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  Jane Shaffer January 4, 2016 at 12:53pm

  The load in for OOAK is pretty easy. You pull your car up to the dock.  The Union workers unload your vehicle, take it up to the 7th floor and unload it in your booth.  You can usually load in on either of the 2 days prior to the show between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.   You can stay later in the evening to work on your booth, but the dock closes as 3:00 p.m.  The only problem we have ever had is that there can be a long line waiting for a dock space, but that depends on what time you arrive.  Over the years, we have waited only 5 minutes and we have waited 90 minutes.  On average it is probably 30 minutes.  You have to pay to have your booth painted.  There are two light bars across the top of the booth and Six flood lights located wherever you want them on the two bars are included in the package.  If you want more lights on the bars, you have to pay extra.  You can bring lights that sit on a table or on the floor, but you cannot bring light bars.  The 7th floor is shut down at the close of the show, so the public is not on the floor when the show is not in progress.  So your security concerns are only for the employees of the Merchandise Mart and the other artists.  We put a sheet across our booth opening, just to keep wandering eyes away.  It would not keep anyone out who wanted to get in.  In the 13 years I have been doing the show, I have never heard of anyone having a problem when the show was not in progress.   I hope this helps.
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  Carol Musial January 4, 2016 at 9:39am

  I'm curious about the load in process (It's a union shop) and booth design. How long are you given to create your booth? Lights, paint, shelving, etc? How efficient is the drayage? I'm guessing setup is several days before opening? Also, what is security like both during & overnight? I assume people leave their booths set, but who takes product out at end of each day? Anyone? How do you "close up" your booth at night? I walked the show a few years back & have been considering it ever since.
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  Jane Shaffer January 2, 2016 at 12:54pm

  I have done it for the past 13 years, including 2015.  Our sales this year were our second best out of the 13 years.  I have not noticed a decline in the art or in the attendance. 
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  Bettie Grace Miner January 2, 2016 at 4:40am

  Hey Artists - Has anyone done this "One of a Kind" show (Chicago) recently? Or have you heard anything from those who have? I've been reading reviews by attendees, and they don't seem to be happy. There is a Spring and a Christmas show. I'd love to know your thoughts about it. Thanks!
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  michael solomon November 2, 2010 at 9:58am

  i did the show 3 or 4 times - if you sell a gift item, wearables or jewelry - consider it - the crowd is mostly well dressed woman - it is not a good environment for 2d
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  Kevin Matthews November 1, 2010 at 11:17pm

  Thanks for all the feedback... This is a great forum and I appreciate your willingness to share and give advice!
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  Jane Shaffer October 31, 2010 at 8:05pm

  I should add, that it depends on your set up. If you are behind a counter, you can probably do it yourself. We let people come into our booth and touch the jewelry, so we need to have our eyes out when it is busy.
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  Jane Shaffer October 31, 2010 at 8:04pm

  There are two of us. We work in shifts. One opens and works alone for the first hour or two, then the other arrives and we work together during the busy part of the day. When it slows down, the early person goes home.
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  Anita Elaine Peters October 31, 2010 at 7:38pm

  Hey Jane,
  
  Do you do the show by yourself or do you have help?? I'm also a jeweler and wonder if people are able to do the show by themselves.
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  Shawn Malone October 31, 2010 at 1:48pm

  I just checked with them a couple days ago and they are STILL accepting apps..... even in photography....
  That being said, I would think if you have a strong following in Chicago from the massive amount of outdoor shows, you should be able to do well at this show.
  An excellent woodworker friend of mine will never do this show again due to their load in procedures in which his work was damaged in the process.