When do you usually go through all your show supplies and restock, repaint, and fix things for the coming show season? Do you make a to-do list at the end of your show season? Do you set up your booth ahead of the first show and clean and replace items? What is your usual process?
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Products: I maintain Excel Spread sheets for belts (1000) and general leather art work of holsters, billfolds, horse and dog stuff, silver buckles, and misc. I only do shows in the summer CO resort areas so winter is inventory build time. There might be some rebuilding between shows, usually a particular belt(s). I have an Excel list of everthing I need to take to art show and to stay at cabin or condo. It covers business and personal items. I update it if necessary at the show. I start to apply to shows in December and I have a spread sheet with deadlines, acceptance, booth and jury fees, housing costs, and then columns to fill in show sales, number of sales and other analytical financial stuff. I have a series of photos of how to get everything into the Suburban; needed this summer after two summers off from COVID. I have a "set up" notebook with where stuff goes on three walls and what some of the pegboard hook spacings are. I don't do practice set ups anymore (not since first shows in early 1990's). It still takes Jean and me 8 hours of steady work to set up 10x10 tent, and dispaly around $50K of merchandise. After the show, the financal data is recorded on spred sheet and sales tax is paid if not collected by the shows. That is when I make a decision to keep a show on my list or not. If sales are not at at certain level it might get cut. I might repaint pegboard every 3-4 years.
Hi Richard, I used to do inventory before things were packed into the truck to go home after each show. I'm not an exhibiting artist, but as a former show promoter, who had to stock several info booths, we had to keep inventory too. Nothing worse than getting to the show only to realize you forgot something important! Thanks for responding. Wait! Did you say CABIN? In CO?
Yes, I do two shows at Estes Park and we rent a cabin within walking distance to the show so Jean can sleep in. Daily rental is cheaper than motels and we like to eat in. I love the hot tub and a cold Mexican beer fter a day of selling. Condo's are second choice, but hot tub is a must.
I loved Estes Park. The mountain views! I stayed in the small apartments just outside of town. They had an elk in their pool once and had all the photos of its rescue in a viewing book. Loved it.
At one Estes Pak show a cow elk had her calf in the bushes by the library practically in the art show. Cops had to keep tourists away so they could have some peace. There areet always some owlets in a nest above the lot where we park too. There is always something interesting going on there with wildlife. A bear visited another show at night.
that's crazy!! I can't imagine it.