The wheels of progress move slowly when I have too many irons in the fire. I really have been working on plans for my art fair booth all along. I visited several more art fairs and looked critically at readi-made fold up shelves. I also went to Pier One and looked at their fold up shelves. Although the mass produced fold up shelves look nice and are convenient to purchase, they're not as stable as the ones I've seen in several booths.
Armed with photos of the shelves I saw which John of JBF Times (thanks John) used in his booth, I posted an ad on craigslist asking for someone to make the uprights for my shelves. Frankly I didn't expect a call. But low and behold, I've had three calls and I should have two sets of shelves in two weeks. I plan on having the uprights 6 feet tall and shelves 12 inches apart. I think the double uprights on each end which are hinged make for a more stable shelving system. I plan to paint them black for a cohesive look.
Once I get the shelves painted I'll do a mock set up of my tent and booth and post it here. In the meantime I'm working on a free standing peg board placard design where I can display the tiles and other hanging work I make. I also looked at the various methods artists use to hold down their tents, PVC filled with sand or concrete, concrete blocks, and others. I decided I would use dumb bells since I can get dumb bells in various weights and not have to use one large heavy item for each corner. I can put a strap around the dumb bell and attach it to the tent and maybe the shelves to weight them down. Anything to save Gary's and my back.
I went to a fabric store and thought about making a sign for my booth, but since I am a machine sewer and not a hand sewer, I quickly discarded that idea and am now researching a professional made banner for my art booth. Till I have that sorted out I can rely on my previous computer printed sign posted in a Plexiglas display at the front of my booth.Meanwhile I've got a list of shows to enter from now till next summer and I'm looking into various credit card options. Next week I'll fire a couple of bisque loads and a glaze load because my drying shelves are filling up and there's no room for more work. Any advice or suggestions are welcome. Up next is a post about pottery shopping in Seagrove, NC, you won't want to miss that.
Nice progress. Looking forward to the shelves. I am getting ideas too.
ReplyDeleteHi May, thanks, these seem much more stable and more open and airy to show the work. the uprights fold flat and then the shelves are just boards that slide in and out and if you want one tall shelf you'd use a shorter board. I hope they work out. it's can be really windy here so I want something strong and made well.
ReplyDeleteI am also thinking about having a little plate rack made; I know you make plates. I've seen some folks use a rack with dowels and they put a pieces of styrofoam behind each plate to keep them from banging together.
I've heard good things about ProPay from Tracey Broome (http://tsbroome.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html#6869102080389252539)
ReplyDeleteand from other artists at shows, you might want to check them out for your cc options.
I'm looking forward to your booth shots.
isn't this all so exciting? best of luck doing shows... I hear that the Florida shows on the gulf coast are still doing really well. you are lucky to be so close!
ReplyDeleteI envy your organization! Looks like you're ready to go. Best of luck (but have a hunch you'll sell out!)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've been busy Linda. Hope it all pays off. As far as credit cards, we "store and forward," on our machine. And we get a phone number just in case, which we have had to use a couple of times.
ReplyDeleteThe shelves in the first pic are exactly like mine, that I used to use for my craft shows! Except I bought the ladders, ready made, at Lowe's, and my ex hinged them together and stained them and the boards. And no, his name isn't Gary! lol
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, I read that on Tracey's blog I just have to give them a call, that will tomorrows project.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, that's what the rumor is. Many of the shows here are filled with folks coming from other areas on vacation or snowbirds, hopefully I'll do well and Gary can relax a bit.
Hi Kittie, thanks, if I sell out I will be flabbergasted and stressed out at the same time.
Hi Michael, thanks, what does store and forward mean, you input the number and then send it in when you get back home? I think the phone number is a good idea and checking ID, with the economy the way it is nowadays, there are a lot more scam artists circulating around.
Hi Marguerite, thanks, wait a minute, you mean I can buy these ladders instead of having someone make them? I am zipping over to Lowe's in the am to check them out. Well how did you like your shelves? Did you weight them down with anything?
Some really good ideas there! Interesting to read about your work with putting together shelves and so on for your display. Something for me to think about too, although there are not quite so many occasions here to have work at craft shows, the problem of displaying work well is an ongoing one and is relevant to what we do inside our little gallery as well as on the road. Best wishes to you and Gary from us in NZ!
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, thanks, well I would just as soon have my gallery open and folks come to me, but the art fairs around here are teaming with people so the more people the more potential for sales, hopefully.
ReplyDeleteLinda, another way to weight your booth is with gallon jugs of water. I used them at Festifall, it was sooo windy that day, and they worked out fine, and they are cheap. I do like the concrete PVC but they seem so heavy!
ReplyDeleteNice looking shelves and
ReplyDeletefold-ability is a must. Hadn't thought about that or all the other problems you must solve. The good thing is that once you solve them, they stay solved. A one time effort.
Wow! This certainly entails more thought and work than I had known. Now I think I'll look more closely at both the art work and shelves when I visit art fairs.!
ReplyDeleteLinda, please let us know what you find at Lowes.
ReplyDeleteI am currently thinking about making some uprights much like Kim's (whose shelves I borrowed in the picture), but drilling holes every four inches or so on the inside of both sides so I can peg the shelves at different heights. This would allow more flexibility given the size ranges of my work.
Thanks for the great post. I am thinking about PayPal, but I hadn't heard of ProPay before.
Sounds like you are going to have some great shelves! You are certainly living in the right place to do shows! Good luck -- not just in building the shelves but getting into the shows as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey, thanks, yeah I thought about the water, and I think water by volumne is about the heavies thing, not sure about iron as in the dumbbells, will have to check the scientific facts, (Ha this is getting way too scientific for me), but then I thought what if the water starts sloshing out in the motorhome or car and the UV rays would break down the plastic over time. Yeah the PVC things look so heavy and unwieldly and they are round so would roll around in a moving vehicle.
ReplyDeleteHi Patti, thanks, yeah hopefully a one time effort. I do tend to overthink things. In the past I just showed up with a couple of tables with tableclothes, now I'd like to present a more polished look if possible.
Hi Kate, thanks, and welcome, it is kind of amazing when you thing about all that goes into an art fair booth.
Hi John, thanks, I think the thing is to have some open space around the ceramic work as it shows better that way. Stay tuned for more info as I go along.
Hi Judy, thanks, yes I hope to have it all revamped soon, but applying for the art fairs is a whole other ball of wax so to speak, luckily there are shows close by that don't have a jury system to start out with. I need to figure out the photo submission system next.
Hi Linda - Am following the comments with interest. I'm in an outdoor art show this weekend but not setting up a complete booth. Just a few display stands and a demo table... If it goes well, I may look at some of the shows around here and get serious.
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