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Going “North” When You Have Limited Table Space

by Barbara.
(Ontario, Canada)

I have been looking for something striking and tall to display earrings and necklaces – mainly because many indoor shows allow only six-foot tables, which means I have to go “north” to increase my display space.

I found this wrought iron screen in the garden section of our local hardware store, marked down at the end of the season.

It folds flat for transporting, and it’s not too heavy to move around.

I can vary the angle of the folding, so it’s very stable even on uneven ground at an outdoor show, and it won’t fall over if it’s bumped into.

Because the design is so “airy”, your neighbour at the next table won’t feel boxed in and blocked from view.

If you go to the bracelet display section here and look at the coffee mug tree display idea, there’s a suggestion from Joanne about using tiny clear elastics to stop items from sliding when the mug tree arms – or any display arms – are at an angle.

Wrapping the “twigs” with wire is what I had originally thought of doing, but I will be using Joanne’s idea on my screen because wire will get caught when I’m sliding the screen into and out of my truck.

Because there’s a danger of things falling off the ends of even the horizontal twigs, especially in a breeze, I’ll be wrapping an elastic on every end, as well.

I bought tiny LED spotlights with a 25-hour battery life from a dollar store – they’re actually headlamps for kids and I took the strap off. They swivel and have a clamp as well.

They come in bright primary colours, so I coloured them black with a permanent marker. I can position them anywhere. Many venues either have no power at all or not very good lighting, so these are perfect, and at $2 each, you can have lots on hand and they’re very unobtrusive.

Barbara
Il Fuoco del Drago silver jewellery

Comments:

Beautiful, artistic solution for a small table!
by: Rena

Barbara,

What an elegant and artistic way to display your work up off the table. Your screen is quite attractive and goes perfectly with the rest of your display elements!

It’s also great to have a display that folds up well for transport and stands firmly when set up.

And kudos to JoAnne for her great tip on using the clear mini hair elastics!

Well done, Barbara, and thank you so much for sharing your idea – plus the photo of it in action!

Going up!
by: Lynne

I really love that solution of the folding screen. You could use one on each corner of your table. I think it gives the opportunity for more people to notice your work as they walk by. It really catches your eye.

Lovely
by: Melissa Llyd-Fillier

I have actually heard of using a screen before, but the way you have it set up at your booth is lovely! I also love the idea of using inexpensive led lights!

Another option
by: terri

I really like your idea. Something i have used because, if you buy a decent one, it is lightweight and yet still sturdy is an Easel. Then I cover a flip chart size corkboard to put on the easel and use pretty colored(big) pins to hang necklace sets (Office Depot stuff). It is almost as good as a second table and gets people’s attention.

Pretty Screen Question
by: Patricia

It’s a lovely screen but what is holding it up in that image. It looks like only one side is folded and it’s hanging off the end of the table?

lights?
by: Susan and Patti

We need some sort o VERY bright, portable (battery)
lights for our jewelry display. We have tried several, but they just don’t illuminate the jewelry.
HELP PLEASE!
Susan and Patti
info@twinssilverdream.com

battery operated lamps
by: Barbara

I am in the same boat. I will post here when I find some myself! They’re out there. The little clip-on reading lights are very bright, often have a goose-neck and “only” cost about 20 bucks up here. I have a friend who found some tiny goose-neck battery operated table lamps for $3 each in a clearance place. Of course they were all gone when she went back to get more.

Those little kiddy “miner’s” lamps that I bought have got me thinking: I know they have larger ones for farmers and miners, and I’m going to check the local farm supply stores out here, the idea being if these larger work lamps come off the headbands, they might do, and they’d be battery operated as well.

The other possibility is to get one of the admittedly expensive computer batteries with multiple plug outlets on it, the kind that will run for an extended period with no external power, and use that at a show, recharging it overnight at home.

There has to be a way.

how the folding screen works
by: Barbara

Hi, Patricia,

Each panel is approximately 18″ wide by six feet high. The hinges don’t allow it to flatten out completely: it’s an accordian fold. There’s nothing “hanging”. The first two panels fold at a 45 degree angle around the end corner of the table, and the maximum flatness the third “wing” achieves is about 5 degrees, so it does not run flat against the rear of the table but angles slightly away, and all legs are firmly on the ground. I hope this makes sense.

Portable / Battery Powered Booth Lights
by: Rena

Susan, Patti, Barbara and all,

I’ve just put together some tips for battery operated booth lights.

Hope this helps! :o)

keep jewelry from slipping on a slant
by: Salitasam

I purchased a black iron rack for jewelry necklaces and earrings, but they kept sliding off. I cut tiny strips of black velcro and attached them depending on the jewelry width. It works!

Hanging on metal
by: WhatnotGems

I have concerns with the damage metal on metal will cause in transportation. (I tend to be lazy and leave the earrings on my display) The idea of adding velcro is excellent not only will it prevent slippage, but you could also use the attached to anchor a covering for transportation.

My revolving earring tree I have discovered people do not turn the tree.

Earring tree
by: Barbara

You have to tell people that it twirls. Seriously. It happens to me every week.

As for transporting the carousels, I put each one in one of those plastic reusable grocery carry bags, the kind with the flat bottom. Unlike fabric bags, they’re still able to stand up by themselves when you put the bag on the ground. I really like those carry bags, because depending on the weight, I can carry five or six at a time into and out of venues, rather than carrying one bin at a time. (I still haven’t got around to putting everything in identical bins which would make loading up a dolly practical and going over bumpy ground unscathed. That’s the next step.)

I acquired a skinny cardboard box that is exactly wide enough for one of those flat, tall and wide earring racks where I also keep it stored, loaded with earrings, between shows. Because the rack has “curly” feet, I got a friend to weld two horizontal metal strips across the bottom and I use a C-clamp to clamp the rack to the table.

Also, I changed out that garden screen for a regular grid about a year ago. You can see pictures elsewhere on this site:
http://www.jewelry-display-ideas.com/tweaking-my-table-to-save-hours-of-setup-time.html

and more pictures here:
http://www.artefaccio.blogspot.ca/2011/12/plans-toward-getting-on-summer-market.html

I am trying to figure out a way to keep my feather earrings permanently loaded on a rack and protected while storing it — but at the same time I have no more room for another rack on my table in its present layout.

Barbara
www.barbaramacdougall.com
www.artefaccio.blogspot.com
www.artefaccio.deviantart.com
www.etsy.com/shop/artefaccio
(formerly www.fuocodeldrago.com)