Winterfest

As promised a little more about Winterfest, our 1st indoor show. It is an annual event in downtown Aberdeen, SD. The lights are dimmed and all exhibitors are required to light their booths. We decided to try this indoor show mainly because of 2 reasons, one it is in a market we have not been in, and two it is during a time when we typically have no shows. Also it seemed less like a flea market, which is one in town that keeps trying to get me to pay the $400 booth fee to join every year.

So the Arts Association behind Winterfest recommended to use a canopy to help reflect light in the booth area, so instead of using our 150-200 pound Craft Hut, we found an inexpensive "easy up" style canopy on clearance for $60, it weighs about 60 pounds and takes considerably less room in the SUV. That was purchase number one.

Also since it is in November in Northern SD, camping or sleeping in the SUV is out of the question, so hotel for two nights. It will be a nice getaway for the weekend.

Then came the task of lighting the booth, we had considered using christmas tree lights, but were concerned about the amount of light actually produced. So I put the question out on various pottery forums I participate in, and it was nearly unamious not to use the christmas lights. The big recommendation was to invest in a track lighting system. I did look at and began to design, but since we are wanting to redesign the entire booth in the next couple years, I went with option "C". Clip on lights. I selected narrow brooding lights and utilizing 50 watt halogen flood and spot lights.

We tested the lighting set up last week on a moonless night, it was very bright and the colors seemed true under the lights. I will definetly take photos of the booth once it is set up and illuminated for future use. Now we are trying to figure out if we want to invest in a portable pattery system to light the booth during the summer shows. We will have to see on that one.

So if you are near Aberdeen the weekend before Thanksgiving, stop by and see us. We leave the light on for you! hahaha

Paint the Night Pink

Paint the Night Pink was last Friday Night, what a great time.  I don't think a whole lot of art is sold, but it is such a great night to mingle and chew the fat with other artists and John Q.  Next on the Horizon is Winterfest, our 1st indoor show. More on that later this week.

Holiday Open house update.

Been distracted lately, or busy not sure which.  With the upcoming Holiday Open House in December we decided we needed to refresh the studio/gallery/basement before too many people saw it.  I mean we have had a few people over to purchase pieces, but it was not pretty with the holes in the walls, dingy lighting. 

Well we started by recycling some old barn siding from my Grandparents barn that was torn down about 20 years ago to give a real rustic feel to the wall separating the kids area and the studio.  Gives it a separate feel.  I got the idea from the recent home builders parade of homes, and it was used in a very high end home that was the feature home this year.

I then put us white masonite on one wall in the studio behind the drying / slab rolling table.  Its not that this wall got that dirty, but there were several holes in the drywall, and this way it will be easy to clean.

In the actual gallery area, we moved all the pieces out, and then the shelving, repaired one wall and covered the others with drywall, so instead of looking at framing studs there will be a wall.  It already looks better, and it is only mudded, no paint yet.  Speaking of paint....found plenty at the reuse store for free!  Once the walls are ready, i'll prime and start painting. and get everyting back to normal.  Since we realized we need more pots for winter.

Our gallery in Bemidji, MN nearly ran out of pieces, so we sent a shipment this week.  I am happy to report for the 1st time everything arrived as it was shipped no breakage.  We switched to Fed Ex, not only less expensive, but higher survival rate.

We do have a shipment ready for Piper Gallery here in Sioux Falls, so be checking there soon for fresh inventory.