SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Mar 6, 2011 13:23:41 GMT -5
I am going to be doing my first display at the Golden Spike Rock and Gem show coming up in April here in Utah. I will be doing my case on Agates of course. I would love any tips, suggestions, ideas, pictures that any of you would like to post on this thread. I am not sure on label sizes, what I need to put in as descriptions, and any thing else some of you pro's can help me with. Thanks in Advance! I am very excited about this. Should be FUN!! Steve
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Post by parfive on Mar 6, 2011 13:50:40 GMT -5
Steve – Something on the back wall too . . . map w/pushpins, pics, whatever.
Rich
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 6, 2011 14:13:45 GMT -5
Steve, Are you displaying cabs, polished agate specimens, slabs?? Bob
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Mar 6, 2011 14:29:32 GMT -5
Thanks Rich. Bob...I will be displaying some of each. Polished nodules, slabs, a few cabs...maybe even a few pieces of rough. I ordered me some acrylic stands and I may get a couple of the boxes with the magnification top on it for a close-up on some of the bandings. I'm just not sure on labeling sizes and such. Do you need to add anything about yourself as well?? Such as how long I've been collecting, how long I've been doing lapidary, my interests etc..... steve
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Post by parfive on Mar 6, 2011 15:00:01 GMT -5
Steve – If you have accurate dimensions on the case, the backdrop can be prefabbed on a piece of foamboard and popped in in no time. back only back and sides back and angled sides
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Post by BuiltonRock on Mar 6, 2011 20:21:29 GMT -5
You will do great Steve!! Be sure and share pics!! John
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Mar 6, 2011 23:50:01 GMT -5
Steve, Couple things -
One of the things I do is that I get a piece of liner that matches the size of the case I am using and I design my case on the floor or kitchen table using that as reference. I then photograph the set up once I am happy with it and use the image while I reset up my case at the show. It takes the memory part out of the situation.
Don't put too much into the case. Keep the spacing even. Try to add height to the display, either by glass lifters (votive holders from Pier 1 for a buck a piece) or by choosing your liner and getting extra material to wrap a small box in, etc. What I did this last time is take a glass shelf from IKEA and lift it with the votive holders. It looks clean and reflective and I was able to stick a book or magazine underneath to add to the display.
For labels, I follow a basic format: See below for an example
Agate Horse Canyon Tehachapi California
or
Horse Canyon Agate Tehachapi California
If you are doing competition, try to keep the labels the same size. You can buy prepunched business cards and print your labels out on the cards. Punch out the cards and everything is the same size. Or you can just print labels out on white paper and cut them out... If your material is all the same type, or you have 3 - 4 sections with each section a different material, then you don't need to label each piece, just each section.
As for the liner on your case, don't choose a color that will compete with your agates. I've seen black bases and white bases. Both can be striking.
As for words - I was told that for competition, extra words detract from the score - but with that said, I'm a teacher and I like at times to have a case wrapped around a theme. So, what to write? What's your theme. If it's just a display of your collection, then not much more than the labels and your name. If you have a focus, such as local material, then a short paragraph centered on your main topic might help. I did a case based on material bought from local estate sales. I included a short paragraph that stated that if a person was serious about building a collection on a budget, these sales were necessary. I then mentioned the prices at these sales, and the display was a selection of material I had bought.
Most people are there to gawk. People move through the rows expecting to see rocks, not so many words. Anything written needs to be interesting to slow the browser yet not too long or complex (unless your focus demands it) that the person moves on before finishing. People ohhhh and awwww rocks and not writing so much.
I hope this helps a little. Basically, keep it clean keep it simple, don't push too much. Remember that this display is not your last - choose two items after the show to work on for next time.
You'll do great!!!
Lowell
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 7, 2011 1:12:31 GMT -5
Here is a photo of my case when I had it at the Tuscon Gem and Mineral Show two weeks ago. As you can see I don't use very many labels on my stuff. I don't enter any competetive cabs so I don't need to do any required labeling. What I have generally found it that the total time that show attendees stay at any case viewing whats displayed is at most 1 minute, most often less, so it is rather rare that they will want to stop and read a detailed label on anything or a lengthy bio of the displayer. Unless the case is primarily devoted to an educational theme most won't bother reading much of what is written. If you were to do a bio I think it should be made up in a small brochure that is attached to the outside of the case so if anyone is interested they could stand aside the main viewing window and read it. I use a high quality, very clean liner whose color enhances or compliments the main object in the case. It is a "silky", slightly shiny material stretched over a 1" thick rigid styrofoam bought at Lowe's for a few dollars. I have a larger and a smaller triangle riser in each corner to lift the rear and side objects up for better viewing. They are made of the same stuff as the main liners. My case is a custom made one that I made to fold up for better transportation when I got to other shows. I have special lighting that is positioned so emphasize the goblet and the Catseye Obsidian cabs. I use 3 spot lights to achieve this effect. If you want to know more on the lighting I can go to my shop and find out which specific spot light bulbs I use. I place all the larger items in the rear and I position all the cabs to point to the front center of the case. I use the small triangular shaped acrylic plastic holders for the cabs. I have altered some large slab holders to prop the Obsidian cabs so as to provide the best light for viewing the rainbow effects. I use scotch clear doublestick tape for holding items in the holders for those odd shapes. I can show photos of the altered large cab holders if you want to see them. They will work for large slabs, also. I hope this helps. Bob Some closeup photos.
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Post by sitnwrap on Mar 7, 2011 22:26:55 GMT -5
Steve, Are you going to display your book? I don't know if that would be appropriate but I think it would look neat next to your agates.
It sounds like you are going to have lots of fun.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2011 22:40:13 GMT -5
Good luck Steve! Bob....I see my favorite, the turtle with the bitty cabs for eyes.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 19, 2011 21:59:10 GMT -5
Steve, I agree with what the others have said. I've found that people really like labels on specimens so they know what they are looking at in the case. Just putting down basics works (name of rock and location) is what seems to work the best. I was told that a lot of showcases are sized almost the same. I've seen the same kinds in Quartzsite as we use here. The dimensions I have are: Back: 23 1/2" x 45 7/8" Bottom: 22" x 45 5/8" 2 sides: 22" x 23 1/2"
I'll be putting in a showcase again this year at our show coming up the first weekend in April so good luck to both of us ;-)
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Mar 21, 2011 20:35:42 GMT -5
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Mar 21, 2011 20:57:03 GMT -5
Thanks Everyone for comments and pictures shared. I spent most of the weekend putting up my mock display set-ups. I'm actually going to do two showcases. One of my Echostones, and one of my agates. I have a few pictures but stupid photobucket keeps crashing. Dan...I haven't seen alot of those cabs in the last display case. You have to share some close-ups of those stunning cabs! Steve
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