Next year I plan to exhibit at the Fine Furnishings Show here in Milwaukee and over the next 10 months I’ll be working on new pieces to show. My question is where do you keep your pieces you plan to exhibit? Do you cover and store them or do you use them in your home until it is time for the show? I would be happy to place what I build in my home but would this then be considered a used piece?
Thanks,
Dale
Replies
If you are planning to show the pieces, I'd do everything possible to keep them pristine. I guess some of that relates to the type of work. There are pounds of contaminants circulating through an average house. A spare room that isn't subject to humidity swings and is off limits to living creatures would be ideal. Many galleries and shows have intense lighting, dust in the pores and crannies glare. Presentation can be very important.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
If we don't have a use for a piece in our home it is just stored in a spare room. No need for any special handling or storing as long as it is not abused (pets climbing it, children spilling food, heavy smokers or direct sunlight) it will be fine. Any finish available today should be able to withstand normal home environments for years let alone the few months you will need to store the pieces.
Also, if you have visited these shows in the past you may have noticed that the in-house lighting is usually barely adequate and will want to bring your own to accent and augment.
Good luck with the show!
Bob
If you are showing large pieces of furniture you shouldn't expect to sell any of them at the show, so the question of used or not isn't relevant.
You may get lucky and sell a sample, but my experience, and that of other cabinet makers who also do shows occasionally, is that you are there to be seen and to talk to potential clients who will come back to you with custom work, often a year or more later. Don't go expecting to make back your booth fee and other costs by the end of the show, it isn't likely to happen.
To this end, have good literature for handing out, a portfolio, a web site, and try not to let anyone get away without leaving you with an address so you can follow up with them later, and then follow up religously.
Go to other shows and see what furniture exhibitors do to set up their booths, it's an art form and a very demanding business, probably some of the hardest work I have ever done, and some of the most rewarding.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
I want to continue on with John's thought as this is the direction that will provide you the most information.
In preparation for the convention hall style show, you have to present pieces that represent who you as a businessman/craftsperson/woodworker/artisan want to be.
* Are you there because you have designed a "line of furniture" you are looking to distribute???
* Are you looking to sell your designs for others to use or your skill that others design for???
* When you attended the show as an observer, did you see others work that resembled yours???
Before spending the corporate booty, what are you trying to accomplish by attending this show????
Remember.........it will be a hall of EGO, get a full grip on what you are trying to accomplish through the show and to emphasize John's sales thought, its about post-show follow-up, follow-up and more follow-up.
John has guided this thread in the direction you need to go for quality information. Hopefully others chime in for you.
Neil
Got a review here in the Fine Woodworking Books/Video Critique Blog-
http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&entry=7&webtag=fw-bookreviews
Thank's for the replies, all have great advice.
Dale
I'll agree that it's rare to sell a large piece at a show. I have always brought small plant stands and small tables in addition to large pieces, and have usually sold many if they are in the <$100 range.
About lights, sometimes they can be TOO bright. Make sure your work looks good in the bright light too or you'll have people kindly pointing out the smallest flaws for you.
4D
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