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What to me in the last two shows and one that I was hoping to get in but did not happen. So finally got time to write these two shows reviews but one it had discuss widely. Main reason I was in the wait list for Geneva, IL show run by EM Events but I could get in. I sad about because I won a merit award in this show last year and was my best show of last season. Anyone I hope to ear good things from this show even as I write the weather could be nasty at some periods during this weekend. I hope the weather hold because this how we make our living and want everybody to be successful.

I started this month against my better judgement doing the Chicago Botanical Show with Amy Amdur. Lisa (staff member from Amy) told me that I should give a try to this show. This a dolly only show. The show is a local show for and it less than 100 artists at this show. The booth is around 625. The set up is slope down which made the set up very easy specially since they set up deliver time. The show was pack with people Saturday and by the end of the day I cover expenses including COGS and I was telling myself wow this could be a good show after all (only sold small pieces nothing big and nothing over 100). Then Sunday came it happen what I was concern. The weekends it hard to get in and with the show the lines to get was starting at the Ednes. Also it cost 25 to park. Still the show was pack but sadly for me there was no buyers for 2d work. Most artist told me that they nothing on Sunday. Another artist told me he just finish a zero show. The people that seems to do well was jewelers and wearables. I think even some of them was not to happy. I do not think it was Amy doing anything wrong. The REALLY BAD THING is taking the stuff to the car. Remember I mention slope down. Now you spend the entire day at the show and you break down. Now you need to dolly back to car. It is a very short distance but man it is FREAKING WORKOUT. They offer help to brings things back a small fee. I will tell as older I get I do not want to do this kind of breakdown. No matter how much make you taking a chance of hurting yourself.

NOW if you are in Chicago Land Area take time to visit the Botanical Garden. I got home in 30 minutes or so and eat dinner. Wow I need to rest I am heading to State College on Tuesday (Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts) the number one show in sales according to Sun Shine Artists.

Going to State College is a little weird because is the middle of nowhere but the key is the home of Penn State. Yea that Penn State College. The traveling time is about nine hours from Chicago. I decide to head out Tuesday because the check in time was 4 pm and set up was at 6pm. I figure out this will be best way to do it. Since I took off at 8am I miss most all the really bad weather and I only have to deal with three tornado warning. The last one was near to State College and if I a tornado was in path I basically dead. I found out if you can risk it is better to leave at 5am on Wednesday and check in into your hotel and then go to check in because no matter what you can not set up until 6pm. Also depending if you are in the residential or campus may make difference how much you set up. The rumor is if you are in the campus you fully set up if you can. If you are in the residential just put up the display and finish next day. One thing No matter what in my case I should only put the display because you need to stop by 9pm. The show seems to very low in traffic in my area but my friend told me it was very busy in the residential area. My Thursday was a zero day. Friday I did over 1500. Saturday and Sunday I did 1000 each day. It does not sound like a lot of money but considering is my first time and the traffic was way down I do not know if I was lucky or not. At the end of the show I was very happy and heading home think I need to move my 72 old mother what a drag. Anyone I hope to get in next year again. My hope for next year could be Lakefront or EM Event, Des Moines (original or the other show) Botanical with Amy because I not get in Cherry Creek, State College, Ann Arbor, Geneva and Loring Park, MN. After that set head home which could be in Boise Idaho next year.

Well Greg I guess I need your book. Happy days to come to everyone.