Demo Question

[Jillie Beads]

I have a gallery show coming up the end of November and I got the paperwork in the mail for it a couple of days ago. They have asked if I would be able to give a demo of how I make beads. I don't feel comfortable bringing the propane tank inside the building, and that is the only way it could be done. Does anyone have any input or experience with this type of request? Thanks so much, Jill

[nursekatie]

Hi Jill!! I keep a quiet torch with small MAPP cans available for such occasions:D Just be sure to melt some glass on it BEFORE the demo.......LOL Good Luck!!

[Lenda]

Yup, I was gonna suggest a HH and Mapp also. But like Katie said, if you're not using one now, make sure you CAN use it, LOL!

[Jillie Beads]

I was afraid you were gonna suggest that - I sold my HH's!!!! Dang it!

[JCA]

Hi Jill,
Maybe if you have a laptop you could do a slide show ? From start to finish or have someone video you making a bead and have a small vcr tv set up? It would work in a pinch......

[nursekatie]

Jill...I have a HH and a Quiet torch.....you want to borrow them??? Ican ship them to you!!

[Steve Wright]

When I do an indoor demo I use one of those one pound propane tanks. You can get an adaptor.

The one pound tanks last about 6-7 hours. The ones I get are made by Coleman and are available at WalMart for about $1.60. The adaptor cost about $10.00

Steve

[!ngridh]

Originally posted by JCA
Hi Jill,
Maybe if you have a laptop you could do a slide show ? From start to finish or have someone video you making a bead and have a small vcr tv set up? It would work in a pinch......

What a great idea!!!!!!!

[Schermo]

Those of you who know me are going to be saying to yourself, Oh no ! Here she goes again on that darned insurance issue!

Jillie, if you're going to be demo'ing in public, make sure that you have LIABILITY covered. This means that either you, or the gallery where you are demonstrating, carries liability insurance, just in case someone gets hurt, or the unthinkable happens. The unthinkable is made many times worse if someone is hurt, and decides to sue.

This would mean your carrying business liability insurance, not regular homeowners. You are working with an open flame, tanks and hot glass, so the risk is very real. If you do this, be sure that you have some kind of plexiglass or glass shield installed for the public to stand behind while watching.

I did my first outdoor demo on Saturday, and another thing I would suggest is that you make sure you have a wind break of some sort on either side of you. It wasn't very windy, but every little breeze that came along blew the flame one way or the other, making precision next to impossible, and burning myself a definite possibility. (I didn't, but my hand definitely felt the heat a couple times!)

Also, although I was very surprised by this, working outside in the daylight makes seeing the flame very, very difficult (and I was working under a canopy tent, so was never in the direct sun), and I had a hard time really figuring out where my flame was in certain conditions as the sun went in and out. It was a very good reminder what it feels like to be a beginner again !!

So, just some things for you to think about, Jill. And, don't forget that just because they've asked you to do this, doesn't mean that you have to. So often I think we feel that once a request is made, it becomes our job to figure out how to accomplish it. If doing a demo is not in your best interest, then don't do it.

Good luck ! - Schermo

[Moth]

I love the video idea for lots of reasons.

1) It is no risk unless you get your hand stuck in the vcr! LOL
2) It keeps you less occupied so you can pay more attention to the people browsing your booth
3) It will garner the most attention from people who really ARE interested. I went to a show one time and stood for 20 minutes watching a blacksmith work even though I had no intention of ever doing it myself OR buying anything from him. Watching him was fascinating, but didn't make him any money off of me. I wouldn't have stood in front of his booth blocking traffic and potential buyers if he had been playing a video. Only people sincerely interested in what is going on in the video will loiter around to watch it.

If you consider this a detriment instead of a plus, you could always make the demo video silent and do all the narrative live to the crowd. That would still give you the interaction, and a human voice for people to relate with. Also gives you the opportunity to answer questions as you go.
4) You wouldn't really be carting any more stuff in than you would be trying to drag propane, HH, glass, mandrels, eyewear, crowd protection, etc. Just a vcr/tv and the tape. (maybe an extension cord or two)

Good luck with your show!
~~Mary