I need mostly women to answer unless the guys have something good to say. You guys have the strength and I know you set up your shows on your own.
Any woman artist that set up there own booth at art shows? How do you do it? This year I am going to be on my own. If the shows inside no problem that is easy and I do it all the time on my own. Its the outside when you need to set up the tent. Have the EZ tent set up.
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Jewelry Designer here
Ez-up Canopy, 2 6 foot tables, 1 four ft table and one 3x3 table for sales/work area. I have two folding crates on wheels forsupplies/tools, and dolly ,chair, 3 drawer cart for sales supplies, electrical stuff, etc(my mini office) large totes for transporting the jewelry and displays. oh and my Subaru for getting everything there!
I have been doing shows since 2006, all by myself. I am 5 ft tall weigh in at about 105, and have carpal tunnel in both hands- surgery on both. No upper arm strength to speak of, and I load, unload, set up tear down, re-load, and unload again all by myself. I am 47 years old- no spring chickie here, and I DO IT!
My Ez-up is a godsend- once it's out of the car it takes 15 minutes to set up, stabilize, and tie down. And weight if needed.
If you want to know how, that's wordy discussion- just e-mail me: twistedangl@gmail.com
Karole
Donna, you are a woman after my own heart. That patented "crawl to the middle lift the EZ up center spire" method works great for EZ ups!
I too keep my mom-mobile pretty much packed all summer. If you are a solo exhibitor it helps to take the extra time at the end of each show to pack everything up carefully and store it in your vehicle the way you want to find it for the next show. Everything has a place in my van (although, in the interests of full disclosure, that's primarily because if I don't store things "just right" I'll never get it all back in there) and I know exactly where everything is.
The best shows are where there are packs of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts who, for a small fee, will help you unload and set up. I LOVE those boys!
Inspiring posts here. Donna Sauer you go girl! Hope I'm doing as well as you in a few more years. My advice if you are on your own, of course common sense. I'm always pushing things to the limit, finishing up with art and leaving at the last minute which can put me in middle of the night setups.. A no no if you are alone, esp urban shows, even if there is "security"-just something to keep in mind, had an instance a couple years ago where I was very glad my husband was present- my fault, after all we were setting up at 3am...
Yes, I agree plenty of time is key, and it is faster going solo over having to tell someone not used to the ropes how to help you. If you go with trimline, Flourish makes something called easy risers, that aid in getting the roof up, the most strenuous part of the tent setup. Keep inventory light, simple. Get a good cart, RocknRollers are very versatile, get the best one with air tires on all four wheels. If you ever decide to go with a double booth, get two 10x10's and connect them. 10x20 is impossible to set up with one person, but 10x10's seem like a snap after doing 10x20's for awhile. Hope this helps
I generally set up on my own as well although a friend will help from time to time. It was a little easier to do with my EZ-up. I now have a trimline that's a little tougher to lift, but still manage to do it.
A previous poster is right...give yourself lots of time and be methodical. In some respects, a solo artist can set up faster than a team of 2 or 3 if she knows what she is doing and does it in order.
Thank you. I have been doing shows in Spokane WA but my husband has always helped me. Then last year decided to try to do the shows in California because Spokane was not worth it. It would just barely pay for the booth. Last year my kids always helped me but I did not have a show every weekend. This year I will be having a show every weekend in April and May-August,September,October and November. Its hard being away so long from my husband but we decided to try this year again only now I know where to find shows send applications right away. I stay with my mother who loves it shes 85 I am 60. Also having a daughter in Benicia so I do shows around her area my mother is in San Jose. So it does not cost me to saty anywhere just my driving that takes 18 hours and I just love doing that by myself. So I decided I need to do my art set up by myself if the kids want to help I wont object but I am not going to ask my daughters to wake up at 5am to help set up the booth. It really makes me feel good to know that many woman set up alone. It really is a great work out. Thank you for such wonderful comments.
I'm another woman who does shows alone all the time. If my family can come and help me out, they do, but sometimes I'm on my own. I have no problem with my tent; it just takes a little longer to walk around the sides to pull it out when I'm alone - maybe five minutes. Usually there's someone offering to help me, and then we walk over and put up his/her tent afterwards. I can't even begin to count how many times I've taught people how to put their tent up at a show!
I agree with all the other comments about looking at the ease of getting to and from your space. There are some shows I won't return to because the set up and tear down are difficult. (These are those borderline shows - you know, the ones that you "might" try again - they go right off the list if getting in and out is a pain.)
In addition, I've found that shows that don't give adequate time for set up and tear down are probably not artist-friendly in other ways as well. When a street fair expects all artists to be off the street so they can open for traffic ONE HOUR after the close of the show, it's a big red flag for me. I'm fast - if I can pull right up to my tent, I can pack my wares NEATLY, load my van and be gone in 45 minutes - but we can't all do that on a street; there just isn't enough space. Additionally, some artists CAN'T pack that quickly - I've seen jewelers and glass artists take several hours to safely pack and load their products. If a promoter puts that time limit on an application, it tells me they really aren't thinking about the artists' needs and perhaps don't understand what doing a show involves from our perspective.
By the way, I've had several comments from other crafters regarding my level of fitness - I haul everything in and out of shows all the time - large clothing racks, shelving units, display pieces - and it IS a great workout. I don't saunter either; I like to MOVE! I wear a pedometer and find that I can log 3-4 m
My car stays packed the entire summer and I "reclaim" it in the fall! Luckily my studio is at home and I work part time at a store that is 2 blocks away so I only really have to drive to the shows. (keeps me from shopping since nothing else can fit in the car!).
I always comment that the one thing that keeps me going are all the wonderful artists that do the shows and now are some of my best friends. It is a lot of work and not for the timid! My car broke down at a show and had to call a friend to pick me up (and my booth!). After helping me she said "I was thinking of doing shows... not now... this is a lot of work!". Well, at least she got a taste of it before comitting to the shows. My booth was in front of a restaurant one time and a couple was sipping wine and watching me tear down. The guy mentioned that he wasn't aware so much work went into the shows (people think we magically appear). I told him to remember that next time he goes to an art fair!
I traded in my corner office for life under a tent but I wouldn't go back for anything! I'm glad that I am back in the arts. And the people are so much more fun!
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