wildrose

Shingles can hit anyone who HAS had chicken pox. My mom had it on her scalp, so didn't see the rash right away. She was camping with family in the Grand Canyon. NOT good timing, huh? Didn't seek medical attn. 'til after she returned. Said she thought she was dying. That was a year ago. She said she still feels pain occasionally when the wind hits the right way. Stress is a known factor, but I don't know as it's a cause. Shingles hit me at a stressful time, as it hit my mom, so I can only relate our tales. I had my experience this year. It felt like someone had slugged me by my left breast, right by the bra line, near my armpit. I noticed an odd rash. I had a dr. appt. because of the pain, and he saw the rash right away. I was luckier than Mom, because I was treated so quickly. Still, it was really painful, and because of the location - well let's just say wearing a bra was not great then, and I couldn't really go without. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

That is a lovely display, Holly. Your stuff always looks so good. Thanks [blushing]! As to the heat lamp, we used to use them in the barn during foaling time alot. They are GREAT. I've not used one at a show, because I've needed cooling more than heating - and for that I bought a mini battery operated fan from Sharper Image (there was a store in our mall in Delaware) I try to keep my display as simple as possible. It is usually only me loading and unloading at every show. I have a fold up "dolly" to carry stock boxes in when I need to, if I'm parked too far away to just carry them. I use 3 plastic bins with various lid styles. One holds my table covers, two for stock, and one of those also has signage/easels for displaying pieces. Right now I'm small time, but I hope to grow to larger events. Then I have 4 tables, as I'd mentioned I think, that go in the car; I have a square table and round table of the "card table" size, but I rarely use them. I also have a REALLY sturdy table that I would use if I were doing a multi day or multi weekend event should I want to. Display wise, aside from the metal hanging displays, I have a large wooden step display that a friend gave me. It's REALLY heavy, so I usually don't bring it out. Instead, I put shoeboxes on my main table covering, then cover them with another color cloth (usually a nice blue velvet textured one) So it makes my display multi-level and that looks nice. Again, it all depends on the event. So...into the car normally goes three stock boxes, four tables, a chair or two just in case, and the main need: an EZ-Up tent. There are many "knock offs" of this tent, but I have the original, and bought the "industrial strength" cover for it after the first cover bit the dust during a stormy event up in PA. I have the walls as well, and a tarp for the front if I'm leaving the tent up overnight. There ya go, that's me! I've been at this for longer than I often realize - I guess about 10 years. Sometimes I do very few events a year, sometimes it seems like I'm somewhere every weekend. The "season" for me runs from April to December.

Maybe someone more tech savvy than me can answer that one.

The new EcoFlo line at Tandy has a cranberry that I'm totally in love with. There are some others in the red shade/tint that I like too.

I'm a lefty, and I have Tandy's version of the strap cutter. I've been using it for more than 10 yrs now with no problems. It's nice 'cuz you can turn it around however you want it. I got a lefty stitching palm from Hidecrafters a while back too.

An opinion on the other side: I've bought a few spools of the Tejas Superior Lace from Tandy and have been VERY satisfied. I've used it on a wedding gift for a cousin, and a wallet. I just bought some more to use on some Bible covers. I've had no problems with it. I have had problems with older versions and less quality versions of the laces from Tandy, though. But not recently. I buy from them all the time, and rarely have a bad experience. I've also found them willing to help when there was a problem.

Ray, as always from you, a well thought out commentary on your experience. While I'm waiting for some contact cement to set, I'll share my experiences this season: I did entirely indoor events. One small church, two schools (one public, one private) and one for a Lion's Club benefit at our Recreation Center. The biggest was the last. Ironically, taking into account the proportion difference, the small church's was the best attended! That said, sales were AWFUL. The thing that "saved" me was taking in custom orders. At the shows themselves, I always bring things to work on. I also cut strips for "design your own bookmarks" and bring all my 3D stamps along, as well as any larger project I might be making at the time. My tables are about 2'x4' and I have 4 of them. This allows for variety in layout depending on what the show is offering. Most shows gave me 10x10' spaces. Entry fees were 25-40.00 My table clothes are white with light patterning; also I use a few small pig splits in a royal blue to lay over the clothes, then put the stock over it. To hang keyrings and bracelets, I went to Home Depot and bought what is supposed to be closet wire shelving, and I made a right angle, tied 'em together and hung things. That's it for now. I'm including a pic from the small church show of part of my display.

I also find applying the dye with a good sized square of the sheepswool scrap Tandy sells works well. Cut the scrap, trim off the wool as much as you can and voila, good applicator. Learned that from Jim Linnell at a class.

Happy birthday! (ps okay I confess that now I'm grumpier because nobody even mentioned mine back on the 6th!)

Because there are times you have to firmly put yourself first. Of course, you can be nice while doing it. But I think the point was more that you can't always be nice to people in a way that would lead to them walking all over you. Think of it like Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse, where he's telling the bouncers about being nice (great scene!). I guess it's in how you view nice... Wow, that was as clear as mud! But hopefully someone got my point.

Whinewine, I've done that same kit, and I'd have to say it's alot harder than it looks. I finally got a pair together, only to find they never stay up, but are constantly falling around my ankles.