---===Diane Mann===--- on sun 13 jul 97
I am needing to purchase some sort of tent for displaying my pottery at
festivals. I am needing something about 10'x10' with sides that can close.
I am curious what type some of you use and where you buy them. Is there a
supplier anywhere that deals in good used tents, something easy to put up
that is substantial in the event of a windstorm? It seems what I have found
so far is around $800, which is a big investment unless I intend to do a lot
of festivals; so far I haven't done a lot and don't know for sure if I will
ever do very many. I have rented one before too, but that is $200, which
wouldn't take too long before I could buy one. I would like to hear your
input as to what kind you prefer and if and where I can get a bargain.
Thanks for taking time from your studio to answer me.
Diane Mann
Yesterday is History; Tomorrow is a Mystery; Today is a gift that we call
the Present.
Kenneth D Westfall on mon 14 jul 97
Diane,
I agree that purchasing a new canopy _is_ a somewhat large investment.
Especially, if you are not planning to do many outdoor shows. However,
while we, too, were hesitant to make that investment, we finally _did_
make that investment in 1988. We took a small business loan (our first)
from our local bank to purchase a canopy. I MUST say, "it's one of the
best choices we ever made"! The savings in booth fees for setting up our
own tent versus going under one of the 'big' tents or having to go
indoors has made the canopy pay for itself over and over. AND, we only
do two to three shows per year now, but we still utilize our canopy and
its parts. If you set up and go to shows alone, however, this extra
labor should be a consideration. It's not always easy to drag out the
poles and then find someone to help bring it up after you've put
everything together. But, it's not the end of the world, either!
As to what brand... I cannot speak in favor of the E-Z Up( not even the
new ones) or the K-D Kanopy, as I've seen TOO many come down in wind and
rain. That's just my opinion, and I know many DO like these. We
purchased 'The Protector' from Flourish Co. (1-800-296-0049
Fayetteville, AR). It was about $500 then and it's only $545 now. The
poles are a little heavy, but for potters and glass artists, especially,
I think the weight is worth it. We have been through VERY BAD storms/
near tornados and we always properly tie-down our canopy. It has never
moved,collapsed, bent or any other nasty! It has never leaked or torn
and we are VERY pleased with it! It has a little awning that allows us
to hang our signs on the poles like hanging out a 'shingle' and it allows
for a tiny bit more display area without infringing on others. WE use the
support poles as the framework for our backdrop fabric, too, so we don't
just have white boring walls as the background for our pots. Flourish
now has a domed-roof model out, which I think we would have purchased if
it had been available at the time we bought ours. It goes for $745, but
has various features that the Protector doesn't have. We use the poles
as the framework for our indoor display and have found them very
versatile. We also purchased some extra tarps (to cover up extra boxes
behind our booth) and pole-parts to have on hand "just in case"! But
we've never used the extra parts! I also think that the Light-Dome
from Creative Energies is a strong canopy, from what I've seen of others'
canopies (1-800-351-8889). But, I have no personal experience with
these.
Lastly, ...a strong, stable canopy is useless if your shelves are flimsy!
High winds and flowing~~~~~~~WWWWWWAAAATTTTEEEERRRRR~~~~~ can destroy
your inventory just as quickly as a collapsing canopy if your shelves
float away or blow over or shake til pots rock off and come crashing
down! Too many potters display on rickety shelves. Make and inviting
"sturdy" setting for your masterpieces. And then sit back and relax when
the weather rolls in.8-) Okay, well, not really, RELAX.. but well, not
panic!;-}
P.S. No, I don't get kickbacks from Flourish!
Good Luck!
Tracey Westfall
Kenneth D. Westfall
Pine Hill Pottery
potter-ken@juno.com
Don't get stuck in the mud pies K&T
Cindy on mon 14 jul 97
Diane,
Well, I use a tipi, but I already had it, and it would cost around $900 if
I had to replace it. Besides, it's an 18' model, so requires 2 booth
spaces. ;) Sams sells a shelter called EZ-up, and sells side walls in a
separate kit. I believe you can get both for probably less than $300. I
have no idea how good they might be in a windstorm. Putting up the tipi in
heavy winds would be a drag, but once properly pitched, they're pretty
tough.
Cindy
Jean on mon 14 jul 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I am needing to purchase some sort of tent for displaying my pottery at
>festivals. I am needing something about 10'x10' with sides that can close.
