So there is a large group of artists who break down really fast and get the heck out of a show. I am part of this group. I usually post my out time after a show to let people know about the logistics. Off the written record the group of fast break down artists compete with each other:). Just another fun thing we do. Honestly it gets stressful and takes strategical planning. It is awesome to get the heck out and get on the road and/or get back to home or hotel for a cocktail.
This past weekend we tried something new. It was HOT. Saturday hit over 100 on the street. Sunday was not as bad but was forecasted to be bad. We planned on a really slow breakdown. I enjoyed the best break down ever. Didn't get overheated, never fought with my partner and hopefully didn't freak my booth neighbors with swear words.
Our booth neighbors had their amazing son at the show. During the show this awesome kid rigged up a "roller coaster" out of dollies and ratchets. Gave him stuff to make signs, 25 cents for 3 rides BUT if you were an artists you got 4 rides. Once the show closed it was free for artists. We had so much fun riding the "roller coaster" and visiting with the other slow poke artists breaking down. Artists camaraderie is the best. I think I have been missing out high tailing it out of shows. I may be a convert of the slow break down. I think we Maybe got out 45 minutes later than if we would have gone fast and furious.
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Like Cindy demonstrates, organization can save time and energy. We too use a Suburban but it is a 1988 with a plywood cargo barrier behind the front bench seat (which I reupholstered). Packing it is an exact science. Even after 20 plus years of doing shows there is always something new to learn. After the Jackson, WY show I reorganized the boxes of plain and carved belts (about 600) in their bins so what's on top is the first to go up on the wall, and each layer is what is next. Labels indicate the order so it can be maintained during take down.
I have been following this and thought I had chimed in, but just realized I hadn't. I have enjoyed reading the tear down process of so many here, pet peeves, and improvements in making the process easier.
Our break down usually takes 1.5 hours. It's a little less time than the set up, which runs about 2-2 1/4 hours. My craft pieces are small and heavy. I sell my coasters at shows in sets of 4. Each set weighs about 2+ lbs. My boxes that I use for transport/storage hold 4 sets each. Each of those boxes weighs about 9 lbs. when full. Moving them is like moving bricks. Seriously.
We have developed a system for packing, loading and storing like most of y'all have. Each box of coasters is labeled in a certain way and if a box is not full of one style, then I have a certain styles I want packed together .... hope that makes sense.
Dh is a master packer. He has developed how he wants our vehicle loaded to make it easier for set up and then unloading at home. I admire how much he can get in a vehicle! We set up 5 four foot tables, table cloths, a pipe and drape system, tent, a 10x10 Astroturf rug, about 175 sets of coasters, a box or 2 of trivets, a all the other stuff that goes along with having a booth. All our stock and supplies fit into his 2009 Ford F-150 till we traded it in this year. It had a locking camper shell on it which provided protection and security while traveling for shows.
Now we have a 2011 Suburban. We take out the 3rd row and can fold down part or all of the 2nd row if needed. How much we fold down of the 2nd row depends on what extra stuff we take and if all 3 of us are going in one vehicle to a show.
We have been to a many as 12 shows in a year, split between spring and fall. Six shows in about 7-8 weeks keeps you busy and exhausted by the end. That tiredness is what may drive some to want to tear down early ... the desire to get home and sleep in your own bed. I will admit there have been times we have started to tear down early. We try to do "behind the scenes" things like moving stuff to the vehicle that is not part of the selling process such as our snack container, ice chest, etc. We have taken down our sides early in the day, especially if we need to do so ventilation in the tent. If we use our pipe and drape system, it'll stay up but for ventilation purposes we may tie back the drapes.
I am glad to be part of this group and have learned a lot being here!
Karma. Love it.
Woo hoo, Bari! The fat woman hadn't sung yet!! Good story. I hope it will be imprinted on "someone's" consciousness ;)
We just did a show this past weekend and I waited until the very end, not letting her take down artwork or moving out anything that may signal us packing.
On Sunday, at exactly 5PM, two visitors walked into my booth and one purchased one of my more pricy prints! Validation at last!
