Estrella: Setting Up
I got to the site at around 4PM — much better than last year! I’d hoped to get there with enough time to set up the tent before dark, and I managed it.
Setting up the booth went a lot more smoothly because of that — and thanks to a friend who wandered by just as I pulled up to my space, and proceeded to help me put up my new tent. (Thanks Dharma!) Since I’d gotten there so much earlier I was in less of a hurry than last year — always a plus! — and so after unloading everything into the tent and setting up my bed, I could take a break for the rest of the day.
I spent Monday getting everything arranged, putting product on the shelves, and doing a better job of getting up my bed. I had time for several long breaks during the day, and even took the opportunity to take Loiosh for a long walk before dark. I made this a habit for the rest of the week; it makes him happy, and lets me actually sleep at night.
I also got to put up the AWESOME banner my Laurel made for me:
…cos WOW. It’s silk, and it whips in the wind like anything. It is gorgeous. Plus behind it is my new tent!
I’d put it up once before, last summer, but I still didn’t really know what it’d be like to wedge in the rather large volume of STUFF I brought along to sell. I had a couple of ideas, but I had to rethink nearly everything I’d planned. I’m glad I had all day Monday to do so.
Have a couple pictures of the setup:
I’m pretty happy with this side — I feel the bath and body stuff is displayed well, the backdrop fabric actually hides my living space, and the garb I was selling really brightens up the white tent.
I’m less happy with this side. The books look fine, but the jewelry display leaves something to be desired and the ‘yard sale’ stuff I had behind it didn’t get any attention at all. Fortunately once the ‘yard sale’ stuff is gone there won’t be any more of it, and I’ll have a little more space back there for things like ‘the cash box’ and ‘a table to eat on’.
Lastly, Loiosh, in one of his usual spots.
…he needs his own chair.
WOW! I love that fancy new tent! I hope it’s working out well for you and I love the store display!
Innit purdy? Stood up to a nice little windstorm very well, too, round about Tuesday (Loiosh didn’t stand up to it near so well, but he survived).
I do want to mess with it some — the doors don’t open wide enough for people to really see inside unless they specifically look, which is a bit of a problem for a merchant. I had people on Saturday commenting that they’d been walking by my booth all week and hadn’t really looked inside.
That’s pretty doable, I think, but you might want to consider a ‘merchant tent’ option where one or both of the doors can open a few panels wide instead of just one.
Brilliant idea!
And yes you can with no problem, take out the stitching for the couple of panels you’d like wider and then make sure to tack down where you stop. I wouldn’t suggest doing it on both sides though, only one for stability.
More or less what I’d figured, maybe with toggles and loops to re-close things as necessary. We’ll see how it goes.