>I am curious what type some of you use and where you buy them. Is there a
>supplier anywhere that deals in good used tents, something easy to put up
>that is substantial in the event of a windstorm? It seems what I have found
>so far is around $800, which is a big investment unless I intend to do a lot
>of festivals; so far I haven't done a lot and don't know for sure if I will
>ever do very many. I have rented one before too, but that is $200, which
>wouldn't take too long before I could buy one. I would like to hear your
>input as to what kind you prefer and if and where I can get a bargain.
> Thanks for taking time from your studio to answer me.
> Diane Mann
>Yesterday is History; Tomorrow is a Mystery; Today is a gift that we call
>the Present.
E-Z Up Instant Shelters often has seconds for sale. The #is [800]286-0030.
I'm looking for a source of a tiered fold-up display stand that you put
shelves on. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, Jean Stephenson
Ken Russell on tue 15 jul 97
>>I am needing to purchase some sort of tent for displaying my pottery at
>>festivals. I am needing something about 10'x10' with sides that can
close.
>>I am curious what type some of you use and where you buy them.
I have an EZ-Joke...er, I mean EZ-UP display tent with sides. It's THE
cheapest, both in price and quality but I only do 3 retail shows per year
and can't justify a Craft Hut or Light Dome (all my money's tied up in
wholesale show displays). You can pick one up at Sam's Club for 199.99
plus 89.99 for the four side panels. I'd highly recommend putting in
grommets and using small bungie loops to secure the top and sides to the
frame. The velcro tabs are laughable at best.
When you get your display tent, go next door to Wal-Mart (Sam's Club are
ALWAYS next to a Wal-Mart, federal law or something) and get 4 doggie
stakes and four cargo straps to hold down the tent. I've been next to
Craft Huts, Light Domes, etc. in hellacious downpoors and windstorms and
held up just fine.
Ken Russell
The Arlington Pottery
gone2pot@iw.net
muddpie mama on tue 15 jul 97
Diane,
I purchased a Light Dome from Creative Energies in Flordia. They have
made many changes (not all needed in my opinion) and I think they still
have the best canopy on the market. I paid around 800 for mine 6 years
ago, and they don't ask much more for them today (that included S&H). I
do shows alone, and have no problem putting up the aluminum frame by
myself. Might take me 15-20 min.'s, including slipping on the top.
This tent has been wind tested on an airport runway, double staked (I
always double stake!). A show I did about 6 years ago (my first ever
outdoor, & without a tent) on the shore of Lake Michigan, had a terrible
storm. The only tent that did not go down was this Creative Energies
Light Dome. There was no tornado sighted, but 1 mile from the park we
were in, two mobile homes were picked up off thier foundations and set
down right next to them, without any other damage. What else would do
that??!! I still love my dome, and would not have any other. But, that
is my opinion.
JuliE in Michigan
Lori and Rob on tue 15 jul 97
Diane, Try Sams Club. Yea the warehouse food place. I got my EZ UP
10x10 at Sams for $199.00 (Yes a real EZ UP). Sides are extra, but only
$89 for set of four. Now it is not the top of the line it is thier
middle of the road model. The sides velcro istead of zipping but mine
works great I have had it for over a year now and its still going
strong, even in the high winds we get out hear in the southwest. When I
bought mine they had a package deal for $279 EZ UP and sides and carry
case, I haven't seen that for awhile though. However I was just in Las
Vegas not long ago and they were selling them seperately for the prices
I mentioned above. Spring and summer seem to be the best time to pick
one up at Sams. The regular folk use them for beaches and pic nic
covers. Call all the Sams in your area to see which ones have it before
you head out. Hope this helps.
Always in clay,
Lori
---===Diane Mann===--- on tue 15 jul 97
At 09:24 AM 7/14/97 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Diane,
>
>Well, I use a tipi, but I already had it, and it would cost around $900 if
>I had to replace it. Besides, it's an 18' model, so requires 2 booth
>spaces. ;) Sams sells a shelter called EZ-up, and sells side walls in a
>separate kit. I believe you can get both for probably less than $300. I
>have no idea how good they might be in a windstorm. Putting up the tipi in
>heavy winds would be a drag, but once properly pitched, they're pretty
>tough.
>
>Cindy
>
Thanks Cindy for the response. I have seen the Sams' shelters fall through
during a rainstorm with some wind, so I don't think I want to try one.
