They certainly would have made things easier. But, you have what you have. Finding grid panels was the first one the list. The internet can be a wonderful time saver. Within five minutes, suitable panels were found and ordered. One down.

Next was how to secure them. As I said, supplies are at a premium, so not everything is always available. But, after many forays to hardware stores, and a lot of back and forth between Wolf and myself (mostly me saying “no, I don’t want it to look like that”), we came to a suitable solution to the beams. Wolf took two brackets used for shelves, put a strip of wood in between to strengthen it, and fastened them together, making one long beam. Adding another bracket on both ends ensures that they don’t decide to shift and come tumbling down (with framed photographs!).

Like he said, they aren’t the prettiest, but they work.

Next up was how to hang the grids onto the bracket. He suggested hooks, but what we found was not going to be used. So, when we located white chain, we decided that that was going to be our only solution. So, he spent some time cutting and forming hooks on each piece.

Then he decided it was time to try it all out to see if the brackets fit the tent.

I have my tent, walls and stock…but I still need some things to go on the inside. Plus I want an “eye catcher” – something that will be different.

Where do I go? Ebay, of course!

I wanted an easel, but not the normal new ones that I always see. So I set up a watch on Ebay for antique easels and waited. One day, waiting in my email, was the following description: “Wunderschöne Staffelei im Jugendstil” (Beautiful easel in Jugendstil). When I clicked on the auction and saw the photos, I knew that was what I had been looking for. It was noted by the seller that, since it was large, it would have to be picked up. Looking at the seller’s city, I realized that it was about an hour’s drive from us. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Next, to win the easel…

I set my sniping software with my maximum bid and counted down the day till the auction. Since we weren’t going to be home, I was on pins and needles, waiting to see if I had won the auction. I was overjoyed that I had, and told Wolf that we would have to pick it up. We emailed the seller right away to arrange a meeting and to find out where she lived. The next evening, we were on her doorstep to pick up the easel. She told us of a man in Italy who wanted the easel and was willing to have it shipped to him, but she didn’t want to go through the hassle. A museum also contacted her about it, but the auction had already ended by the time she saw the email and she was committed to sell it to me. I was awestruck when I saw it and could only run my hand over the fine workmanship. She said she was hoping that the winner would appreciate it; I hope she realized that I would. It will stay in my office with a photo on it (when not in use at art festivals) so that I can admire it.

My next acquisitions were tables. I wanted a long one and a corner table. I found exactly what I wanted on Ebay and for nice buy it now prices. Soon, the post man would be bringing them to my door. Following them would be white muslin tablecloths to cover the tables. Table easels also arrived and a large box dated in the early 1920’s to hold matted prints.

Finally, it seemed that everything was starting to shape up.

Flash back to Photokina 2004. I love going to Photokina and seeing all the new technology. On the lower floor you can find the digital cameras and all the much needed accessories. Upstairs, you find the other accessories – from frames to puppets to get your younger clients to smile to matting materials. We watched a young man demonstrate his mat cutter. We were impressed but, at the time, didn’t have a use for it. But, I took his brochure and saved it with my ton of other brochures that I received that year.

Two years later – Photokina 2006 – this time I specifically want to look at mat cutters and find the brochure of the company that I want to visit. According to the Photokina program, they’re upstairs again. We go upstairs and start looking down the aisles and booths. Nope, an empty space. Wolf takes the brochure from me and calls the UK. Yes, they were supposed to be there but, unfortunately, had to cancel. So, no sale from me. At the end of one aisle is a man selling Logan mat cutters. We look at the box and figure that it will do what I want, and buy it.

After getting home and checking it all out, it sits in the corner for another six months. One day, I take out the VHS video and play it. It looks easy enough, so I order a package of mats to play around with. After the initial messing up of two, I find my rhythm and am happily cutting away.

After spending days printing out photos, the dining room table becomes my mat cutting and mounting table.

The initial cost is horrendous – matboard in several sizes, hinging tape, mounting tape and plastic bags to protect them – but it is enormously satisfying to do it yourself.