Question:

How do I pack for Convention?

packing your tools and equipment

Leave your suitcase virtually empty! Pack your toiletries and clothes into a small carry on bag. Save the suitcase for the painting gear. Be sure to include enough pillow cases to wrap around your projects. Dress your brushes in soap or hairspray before you pack them. This will protect the bristles while travelling. There are a number of brush holders on the market. Check the link below to choose one you like. I suggest you look for one that has the brushes strapped in rather than loose and rolling around. Make sure you identify each and every thing you put in that case. Your name and address or contact details should be on every brush and gadget! Take your ID labels with you to put on anything you buy too!

Think compact again when packing your supplies. There are lots of people and not a lot of painting space between each painter. Don't take the whole roll of paper towel…take 6 sheets for each class. Don't take a big premier wet palette. Take the Painters pal or handy palette. You should not need any paint. Most of this is supplied at the convention.

Packing personals

So…count the days of absence. Enough clean underwear for each day and just one spare. Take clothing that is easily washable and not likely to crinkle. (Nobody wants to iron anyway!) You cut corners here by taking less and making the effort to rinse out clothing each day while you shower. It will dry in your room! Two sets of wash and wear clothes would easily see you through!

Toiletries can be reduced too. You only need enough shampoo, soap, toothpaste etc for a few days. Don't take the big bottles! Dispense an appropriate smaller amount into plastic containers. The same goes for medications and vitamins. Select a minimum range of makeup and Jewllery. Actually you may have a mountain of painted pins and badges you want to wear each day. Invest in a vest, pin them to the vest and make this your ‘convention uniform' outfit. Wear it on the plane too and from.

Manage your finances with a bum bag. That's Aussie for what some call a belly bag or money belt. Forget your handbag…another thing to tote around. You need cash, credit card and maybe your personals like your license. A small pack of pocket tissues will fit in there too. Remember I have already advised you leave the mobile phone at home! If you do want to carry more, get a back pack. This will leave your hands free and shoulders more comfortable. There are plenty of very light weight small ones on the market.

Leave your suitcase virtually empty! Pack your toiletries and clothes into a small carry on bag. Save the suitcase for the painting gear. Be sure to include enough pillow cases to wrap around your projects. Dress your brushes in soap or hairspray before you pack them. This will protect the bristles while travelling. There are a number of brush holders on the market. I suggest you look for one that has the brushes strapped in rather than loose and rolling around. Make sure you identify each and every thing you put in that case. Your name and address or contact details should be on every brush and gadget! Take your ID labels with you to put on anything you buy too!

Principles for travelling

Firstly you need to think compact and minimum. It will be full and at maximum by the time you come home! While it is tempting to bring all your brushes, stop and think for a minute. How about just the ones on the requirements list and then add your favourites that are not included on those lists? Leave it at that! It might also be tempting to have all your makeup, more clothes and shoes than you need and lots of other stuff. Stop and think again! Where are your priorities? You are not going to a fashion show, or away for 10 days! This is a weekend painting convention. It requires comfy loose fitting clothes, comfy sensible shoes, and minimum makeup. You might require one good outfit if there is a gala event you are attending such as a dinner. But that is it…one good outfit only! You need lots of room for your painted pieces and shopping purchases!