(I'll learn from the other people's experience.) It's nice to hear from you
and learn the variety that is out there. Previous to the response on
clayart I just didn't know where to look. Thanks for your time. Good Luck
Diane Mann
Yesterday is History; Tomorrow is a Mystery; Today is a gift that we call
the Present.
Emily Henderson on wed 16 jul 97
Hi... I'm also interested in a better display. If you live out in the
boondocks, as I do, you discover the wonders of letting your fingers do the
walking (i.e. catalogs) or nothing. I know that there is a California
carrier of the EZ-UP at 1-800 FOR EZUP. What is a Sam's Club? What is a
Walmart? We just got a COSTCO a few years ago. The joint is packed! I
also need something that will take LOTS of wind as well as rain. Those
little gazebo things snap like twigs here (lost one two weeks ago, and 3 out
of 4 at our Astoria Saturday Market in one whoosh last year...with 6 of us
hanging on to the things.) Can anybody fill me in on Craft Hut or Light
Dome? How much, where, and what Catalog? TIA, Emily in Astoria OR, where
the clouds asre hanging low and there's drizzle in the air :-(
08:29 AM 7/15/97 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>>I am needing to purchase some sort of tent for displaying my pottery at
>>>festivals. I am needing something about 10'x10' with sides that can
>close.
>>>I am curious what type some of you use and where you buy them.
>
>I have an EZ-Joke...er, I mean EZ-UP display tent with sides. It's THE
>cheapest, both in price and quality but I only do 3 retail shows per year
>and can't justify a Craft Hut or Light Dome (all my money's tied up in
>wholesale show displays). You can pick one up at Sam's Club for 199.99
>plus 89.99 for the four side panels. I'd highly recommend putting in
>grommets and using small bungie loops to secure the top and sides to the
>frame. The velcro tabs are laughable at best.
>
>When you get your display tent, go next door to Wal-Mart (Sam's Club are
>ALWAYS next to a Wal-Mart, federal law or something) and get 4 doggie
>stakes and four cargo straps to hold down the tent. I've been next to
>Craft Huts, Light Domes, etc. in hellacious downpoors and windstorms and
>held up just fine.
>
>Ken Russell
>The Arlington Pottery
>gone2pot@iw.net
>
>
muddpie mama on wed 16 jul 97
Diane,
I purchased a Light Dome from Creative Energies in Flordia. They have
made many changes (not all needed in my opinion) and I think they still
have the best canopy on the market. I paid around 800 for mine 6 years
ago, and they don't ask much more for them today (that included S&H). I
do shows alone, and have no problem putting up the aluminum frame by
myself. Might take me 15-20 min.'s, including slipping on the top.
This tent has been wind tested on an airport runway, double staked (I
always double stake!). A show I did about 6 years ago (my first ever
outdoor, & without a tent) on the shore of Lake Michigan, had a terrible
storm. The only tent that did not go down was this Creative Energies
Light Dome. There was no tornado sighted, but 1 mile from the park we
were in, two mobile homes were picked up off thier foundations and set
down right next to them, without any other damage. What else would do
that??!! I still love my dome, and would not have any other. But, that
is my opinion.
JuliE in Michigan
Michael R. Wardell on wed 16 jul 97
-------------------
My suggestion, after a few years on the road, is a Light Dome, out of
Ocala, FL. They have an 800 number. Every time we set this up or take it
down, or survive another thunderstorm, my wife and I say =22we love our
tent=22.
Maggie & David on fri 16 jan 98
I just did my first outdoor fair ( a great success!) and spent a lot of
time looking at canopies. I didn't like the looks of the E-Z up and
couldn't break with the money for an expensive one as I'll probably only do
one or two fairs a year. I ended up buying a 10 x 10' canopy for 29.99 at
Payless here in Calif. It doesn't have sides but I wanted something open.
We poured cement into 5lb. coffee cans and stuck eye bolts in it and used
that and the hardware that came with the canopy to secure the canopy to the
ground- pier blocks from your local lumber yard would work fine also. I
made three 6" x 40" banners out of cloth with our business name (FireWorks
Pottery) by printing a banner on the computer in paper in 5" letters, cut
the letters out of fabric and using two sided fabric adhesive, glued the
letters onto the cloth banner. I attached the banners to the edges of the
roof of the canopy using velcro. It looked great. Happy sales. Maggie.
Maggie Shepard
FireWorks Pottery
Mt. Shasta, Calif.
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