[Marci MN]

Any tips or advise on setting up your table to display your carvings at sales?

Do you use shelving or blocks under cloth to have different levels of veiwing?

How about showing off walking sticks? What do you use to hold them up?

And on tagging, do you do anything special on price tags or discription tags?

Is it ok to be sitting there carving behind your table? Or is it dangerous to have your knives amongst alot of people?

What do you do if your at an outside show?

This is all new to me..but I need to start planning a set up for sales this summer.

If you have pictures of your table set ups.. I'd love to see them and learn from them.

Thanks. Marci.

[rick-in-seattle]

Marci,
If your carvings can be displayed on a staircase type display, then a couple risers under the table cover works well.

For walking sticks, a rack similar to a pool cue holder would work well.

Tags should clearly state the price, and in some way be associated with the carving. Tags sometimes get switched or misplaced; if an item doesn't have the price tag on it, it is not for sale, unless you know the price off the top of your head.

It is normally okay to carve behind the table, but don't expect to get much done.

Outdoors events really vary depending on the weather.
If it is hot or wet, then a canopy is required; wind presents another problem.

I was at one outdoor show where a pyrographer had very large burnings displayed leaning against his table and canopy. A stong gust of wind came up and blew all of them over face-down onto the crushed gravel. Three seconds to ruin a full years work.

I suggest you attend a show or two; they do not need to be carving shows to see display techniques.

[Donna_T]

Just to add to Rick's comments--and I agree with all of them:
When doing an outdoor show, be sure to check ahead of time to see what the show requires--some make you use a tent of some kind--some provide tables--some don't.

When I carve at any kind of show, I like to use a folding director's canvas chair to sit in. That puts me up higher than a lawn chair or regular folding chair--and means that I don't have to keep looking way up at people--we're nearly on eye level of each other--and whatever I'm carving on is much more visable.

And if you use shelves or blocks under the table cover to give rise to your carvings, use sturdy ones--not cardboard boxes (unless they're full and solid) otherwise, your carvings will tumble easily.

I like to use inexpensive plastic or metal easels to hold relief carvings (you can usually find them at hobby stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc.)

I also display the smaller things at the front of the table and graduate them to tallest at the back of the table. Many carvers put their business cards in some kind of holder on the table to help "drum up" future business. And some will even add some decorations--dried or silk leaves or flowers scattered amoung the carvings...that works for inside shows, but not outside.

I like to demo carving while doing shows--that helps fill time, attract attention, and you sometimes get a little bit completed.

And, one last comment, take your camera with you to shows and take photos of displays you really like--that will help you refine your display. Some shows give awards to "best booth" and be sure to view them and learn from what they did.

Donna T

[squbrigg]

Good for you Marci. One suggestion I can offer is not to put everything out on display, especially if you have several of one type of carving. A crowded table will make the carvings look easy, like you turn them out quickly, where if you highlight a few of the better ones, they will gain more attention and value.

Bob

[Hugh]

Bob is right, I've had the same experience. We had 6 oak repro bow front china cabinets in our used furniture shop a few yrs ago. They wouldn't sell. A lady told me to put 5 away and just leave one out at a time. They sold like hot cakes. At a craft show, I display my feather pins one of each kind, and when one sells I replace it. Price tags are a must!! people do not like to ask prices. I like to speak to people as they pass by, try and catch their eye, be friendly if you want to sell. And I definitely would not leave a knife lying around. I like Donna's idea of the directors chair.

[brian bailey]

Another consideration, before you start snapping pictures of other's displays.

Get permission first before you start clicking away.

[Hugh]

Just curious, why would someone mind a photo??

[Kenny_S]

Hugh, I think they don't mind getting their picture taken but it is nice to ask if you can.

[squbrigg]

They might be afraid you are stealing their ideas. Personally, I love it when folks take a picture of my display, if they can copy one of my ships any better than I can, they are welcome to it.

Bob

[whitecree]

^^^ What Bob said. Mind you, I doubt like anything somebody could casually copy what Bob does, and if they are at that skill level, they can no doubt find their own reference photos.

The work I currently do is largely placks and other wall hangings, sort of 2d brought partially into a 3d world. I'm very leery of having my ideas stolen, as has happened in the past.

And this is kind of weird. Chances are, if you ask to trace an outline of one of my pieces, I may well give you permission.

So by all means, ask before taking pictures.