OK, How was Philly?

[Pete VanderLaan]

Spill it. Is the recession on or what?

[Eben Horton]

I er.. um.. uh...

On a side note....

I saw a pigeon walking around in Virgel's booth this morning around 9:45 A.M It cooed at me, then flew off in the direction of the ceramics section.

[Doug Sheridan]

Granted, it's been a few years since I exhibited there, but things seemed normal enough, the usual number of foks complaining about sales and others doing okay. It did feel like there were plenty of buyers attending. I did better than expected, old accounts glad to see me, etc. The glass section always appeared to be the busiest, just my observation though, looking on from "mixed media".

I didn't hear much about a recession other than buyers seemed cautious about the size of their orders. I do miss the days when mail order catalogs and such would shop this show, now they've all gone to china.

[Rich Federici]

After entering all of the orders written at the show, I spent today mailing out roughly 30 "sorry we missed you, here's our new catalog sheet" letters.

We did get orders from some new accounts in places where we are presently not represented, but overall, our orders were down by more than 20%. In some cases I saw the buyer, they said they would see me later and they just never made it back.

It wasn't awful, given doom and gloom in the news everyday. I thought it being an election year we might see things getting a little better. HA!

Also noticed fewer glassblower booths than last year.

Well at least enough to keep the wolf away from the door for now.

[Victor Chiarizia]

suck fest but now i have time to do what i realy want. all the blowers LOVED my home made corn likker in my fancy bottle. next year i'm bringing at least 50 bottles to sell. good way to get my backup business started:<). vic

[Eben Horton]

there really was a pigeon in Virgel's booth.

[Virgil Jones]

Actually....there was a bunch of them, so it turned out to be a good show.

[Pringle Teetor]

Victor, did you find a way to make it legally?

:) I'll take a case!

[Michael Mortara]

It was our first time at Philly and we did well considering the awful Baltimore show we had last year.
What saved us this show was having new work.
Of course when i got home i found out oil has broken $100/bbl.

[Wes Hunting]

Good show for us, not a great show, but better than what I expected. Victor kept the smiles on our faces with his home made elixir.

[Doug Sweet]

show was soft but ok. Did not see some old accounts. I need that next hot new item. My old one is slowing down. Doing a mailing soon. It was great to see everyone at the show.

[Victor Chiarizia]

i'll have to bring a few bottles just for wes. he knows how to take a slug o likker. next year i'll have coveralls on and a few missin tooths.

[Chris McCarthy]

It was my first wholesale show, and I'm happy to say it was my best wholesale show.:D . My booth was directly across from Virgil's and I also saw the pigeon on monday morning admiring his work.

[Scott Hegan]

victor - I love your glass, but your cawn likker was the best thing at the show. Thanks. Sign me on for a bottle - serious as can be.

[Eben Horton]

Originally posted by Scott Hegan
victor - I love your glass, but your cawn likker was the best thing at the show. Thanks. Sign me on for a bottle - serious as can be.


your glass aint too shabby either. I wish I didn't do the show alone otherwise I would have had more time to say hi to everyone.

[Victor Chiarizia]

same here eben. doing the show alone is tough. i'm getting a little better at staying in my booth.

so heres a reminder:<)

ok wheres the pic? this forum does'nt work like others. ill be back

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg147/glassman_2008/P1010586.jpg

[Cynthia England]

+okey.. it was good to see everyone..

I have a bt of feedback from " The Other Side of the Street"

after walking these shows in me designer Buyers Shoes..

Overall I was really disappointed.. I had expected people to

STEP UP THEIR GAME this year.. I wanted to see NEW / EXCITING WORK.. I was not the only buyer who had this feedback..

but didnt see any glass that I thought was utterally Outstanding..

I ordered glass 'Lightly' as I will blow to fill me gallery..

Sometimes it is good to Step out and take a chance.. you can only do the same thing for so long!!! before YOU get bored and
YOUR BUYERS GET BORED..

Galleries w/ local clients like to see NEW work..it really sucks to hear a customer say ' sooo.. you have had that vase for several years.. havent yu sold it yet??.. opps eye opener for me..
had sold and reordered vase several times .. but to the local client it was the same form /color they saw last time they were in.. that made me think...
Change is GOOD..

Dont be afraid to put NEW and Different out there..

When I went over to Jewelry Land I Had a GREAT time.. those folks change their lines each year..they keep it FRESH!~! as a
buyer it made me happy! and encouraged me to WRITE ORDERS!!! as an artist it made me encouraged..

THIS i KNEW..when I blow next month I have new designs / (yea vacations!!! and no stress) forms I am excited to try.. ya never know till ya put it out there

Bottom line from one who Loves u guys.. STEP IT UP.. MIX IT UP.. TRY NEW! DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO !!! Dont WAIT..

Gallery Maven

Alias MT

[Cynthia England]

Now I will 'Duck for Cover"

MT

[Brian Gingras]

Well put!!!

We do not attend Rosen or ACC...but we do attend wholesale shows. This year we introduced 100% more products over 2007, and changed a bunch of colors to reflect the current trends in design(who knew brown was so hot?). Our orders are up 200% this year with the new work, and we have more interest than ever before, and it's all the new stuff! It's called evolution.

[Roger Gandelman]

Cynthia, my booth didn't look the same this year. I had a new shirt on.

[Tom Bloyd]

Philly was a better than last year. We did bring new wall hanging birds as well as five other new bird designs. These were added to the fountain line that we've been doing and refining for the last ten years. As much as the galleries want new work, they also want you to have those peices that you established your name on. So it's always a constant challenge to find that middle ground of the new vs the established. To develop truly new and exciting work, not just retreading your own or other peoples old ideas, takes alot time and honesty. But that journey is what it's all about.

[Eben Horton]

Originally posted by Cynthia England
Now I will 'Duck for Cover"

MT


Its "duck and cover."


glad you liked my new work

:p

[Wes Hunting]

Originally posted by Cynthia England
Now I will 'Duck for Cover"

MT

Which shotgun barrel would you like, number one or number two? :rolleyes:

[Jordan Kube]

Both Wes.