Second year for Barrington. May 28-29. Great potential for the show. Saturday, weather threatened all day but no rain. Threat apparently kept people away. Sunday started off cloudy. Amy came around at 11:00 am. Said no time to tear down, just buttom the hatches since severe weather headed our way in next 30 minutes and then sunny skies within an hour or so. Storm hit at 11:15 severe rain, lighting and 50 mile hour winds. Some damage to tents but not too much. Four hour later, rain finally stopped and sun came out but show was basicsally over. Probably had 2-3 inches of rain and heavy lighting. Many exhibitors took life and limb in hand and tore down in storm...We rode it out in tent with no damage. Had a lighting strike very close. Nearly jumped 6 inched ouf of my chair. Chain saws were busy After the storm. Total sales about $600 for the show. Just can't compete with the weather.
East Side Milleniuum- Downtown Chicage. June 3,4,6 Great location. North end of Grant Park and one block North. Huge office buildings and condos all around. Great weather Friday and great crowd but very few buyers. Same for Saturday. Less than $500 each day. Sunday started out the same. However around 2 PM the heavens opened and showered money from above. We had our absolute best selling day in 37 years of doing shows and our best show in the last 25 years. One finely dressed man came into the booth and was like a kid in a candy shop. $5,000 later he decided he had purchased enough items. Eight shopping bags and a large box containing our Noah's Ark. Was still shaking an hour later after he left. Sales were constant until 1/2 hour after the show closed. Finally had to drop the curtains on the tent so we could get packed up and get out.
Also won best of categoy - Three dimensional - functional. Goes to show that some people do appreciate good wooden toys. Now have to cram for the next 2+ weeks to get some inventory made for the next two shows. Always something to compalin about
Ed Schmidt
Wooden toys
Comments
Oh, come on, Ed. You've been saying you'd be cutting back almost as long as I've known you. ;)
But I do understand what you are saying. Haven't we met wonderful people over the years at the shows?
Ed... congrats on your big sale!!! I'll be at AH and Glenview and will make sure I get a moment to see your work! I missed your booth at Barrington and during the storm I was riding it out with some fellow artists at the coffee shop (lightning makes me nervous and wanted a real "roof" over my head!).
Connie; Age is coming at me full blast. Having a tough time this year keeping up. Fully intend to cut back on shows next year. Maybe only 6-7 but I will really hate missing all the wonderful people that have been our customers all these years and all the terrific artists and craftsmen that we have gotten to know in thse past 37 years
Keep up the great work with ArtFair Insiders. I am proud to be a member of your orginazation.
Ed
ese past 37 years. My body is talking to me so I guesss I had better start listening to it.