I think that made the best impression ever that waiting around until the end can be rewarding and we still broke down and were able to leave in and hour and a half.
That last sale put me over the top of my best ever weekend! My wife can't argue with that...
Okay - here is my MAJOR pet peeve which may give some of you pause.
1. So, you think it's a big game to see who gets out first. Good for you. I am not impressed.
2. Stop believing you have a right to park your vehicle anywhere you can SQUEEZE it in. If there is no viable space on all 4 sides of your vehicle(s) for you to load fixtures, stock etc. then WAIT. There is currently NO space for you. Period the end. If this isn't clear, read on.
Last show, I had a jerk who was of that same ilk - parked his vehicle 1" from my side mirror. My van WAS in mint condition. I take great care of my vehicles. He figured since he "could" get his truck into what was "my" safe space between my vehicle and a fence - he shoved himself in. Mind you, there was plenty of space elsewhere - even closer. My fixtures are 6' long, I NEED THE SPACE. I parked over 200' away, what I thought was a safe distance away from the craziness, and enough space to be able to get into the side of my van so I could load up as I had stock ready. I walked up and gave him the "eat shit and die" look since he could barely get his door open on the other side to get out. I just stood there in the way. Not saying a word. Thinking to myself you JERK....You are so hell bent to get out of here you will cause damage to someone else's vehicle thinking they won't catch you? I was NOT in the melay, he purposefully deliberately parked there thinking he wouldn't get caught. He took one look at me, got back in and pulled ahead. I stood right there when he got out and took pictures of him, his license plate, and waited to see what booth he went to, and turned all the information in to the show organizer. No one has to put up with that - just because someone else is in such a hurry. It's called respecting others property, and any jerk that won't, I turn in. I made it extremely uncomfortable for him as I continued to stand there to make sure he didn't touch my vehicle.
Fixtures and stock cause damage when being swung around into vehicles, LEAVE space.I was 200 feet from the loading dock. I already had damage from another jerk thinking they could rest their fixtures against the rear bumper on my vehicle. They make Go Pro's for a reason, just saying. And it's real easy to match anyone up to a booth. Someone will always recognize you or the fixtures or the person manning the booth. Always.
IMO an organized take down is preparation for an organized set up at the next show, especially if you have a lot of inventory.
Love reading all of the comments, but most of all thanks Margaret for mentioning "Frame Destination"! I have been making my own bubble wrap pouches. Time consuming (and mine come apart after about 4 uses). The costs of the pre-made pouches is not too bad! I have been toting around original boxes ect...I just ordered some for my 24x36 and 16x20 pieces. I love this group, I always find great tips. I am going on my 4th year of shows (very small ones as I have another full time job). These blogs were my "bible" when I first started. Such great advice and "tips". Thank you all for contributing....
An obversation I have had at many shows is the amount of work many artists have put into having an impressive looking tent and display and on the opposite end of the spectrum I see artists that have a bare bones display that is no more than a tent with the walls showing that are full of creases and wrinkles and a most basic table or display for their work. It often appears that their entire setup revolves around getting loaded out at the shows end.
I want people to walk into my booth because its appearance drew them in and then hopefully be impressed with my art boxes and other work. It is more work to put up my displays and gradient banner walls but to me it is worth it because I feel good about my display.
For years my husband, who is my "roadie" and who I appreciate and love greatly, would try to help pack up as fast as he could. Result many times was that it created more work for me on the other side when I got home. Items were not put back in the right order to make it easy the next time I did a show. I don't do too many shows so it was imperative to put items away in order so I could find things easily. My approach was take it slow and make sure everything was neatly packed away. The first beginning shows we were usually out of there in 30 minutes. Still don't know how we did that! Now my set up is more complicated and it takes anywhere from 2.5 - 3 hours to break down, on occasion it has been 4 hours. We are always in the last 25% and many times we are there with the event clean-up crew being swept away! Happy to say that my husband has come around to my way of thinking. Breaking down for me is a way of beginning the processing of "decompressing" after a show. Besides I like to say good bye to friends that I will not see in a while.
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