drawings

These are just as fragile as pastels; therefore they must be handled and protected in same manner. Do not touch delicate surface of these drawings.

Ink Drawings

Also very light sensitive, fades quickly in direct sunlight. Frame under UV-protected glass.

Digital Art

Avoid touching surface of your digital art. Mount your artwork behind UV-protected glass to reduce fading. Make sure that artwork is dry before doing this. An acid free mat inserted between artwork and frame will prevent art from sticking to glass. Aluminum frames should be considered as humidity does not affect them and will not transfer to your prints. Make sure to keep your digital prints away from excessive heat for long periods of time, high humidity, direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Taking extra care of your precious artwork today will ensure many years of enjoyment later on.

(c)2004 DDesign Reprints of this article are free of charge as long as you include author portion of text

• If you know you will be in meetings or unavailable at certain times, let person know o avoid voice mail telephone tag.

• If you are in middle of a complex task that requires an uninterrupted thought process, let voice mail answer phone. Otherwise, take call to avoid a pile up of messages to return later.

• Phone messages should be responded to within 24 hours. If you have been too tied up to answer a question or inquiry, at least respond to person who called to let them know that, and then give them an expected date by which you will have answer for them. This way you still seem responsive, even if you cannot address their request immediately.

MEETING MANAGEMENT

• When calling a meeting, always draft an agenda and attach it to meeting invitation. The agenda will serve multiple purposes:

o Help attendees prepare for meeting o Provide a sense of time allocated to each subject, so attendees can be mindful of intended time allotments o Focus attention on key issues to discuss (in case meeting agenda gets sidetracked) o Demonstrate to others that you value their time & intend to make meeting productive

This work equally well for small or large meetings, but becomes even more essential to productivity with a large meeting

• After meeting, it is helpful to prepare “meeting minutes”. The minutes provide a summary of key points discussed, and associated outcomes and action items. They serve as a helpful recap for attendees, as well as others who could not attend, but who have an interest in subject matter. A track record of accurate meeting minutes also helps to keep meeting size to a manageable volume, as all of affected parties will feel less of a need to attend meeting in order to understand its’ directional outcomes.

• The day before meeting, make sure to arrange for copying of any required handouts.

• If co-workers are always dropping by for impromptu meetings, don’t hesitate to create a “Do Not Disturb” time to be used for those complex thinking projects, where being interrupted has a big impact on your train of thought.

Copyright 2004-All rights reserved

As The Organizing Wiz, Ilene Drexler works with clients who want to get organized in their home or offices. As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, Ilene is a part of the industry's leading resources for professional organizing.