I spent most of today recovering from the weekend spent at the Sussex Guild show at Hurstpierpoint College. Early mornings really aren’t my thing, although I did manage to wake before the alarm both days! It was just quite a long drive each way (just under 2 hours when all the traffic was missed) and I really felt the effects of it yesterday. Forgetting to take any chocolate or sugar based food was a mistake that I won’t make again. I know that quick sugar rushes are not the ideal but they do make you feel better!
Over the two days of the show I spoke to lots of people who stopped by to look at my work and chat to me, I even got a few small pieces of carving done while demonstrating. The Guild members are such a friendly bunch and always willing to help and answer my questions.
I made a few changes on my stand since the last show at Pashley Manor. I replaced the fabric backing that didn’t work from the last show, but didn’t buy enough – something that I will look at before the next show. In fact I need to look at various aspects of my stand in order to make it quicker and more efficient to put up and down (preferably without using a drill as mine managed to run out of battery on Friday set up causing no end of problems) and to ensure that it presents my work in the best possible way. Suggestions from other Guild members included introducing more colour into the fabric and making the fabric taut across the backing boards. All things that I will look into.
I also need to look at how the work is being hung, I currently use chains and I’m not sure that its the right method but I also don’t know of any other method that would be better – some of my work is on the heavy side. Eventually when I build my stock of work further I will have to work out how to hang more work in a way that does not overcrowd the stand and cause the viewer to skim over the work rather than look at it.
Luckily my next show with the Guild is not until next year so I have a bit of time to get all this done, and yes I have made myself a list and I’ll put it somewhere prominent in the workshop so that I don’t forget to work on it!
Lots more ideas for work in the pipeline, its funny how disconnecting from the making process for a few days can set your brain going along slightly different ideas paths, I can’t wait to get started on them.
Got a few things to get out of the way this week – all systems go next week!