Connie suggested I resend my e-mail that went to her to everyone in the art community. I am the mother of a beautiful almost 25 year old daughter Devora who was born missing parts of her brain and is abled in her own way. In Illinois when you age out of school at 22 yrs old, unless you are institutionalized or live in a nursing home you receive no home and community based support so Devora lives at home with us, her family (where she belongs) and is home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no planned activities other that what I do. In turn, a year ago I started adapting mittens for her with tactile objects sewn on to them which are placed on Devora's hand, dipped in paint and she places it over frames. Devora was recently showcased at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago Beckman's One of a Kind Gift Show and if you google Frames by Devora you will see she has been written up in a few trade show magazines. Devora has her own webpages www.framesbydevora.com and her original webpage www.devorasdream.org which helps tell her story and mission statement. Devora has been at numerous art fairs and boutiques and will be this week-end in Amdur Productions Port Clinton Highland Park Il fair childrens section. (If anyone is up our way, please stop by and introduce yourself-Devora will be at space 20-21) By now everyone is probably wondering what is it that I wrote for. If you visit Devora's webpages you will see what we are trying to get is that everyone realize that each individual has a unique ability to do something in their lives and has value since Illinois does not recognize one's ability in those abled in their own way like my wonderful daughter. Last year I purchased a reagular ez up tent from Sports Authority and now find since Devora is doing fairs on a very regular basis that we need something else that will protect from the wind (and not let her frames get knocked over) and be able to remain closed at night so we do not have to keep taking her frames with us. Also, if anyone has suggestions as to how we can display her frames for both indoor and outdoor shows it would be greatly appreciated. Currently Devora is just using covered tables but after being at the Merchandise Mart they had her frames hanging which gave them a different appeal as well as in a 9 cube cabinet. We have no funding for this undertaking so if anyone has items then would like to sell or loan Devora it would be greatly appreciated. I can send you additional pictures other than what you will find on her web page to show what we are currently doing if you would kindly help give some imput to make her frames more presentable. I know this is a very unusual request but getting people everywhere involved in thinking "outside the box" and seeing what Devora can do can be an impetus for others to want to seek out their dreams too. Thank you in advance and looking forward to hearing from anyone out there. Sheila
Hi, Sheila. How wonderful that there is something she is able to do to make her feel more confident about herself and the publicity is great thing too.
I am not in your area, but most parts of the country have a freecycle group online. If you do a search, you should find it. There is always a chance that someone may have a few extra panels to donate. Then craigslist is a good one as well for the sale of used items usually at a good price. If those fail- try to find a store fixtures place that sells used items. This would be in your phone book or online.
Having items displayed proudly affects peoples attitudes about purchasing them. You can display more at eye level with panels of some sort where you can hang the frames. I personally use gridwall because it is cheaper than some of the other options. Others do not like it due to being heavy, but I like that it keeps my tent from moving in the wind. A light weight cheap option is also plastic latice that you can purchase at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. That gives your display a more country feel, but that could be appropriate for your daughters work. There are so many choices. :-)
Make sure that you have sidewalls for whatever tents you have and that it is weighted down very well.
Replies
I am not in your area, but most parts of the country have a freecycle group online. If you do a search, you should find it. There is always a chance that someone may have a few extra panels to donate. Then craigslist is a good one as well for the sale of used items usually at a good price. If those fail- try to find a store fixtures place that sells used items. This would be in your phone book or online.
Having items displayed proudly affects peoples attitudes about purchasing them. You can display more at eye level with panels of some sort where you can hang the frames. I personally use gridwall because it is cheaper than some of the other options. Others do not like it due to being heavy, but I like that it keeps my tent from moving in the wind. A light weight cheap option is also plastic latice that you can purchase at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. That gives your display a more country feel, but that could be appropriate for your daughters work. There are so many choices. :-)
Make sure that you have sidewalls for whatever tents you have and that it is weighted down very well.
Good luck!
Amy