Well we finally did it-jumped in with both feet and crashed!! Not disillusioned though although the husband is whining. Something about we're to old for this! Entered the Fairhope Grand Fall Festival this past weekend (a short 3 hours hop from home). Had beautiful weather a great time and learned much.
First, make sure you have all tent parts as someone left the tent cover home. Had to run to Dick's for new tent. Sold me what was supposed to be 10x10 but was 8x8. And had a tan cover instead of white. Okay now to get the E Z Up tent up...not so easy and hubby broke it forcing it up. So good thing we had the 8x8 base right? Couldn't get it up either so 2 nice regular fair goers came by and popped it up for me. By time we got it together it was after dark and we needed to get some rest! Went in next morning to finish with sides and thankfully they didn't throw me out cause we looked like the Clampets went to Fairhope with our tan top and blue sides. Met a lot of great people, gave out my cards and flyers and hopefully will do better at local show the end of October. Will be bringing smaller less expensive work to sell as Christmas Presents there! Oh and my son will be helping me there!
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Setting up and doing a show is like anything else...it gets easier with practice and experience. Don't get frustrated and just remember that this is part of what we do as artists.
Our first tent was a pop-up style tent and my wife and I made sure we were comfortable setting it up in the yard before we used it at a show for the first time. Like Santa says "make a list and check it twice" is always a good idea and for people like me a third time is also a good idea...
If you have a place where you can keep everything together that you take to a show it will certainly help. We have a shed next to my workshop that I keep absolutely everything that we take to the shows...so it is easier to remember...heck, my wife even keeps me in there...
I have two lists in Excel so they can be updated after shows and after season. One is for the booth, and the other is for the condos. Crazy, but we were leaving the cork screw behind at our lodging a couple times this summer. Re booths: read the directions and practice putting it up and taking it down before a show. We had neighbors at Estes Park,Co who had a brand new Easy Up (?) or one of those where you have to walk all four corners to the center. I came back from the rest room and by then they were stomping on the metal to bend it to get the tangled mess into their van.
Thanks, I sure know how your neighbors felt! Fortunately for us taking the Ez up down was much easier!! LOL!
Tina Pietsch > Diane Pilgrim HunnOctober 11, 2014 at 9:37pm
I was at a small outdoor fair in July. One lady had a pop up tent but NO stakes weights or anything....we'll you know how that went......hang in there setup will get easier and faster. My first outdoor fair hubby spent many hours holding into the tent...live and learn :). And he still does events with me!
Great story! My husband had a list on his desk that he checked off before we got in the van every time, making sure everything needed for the show was with us.
He even made a list for me that is still posted at the back door to remind me of what to have personally, things that would not interfere with the show: wallet, cash, credit cards, toiletries, underwear, knitting, books, glasses, charger, cell phone and books. All things that interrupted the flow if left behind.
Sounds like the two of you were resourceful though, getting through the weekend by trial and error. Sometimes artists will also have an extra tent in their vans. We often carried more than one. Maybe a generous neighbor will help you out next time ;)
Yep, indoor shows are a lot less complicated (oh, but be sure to have special signage, the lights, the batteries for the lighting, the clamps to hold the lights, the credit card machine that will work indoors, a rug to look classy, sides that block out views of your storage and neighbors) ...
My credit card machine is on my phone. Would that be a problem inside? We had a list. My husband is an Engineer or was before he retired . I know what happened to the tent cover. The last time we practiced putting it up, we got so frustrated he threw it somewhere in his office or garage (you know, the place where my art stuff goes to die!). He put the frame in the bag and forgot about the cover!
Ha,ha...did you fire your husband then? I could picture what you went through as I had a similar experience, myself, the first time out...it's not pretty but kudos for making the effort. Sorry you didn't have more sales but good attitude going forward...wishing you a better show and sales at your next one.
Replies
Setting up and doing a show is like anything else...it gets easier with practice and experience. Don't get frustrated and just remember that this is part of what we do as artists.
Our first tent was a pop-up style tent and my wife and I made sure we were comfortable setting it up in the yard before we used it at a show for the first time. Like Santa says "make a list and check it twice" is always a good idea and for people like me a third time is also a good idea...
If you have a place where you can keep everything together that you take to a show it will certainly help. We have a shed next to my workshop that I keep absolutely everything that we take to the shows...so it is easier to remember...heck, my wife even keeps me in there...
Great story! My husband had a list on his desk that he checked off before we got in the van every time, making sure everything needed for the show was with us.
He even made a list for me that is still posted at the back door to remind me of what to have personally, things that would not interfere with the show: wallet, cash, credit cards, toiletries, underwear, knitting, books, glasses, charger, cell phone and books. All things that interrupted the flow if left behind.
Sounds like the two of you were resourceful though, getting through the weekend by trial and error. Sometimes artists will also have an extra tent in their vans. We often carried more than one. Maybe a generous neighbor will help you out next time ;)
Yep, indoor shows are a lot less complicated (oh, but be sure to have special signage, the lights, the batteries for the lighting, the clamps to hold the lights, the credit card machine that will work indoors, a rug to look classy, sides that block out views of your storage and neighbors) ...
Ha,ha...did you fire your husband then? I could picture what you went through as I had a similar experience, myself, the first time out...it's not pretty but kudos for making the effort. Sorry you didn't have more sales but good attitude going forward...wishing you a better show and sales at your next one.