From: AeraDeco@aol.com
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 07:11:30 EST
Subject: Re: dilemma
To: <Adelaida.Sy@gxs.ge.com>, <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>

Given the nature of your situation and that both you AND the other decorator are friends of the people throwing the party, I would suggest simply contacting the other decorator and work with that person directly rather than have your client become the middle man. Obviously, many important issues could get lost in the shuffle when you have to go through someone else. This is obviously an exception to most circumstances we see here on the list, and both you and the other decorator have professional as well as personal interests at stake.

If you try to outshine the other decorator, that could work against you in the long run. Clearly, it would be easy for someone to mistake who did what work on the balloon decor, and I think once you start trying to divy up credit at an event like that, it just ends up looking tacky and petty. You could also end up having your ideas or concepts directly "stolen" by that designer, or photos of your work could end up in their portfolio.

Under the circumstances, maybe you should consider the joint effort with the other decorator, but simply scale down your decor ideas to match their simple columns (after all, anyone can do them, right?). For example, offer to run string of pearl arches between them all, or design simple centerpieces that work well with their decor. 

I'm just afraid if you try to do too much, you'll end up losing more credit than you'll gain or look bad trying to make sure you get the notability you deserve. If your client questions this, simply remind them that they've created this situation by having two different decorators work on the event. You said they're like family; then they should be able to understand the professional dilemna they've put you in.

Good Luck!

Steve Jones
Aeration Decorations
Cincinnati, Ohio