Track Lighting for Your Art Fair Booth

The track lights have arrived in the mail and I have put them together. I ordered the track lights from Home Depot. I ordered two of the Hampton Bay track lights. (Hampton Bay Model EC400BK Linear 3-Light Black Track Lighting Kit) Along with this I ordered the conversion to make them a plug-in unit versus a hardwired system. (Hampton Bay Linear Track Lighting Live-End Power Feed with 15 ft. Cord and Plug) These were easy to slide into the end of the track and make them an active plug in system. I also ordered the light bulbs to go in the system as well. (Philips DuraMax 45-Watt Incandescent R20 Dimmable Flood Light Bulb (3-Pack)) I think I will order another pack to keep for backup in case of breaking one or if it just going out. This is something I thought of after the fact. 
So this whole system with six track light, two tracks, two plugs, and six light bulbs cost me about $130. I am pretty happy with the ability to take it apart and travel with it, and how easy it is to assemble. The only funny thing about the whole system is the track lights themselves. They twist into the track. If they do not twist correctly they will not turn on. At first I thought the bulbs were bad, but with further investigation I figured out the track lights have a particular way of fitting into the track. This was a little frustrating at first, but now with some practice and patience I was able to get all the lights working and the booth should be well lite for the show. The problem I had with installing the lights is what made me aware that having extra bulbs, and maybe even extra track light or two would be a good backup system to have. 

I hope this is helpful for your own art fair booth lighting. 

What's Happening!!!

So it has been some time since I last wrote down the happening in the Pottery Zen world. I had my first professional art show. It was a wonderful experience. I now understand that I need to step up my tent display to make it comparable  to all the professionals around me. I am looking into buying the Pro Panel art fair displays for the tent. They are versatile as well as breakdown into collapsable walls and shelves making them easier to transport. You are able to buy the display in pieces so you can start with where your budget starts and build it up from there. It seems to be the industry standard for art fairs and really allows for the mobile, stable aspect of the business. I will probably be ordering the first half of my tent display in a week. I will write more information once the product has arrived and I get it set up. I can post pictures as well so you can see what half the display looks like. 

As far as sales go for my first fair. I did ok. I have learned that having a theme will help bring my booth together and create unity for my viewers. I think by unifying my pieces and creating a pleasing display it will help my sales go up as well. When people are given less options on design/style and more options on function it seems they like being able to mix and match items. Like a cup and bowl, or pitcher and cup... etc. Plus having a wide price range from $10 or $20 up to $300 really opens your doors as a seller to all income ranges that are looking to add or start their collections of pottery. 

As an artist at this art fair I learned other new things like stepping up my lighting one more notch. I found some track lighting at Home Depot that I bought an attachment so they can be plugged in versus hardwired. They should be here on Friday which will allow me to try them out. More to come on those as well. Another learning curve was having a cooler in late August full of water and healthy snacks. The snacks at the art fair were OK, but expensive for what kind of food and how much you get. Another thing is having a fan available for air flow on 100 degree days. It really helps get you through. Extension cords, power strips, sandbags, tape, and chairs have multiples available at all times. Have a good amount of cash change for those cash buyers. Square is great, but sometimes the readers aren't great. Have multiple readers if possible. Business cards go like hot cakes so have a ton. Set up a mailing list and have a sign up sheet in your booth. 

Art fair donations... Don't be surprised if the art fair wants you to donate something for the kiddos. Have some extra things in your box that you don't mind donating!

As you can see a lot I have learned, and so much more to take in. Stay tuned for more to come!

Pottery pieces I made!

Below are some pieces of pottery I have made in the last 4 months. This particular grouping has some pieces that have sold while others are still available for sale. Pottery is a forever an exploration and education in science, design, and presence. 

Throwing a Bowl

Introduction to me and my Pottery