Am in the process of purchasing a new tent and have it narrowed down between a Trimline and a Showoff. Trimline is heavier (sturdier?) but more pieces...Showoff is aluminum (lighter) and has less pieces. Any feedback is much appreciated!
Lynda... that's not a bad idea. Connie, I use to have a program that I used at work that every time you logged on, it gave you a "Did you know..." tip about how to use its functionality. Maybe there's a spot on the home page for a "Did you know..." tip of the day/week. Newbies or thickheads (myself included there!) could check out the box for tricks, tips, etc. and old-timers could just ignore it. FAQs work well but this would be a good "memory jogger" of things the site does. If you didn't want to do it each week, you could have one of your superstars who use the site so regularly give their favorite tip when using AFI, etc. Again, just a thought!
Connie, what if you posted tips for ease of use on the home page on the site once a week or so. I always check the home page for overall announcements. I am still hopelessly unable to find older topics, navigate around easily and understand the difference between the blogs and forums. I'm sure the folks that have been using this site for a long time have it all dialed in. I've been here since January and am still embarrassed to admit, I have not figured it all out yet.
Amy, I stand corrected on my remarks about shows requiring white tent. My apologies.
Now, this second issue -- how do we get people to use the "tag" function??? Linda Shields is putting together some FAQ's for newbies to the site. I hope they address this issue! It would be so helpful to everyone if we all tagged our submissions.
PS - Connie and Larry... I am QUEEN of scouring the past entries with the search function. The only problem is that we're not always that great about using the "tags" properly to make searching easier. I'm just as much to blame as the next... Will have to get better!
Kathleen... contact the folks that put on the show and ask them for names and numbers of someone who could assist. Some shows offer volunteers at both set-up and tear-down, and all you need to do is let them know in advance you need help (so they know how many folks to have on hand...). One show I'm doing is offering us names/numbers or will set us up for a nominal fee that we'll pay to the helper. So, they make sure we're getting quality help and I have no problem paying someone $25-$50 to help me schlep and put up/put away. They'll be worth their weight in gold on Sunday when I am dog tired!! :o) So, when in doubt, just contact who's putting it on and see if they can help broker some help for you... Good luck!
I am SOLD on the Trimline line. I have a bad back and I don't always have my husband around to do the heavy lifting, but my experience is that there are always sturdy, young men around who will happily help for a modest payment. My first outdoor show is coming right up and I am pretty anxious about this tent business so I am going with the sturdier, reliable type.
I am so glad I asked about the colored tents because I never even though about the effect of the light on my work! How foolish of me. I was only thinking of how to stand out from the crowd from the perspective of a customer wading through a sea of white tents. Now I see the light!
Actually, Connie, many shows do dictate now that it be a "white tent" (gives their shows a uniform and "neat and tidy" look to them, so to speak)... So, might as well start out on the right foot and get a tent that you can use at all sorts of shows! However, Kathleen, Connie is spot on in that a white tent provides more light inside and it doesn't cast off a weird colored hue to your work. It provides a neutral background so it is the work that is seen, not the tent! Plus, an added bonus is that white reflects heat instead of absorbing it, so it's a cooler option than a dark blue or green one would be...
As to weight, a Trimline or Light Dome are MUCH heavier than your EZ-Up, etc. but that also means it's much more sturdy! At some shows last year where the winds were shaking the shoes of the EZ-Up owners, we barely felt a nudge in my Light Dome. It means carrying the parts in manageable amounts and taking the time to put it all together, but as someone who does shows by herself, it can be done solo! I'd rather be calm and confident in my tent if the weather starts heading south then having to hold down my tent and my displays at the same time...
Kathleen, I don't think there is any unwritten rule about white canopies. I really don't even know how the shows would know if you had a white one or not, and I'm sure the committees don't go through the shows and tell you to get rid of your blue or green canopy. What it is is that the white reflects light on your work better, most artists have found out, and especially on an overcast day it is to your advantage to have the light colored canopy.
Thanks for the suggestion she try the "search" function here, Larry. Wish more folks would do that.
Comments
Amy, I stand corrected on my remarks about shows requiring white tent. My apologies.
Now, this second issue -- how do we get people to use the "tag" function??? Linda Shields is putting together some FAQ's for newbies to the site. I hope they address this issue! It would be so helpful to everyone if we all tagged our submissions.
Kathleen... contact the folks that put on the show and ask them for names and numbers of someone who could assist. Some shows offer volunteers at both set-up and tear-down, and all you need to do is let them know in advance you need help (so they know how many folks to have on hand...). One show I'm doing is offering us names/numbers or will set us up for a nominal fee that we'll pay to the helper. So, they make sure we're getting quality help and I have no problem paying someone $25-$50 to help me schlep and put up/put away. They'll be worth their weight in gold on Sunday when I am dog tired!! :o) So, when in doubt, just contact who's putting it on and see if they can help broker some help for you... Good luck!
I am SOLD on the Trimline line. I have a bad back and I don't always have my husband around to do the heavy lifting, but my experience is that there are always sturdy, young men around who will happily help for a modest payment. My first outdoor show is coming right up and I am pretty anxious about this tent business so I am going with the sturdier, reliable type.
I am so glad I asked about the colored tents because I never even though about the effect of the light on my work! How foolish of me. I was only thinking of how to stand out from the crowd from the perspective of a customer wading through a sea of white tents. Now I see the light!
Actually, Connie, many shows do dictate now that it be a "white tent" (gives their shows a uniform and "neat and tidy" look to them, so to speak)... So, might as well start out on the right foot and get a tent that you can use at all sorts of shows! However, Kathleen, Connie is spot on in that a white tent provides more light inside and it doesn't cast off a weird colored hue to your work. It provides a neutral background so it is the work that is seen, not the tent! Plus, an added bonus is that white reflects heat instead of absorbing it, so it's a cooler option than a dark blue or green one would be...
As to weight, a Trimline or Light Dome are MUCH heavier than your EZ-Up, etc. but that also means it's much more sturdy! At some shows last year where the winds were shaking the shoes of the EZ-Up owners, we barely felt a nudge in my Light Dome. It means carrying the parts in manageable amounts and taking the time to put it all together, but as someone who does shows by herself, it can be done solo! I'd rather be calm and confident in my tent if the weather starts heading south then having to hold down my tent and my displays at the same time...
Kathleen, I don't think there is any unwritten rule about white canopies. I really don't even know how the shows would know if you had a white one or not, and I'm sure the committees don't go through the shows and tell you to get rid of your blue or green canopy. What it is is that the white reflects light on your work better, most artists have found out, and especially on an overcast day it is to your advantage to have the light colored canopy.
Thanks for the suggestion she try the "search" function here, Larry. Wish more folks would do that.
Larry Berman
412-401-8100
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