Compulsive organization and preparing for a show...

Organizing is my super power.

Some may say I am a bit compulsive about getting things organized, keeping things organized.... but its just me. Virgo, former teacher me. As many of you know I do maybe a dozen shows a year. Indoors, outdoors, hot and cold, dry and wet... There are a few fantasy/faerie themed shows I do, and love... one of them was last weekend in Baltimore, MD: FaerieCon. In prepping for this show I do get a little compulsive in my planning and organizing...

My FaerieCon display from 2014. Post is here! 

Crowded, isn't it? For the three day show I have a space that measures 6' x 3', and it is a very, very expensive square footage. How to make the most of that and showcase tiles AND jewelry? How to make a visually appealing display that doesn't overwhelm the viewer? I plan it out. Every square inch. I review pictures of last years display ( seen at beginning of post) and do a mock set up in the basement.

2015 FC mock up in the basement. 

There are some years ( especially for Beadfest) that I will use the printed photo like a map. Number the spaces, create a map key... Other times I just refer to the photo and do a layout sketch on my journal/ Could I just skip the pix and sketch in my journal? Yes, but I like to make sure I have the proportion of the boxes/trays/display correct as that will influence what I place there.

Version 1. Jewelry grouped by style, tiles hanging in the back. Large dryad sculpture anchoring table. 

There are a few advantages of this mildly compulsive planning in my opinion. When I am setting up and may be stressed/late/distracted/tired.... I don't have to think. The decision are made. Thats really comfortable to me when there was SO much frantic preparation finishing work and packing for a Con like FaerieCon. So I arrive and I can settle into it. Im less stressed and more ready to enjoy the event when it begins. Its also faster. No try it/ change it/ rearrange issues. 

Thursday night - stage one complete. 

Once the show started Friday, I completely forgot to take pictures. Very happy Jessica snapped this one! My display worked well - and was actually a lot less crowded than other years. Things sold, and I restocked my Mythic Nature Tiles inventory for "Creative Procrastinations and Whimsical Necessities" shop in Shepherdstown WV! Now I need to head back to the studio and make. more. stuff.... 

Friday - all set up... 

We had a wonderful weekend, filled with amazing art, creativity, music, and costumes. The Good Faeries were good, and the Bad were oh so bad! Until next year.... 

A few faces from FaerieCon

Freeform Friday: Art Camping

Art Camping

Art Camping - thats what I like to call it. There is a tent, you hike your stuff in to your site, set up and hang out in the woods all weekend.

Some people call it Artsfest at Annmarie Gardens. (Seen here is my set up last year - early stages)

This week I was hit by a doozy of a head cold. And I have a show this weekend. I took Monday off and then started tackling the to-do list. Granted most of it got done Thursday - but I thought would share my experience with you...

This post and the whole week brought to you by copious amounts of coffee and "cool" Kleenex...








Since I am a highly skilled procrastinator - I spent what little energy I had early in the week making more stuff. I have new "Mythic Nature" ceramic pendants that hadn't been seen at this show last year, and I wanted to represent them in jewelry. And making jewelry - simple wire wraps is something I can design and create when I am low energy, and drink coffee simultaneously.

The work table on Wednesday. Yes, I am watching "The Chew" on my iPad. Don't judge. 

The guest room looks like a bead store exploded. Well, in some ways that's not far off... I had to switch out the trays of beads, pendants, etc with the trays/inserts of finished jewelry. I don't have enough, you see, so its musical trays.

Then there are the earrings I made in a frenzy a week or so ago. (I love to make earrings - not that you'd know since I never get them posted to the AJE earring challenge...) They have to be carded, labeled and priced.

This is my living room. I know it doesnt look like a huge pile but let me give you a tour: 

• 1 tote ceramic sculptural shrines
• 2 totes ceramic decorative tiles
• 1 tote fabric and packaging material
• the "office" box
• small tote OOAK tiles
• tent walls
• wooden crate of frames and jewelry display items
• 2 IKEA bags: large lucite risers/levels, table risers, pennant flags, cigar boxes/display, banner, bungees, blocks of wood.... 
• Not pictured: tables, tent, chairs, hanging wire/mesh frames

Phew! I am tired just typing all that. I always stage upstairs the day before a show as all that lives in my basement and I have to haul it upstairs! (Clay is heavy.)

Necklaces need chains... 

Necklaces  labels and tags... 

 Needless to say I wont get it all done today (Thursday). As you read this I am traveling to my campsite - I mean the show, three hours away. (The good news is I stay with a friend - keeps costs down, fun and wine will be had by all. ) I will set up the booth Friday afternoon, and finish set up of my work Saturday morning. The site is secure, and it seems so civilized: stroll in with a coffee, naturally! on Saturday morning in your nice show attire, and have the heavy lifting done already. Just remove the Daddy long legs and replace with earrings!

Now - dont get me wrong - I am not complaining. I choose to do this. My previous career as a HS ceramics teacher? Chose that too. I love doing shows and talking with people, and the woods is a stunning setting, especially this time of year. But it is quite a bit of work...

To-go tupperware

I am sure I will be pricing things at my friend's house tomorrow night. I am sure I will be pricing things Saturday during the show. That's fine by me. I like having things to do - in fact I have this little Matroska ready to go... I think working on something/demonstrating is a great conversation starter!

So it Thursday night and I have more to do... let me just show you pix from last year... so you can picture me art camping this weekend! 

 Have a great weekend everyone! 

Jenny 

www.jdaviesreazor.com