Looking for a book on the Art of display

Kathy, First place to check is Crafts Report. They are on line but also check their back issues at the library if you can. Many times they will start a topic and have several months of articles with only one on line. I am always trying to figure out display. It seems that each venue almost requires something different. The hardest venue was BB with such small display space. We did have many comments on how much people liked the vertical displays that you saw compared to the flat displays at many booths. THe reason was that when a booth is crowded the verticle allows people in the back to see and select.

I like glass displays but hate to put them up and keep them clean. One big problem down here is the salt water mist and the winds. I am also so space/storage conscience that that means everything must fold or stack.

Let us know what you find.

One idea that a friend used and was quite effective but bulky was to take a dense styrofoam like for docks, not packing, carve it slightly with an electric knife to shape crannies and levels and then using a dark gray spray paint, spray the whole thing. THe spray paint eats the styrofoam leaving a rock texture and color variations. The final look is a boulder that you can drape and place your jewelry, pin it in place etc. Take the paint with you to a show or take a small dabable craft paint to touch up any chips. Really cool looking.

Susan W

Hi Kathy!

Here's one of links that caught my eye (tho not the one I originally had in mind - sill looking for that one..

these are trade show booth examples - but I was fascinatedto note that as I studied them, I had a definate reaction to each ofthem - liked or didn't like - the usefulness for me was to look ateach image and isolate WHAT I did (or did't) like about each one whichI could in turn apply to any display (size,cost,function) I needed.For me, curiously, I found the image (5th one I think) with thecentral table having vines/roses thru the table legs very elegant but not stuffy. I found I mostly preferred the 'solid or covered' displays to the open legged look. etc etc....

Signage was another interesting study... When I looked at the signs on each booth/display, I would not say that the one with the background logo of the fish in green (6th pic) was my artistic favorite BUT when I was going back to the page to specifically study the signage to look at the name/company signs I was surprised THE FISH sign was the only one I 'remembered' as the page was loading - which is the point (or at least one of the points) of any advertising/signage...

FWIW I've found these visuals a very interesting way to research and help define the look and perhaps more importanly the FEEL or ESSENCE you are searching to create in your display without actually purchasing materials types of display etc aka costly trial/error.

I've also always thought that the 'bones' of the display (regardless of it being for anything from a yard sale to an ACC or BMAC show!) is really the place to start, because it draws people to you - or not... Granted I may either be easily amused, lol or think too much, (or both)! ;-) But what got me thinking about the 'bones' of a display was yard/garage sales.. We're not talking high end dynamics here, lol or having to coax buyers to pay an entrance fee or competing with hundreds of other vendors, so why would I slam on the brakes at some and not others? For sure if I saw something to die for sitting out calling my name certainly, that would do it.. but I began to realize there were certain 'set-ups' or arrangements that I could identify at 40 MPH! Presentations, if you will, that 'appealed' and others that actually didn't! How odd, I thought to myself - why is that? So I started picking it apart...and lots of the tiny display or arrangement revelations were transferable to what we do ~ seriously selling retail at shows, etc...

So I began to really pay attention to any display I saw - anywhere, anytime, for any product - amazing what I learned/found/noticed - (and all this info at my favorite price grin, free)!

So I'm still looking for my other links, but for now, try seaching the internet and really noticing what works (or where you see crowd gathered) at shows, markets, yes, yard sales, even (I kid you not!) grocery stores....

I know I also have links (and thoughts) on item displays too (which is more what I think you had in mind). I also know (lol!) I have a chronic inclination to go on...and on...and on! (those who know me are going "oh yeah....!" lol)

So if you think more info links thoughts along these lines are useful, let me know and I'll go on a bit more :-) (Otherwise, I'll 'put a cork in it' lol....)

HSOTH! faith

Thanks. That was interesting.

The photos that drew me were the ones with white curtains and bright glass. But I think the second to last would be most attractive in person. The warm welcomming red floor/rug. Clean black display cases, receding from awareness. But still the whitish walls with bright colors and clear focus. I tend to want to take in what's peripheral, so that first photo which forces a close focus is kind of claustraphobic for me.

On the other hand, I love rock shops with rocks on shelves all over the place, where I can poke around and discover things.

I see what you mean about the signs, though I think the one that I remember most is the Sase sign in the first picture. Very striking. Though for myself I know I would want something more three dimensional feeling, to remain comfortable with it.

Tina