BIG Displays.... small Spaces

by MaryAnn Carroll

So, the idea for this post came from my most recent request for my very talented husband Bill to make me a necklace display. We do shows together, but the space I have compared to his is very small. It works out since I teach full time, have work in galleries and am usually unable to make a ton of jewelry. The problem with a small space, however, is that .... well.... it's small.

As you can see in the first picture (not the best quality), that I have a small space in comparison to all of the pottery. My spot is next to Bill in the back. 

Here a a view that is a little better. As you see I have a small table and use the ends on the long tables. After many experimental displays (not that he's thrilled that my ideas are always evolving), I decided that the best use of space is to build up not out. 

Here is a necklace/bracelets display from the past. My original idea with the one on the left was to dangle necklaces and then put bracelets on the bottom. This design is much too big and also much too wide. It does not make the most of the space that I have. It is also too busy. On the right is my most recent. It is simple, tall, and a pretty good width. I get lots more out of it.

Then I have a had a few different earring displays. This one was designed to offer a rustic look. I guess the idea was okay, but the size was way too big. The paint for the colors came from colors that were in an issue of Belle Armoire magazine.

These next two are what I have used recently. The one on the right is okay, but I really don't like the space down the middle and it needs a different color paint. I'll keep it, but need to fix it up. The one on the left is what I typically use today. The earrings pop out more (which was the idea) and they slide off to the sides for easy storage when tearing down. I just slip this into a pillow case and wrap some rubber bands around it. It could probably use a better back drop, but I am not going to worry about that anytime too soon.

Here is a close up of how the earrings display and bracelets look together.

These little guys are for end spots. The sit up on the 2nd shelf so they are at eye level. I put a pair of earrings on there for scale.

Next is the issue with necklaces. Ughh..... I don't have any easy answers for that. I read that having pieces dangle always attracts people. There is truth to that. I do have a spot for my pieces to dangle from a piece of wood that juts out from one of the pottery shelves. I didn't, however, have a nice little display for how they might look when worn. Once again, after researching a little (I've gotten smarter about doing my homework first), I found some ideas that I liked. Bill assured me that he would take care of it.

My request to him: Will you please make me a couple of tall necklace displays? I would like them made with wood with the least amount of grain that you can find so the jewelry pops out! I don't want anything that is too busy. He's retired so he told me he would make it while I was at work. I got home and this lovely display was sitting on the counter. I was a little taken aback!!

I did ask for a smooth piece of wood with little to no grain, didn't I? Now, this is a lovely piece of wood loaded with LOTS of character AND a big hole, but it wasn't quite what I envisioned. 

How do I approach this when he walks in the house?

"Thanks for making that for me, Bill. It's really nice. It has lots of character. Did you remember that I wanted one with little to no grain? 

Of course, he was put out and told me that he is constantly making and remaking displays for me! That was a dilemma because he DOES always make and remake when I come up with different design ideas. I really didn't want to say that it was not going to work.

so......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

he headed down to the other room and...

SURPRISE!

He really did know what I wanted! I love him and them!!!

Now, THAT is more like it!!

My displays have evolved like my jewelry making has evolved.  It will probably continue to and maybe three years from now when I retire from teaching I will need a bigger space!

In terms of displays, this my favorite. People are drawn to it as it is tall and almost to eye level. This is built from the largest dowel I could find at Lowes.

And I still like this. It is going on the second summer of shows. I can bend the tubing to fit the earring length.

 And here is one necklace display.I have one for each table end. This show was in the backyard of a home at Westcott Art Trail in Syracuse. 

The other along with my piece of wood to dangle necklaces off of. I probably should have hidden my jacket and plastic work box for the picture!

So, that is a sampling of what I have used. It is not a complete list since I have used pieces of logs for bracelets and some other experimental ideas that didn't work out.

How do you handle your display area? What works best and what have you tossed to the curb?