You know what? Thus far, the only pottery that I have purchased and recieved in broken/smashed condition has been pottery that was packaged in newspaper. The last 3 pieces I recieved was packaged in newspaper and double boxed and still smashed. It is beyond me why in the world someone would go through all the trouble to purchase and clean and advertise and sweat out an auction and then for the lack of less than a dollars worth of bubble wrap or peanut packaging have it arrive at its destination smashed. In case people don't know...newspaper will not protect a heavy piece of pottery. For one thing if the newspaper is balled up to cushion the pottery it will compress and allow the pottery to slam around in the box. If the paper is compressed and packaged around the pottery very tightly to prevent it's movement then any shock recieved by the box will be transmitted directly to....you guessed it...the pottery. So, if you finally take the plunge and start selling on Ebay remember to not ever, ever ship a piece of pottery packaged in newspaper. I for one will thank you very much :o)