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  Anne-Marie Hyatt May 11, 2016 at 5:42pm

  We totally rearranged our van and managed to take our two small kiddos with us to Laumeier. Car seats threw a major wrench in the works! The artists around us and volunteers were amazed lol! Tetris masters! We have detailed lists to make sure we have everything. Make sure set up and tear down are the same each time. I do drawings if we change anything. Set up is typically 2.5 to 3. Tear down and load Out is 1 hour. We both worked in road houses as techies for years and that really helped us understand a quick set up and how to pack efficiently.
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  Melanie Rolfes May 6, 2016 at 4:59pm

  Well if it makes you feel better it took us 3.5 hours to set up today. One of those day, booth location adding something new to the booth and not having the truck packed perfectly because of last show load out. One of the reasons I post my load In and load out time in my reviews is to give a feel of the show.
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  Greg Little May 6, 2016 at 11:15am

  Our set up usually takes 1.5 hours when we are able to unload the van at the booth. I don't like to feel rushed when i set up or when I take down. Usually take down is more like a congested rat race since everyone is doing it at the same time. Take down usually takes us an extra 15 minutes or so because I want to carefully pack up all my art boxes. Unpacking is always a bit faster.

  Since most all of our shows are out of town and we are not driving home right after tear down I find it is not necessary to bust my balls to get out super fast since we usually just go out to eat afterwards and then go back to the hotel.
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  Cindy Welch May 5, 2016 at 9:22am

  Bari we have found that hand trucks or dollies don't work well for us either.  We have a wagon from Lowe's that we use for lots of stuff.  We can bring the coasters into the booth in 2 loads.

  For a lot of the items we need to stage our booth we use duffle bags.  They hold a lot and keep the weight in them manageable.  Dh usually keeps a small bag with things like bungy cords, zip ties, and so on for all those little nagging things that need to be tied down or held back.
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  Bari Tarmon May 5, 2016 at 3:16am

  Interesting deatils as always about how other artists are dealing with the show set up and break down process. I have only been doing shows for 4 years and have adjusted my set up/breakdown each year as I have changed my mode of transport. First year my art work wasn't framed and I somehow managed to stuff everything into my Honda Civic. Second year I rented a mini van from one of the main rental companies but that was way too costly. Third year I switched to renting a cargo van which is less expensive then the set price but kills me on the mileage they charge. This year I will rent from them for the shows close by and from the set price company for the farther show. As for loading: it takes me about an hour and a half to load the van on my own. Set up varies depending on if I can drive right up to the booth site or have to transport everything piecemeal from the parked van. I would say it takes me between 3 and 4 hours to set up the tent and artwork if I'm on my own (which has typically been the case) and about an hour and a half to two to break down and pack, with my wife's help. The biggest time hog as mentioned by some, is hanging up my art work. Even if I try to follow my desired pattern layout that I had taken photos of, the process of hanging the artwork takes too much time and I have not been able to figure out a better solution. (It doesn't help when my wife, who otherwise means well, pressures me to alter the layouts and group the artwork differently than the way I prefer to...). It would take me less time if I had my own vehicle but I cannot afford one at this stage and would also need to find a storage for it.
  
  One of the things that help me make sure I don't forget anything is a list I made on my phone in "notes" of all the items needed for the show which has checkoff circles in front of each item. Thus I can cross each item off as I put it in the van and not leave anything behind.
  
  I have found that traditional hand trucks (dollies) are worthless as items always tend to fall off them. Instead, we use two foldable metal and canvas 4 wheel carts we got at WallMart. They are sturdy and can handle heavy items on various surfaces.
  
  Having been a soundman/roadie years ago, I learned that packing efficiently and making sure everything fits in tightly, in the same order each time, ensures that it arrives safely to the show and back. I always have plenty of old towels and canvas drop cloths as well as foam packing pieces so nothing slides around during the drive.
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  Melanie Rolfes May 3, 2016 at 5:19pm

  Just sent a friend request so I can add ya
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  Scott Burns May 3, 2016 at 5:12pm

  Yes, Melanie, I'd like to learn more (video) and be added to the group. Facebook name is Scott Burns (in Urbana, IL).
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  Melanie Rolfes May 3, 2016 at 5:05pm

  I just saw this great rideable electric dolly. I can't post the video of pics from. Y iPad but I can email or Facebook it to anyone. An artist mad his out of an electric wheel chair. He got one for $300 used. He added bed frame to make the platform. Also a place for him to stand in the back. This thing went fast. It was really cool. He decided to not make them because with all the work involved and the liability he would need $3k to make it worth his while. There is a thread on art fair reviews on Facebook. I can add any artist to the group if interested.
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  Reid Watts May 3, 2016 at 5:00pm

  http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_material-handling+p...
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  Scott Burns May 3, 2016 at 3:06pm

  Do you have links to the Northern carts? I'm curious.