Cow Art and More June e-news

While we're busy setting up the Cow Art and More art booth at the National Holstein convention, we invite you to take a moment to read our monthly e-news. We always try to share useful tips and information with readers, including how to make the most of your art purchase. Click here to read the Cow Art and More new art, decorating tips, and DIY art project.

Getting the cow art booth ready

I'm minutes away from pulling out the door, but had a few more "hodge podge" pictures to share:


My woodworking friend Bill also cut some scrap lumber for me to use as shelving. Here, I'm drilling holes for screws to attach the brackets.











He also marked holes for me to drill to attach screws to secure the jewelry displays.












Some good fit and now I can secure it. (Bill is always good about "safety".)


















A "ballot box" to collect names for the Cow Art and More contact list. I like doing it this way as to protect people's privacy. Do you really like adding your name to a list so everyone can see?








Okay, the truck is PACKED FULL and we are heading north! See you on Friday!

Constructing art display pedestals

In a post last week, I showed you a trip to Lowe's to get tops for art display pedestals. The next step was to put them together.


I had the medium density fiberboard (MDF) cut into squares of 14 by 14 inches and 12 by 12 inches. I managed to get a total of 21 squares out of a 4 foot by 9 foot sheet.










I centered a 12 inch by 12 inch square on a 14 inch by 14 inch square. I glued it down with wood glue and let it sit for 24 hours.










While those were drying, I started working on the pedestal base.


I ordered a stack of 10 cardboard boxes, double walled thickness, 12 inches by 12 inches by 48 inches. It almost cost as much to ship them as it cost for the boxes.

















I had selected a few different heights that I wanted to give the display some visual interest. This particular box, I marked 40 inches from the bottom all the way around.










I then used my handy-dandy "as seen on TV ginsu knife" to cut the box. (Yes, that's me in the do-rag at left. I'm either wearing one of those of a baseball cap.)










Voila! Cardboard pedestals with hard tops! The top piece is the 14 by 14 and 12 by 12 combo. A 12 inch by 12 inch piece of MDF is in the inside bottom of the box to help keep it steady. I figured I made 7 for the cost of buying 2 already made.

They're still not done though. I need to make covers and have attachments for glass for the jewelry display pieces.

Portable art gallery flooring

One of the first things I did in designing the booth was deciding that I wanted a distinct gallery feel to the space. When it comes to setting up in convention centers, there can be anything from carpet to a bare concrete floor. I considered an area rug, but then found these great spongy tiles (that have the same sponginess as the tiles used in milking parlors).


I settled on two foot by two foot interlocking tiles with a wood grain pattern. I also bought a zippered carrying case for them. The portability also made them more appealing than an area rug.











As you can see they are pretty easy to put together. My youngest was having a great time helping me make sure the tiles were going to work. The great thing about these mats too is that they should help people (and me too) feel comfortable while standing.

Preparing for the National Holstein convention

A lot goes into making a 10 foot by 10 foot booth space into a temporary art gallery space. After spending some time in Google SketchUp, I have a booth design that I like and am moving forward with. Here's a preview of what the booth will look like:


The floor of the space will have a series of 2 foot by 2 foot foam tiles with a wood grain pattern. (Notice one of my peeps helping me put them together.) Not only will it give people a comfortable place to stand, but will give the space an upscale gallery feel (versus the basement of a convention center).







The design also includes having back drapes and table covers. Since this will be an indoor venue, the fabrics must be fireproofed. I decided that it was a better use of my time to talk to a company that specializes in made to order, fire retardant draperies and cloths instead of doing it myself. These are the fabric samples the company sent. I'm definitely going with the ivory at the far left for the drapes, but am still trying to decide on tablecloth colors. I thought I wanted brown, but the dark terra cotta is nice too.



The lights I've ordered just came in, so I will be putting those together. Pictures to come on those too.

What would you like to know about Cow Art and More

What questions do you have for us? What would you like to know? Techniques? The business inner workings? How do I get a job at Cow Art and More? List your questions and comments here and we will answer questions in future posts!