I traveled to Chicago for the Ooaksthis past weekend. I had never been to one of those shows before. I was very excited to go to a show held in the Merchandise Mart. We arrived on Saturday just about the time it opened. I don't think they could get any more people in that place. It was packed! It was so tight that we could only take tiny baby steps as we moved around the show.
The wearable art seemed to be doing very well. The booths were packed with ladies feverishly examining each item. Not only were they looking, they were buying, too. Some shoppers told us they come every year and I think they were all coming on the same day, too. Shoppers could be seen carrying multiple bags as we inched our way down the rows. There were gorgeous silk scarves, winter coats, designer dresses, and lots of fancy scarves made from really cool yarns. Plus, we saw lots and lots of fancy hats. The hats made me wonder why I don't ever see anybody wearing one. Maybe hats are token purchases that vanish into thin air once they hit the closet shelf. :-)
There was lots and lots of jewelry! I think one artist told us there were 160 jewelers there. Twenty six percent of the booths were jewelry and that does seem high to me. I don't think the jewelers were very happy about that. As we walked along it does seem like everywhere you looked there was a jeweler.
I did see something I hadn't seen before. There was an Etsey area. Exhibitors that had Etsey stores were all together in one area. It did seem like there was a good number of them there. The work in that area did seem a bit different to me. It wasn't quite like the art work I am used to seeing at Art Shows.
As we got to the other side of the building we could see what I would call traditional art. I am referring to the painters, photographers, sculptors, and others. There were shoppers in those booths but not like the shoppers in the clothing booths. There were some very good artists and if money wasn't an object I would have made several purchases. I did talk to some of those artists and they said they were doing well but not quite as good as they did last year.
Of course, there were a few booths that made you wonder how they got into the show. For the most part their work looked nice but it just wasn't really art.
We did go back Sunday and it was much easier to get around because the crowds weren't so thick. I suppose the artists would rather have the crowds though. I took a few photos. Bare in mind I used a tiny little Nikon Coolpics camera. I noticed they are a little fuzzy but you will get the idea I am sure. The photos that have less people in them were taken on Sunday.
I am already planning my trip for next year. Hopefully, I will see you there, too.
This artist sold all kinds of fancy things for the bedroom. Her display looked very attractive.
Anne is an AFI member that I stumbled upon.
The art on the far right was really cool bells.
The Fashion district, too bad I am not a clothes horse. I would have gone nuts.
Sorry, I know this one is blurry.
Suddenly, I can't add any more photos so I guess that is my hint to end this.
Jacki B
A lifestyle to envy - living near the ocean in Maryland, South Carolina and now Florida, Rick and Barbara walk the beaches nearly every day gathering the sea urchins that are the inspiration for their designs. 
