I am on a quest to find a good quality tall directors chair. I need advice, do I go with wood or aluminum. Are there manufactures I should avoid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I prefer a bar stool. Keeps me in good posture all day which works wonders for not developing back pain. My height, when perching, is only slightly less than standing - comfortable talking height. Mine is wood with a square seat and it works admirably as a table when I'm not sitting on it.
If you have an IKEA near you, check out the Franklin chairs, they hold up well, don't take up near as much room as the Director's chairs, either in the booth or in the truck. They have 2 different heights available.
Andrea, you use a bar stool? Have you told Nels about this type of seating? He might have a couple of them lying around his studio, reminders of good times gone by, but now probably forgotten ("Where did this dang bar stool come from? I guess I'll just use it for my art shows.")
The best part of using that bar stool: there is no chance you'll fall asleep on that perch! Timberrr!
Andrea Robinson > MICHAEL ALAN STIPEKMay 13, 2011 at 12:55pm
Certainly no risk of settling in :) And if I do indulge in a beverage near the end of the day, it's perfect for propping me up.
Any experience with tall chairs of the camping chair variety that collapses and stores in a tube sack? I've heard they're out there but I haven't seen them. I realize this wouldn't be great for a 4-day lounge at a show but all I use it for is to take the weight off my feet when things slow down. My main concern is packing it in my Safari Van. I've used wood and aluminum directors chairs and absolutely loathe finding space for them in the van. I often pack two displays and two bodies of work (mine and Cindy's) in my van so space is precious. Anything that rolls into a small package would be great, then maybe I could hold it between my legs in the van.
Do not hold anything between your legs while driving! You get in an accident, and this thing will jam right up your midsection!
That being said, I've tried the collapsible camping chairs and they all have one serious flaw: they have a curved canvas "diaper" seat that is the worst thing you can do to the small of your back. The single piece of canvas curves in the opposite direction that your back should be facing while sitting. And you don't need that kind of stress, especially when you have to lift a lot of heavy boxes on a spine that's been bent in the wrong direction for maybe hours at a time. Ask a chiropractor for a sensible chair (I have and they think the cheap lawn chairs are about as good as anything out there).
Any chair should keep your back straight, slightly curving backward, like the lumbar support you get in the seat of a good car or van.
Although I admit that I haven't near the art show experince of many here, I have chosen to use the tall directors chair. I bought one made by EZ-U,P and so far I love it. It permits me to converse with my customers while sitting, and remain at or near eye-level. Also, when you sit and stand as much as we (at least I) do at a show, it is much easier on the knees to take a short hop up rather than a long climb. IMHO! I got mine on Amazon, it was very affordable, and the shipping was free.
We bought Telescope directors chairs probably 10yrs ago. We are still using them! They aren't cheap but they are tough. Ours have taken a beating over the years. (Had pier 1 chairs that fell apart with us in them ;( ) They are available from a lot of sources but heres a link to the company that makes them.
Phil, phil, phil! So, I'm forbidden from having lawn chairs, since I do art shows with one of them? What if I have a cookout in my booth; can I then use a lawn chair? Will the street jurors start knocking down our scores if we have improper chairs? Will there be public burnings of forbidden lawn chairs?
My lawn chair is hidden behind my bin table, so no one really sees it until they come into my "office" area wanting to pay for something.
But probably the best use of the chair is when I see an aged person struggling with all of the walking involved at art shows (why don't these shows have benches scattered around for people to take a break?). I'll go up to them and ask them if they would like to use my chair. The look of gratitude on their face is priceless. If I had a tall directors' chair, few of these folks could lift their heinies that high up. And there's the risk they might fall out of the tall chair.
Come by an art show we're both at, Phil, and I'll cook you a burger in my booth! And, while you're at it, would you like a nice, comfortable lawn chair to sit in?
Replies
If you have an IKEA near you, check out the Franklin chairs, they hold up well, don't take up near as much room as the Director's chairs, either in the booth or in the truck. They have 2 different heights available.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80059303
Andrea, you use a bar stool? Have you told Nels about this type of seating? He might have a couple of them lying around his studio, reminders of good times gone by, but now probably forgotten ("Where did this dang bar stool come from? I guess I'll just use it for my art shows.")
The best part of using that bar stool: there is no chance you'll fall asleep on that perch! Timberrr!
Do not hold anything between your legs while driving! You get in an accident, and this thing will jam right up your midsection!
That being said, I've tried the collapsible camping chairs and they all have one serious flaw: they have a curved canvas "diaper" seat that is the worst thing you can do to the small of your back. The single piece of canvas curves in the opposite direction that your back should be facing while sitting. And you don't need that kind of stress, especially when you have to lift a lot of heavy boxes on a spine that's been bent in the wrong direction for maybe hours at a time. Ask a chiropractor for a sensible chair (I have and they think the cheap lawn chairs are about as good as anything out there).
Any chair should keep your back straight, slightly curving backward, like the lumbar support you get in the seat of a good car or van.
I like these, but I try to stand the whole time.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40059300
We bought Telescope directors chairs probably 10yrs ago. We are still using them! They aren't cheap but they are tough. Ours have taken a beating over the years. (Had pier 1 chairs that fell apart with us in them ;( ) They are available from a lot of sources but heres a link to the company that makes them.
http://www.telescopecasual.com/collection_sub.php?cat_id=34
Phil, phil, phil! So, I'm forbidden from having lawn chairs, since I do art shows with one of them? What if I have a cookout in my booth; can I then use a lawn chair? Will the street jurors start knocking down our scores if we have improper chairs? Will there be public burnings of forbidden lawn chairs?
My lawn chair is hidden behind my bin table, so no one really sees it until they come into my "office" area wanting to pay for something.
But probably the best use of the chair is when I see an aged person struggling with all of the walking involved at art shows (why don't these shows have benches scattered around for people to take a break?). I'll go up to them and ask them if they would like to use my chair. The look of gratitude on their face is priceless. If I had a tall directors' chair, few of these folks could lift their heinies that high up. And there's the risk they might fall out of the tall chair.
Come by an art show we're both at, Phil, and I'll cook you a burger in my booth! And, while you're at it, would you like a nice, comfortable lawn chair to sit in?
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