thoughts on set up, baskets and a gang of dogs standing on the lawn

Now anyone who has followed my blog knows that I don't really like setting up for a craft show. Sure I look forward to the show itself with nervous anticipation--will the customers come, will they like my new work, what will I learn from my neighbors. But set up itself can be a nerve-wracking experience no matter how well run the show is and how much help the promoters offer.

Such was the case this morning setting up for the Berkshire Craft Show. Now this is an absolute gem of a show that I have done periodically throughout the course of my career.  It is set in a wonderful public high school in Great Barrington, MA and sponsored by the teachers at the school to raise funds for different school functions--they actually included a list of all of their accomplishments in the info they gave us during check-in but I confess I have not yet read it thoroughly. Trust me though--the funds go to worthwhile causes.

The students at the school volunteer to help unload your van--they have to do a community project before graduation and this counts. What could be easier?

Of course the "problem" is that instead of standard 10 x 10 foot booths--all booths are nominally 10 x 6 feet. Now you can't really object to this--after all the school is not that big and if they did not have smaller booths they couldn't attract the diversity of fine crafts that they offer. But this is always the dilemma of this show--how to convert one's booth to the right size. Habits can be hard to break. And I haven't done the show for several years so I forgot how I resolved it in the past.

This time I just made the booth 10 x 5--that worked. But then what will fit into my booth? I don't want it to look too crowded. I decided I still wanted a large quilt hanging in the back--the promoters did give me a booth with a wonderful view down the aisle. Just look at the location--sweet huh? You can see it down the entire aisle.

Then I do want to get reaction to my newest piece--so that hangs on one of the side walls. What do you think? Nice combination.

Lots of my other quilts are folded up. You can see them there--hopefully I will have lots of customers who want particular colors and sizes. I can easily pull them out and make the booth look "busy". That is always good isn't it? I brought pillows--they get tucked underneath--not bad. Tomorrow I will put out the eyeglass cases. Not too many potholders--they take up space that I don't really have. Hopefully I will have to rearrange the booth several times during the show.

Meanwhile I am delighted with the quality of work at the show this year. It is always nice doing a show with other artists whose work I admire.  As luck would have it, my booth is next to Joanne Russo. Now for those who don't know her work--she makes wonderful very elegant looking baskets with great attention to detail. Just look at the sophistication of this woven wall hanging. Lovely, isn't it?

Look at all of the textures and materials she incorporates. I also love this tall elegant basket.  Consider the lines and rhythms that are formed in its design.

When I examine it closer I see that some of the shapes are actually hooks and eyes that she carefully incorporates into the design. How clever is that? If there are slow moments in the show, I know I will be studying her work more closely. There are lots more fun elements in it.  For more info check out her web site HERE.

Then finally as I leave the fair, I glance at the lawn in front of the school. Now I had read that they were going to have some of Dale Rogers steel dogs on the lawn but I hadn't expected this. A whole pack of dogs standing there in seemingly natural configurations.

Yes, those really are dog bone shapes cut out of them. Even though I am a cat person, I can't help but smile at this grouping!!! It must be a good sign.

Already  I am excited about the show. It runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10-5 in Great Barrington, MA. There is so much wonderful work here. I haven't seen the entire show yet--but I can't wait to walk the aisles.

And you, do you have mixed feelings during set-up? Do you check the show to see who your neighbors are? Do you anticipate the excitement of shows? And did the dogs bring a smile to your face?

road trip--time for a house visit

OK--it is time for a house visit. Now I have a couple of friends who are very good at visiting client's homes--they take several pieces of work, show how great it looks in the setting and walk away with the order. Oh I wish I could do it but I am a shy person and find visiting someone's home is such a presumptive thing to do. Maybe because the first time I did it I drove three hours each way and spent an hour looking at the site only to discover that the woman who arranged the visit did not have an authority to buy. Ouch.

However, every once and a while, such a visit is in order. This time it was for a customer that I have dealt with before. I knew she had a new house which I was eager to see. She also has very good taste in quilts--if I do say so myself. Great taste in art in general--I know many of the people she collects.  And she is a very nice person.

Now I wasn't sure if there was anything special that she wanted to see. I packed a few quilts and put them in the back of my van. I put fresh batteries in my camera, grabbed my order book and my computer if she wanted to see images. Before leaving I called just to confirm--after all I did not want to drive down to her house unless she was going to be there.

Luckily for me, it was a lovely day. Foggy at first. With the last of the autumn colors. Then as I got closer, the sun came out. Of course I had planned it with a few minutes to spare. I did not want to make her wait. Found the road then headed into town.

What fun I had. Normally I don't get to spend time in Lenox--it is just far enough from my studio--a few backroads, a mountain range and no time.  So that is where I headed. Wow--outdoor sculpture throughout the town. Lined up along the sidewalk. What fun. I parked the van and started walking.

Don't you love this abstract grouping?

 

Here is a close-up. What detail. He reminds me of one of my DH's uncles.

Another sculpture I loved was this one--very simple and concise. Though perhaps a bit expected.

And this woman. What interesting movement here.

Yes, someone--not me-- had put some cornflakes in her hand. OK--that is sort of cool. I wonder if the birds ate from it. Though I did wish it was bird seed.

So much to see. A little town common with a perfect New England tree. Lots more sculptures throughout town--even a juried art show. I could have spent several hours. But I had "promises to keep and miles to go...."

Yes, I clearly must do more house visits. Do you? Any hints about doing them?  Have you been to Lenox recently?