Need advise...

[Pyro Beads]

I am getting ready for outdoor summer shows and would like to set up my torch so people can see how we make beads. (for some reason no matter how many pictures or video's I show them they don't get it) I am planning on blocking off 2 sides of the tent and sitting in that back corner. (not sure how well they will be able to see what I'm doing) and I'm wondering if any one else has tried this. Another things is trying to find displays that wont blow over, but are not really heavy and bulky. Most of mine are hand made. I don't sell loose beads, I make everything into jewelry. Mostly pendants/necklaces. I also get really frustrated with trying to price my items. I'm sure all of you have heard the same things I have... prices too high or too low..... I live in a small town and things are selling pretty good considering the area, so I don't think my prices are too high. Any advise on even one or all of these would be greatly appreciated

[Karen Hardy]

When I've seen lampworkers in booths, I noticed several
of them had this glass shield thing setup in front of the
torch so that there was no danger of anyone touching
the fire or accidentally brushing by it. You might look
for something like that.

Also make sure that you have plenty of people to man the
booth. Shoplifters LOVE distracted people.

Katie had this great setup in her new traveling lampwork mobile.
There was a camera pointing at her lampwork area that transmitted
to this large suspended TV, so people could watch her work but
never be close to the fire. I LOVED that setup!

As for making sure stuff doesn't blow over, you might look at just
nailing everything down in the booth. That way there would be no danger of
the displays falling over.

(oh, also - the font that you chose is really hard on the eyes. You
might want to stick with the regular one! ouch!)

[Pyro Beads]

Thanks Karen. Yes I have plenety of help to take care of business while I am on the torch. And I have done bead demo's at the store that sells my jewelry, and I find that people want to touch everything! I usuall use 2 large tables and have everything set up so no one can reach any of my supplies or torch with out having to crawl onto the tables or what ever I use to barricade off everything. I like the idea of the glass surround... Love the idea of the tv set up. That would be great. But at the moment just not possible. Oh yeah! Sorry about the font.....

[beadsoncypress]

I agree with Karen....also wind can be a huge factor, not to mention lots of folks want you to custom make a bead for them on the spot (really don't understand annealing.....have you thought of a video playing on a laptop...I've seen that at many indoor shows where you can't torch, had limited help, or just got tired of explaining the same donut bead over and over. Remember you WILL draw a crowd, but many do not have the attention span to sit thru any kind of detailed bead making, When I demo'd at the "third friday's" in our area, even with the "magic" of leaf presses, many only stayed thru half a bead. (except the kids who all wanted one in their favorite color). More recently I have a pot sticker I use as a handy demo bead. Good luck!

[swamper]

When I do demos, I shield the table in front of me and do not allow folks behind or beside me. I attach my extra diddies on a cord so folks can share and see what I'm doing.

I made a guard to keep people from getting to close to the torch. It runs the length of the table between me and the observers. It is made from a shelf board 12" wide. I used two pairs of shelf brackets, screwed to board at each end like bookends to hold my 1/4 inch thick Plexiglass shield vertically. It's high enough to keep people from reaching over and is the perfect place to hang my diddies when not in use. It disassembles and stores easily.

Oh, and I agree about distracted booth owners just beg to be hit by shoplifters.

[jaci]

I bought 3 pieces of plexi glass from the hardware store (they are like 14x28" or something like that. I had such a hard time figuring out how I was going to attach them with brackets that would still fold flat and were secure. I had no luck, BUT I taped the seems with clear packing tape and they fold flat and it looks very professional! They have lasted me over 2 years of outside demo's and such, the first time you have to apply slow pressure to the boards to get the tape to stretch with you and not split. After that its perfect! Folds completely flat. If you have a problem with the tape it is something that is super easy to fix and you already carry tape in your show pack (most times) as for prices, people think I don''t make the beads, so them they think it is too high. But once they know, they say I'm not charging enough.... people are strange...

I also do not let people come behind me, and have bricks strategically placed for wind. (you can get the small 1/2 size bricks at lowes or home depot)
I love the didy's idea!!!

[patienthand]

Hi,

A couple ideas for you. Get a plex shield made, but make SURE your table is not to shallow, your torch can um melt the plex.. been there done that. Next, shields are laike sails and catch a lot of wind and are easily broken, or even knock a able over. So go to a plastics place and have them bend and angled 90 degree lip on the sections of the shield. then dril those lips, and you can bolt them to the table, or clamp em. But the bracket thing with L brackets I have seen it bust out of the plex in a gust. Next, get a sand bag or two and weight down your table with the plastic shield/sail attached. Another big obstacle fo working outdoors is too much light, and you cant see your flame, so make your backgrounds dark to help with that if possible. Make sure you LAY DOWN your oxygen tank, so you dont risk it falling and becomming a missile.

