Re: Presenting work to galleries and shops

I've been thinking I need these trays. Sounds like both the trays and the board is the way to go. Probably the trays would especially good for bringing in a set of things, like a design in several variations. Should I look for the glass top ones for this?

Tina

Some offered this link a while back and I'm ordering trays from them. I've checked prices and these are really great.

W

You can get all sorts of liners matched to the standard-sized trays, from flat velvet boards to ring slots to earring compartments -- that's the beauty of the standard sizing. For taking stuff in to show at a gallery, I would say don't use the glass-topped ones -- as someone else noted, you want the "OOH!" factor.

I'm rapidly reaching the point where I need to get a set like this for transporting my merchandise to shows. Up to now I've been making do by rolling up the necklaces in flannel car-polishing rags, but that adds *so* much time to setup and teardown...

Celine

On Sat, 23 Aug 2003 3:33:20 -0400, Christina Peterson wrote (in message ):

Tina,

Don't do the Ziplock bag thing if you're trying to present high end pieces. It just doesn't project the image you're trying to achieve. After all, if you don't value the piece to give it a proper display, the viewer won't value it either.

Just my $0.02,

Kathy N-V

I was thinking of a zip lock bag to hold the board the jewelry is on just for transportation.

Though the local silversmiths I've worked with here, who have things in jewelry stores and galleries do normally deliver their work in ziplocks, especially if it might go into backstock, so they're protected.

Tina

The reason I wonderrabout stuffing them is that I won't be there to whip out the bubble wrap when it's in a gallery.

Tina

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Christina Peterson" :

]The reason I wonderrabout stuffing them is that I won't be there to whip out ]the bubble wrap when it's in a gallery.

are you worried about someone purchasing it that way? or displaying it that way?

because MOST of the purses and such for sale these days ARE stuffed. it won't be anything most people aren't already familiar with. do what makes the BAG look best, visually.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from vj :

]do ]what makes the BAG look best, visually.

just don't stuff them with anything embarrassing.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

Aw heck, what fun would that be. Actually, my concern is that if the purse is stuffed, people won't get the tactile impact of them.

Tina

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Christina Peterson" :

]Aw heck, what fun would that be.

**grin**

]Actually, my concern is that if the purse ]is stuffed, people won't get the tactile impact of them.

ah - okay, that's different. sorry. that would be a concern, then. in that case, i'd probably go with the bubble wrap, but only about "half-stuffed".

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

Those black hinged jewelry cases with handles? They're not that expensive, and you can buy velvet trays for the inside. I scent mine lightly by leaving a small bar of travel soap inside. For a whole lot of stuff, those rolling ones that are shaped like travel suitcases. You can get dark gray or black foam to lay across the top so things don't all fall to one end. Then you can remove the foam and start taking out the goods.

I like it when they bring a piece of velvet to lay the jewelry out on.

I do not like it when they open up something and the display is all set up. It looks like they heisted the stuff for one thing, and for another, you want the gallery rep to fondle the jewelry.

I also don't like it when the stuff is all wrapped up -- especially in paper towels etc. At least with plastic bags you can see the stuff right away. The wow factor is important. I don't think people should look like they're setting up for a magic trick, the wow factor is best when it looks effortless.

MHO of course, Mary T. 8-)

Aunt Molly's Bead Street

and JustBeads: seriousbeader

Thanks, Linda,

And your post parallels my thinking. I have a blue sprayed Craftsman case, than I'm changing from tool holder to finished work holder about 24L x 9D x

12H. It has 4 drawers and a hinged top. But it's rather big and heavy to carry, and bigger than I would need to bring just the cream of the crop. It's rather use a briefcase and foam for that. (Like a pistol case.)

Tina

You're welcome, Tina. :) Yah, that Craftsman case sounds too big and heavy to take in.

I just fill one of my frosted Plano fishing boxes with bracelets and such (it's 14"x9"). It's the type with four long trays, that come with small dividers you slide in to make separate compartments... I think they're about $4 around here. I don't use any of the dividers and I place bubble-wrap on the bottom of the trays with scotchtape. Then I lay all the jewelry for each tray onto a big piece of tissue paper and roll it up into a cylinder that fits into the tray. It's nice to have everything rolled up into a larger piece of tissue because when the gallery opens it to look at the jewelry, it's large enuff so that they can spread out all the jewelry as they look at each piece and it'll also be protected from clanking on the top of their glass display cases and possibly cracking a crystal.

After the plano box is filled, I'll take another piece of real pretty tissue paper (right now I have some fantastic red, white and blue stars) to lay over the top of everything, then I just tuck it in a little bit around the edges... and sometimes I'll also barely spray the tissue paper with a gentle, sweet cologne, like Vanilla or Frescia (sp?), so when I open the box at the gallery the air is gently perfumed. The gallery really liked that last time and you know, aroma therapy plays a big part in our senses.

Your briefcase/pistol case and foam idea sounds excellent also! I love some of my husband's pistol cases... they're lightweight to carry easily and usually have a very comfortable handle. Just remember the pretty tissue paper and all will be well... remember, they're looking at your end product, not the box you carry it in. :)

Is there any way you can post photos of any of the displays? Unfortunately I'm more visual than conceptual.

I'm sorry, Starlia. I don't have a website or a Picture Trail account. Do you know what a Plano tackle box is? Here's a link to a picture of the one I fill to bring to the gallery:

- I purchased some of mine at GanderMountain and they also have a little carrying handle at one end.Now imagine it filled with tissue-tootsie-rolls of jewelry. :)

Thanks, Mary. Hinged jewelry case with foam in the middle. (Like the pistol case I thought about, only better). And velvet to put it on. That sounds good. Would kid be good to use too? (Considering I'm in Alaska).

Thanks for all the good advise.

Tina

I would forgo the soap. I hate it when stuff is scented. Alot of people have allergies and that bit of scent could ruin the sale.

Susan W

Tina,

I purchased my jewelry cases at a gun show in Anchorage. I'm not sure how far your are from the "big city", but it's worth a try. I was a four hour drive or a 30 minute flight.

Starlia

I would avoid plastic, and either go with velvet bags, or a compartmentalized velvet-lined display box.