People are sue happy, cover your butt from cuts, popping glass, burns, etc etc etc. Make sure you use fire retardent tent walls and they are very secure, and same for table coverings. Weight your tent as well, they fly away sometimes too, especially if they have walls.

oh, about the plex shield, yoiu can also hinge 3 sides together, so it folds up and stores well. Bring a blanket with you to wrap it in because it can scratch easy. and dont cheap put and get thin plastic, the thick stuff wont crack, snap or melt as easy, and wil hold a screw. Be sure to use washers etc, so you spread out the stress over a bigger area anyplace you place a screw.

beware of the fire marshall.

Candice

[Carolyn M]

I wouldn't even bother with a live demo, I'd just film a demo of you making a bead and show it on a TV. I've found that however knowlegable your 'help' is, items sell much better when the beadmaker is there to talk about them

JMHO!

[Pyro Beads]

Thanks every one for all you great idea's!! Much appreciated! I have done the video's and people still do not seem to understand it. I don't really like doing the demo's, but when I do it, sales go way up. I hate having to drag all that extra stuff with me. And I do explain to people all the other steps that need to be done before I can sell any of my beads. And I get a lot of people who always ask me "where do you buy your beads?" even after I have told them that I make them. It all get very frustrating. I am going to do a test run to see if it will even be worth it. Just waiting for it to stop raining and for a day that isn't very windy. Love the idea of the plexi glass. Happen to have a lot on hand. (use it to make displays) I do worry about the tarps I plan on blocking off two side with. Afraid they'll blow in and catch of fire. So I guess I'm at the mercy of the weather too. I keep having nightmare that my whole tent goes up in flames.

[firedancer]

Next time, you are set up, could you take a few pics, so we can see. I have not ever done this yet, but would truely love to see how others set up. Thanks

[Jenn L'Rhe]

Nell:
I had my DH whip me up a portable enclosure that assembles (and disassembles) easily. I take a hothead and Mapp gas when I use this so if you are wanting to use a bigger torch, some modifications for height and depth would be necessary. Read through this all the way before you try to picture it...I'm horrible with writing directions???

He took a rectangular piece of plywood (PM me if you want measurements) To create a channel to support the plexiglass enclosure he air nailed some wooden trim around the edge. I'm not sure what it's called, quarter round maybe?? it has flat sides at 90 degree angles and then is rounded between them. The rounded side faces the outer edge of the ply, and the other flat side is straight up toward the center of the plywood. Do this on the two short sides and one of the long ones. Leave a gap for the plexiglass to slide into and repeat the trim to the inside of the first with a flat side facing the other flat side. He cut plexiglass to the length and width of the channel and hinged it together by drilling holes holes in the plexi and attaching with rivets. Stain/paint the wood to match your booth.

Set up is easy. Put down the base, unfold the plexi and tap into place...good to go.

I have a stainless steel "L" shaped thingie (technical term) that has a Mapp bottle holder welded to it that I "C" clamp to the plywood. Or you could wrap the ply first with sheet metal.

The channel has to cause a tight fit so the plexy isn't bothered by wind. But I NEVER light my torch in more than a slight breeze anyway....just having the setup there enforces the whole "I made these myself with a torch" concept. Men LOVE seeing it, giving women more time to shop!!

Kay

[Pyro Beads]

Kinda freaking out about doing shows outside. Have done them other years, but so far this spring/summer has been horrible weather. Raining and windy. Lots of tornado's going through the state already. First show is the 14, then the 21st. then on the 28th. Haven't even looked to see what I have booked for next month. Think I might be over extending myself. Sell my beads/jewelry in 2 local stores plus have a couple other stores around the state that sell my stuff too. Also freaking out about not having enough stuff made. People do not seem to understand how much time or work goes into getting ready for these shows. I always seem to have people stopping over and wanting to visit more then normal when they know I'm getting ready for these things. Does any one else have this problem?? And if so how do you handle it??? I try to be polite, but am getting to the point that I'm kinda turning into a b#@%h about it all because it is the same people every other day. I know I'm just stressing and everything will work out fine.....

Another thing I would like to ask... has any one every set up at a biker event?? That is what I am doing on the 21st.

[jaci]

I don't really like doing the demo's, but when I do it, sales go way up.

yes this is exactly why i demo! ( i do kindda like it though.. and I can make spacer bead in my down time to bath anneal later )